Avalon Impression

Avalon Impression at a Glance

Avalon Impression is a river cruise ship operated by Avalon Waterways, sailing the storied waterways of central Europe. Here is what to know before you look at sailings:

• Rivers: Danube and Main
• Departure cities: Budapest, Nuremberg, Vilshofen, Amsterdam, Vienna
• Cabin types: Royal Suites and Deluxe Outside Cabins
• Sailings on sale: departing from September 2026, with itineraries up to 21 nights

All current sailings on Avalon Impression depart from ports across Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands and Austria, so every booking includes a flight from the UK. Cruise1st packages that flight, any hotel nights either side, and transfers into a single, straightforward holiday.

Where Avalon Impression Sails

Avalon Impression concentrates on two of Europe’s most celebrated rivers — the Danube and the Main — threading through landscapes, historic cities and vineyard-lined valleys that can only be reached by river.

The majority of sailings begin or end in Budapest, Hungary, one of Europe’s most dramatic capital cities, with its chain bridges, thermal baths and castle district rising directly from the river bank. Other popular departure points include Nuremberg and Vilshofen in Germany, and Vienna in Austria. Sailings that extend onto the Main open up the prospect of boarding in Amsterdam — a city worth arriving in a day early — with cruises from Amsterdam giving you the Dutch waterways before the river heads east into Germany.

Itineraries range from shorter breaks to voyages of up to 21 nights, meaning there is a sailing to suit both first-time river cruisers and those who want to cover the full sweep of central Europe in a single trip.

Cabins on Avalon Impression

Avalon Impression offers two cabin grades, each designed to keep the passing river landscape at the centre of the experience. Full deck plans and cabin details are on the Avalon Impression cabins and deck plans page.

Royal Suite (Grade S)

At nearly 28 m², the Royal Suite is the most spacious accommodation on board, sleeping two guests and featuring two televisions and two wardrobes — a practical luxury on longer voyages. It is a balcony cabin, giving direct access to fresh air and uninterrupted river views throughout the cruise.

Deluxe Outside Cabin (Grade D)

The Deluxe Outside Cabin is a well-proportioned outside cabin at 16 m², sleeping two, with two windows that frame the river and its banks. Natural light fills the room throughout the day, keeping the sense of the journey present even when you are not on deck.

Booking Avalon Impression with Cruise1st

Every sailing currently on sale departs from a European port, which means a flight is part of your trip. Cruise1st specialises in making that straightforward: as one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, we handle the cruise alongside the flights, hotels and transfers as one holiday through our Cruise1st Packages — one booking, one point of contact, nothing left to arrange separately.

If you are weighing up cabin grades, itinerary lengths or the difference between a Danube sailing and one that continues onto the Main, our team of real cruise experts are available by phone before you book. That specialist knowledge of Avalon Waterways — and of the rivers themselves — is the kind of advice a general travel agent cannot offer.

Common Questions About Avalon Impression

Do All Avalon Impression Sailings Require a Flight?

Yes — every current sailing departs from a port in Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands or Austria, so UK travellers will need to fly. Cruise1st can arrange flights, hotel nights and transfers alongside the cruise as a single package, so you are not left to piece the journey together yourself.

Which Cabin Grade Should I Book on Avalon Impression?

If space and storage matter — particularly on sailings of two weeks or more — the Royal Suite at nearly 28 m² with two wardrobes is built for extended cruising. If you want a comfortable, light-filled cabin at a smaller footprint, the Deluxe Outside Cabin’s two windows give a genuine connection to the river without the suite price. Our cruise experts can talk through which suits your trip length and budget.

What Is the Longest Itinerary Available on Avalon Impression?

The longest sailings currently on sale run to 21 nights, covering a substantial sweep of the Danube and Main river systems. Shorter itineraries are also available for those with less time or who are trying a river cruise for the first time.

Where Do Most Avalon Impression Sailings Start?

Budapest is the most common starting point, with a large share of available sailings departing from the Hungarian capital. Nuremberg and Vilshofen in Germany are also frequent embarkation points, and Amsterdam features on sailings that include the Main.

Can I See All Avalon Waterways Ships Before I Decide?

Avalon Impression is one ship in the Avalon Waterways fleet. If you would like to see what other vessels the line operates, the Avalon Waterways cruise line page lists the full fleet alongside what sailing with them is like — a useful starting point if you are still deciding which ship fits your itinerary.

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