Avalon Expression

Avalon Expression at a Glance

Avalon Expression sails for Avalon Waterways, cruising the rivers of Central and Western Europe. The two cabin grades aboard give travellers a clear choice between space and value, and every sailing puts a sequence of riverside cities and towns at the gangway. Here is what to know before you browse:

• Cruise line: Avalon Waterways
• Primary rivers: Danube, Rhine and Main
• Cabin grades: Deluxe Outside Cabin and Royal Suite
• Who it suits: Couples wanting a manageable, expertly routed European river voyage

Sailings currently on sale depart from Amsterdam, Basel, Budapest, Vilshofen, Vienna, Frankfurt am Main and Nuremberg, with the longest itineraries running to 21 nights.

Where Avalon Expression Sails

The three rivers Avalon Expression works — the Danube, the Rhine and the Main — thread together the great cities of Central and Western Europe.

The Danube is the ship's most-sailed river, with itineraries that trace one of Europe's longest waterways through Hungary, Austria and Germany. Budapest and Vienna are the marquee stops, and most of the Danube sailings originate or conclude in Budapest, with others beginning in Vilshofen or Vienna.

On the Rhine, Avalon Expression connects Basel in Switzerland with Amsterdam in the Netherlands, passing through some of the river's most celebrated scenery — medieval towns, vine-terraced hillsides and the dramatic gorge section between Bingen and Koblenz. Basel and Amsterdam are both prominent departure points in the current sailing schedule.

The Main, which joins the Rhine at Frankfurt, opens up routes through the heart of Germany, with Frankfurt am Main and Nuremberg both featured as embarkation ports in the current season.

Cabins on Avalon Expression

Avalon Expression offers two grades of accommodation, and understanding the difference is the fastest way to decide what to book. Full deck plans and cabin details are on the Avalon Expression cabins and deck plans page.

Deluxe Outside Cabin (Grade D)

At 16 m², the Deluxe Outside Cabin is a well-proportioned river-cruise stateroom for two. Its standout feature is the pair of large windows that bring natural light and a continuous view of the riverbank into the room — a meaningful advantage on a voyage where the scenery is the whole point.

Royal Suite (Grade S)

The Royal Suite, at nearly 28 m², is the largest accommodation aboard. The additional square footage goes into a genuinely expanded living area: a sofa, a coffee table and a separate sitting space with room for four people — practical if you want to entertain, or simply to spread out after a long day ashore.

Why Book Avalon Expression with Cruise1st

Every sailing currently on sale departs from Continental Europe — Germany, Hungary, Switzerland or the Netherlands — which means flying to your embarkation port is part of the journey. Rather than booking the cruise separately and arranging flights and hotels around it, Cruise1st Packages put the cruise, your flights, any hotels either side and all transfers onto one booking. One call, one itinerary, one invoice.

Beyond the logistics, Cruise1st is one of the UK's leading cruise specialists. That means the advisors you speak to before you book have specific knowledge of Avalon Waterways and the rivers it sails — they can help you choose between a Danube departure from Budapest or Vilshofen, or weigh up whether the Royal Suite's extra living space is worth it for your trip. Expert advice, on the phone, before you commit.

Common Questions About Avalon Expression

Which River Is Best for a First-Time Avalon Expression Voyage?

The Danube carries the greatest number of itineraries on the current sailing schedule and covers the ship's most iconic port pairing — Budapest and Vienna — making it a natural starting point for a first river cruise. The Rhine is the stronger option if you want a wider variety of landscapes in a shorter sailing.

Do All Avalon Expression Sailings Require a Flight?

Yes — every sailing currently on offer departs from a Continental European port. Cruise1st can arrange flights, pre- or post-cruise hotel nights, and transfers as part of a single package, so nothing needs to be booked separately.

How Long Are the Itineraries?

Current sailings range up to 21 nights, with departures from Budapest, Basel, Amsterdam, Vilshofen, Vienna, Frankfurt am Main and Nuremberg. Shorter sailings are also available depending on which river and departure date you choose.

Which Cabin Grade Should I Book?

If natural light and river views are the priority and you want a practical, well-sized stateroom, the Deluxe Outside Cabin is the straightforward choice. If you want the most space on the ship — including a separate sitting area — the Royal Suite at nearly 28 m² is the only grade that delivers it. Our cruise experts can walk you through both before you book.

Where Can I See All Available Sailings?

The full list of Avalon Expression departures is browsable by river: see all Danube river cruises, Rhine river cruises, or start from a specific port such as Amsterdam or Basel. Prices from £2,196pp* are currently available on sailings departing from September 2026.