Tours:
Avalon Waterways Tours

Experience the exotic thrill of an Avalon small-ship river cruise vacation.

Avalon offers worldwide destinations and support with cruises departing from Europe, Egypt, China, Galapagos Island and more. With a wide variety of cruises backed by more than 200 worldwide support staff, your cruise is sure to be perfect every time. Avalon includes all the main features of a destination without extra cost and traveling with Avalon means you benefit from their volume buying power which saves you money. Flight Centre and Avalon will handle all the logistics and details, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your cruise.

Established as part of Globus Tours, a world leader in escorted vacation packages, Avalon Waterways has set the industry standard for river and small-ship cruise holidays. Avalon operates a premium fleet of European passenger ships, and offers first-rate touring itineraries to Europe, China, Egypt, the Galapagos Islands and more. Travelers who booked Avalon Waterways with Flight Centre gave their river cruise vacations a 97% satisfaction rating on post-vacation surveys.

Enjoy luxurious amenities including panoramic views, large staterooms, engaging onshore activities and experienced staff, dedicated to providing the safest, most enjoyable cruise experience possible. From the world's youngest river cruise fleet to the sleek, contemporary ship design and state-of-the-art technology, Avalon leads the way in modern river cruising and small-ship cruising.

World class service and luxurious amenities follow you where ever you go.

Enjoy a floating room with a view! Over 90% of the staterooms in the Avalon fleet have panoramic sliding glass doors and French balconies, enhancing your views and overall experience. These modern, comfortable and contemporary vessels feature state of the art amenities and spacious common areas that make for an unforgettable sailing environment. All ships average two years in age and offer best in class staterooms-at 172 sq feet you'll find none larger, plus flat screen TVs, Egyptian linens, large wardrobes, and a mini bar cater to your every need.

Avalon attracts best in industry Cruise Directors who focus on making each and every sailing unique, entertaining, and engaging. They are backed by an English-speaking staff that caters to your desires every step of the way, Avalon offers an average crew to traveler ratio of 4:1. Experience delightful dining that includes handcrafted cuisines that incorporate local flavors with a choice of complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks with dinner. Dining with Avalon is a true treat. So book your Avalon river cruise with Flight Centre and know that your every need will be met from decisions to destination and back.

Benefit from Avalon's buying power; expertly crafted excursions included.

Avalon's 'Enrichment Program' is among the best in the industry. Experienced and knowledgeable local guides will take you on sightseeing tours of wonderful towns and cities and you can even spend the evening on shore when the schedule permits. In addition to fascinating sightseeing on each itinerary, you can choose from a few optional outings, and there's always time to make your own discoveries as well.

Included, expertly crafted shore excursions will enhance your cruise vacation and ensure you won't pay extra to experience the destinations you visit with Avalon. Avalon prides itself on featuring the best on-land programs. All of Avalon's land programs are operated by Globus, the leader in escorted travel, so your time on land is enriching and enjoyable.

Normally you'll enjoy half a day of sightseeing on shore, half a day cruising and ideally the evening in town if the schedule permits. Back on board, you'll enjoy interactive presentations with area experts, wine tasting, local entertainment, and more. The ship will be docked for longer periods in major cities like Vienna and Budapest. Past travelers who booked Avalon Waterways with Flight Centre gave their vacations a 97% satisfaction rating on post-vacation surveys.

Included meals selected and prepared to enhance your sensory experience.

When it comes to dining, you'll savor your destination in more ways than one. All meals on board are prepared by accomplished chefs and consist of local food adjusted for North American tastes. There is a full buffet breakfast, or for those times when a quiet breakfast sounds appealing, room service of continental breakfast is available in all Royal Deck staterooms and suites on Avalon's European ships.

In Europe a buffet lunch including choice of soups and main courses with appetizer, salad or sandwich, and dessert is made available. On the Yangtze, a mix of Western and Chinese dishes is offered; in the Galapagos, you'll be able to taste some Ecuadorian specialties. Dinner, for most sailings, is a multi-course meal with a choice of appetizers, soups, entrees (including vegetarian choices), desserts, and complimentary coffee, tea, and regional wines.

Stretch out and enjoy the industry's largest, most luxurious staterooms.

On an Avalon river cruise, you'll travel in style and comfort on a ship that offers the largest staterooms on the European waterways today. Designed to enhance your vacation experience and make you feel more at home, all staterooms are a spacious 172-square feet with unique amenities you would expect to find at a fine resort, including a modern private bathroom with shower; comfortable, hotel-style beds; European style duvets and Egyptian super-combed cotton linens; 90-percent floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors; large closets; a mini-bar; a safe; and individual climate control.

Enjoy included, remarkable amenities selected to enhance your destination.

Avalon river cruises offer more onboard activities-and a great selection of desirable amenities! Enjoy spirited performances by your English-speaking crew as well as onboard entertainment from local musicians. Attend insightful travel lectures for valuable information about your destinations. Keep up with your workouts at the fitness center and take a soak in the fun pool or 6-person whirlpool. Stay in touch with family or the office with onboard Internet access. Enjoy cocktails with new friends at the bar or club lounge, and satisfy your palate at the taste bud-tempting Captain's Dinner. On an Avalon river cruise you'll run out of time long before you run out of things to see and do.

Avalon's Fleet - Scenery, Affinity, Creativity, Felicity & Luminary

Showcases of stylish, contemporary design, these ships were built with your comfort in mind, and they deliver outstanding accommodations to enhance your journey. These sister ships are the newest additions to the Avalon fleet. Carrying a maximum of just 138 passengers, these cozy and well-appointed vessels earn praise for their warmth, distinction, intimacy, spacious and airy public areas, above average size staterooms, and the many other unique amenities. In addition, there is an elevator, a whirlpool on the Sky Deck, and a rear lounge-ideal for quiet relaxation or for small group gatherings.

Avalon's Fleet - Tapestry, Tranquility & Imagery

These sister ships have the distinction of introducing a new design concept to river cruising-the navigational bridge is situated behind the passenger section for a more spacious interior. The front location of the lounge and restaurant delivers unimpeded views of passing landscapes while the vast Sky Deck is perfect for sunning and taking pictures. The Avalon Tranquility and Avalon Imagery also offer an outside viewing deck forward of the main lounge.

Avalon's Fleet - Poetry & Artistry

Offering all the luxury and amenities you would expect from a first-class hotel, these regal ships welcome you with a gleaming 2-story lobby lit by a central glass skylight. Panoramic windows in the dining room, lounge, and recreation areas mean you won't miss a single passing landscape, while the 6-person whirlpool is ideal for relaxing after a full day of sightseeing.

What you need to know on board.

Air Conditioning and Heating - All rooms on the ships are air conditioned and heated. All ships have individual controls in the staterooms.

Beverages - Choice of complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks will be included with dinner on Avalon Europe river cruises. In Europe and the Galapagos, coffee and tea are available free of charge throughout the day from "early riser" breakfast through dinner. On the Yangtze, sodas are included at lunch and dinner.

Clothing - Dress aboard and on shore is casual. Please bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing. Dinner attire is casual-open-neck shirts, slacks, dresses. Coats and ties may be worn. The Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners are dressy, but not formal.

Cruise Director - A professional, experienced, English-speaking Cruise Director accompanies every departure.

Electricity - Electricity on board is 220v. The bathrooms have a dual 220v/110-120v plug for shavers and small appliances. You'll need an adapter or converter to use in other outlets in the stateroom. In the Galapagos, electrical outlets are 110v with American type outlets.

Gratuities - Gratuities on board and on land are not included in the cruise price. Tipping is a personal way to show your satisfaction for good service and is always appreciated. It is recommended that tips be paid in cash.

Hair Dryers - All ships have hair dryers for passenger use; please ask at the reception desk if one is not in your stateroom.

Laundry - Laundry service is available on board for a modest fee. Clothes cannot be dry cleaned on board. For safety reasons, Avalon asks that passengers do not iron their clothes in the staterooms; the laundry service will do pressing for a fee.

Library - You may check out books from the ship's library free of charge. Avalon asks that you return them before your cruise ends.

Medical Services - Due to the proximity to land, medical services can be called from shore rapidly. In the Galapagos, there is a physician on board.

Onboard Language - The language on board is English. All staff, crew and tour guides speak English. All announcements and commentary will be in English.

Onboard Shop - Each ship has a shop area offering accessories, film, souvenirs and some select personal and toiletry items.

Safes - Ships have in-room safes. In the Galapagos, valuables may be stored in the ship's safe free of charge.

Smoking - In Europe and in the Galapagos, all ships have non-smoking interiors. Smoking is only permitted on the Sky Deck. On the Victoria Anna and Royal Lotus smoking is limited to certain areas of the ship.

Telephones - Each stateroom has a direct dial telephone which may be used to call between staterooms. Ship-to-shore calls are also available. Any charges are placed on your shipboard account. In the Galapagos, there are two satellite-linked pay phones available for use in the reception lounge.

Television - Each stateroom has color satellite TV and will receive some English programming. There is a shipboard information channel and a channel with entertainment videos or movies. A TV is found in the ship's library in the Galapagos only.

Your Shipboard Account - For your convenience, all purchases and paid services on board are billed with a guest check and added to your personal shipboard account. At the end of your cruise, you will receive a total which can be paid with cash or charged to a credit card.

Single room supplement and guaranteed shares are available.

For single travelers who prefer the privacy of their own room and stateroom, single accommodation can, of course, be requested. Call for single room supplements. On European river cruises: Guaranteed shares are available in select categories. If you are traveling alone but prefer to share a stateroom, Avalon will try to match you up with a single traveler of the same gender. Please call your Flight Centre travel agent for details.

Looking to travel in a group? Benefit from Avalon's great group rates.

If you form your own group, you'll receive the following rebates: one person travels free in a group of 16. These group rebates do not apply to any transatlantic flights. Free land and cruise arrangements are credited at the twin rate; single room and stateroom supplements have to be paid in full.

Enjoy piece of mind. Airport transfers are available for purchase.

You can purchase arrival transfers from the airport to the first hotel as well as departure transfers from your last hotel to the airport. Ask your Flight Centre travel consultant for full details at the time of booking. Some restrictions apply.

Europe Airport Transfer - Airport transfers are available for purchase up to five days prior to departure - $35 for one way or $70 for round trip (brochure dates only). Extra night transfers are different and vary per city. Note: Transfer times are subject to change, check with your Flight Centre consultant for exact times.

South America Airport Transfer - Airport transfers are available for purchase prior to departure, any day year round.

Asia Airport Transfer - Airport transfers are available for purchase up to 15 days prior to departure in start and end cities only.

Africa Airport Transfer - Airport transfers are available for purchase prior to departure, any day year round.

Please note: children under 8 years of age are not permitted.

Avalon does not accept children under eight years old because they've found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations. There are no special arrangements or activities for children on Avalon vacations.

Travel with confidence backed by the experience of the best in the business.

One of the greatest advantages of booking with Flight Centre and traveling with Avalon Waterways is our experience. By booking an Avalon river cruise vacation with Flight Centre, you can trust that you are traveling with and supported by, the most experienced professionals in the industry. So call or click now and start planning the vacation of your dreams.

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