12th Oct 2024 | 7 nights | Avalon | Avalon Vista
Fairytale settings await on every Rhine River cruise, but an Active & Discovery cruise with Avalon immerses you in new, interactive ways. As you glide from untouched villages to touching cities throughout Holland, Germany and France, our range of excursions, from Classic to Discovery to Active options, presents the opportunity to move at your desired pace and be moved at every turn. Clifftop castles, rolling vineyards, and cobblestone lanes become even more enchanting when you experience them from the seat of a bicycle or an artist’s stool. From culinary walks and beer tours to cave, castle, and kayaking explorations, you choose exactly how to toast the joys of the Rhine and your moving journey on it.Move. Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you:•Paddle through the canals of Amsterdam on a kayak.•Take an E-Bike tour surrounded by beautiful vineyards at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.•Follow the road less traveled on an exciting hike along Heidelberg’s Philosophers’ Way.And Be Moved.Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:•Discover your inner artist at an Amsterdam painting class inspired by the Dutch masters.•Explore the lava caverns on a one-of-a-kind volcano encounter below the town of Mendig.•Join a foodie tour through Strasbourg to discover the cuisine of France’s Alsace region. Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely “you” ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the Rhine.
The 166-passenger Avalon Vista was jointly christened with the 128-passenger Avalon Visionary in May 2012.
Vista, a sister "Suite Ship" to 2011's Avalon Panorama, features the same novel cabin setup as its older sibling. Sixty-four cabins -- or two decks' worth -- have wall-to-wall panoramic windows, which open seven feet to create an open-air balcony of sorts.
Vista also features all the classic riverboat accoutrements, including a top-deck whirlpool, bow-to-stern Wi-Fi and spacious sun deck dotted with loungers.
Passengers will also find "light lunch" fare in the boat's lounge during lunch hours for those who wish to skip a trip to the main dining room, and on nice days, a sun deck barbecue offered for up to 40 passengers.
The cruise fare includes guided tours in each port, onboard lectures, evening entertainment and complimentary regional wines with dinner. Wi-Fi is also provided at no additional cost.
English-speaking travellers who want to sail the world by river, exploring at their own pace.
Families with young children or travellers who depend on wheelchairs.
Avalon caters to English-speaking travellers from North America, the U.K. and Australia/New Zealand. The average age of passengers is mid-50s to 60s, but the mix varies by itinerary, and on four- and five-night cruises, you'll find more 40-something travellers and others trying out river cruises for the first time. Children ages 8 and older are welcome onboard, but there is no formal youth program.
No, not really. You can't wear shorts at dinner, but, other than that the dress code is casual. At dinner you'll see mostly open-neck shirts and slacks for men; slacks, skirts or dresses for women. Some people op to dress up a bit nicer, though still relatively casual, for the welcome and farewell dinners (only on Europe river cruises).
Exactly what is included varies somewhat with the itineraries. In Europe, Asia and South America, coffee and tea are available free of charge all day long. In Europe a choice of complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks is included with lunch and dinner, and sparkling wine with breakfast. On the Mekong, Ganges and Amazon rivers, select soft drinks and local beer/spirits are available throughout the day and wine is included with lunch and dinner. Wi-Fi is free (except in the Amazon or Galapagos, where it's not available), as is dining (including breakfast in bed and picnic lunches to take on shore) and all onboard entertainment and enrichment. Most shore excursions are complimentary, including the line's Active Adventure options. You'll pay extra for gratuities, salon or spa treatments, laundry, onboard shop purchases and some special excursions.
Shore excursions are at the heart of activities on any Avalon sailing. Options can range from active excursions, such as canoeing the Danube or jogging through Amsterdam, to cultural experiences, like following the life of an Austrian worker or taking part in an Amsterdam painting class. Passengers who prefer to explore on their own can use the AvalonGO app loaded with a list of nearby attractions and hours of operation, historical facts, maps and directions as well as local cafes, restaurants, bars and entertainment options. Onboard, most passengers attend enrichment sessions, and the Local Favourites program brings regional performances onboard, as well as classes: tai chi or Mandarin lessons on the Yangtze, culinary demonstrations in France, etc.
Inclusions may differ depending on region. Please check with our team.