Useful Information

Children
River cruising is not suitable for young children. Children under 8 years are not accepted on board. There are no special arrangements or activities for children.

Clothing
On board and on shore, the dress code is casual and comfortable. We recommend comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing. There are no formal evenings however the Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Dinners tend to be dressier, but not formal. Shorts are not allowed in the Main Dining Room or the Panorama Lounge in the evening. Bathing Suits must only be worn on the Sky Deck. Some optional excursions, particularly evening events, may have dress code requirements.

Cruise Director
A professional, experienced, English-speaking Director oversees every aspect of your river experience.

Currency
For your convenience, all purchases and accounts on board can be settled with cash in Euro or by most major credit cards. Personal cheques cannot be cashed on board. Major credit cards are welcome nearly everywhere, apart from small towns, where you’ll need some local currency. Cash machines can be found on shore at some stops.

Drinks
Wine, beer and soft drinks are included with both lunch and dinner. There is also an all-day drinks station with premium teas and coffees.

Dining
There is a full buffet breakfast and buffet lunch, complete with a choice of soups, starters and main courses, salads or sandwiches, and dessert. In the evenings there are sumptuous four-course dinners with a choice available at each course from a set menu but there is also a standing order menu.

Electricity
Electricity on board is 220v and the wall sockets on board take European-style two-pin plugs. You may need an adapter in other outlets in the stateroom for any small personal items.

Entertainment
Depending on the destination, there may be regional wine tastings, local musicians and guest speakers who are welcomed onboard. A resident pianist is on every Avalon ship.

Fitness Centre
There is a fitness centre on all Avalon ships.

Hair dryers
All ships have hair dryers for passenger use.

Laundry
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, we ask that passengers do not iron clothes in the staterooms.

Library
You can take out books from the ship’s library free of charge. All we ask is that you return them before your holiday ends.

Lift
All European ships have a lift which operates between the three interior decks. The lift does not access the Sky Deck.

Medical services
Medical services can be quickly called in from shore if needed.

Mobility and Special Requests
Mobility scooters are not permitted on board Avalon cruises. Transport used for excursions are not equipped with ramps. Collapsible wheelchairs are allowed on board however the lifts do not go to every level of the ship. Also, most doors to the cabins and restrooms are not wide enough to allow access by wheelchair. Wheelchairs cannot be carried on ramps in ports and there may be logistical challenges such as cobbled streets and steep pathways. The maximum size of the wheelchair must not exceed 1030mm/40.44 inches in length x 555mm/21.85 inches wide. You must notify us at the time of booking if you wish to bring a wheelchair.

Special requests should be advised at time of booking, however Avalon Waterways cannot guarantee your requirement will be met. Avalon Waterways cannot offer individual assistance with walking, dining and getting on and off the ships.

Several food served on board can contain traces of nut. Peanuts are served during the happy hours every evening and traces of nuts are in most bedtime sweets. Please discuss your allergy with the Hotel Manager and Chef on board. Avalon Waterways are unable to offer Kosher and Halal meals.

On board language
All on board staff, crew and tour guides speak English – so all announcements and commentary will be in English too.

Refrigerator
A mini refrigerator is provided in each stateroom. If guests need more space to store medication, a crew member will take care of this and make sure it is stored appropriately.

Safety Deposit Boxes
A safe is available in every stateroom.

Shore Excursions
Guided excursions are included in the cruise cost and a headset is provided. On each cruise there may be additional optional excursions at a charge. These will be explained by the Cruise Director and can be purchased on board.

Smoking
All ships have non-smoking interiors. Smoking is only permitted on the Sky Deck in specific areas where ash trays are provided.

Special occasions
If you’d like to celebrate a special occasion, such as an anniversary or birthday, please tell one of our ship personnel when you board and we’ll do what we can to make it even more special.

Television
Each stateroom has colour satellite TV and will receive some English programmes. There is also a shipboard information channel, and a channel featuring videos or films.

Tipping
Gratuities on board are included.

Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi is included on most ships except the Galapagos and Amazon where internet service is not available.

Your shipboard account
At the end of your holiday you will receive a total on your shipboard account, which can be paid with cash in Euro or by credit card.