Avalon Waterways

From: European Cruise Guide

ABOVE: A couple enjoys the view from an Avalon cruise on the Danube. INSET BELOW: A stateroom and a junior suite's bathroom on the Avalon Artistry.

Avalon Waterways is a river-cruising line owned by Globus, a tour operator with more than 75 years of experience in Europe. Avalon focuses on the U.S. and Canadian market, with cruises on modern vessels built from 2007 to 2012. (Two new "suite ships" enter the fleet in 2013.)

Avalon's ships feature oversized cabins and state-of-the-art amenities such as sliding glass doors, fitness rooms, free Internet access, and--in Royal Suites--complimentary iPads. Restaurants have open seating, and passengers are served wine, beer, or soft drinks at lunch and dinner without charge.

European itineraries range from four to 23 days in length, with travel on the waterways of Holland and Belgium, France, Germany, and Central Europe. Some itineraries include land tours before or after the river cruise. Avalon also has a number of "theme cruises" scheduled for 1013, including a Music River Cruise, Wine River Cruises, and  a Jewish Heritage River Cruise.

Cruise line's Web site:

Avalon Waterways

Photos courtesy of Avalon Waterways.