Booking conditions

Porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person is included in the holiday price. Porterage is not included at airports/train stations, unless otherwise specified in your travel documents. Be prepared to carry your own suitcase on and off airplanes and trains and through airports and train stations. Regulations within most airports require customers to handle their own luggage through Immigration & Customs.

Your single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 30”x21”x11” and weight not exceeding 50lbs (22kg). We regret that we are unable to accept a second suitcase or any luggage exceeding these limits on any Avalon cruise outside of Europe. Some cruises have more restrictive regulations than those listed above. Refer to your Travel Documents for more information.

Carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 12”x11”x 6”. For safety reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not suitable as hand luggage on motor coaches and mini- buses. Carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you on motor coaches and other transportation.

Air carrier restrictions may vary from the limitations listed above. Size and weight limitations for carry-on and checked baggage vary from airline to airline and even according to destination. Your baggage allowance depends on the terms and conditions of the applicable airline so please check directly with them prior to your departure. Avalon is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers for excess baggage, and these fees are not included in the holiday price. You will be required to pay these fees directly to the airline at check-in.

No responsibility is accepted by Avalon for loss of or damage to baggage or any of the customer's belongings throughout the duration of the holiday. Customers are strongly encouraged to not bring valuables such as jewellery and large amounts of cash. Any such valuables should not be left in baggage out of the control of the customers. Baggage insurance is highly recommended.

Optional excursions in addition to those included in your itinerary may be available for purchase when in resort or via the `MyAvalon' page on our website 48 hours after making your booking. These will be available to book up until 3 days prior to departure. The operation of all/any optional excursions is subject to availability and a minimum number participating. Prices may be subject to change and the right is reserved to substitute a similar alternative excursion should it become necessary. Local transfers and excursions are provided by local operators and the type of vehicle used may vary on occasion we are the booking agent and are not responsible for carrying out the excursion. 

Optional shore excursions (“the Services”) available for booking are provided by local operators or other third parties that are entirely independent of Avalon and do not form any part of the product or services sold to you by Avalon or of these Terms & Conditions, even where Avalon suggests particular operators/other third parties and/or assists you in booking such optional shore excursions. Your contract for such Services will be with the organiser or operator of that Service, and will be subject to its Terms & Conditions, which may contain exclusions or limitations of liability. Avalon has no liability for any such optional shore excursion or for any act(s) or omission(s) of the organiser or operator or for any of its employees or agents or any other person(s) connected with the optional shore excursion.

Any advice or assistance on or with any service provided by any local representative does not mean or imply that the Service is sold, supervised, or controlled by Avalon, or that any such advice or assistance is given on behalf of Avalon. Holiday participants are asked to check with the operator of any optional shore excursion and the applicable Terms & Conditions before booking.

For operational reasons, not all optional shore excursions listed in the cruise itinerary, in print, online, or in travel documents may be available during your holiday. Your Cruise Director will advise of availability while on cruise.

We include private door-to-door home transfers if you live within 100 miles of your UK international departure airport in the UK Mainland and Northern Ireland. The collection point must be from a home address and only one car is provided per booking. The car is exclusively for you and your holiday party and will take you from your door to the departures terminal entrance; on your return, you'll be met in the arrivals hall. If you live more than 100 miles from your international departure airport you can pay an excess of £1.85 per mile per car for the additional miles. Mileage is calculated using the quickest route on Google Maps. This offer is subject to change. Please note that within 100 miles this is a complimentary service with no monetary value so no refund will be made if this service is not used. This service is not included on a cruise-only booking or for 2021 departures unless specified. 

All carriers are independent operators and are not owned, managed, or operated by Avalon.

Avalon is not responsible if an airline cancels, reschedules, or delays a flight for any reason on the day you travel outbound or return. You must work with the airline directly to reach your destination or to make any alternate arrangements, including amendments to return services. Airline fees often apply for modifications to air schedules not related to airline-imposed flight cancellations, reschedules, or delays. These fees will be payable to the airline directly at time of request. Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, a cancellation, or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. However, reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. If your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to their representative ADR provider, or in the absence of the same, the Civil Aviation Authority on 020 7453 6888 or at https://www.caa.co.uk/Passengers/Resolving-travel-problems/.

If you miss your departure flight or connection, it is your responsibility to work with the airline on which you are ticketed to reach your destination. No refunds will be provided by Avalon for portions of trips missed due to cancelled, rescheduled, or delayed flights after airport check-in, nor is Avalon responsible for any additional expenses you may incur prior to joining your trip if you miss your departure flight or flight connection.

If an air schedule requires an overnight stay in a gateway city, Avalon can assist you with hotel reservations; however, the cost of the overnight stay (including but not limited to hotel and meals) is at your expense. Air routings are subject to availability. Routings are not guaranteed and are subject to change at any time.

If you make your own flight arrangements, Avalon will not be responsible for any loss resulting from cancellation or changes in international gateways, itineraries, or travel dates. We recommend that you do not purchase airline tickets with high penalty cancellation charges.

Please note that some airfares and/or airlines have strict restrictions and they may require full payment at the time of booking. When booking such flights you will be asked to pay for the cost of the flight upfront as well as the deposit as stated in the Cruise Deposit section. Once booked, such Instant Purchase Air flights are non-changeable and non-refundable from 24 hours after purchasing.

For delayed, lost or damaged baggage following a flight, you must report this immediately at the airport to the airline staff who will provide a Property Irregularity Report. Please note any claim in this respect would need to be made directly to the airline. The airlines have deadlines for making a claim and we would recommend that you check the individual airline's website for more detailed information. You can also see more detailed information on the CAA website https://www.caa.co.uk/Passengers/Resolving-Travel-Problems/Lost-delayed-or-damaged-baggage/

All passengers must provide emergency contact details and passport information (when required) prior to travel. This includes a contact so that Avalon Waterways can get in touch with friends or family in the rare case of an emergency as well as an “On Tour” contact, i.e. mobile phone number or email address, for use by the Tour or Cruise Director. Emergency contact details can be provided through your travel agent, our administration team or in the MyAvalon section of the website 

The hotels listed on the website or in the brochure are intended to be used on all departures; however, hotels are not guaranteed. Avalon reserves the right to substitute other hotels than those listed on the itinerary pages. If a change becomes necessary for any reason, including alternate hotels for additional departures on the same date, or hotel location changes within or outside itinerary cities, the hotel substituted will be of equivalent quality to those shown. No refunds are provided for hotel changes; full cancellation penalties, as noted above, apply. Avalon contracts twin-bedded rooms at hotels included in the itinerary. Double-bedded rooms may be requested, but are never guaranteed. Some hotels do not offer triple rooms. Where a triple room is not available hotels may provide one twin-bedded room and one single room. Single supplements ensure your own rooms but not necessarily a twin or a double room. Single rooms in hotels are generally smaller in size and may be less conveniently located. On overnight ferries, single cabins may not be available or are limited and singles may be asked to share. Room and bed preferences are not guaranteed. Check-in times vary worldwide; Avalon cannot control or guarantee check-in times. On cruises, staterooms are subject to change and are finalised upon embarkation. Docking positions at each port are assigned by local authorities, and river cruise companies have no control over where they can dock. This can sometimes result in double-docking, when more than one ship is assigned to the same dock and the ships are rafted together, temporarily obstructing the view. When double-docked you might be required to pass through another vessel to embark/disembark. We will not be responsible for any inconvenience or injury sustained as a consequence of embarking or disembarking not under the direct control of our ship. Air-conditioning in hotels is not guaranteed and is dependent upon local and national laws and regulations. Though hotels may have air-conditioning as a listed amenity, the usage of air-conditioning is often not available at night or in the low season (October – May). Other restrictions may apply. Avalon has no control over air-conditioning restrictions and regulations.

The services of a Cruise Director, local guides, or representatives during the cruising/touring elements of your holiday; the services of our local representatives or agents during resort and city stays • Return international flights/Eurostar/Rail journey from the UK as specified on each itinerary. • Airport taxes, security charges and port taxes.• Private chauffeur service. • All tips and gratuities for the Crew, Cruise Director, Drivers and Local Guides.• Fuel supplements known at time of booking.• ATOL Protection contribution.• UK Government Air Passenger duty. • Transfers between overseas airports or stations, ports and accommodation unless otherwise stated in the brochure or on our website.• All internal flights featured in the itineraries shown.• Cruise/tour content as specified in each itinerary.• All meals on board. • All state/regional/local taxes, VAT and service charges unless otherwise stated in the cruise description. • Sightseeing and excursions specified as included in the cruise description.

Food and drinks unless shown as included in your itinerary • Meals on selected flight and train services. • Optional excursions. • Personal departure taxes which are payable locally at overseas airports • Holiday Insurance. • Any consumer levy that may be imposed by the UK Licensing Authority or approved body. • Costs of visas or vaccinations where necessary.• Additional charges for cruise/hotel such as laundry, safety deposit boxes, minibar and sports facilities, unless otherwise stated.• Any room/stateroom supplements as described in the price panel • Transfers and Private Home Pick up  if you have booked ‘Just the cruise’ arrangements.

You are responsible for verifying that everything on your invoice is accurate and complete, including dates of travel, options selected, and that each name matches the relevant passport. Avalon cannot accept responsibility if we are not notified of inaccuracies within 5 days of sending out the invoice. Changes are subject to the fees and penalties noted in the Booking Cancellation & Fees' section. In the case of billing errors, Avalon reserves the right to re-invoice you with correct pricing.

Unless otherwise specified, transfers arranged by Avalon are provided by independent transportation suppliers and are group transfers operated by motor coach and may have pre-set departures times. Avalon is not responsible for flight delays, delays in immigration or customs, delays due to lost baggage, or delays for any reason beyond our control.

Your documentation will be provided by e-mail. Please ensure you provide us with a valid email address at the time of booking for us to provide you with your booking invoice, holiday documentation and ATOL certificates. If we do not have a valid email address we charge a fee to print and post your travel documentation.