FAQs

Yes, occasionally, Mother Nature has other ideas and may present us with unexpected high or low water conditions. Our seasoned global team works proactively to manage and communicate any necessary itinerary changes with you. We are always ready with thoughtfully planned alternatives and modifications to minimise delay or disruption. Every modification we make is with your comfort and convenience in mind.

Please refer to our Avalon Assurance policy for more information: https://www.avaloncruises.co.uk/why-avalon/avalon-assurance/

Voltage is 220v. Electricity wall sockets on board take European style two-pin plugs. British appliances with three-pin plugs will need an adaptor.

Unfortunately not, please speak directly to reception once you are on board in order to secure an appointment.

All of our river cruise ships offer staterooms with a choice of either twin or double beds. Please request the type of stateroom you’d prefer when booking.

Our goal is to make you feel at home on your Avalon cruise. That is why the dress code on board is casual and comfortable. Formality is not our style, and you will not be required to pack dresses or sport coats for your Avalon cruise. Some guests do prefer to dress up for occasions such as the Captain’s Reception or Farewell Dinner. You are welcome to wear what suits you best. We also like to keep things comfortable for all guests, so we kindly request that shorts not be worn in the Dining Room or Panorama Lounge in the evenings, and that bathing suits are worn only on the Sky Deck. Some optional excursions, especially those to evening events, may have dress code requirements. Excursion descriptions include any details you will need to be prepared.

All our ships in our European fleet have a lift that operates between the three interior decks. Owing to height restrictions caused by low bridges the lifts do not access the Sky Deck.

We do not have a pillow menu onboard. However on each bed there are two different types of pillows (soft and hard) once you decide which is your preference inform the cabin steward.

There is not a Captain’s Dinner but during every cruise there is a Captain’s Welcome Reception, with Champagne and canapés, a Welcome Dinner and a five-course Farewell Dinner.

The dining room is spacious enough to accommodate all guests at a single sitting. Seating is open, so you can choose to sit wherever you wish, and tables can seat 4 to 8 guests each. Tables cannot be reserved.

Breakfast and lunch are both buffet style. Breakfast includes a choice of tea, coffee, juices and freshly made hot and cold dishes. Alternately there is early or late riser breakfasts in the lounge for a lighter breakfast. Lunch includes a selection of hot and cold dishes as well as fresh fruit, desserts and a cheese table. You can also choose from a standing order menu like a Club Sandwich or a Ceasar Salad. Dinner includes 4 courses chosen from a set menu and typically includes a selection of soups and entrees and a choice of desserts, alternately there is also a standing order menu. Champagne is available at breakfast, soft drinks are included with lunch and unlimited regional red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with dinner. For more information, please see our Dining section.

Shore visits can include tours on foot, scenic coach trips or a combination of both. In some cases, when your ship is able to dock in the city centre, it may be more practical to explore on foot whereas if the ship docks in a port near to an attraction, the excursion will be made by coach. Almost every excursion will include some walking.

Depending on the cruise destination, there may be regional wine tastings, local musicians performing folklore shows or classical recitals, and guest speakers who are welcomed aboard to talk about local cities and attractions. A resident pianist is on every Avalon ship and a selection of board games and a small library available on board.

We have found over the years that cruising holidays are not ideal for young children. For this reason, we do not take bookings for children under 8 years of age and there are no special arrangements or activities for children on board.

No, there are included guided sightseeing in every port (complete with headset in Europe) with expert local guides. On each cruise there will be additional optional excursions at a charge,  if you wish to immerse yourself more in the local culture. These will be explained by your Cruise Director and purchased onboard.

There is not a doctor on board Avalon Waterways cruises. The nature of river cruising means the ship will never be too far away from a town or city where medical assistance can be provided.

Smoking is only allowed on the ships outside decks in specific areas where ash trays are provided.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is included on board most of our cruise, apart from Galapagos or Amazon sailings where internet service is unfortunately not available. Please note that the internet service is not always reliable and may be unavailable for part of your cruise.

In Europe:  The currency on board is the Euro. Most of the countries you will be visiting in Europe use the Euro. Exceptions are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania; they all have their own currencies but the Euro is accepted in many establishments. Many locations accept major credit cards; however in small towns they are not widely accepted. In these cases and for incidentals or small vendors, you will need some local currency. Cash machines are located on shore at some stops. Prior to your departure, confirm with your bank that your cash or credit card and PIN number will work abroad. All purchases on board are charged to your room account. Shipboard accounts can be settled by credit card (American Express, Visa, Mastercard or Diner's Club) or with cash. Traveller's cheques are not accepted. In China: U.S. dollars are widely accepted on shore. The local currency is the Yuan. Cash machines will dispense yuan or they can be purchased on board the ship using U.S. dollars. The currency on board is the yuan. Shipboard accounts can be settled in cash or most major credit cards. In Southeast Asia: Although, each country has its own currency including the Riel (Cambodia), Dong (Vietnam), Bhat (Thailand), and Kip (Laos), U.S. dollars are widely accepted in each country. Cash machines are available in most large cities and will dispense the local currency. The currency on board is the U.S. dollar. Shipboard accounts can be settled by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or with cash. Traveller's cheques are not accepted.

A laundry and pressing service is available on board for a small fee – prices are listed in your stateroom. Clothes cannot be dry cleaned on board and for safety reasons we ask that passengers don’t iron clothes in the staterooms.

Free flowing complimentary regional wines are included with dinner and lunch; these wines are paired specially with your dinner each day. Alternatively beer or soft drinks are available.

Mid – Afternoon tea is offered every day in the lounge or on the Sky deck. The afternoon tea consists of tea or coffee and a selection of cakes.

There is a safe in every stateroom on board an Avalon cruise ship.

On embarkation all passports are collected for safe keeping and held at the Guest Services Desk.

Yes onboard all Avalon ships there is a fitness centre.

If you are not flying until later on in the day, you will be able to stay onboard the ship, however you must vacate your cabin.  Everyone will need to be off the ship by 3.30pm at the latest. The Cruise Director will give full information onboard.

In each stateroom a mini refrigerator is provided. If a passenger needs more space to store medication, a crew member will gladly take care of this and make sure it is stored appropriately.

On occasion there maybe times were the ship is docked alongside another ship.

We cannot provide you with the docking position of your ship until 24 hours prior to the departure of the ship. In your documentation there will be a contact number for your cruise director who will have the docking address 24 hours before your cruises departs.

Yes you will be transferred directly to the ship, however you may not get access to your cabin at the same time. Please note that for any early arrivals you will be taken directly to the ship where you will have limited use of the public areas. Alternatively feel free to store your luggage and use the time to explore the area.

All ships have hair dryers for passenger use.

Yes each stateroom has a colour satellite TV and will receive some English programming. There is a shipboard information channel and a wide range of on demand films to enjoy.

Passengers celebrating special occasions, such as anniversaries or birthdays, should alert ship personnel upon boarding the ship. 

The onboard daily newsletter features information about daily activities, shore excursions and tour departure times.