About the line
About Avalon Waterways
Avalon's signature Panorama Suites have wall-to-wall windows that open into the room, with the bed positioned toward the passing view. Avalon Choice offers Classic, Active, and Discovery sightseeing on selected days, while FlexDining removes fixed seating and fixed dinner times. Wine and beer are included with lunch and dinner, soft drinks are available throughout the day, and European Suite Ships include Wi-Fi.
Best for
Travelers who want a larger-feeling cabin, a bed facing the river, and more flexibility in how they tour.
Pros
- Panorama Suite beds face the river view
- Open-Air Balcony windows do not take floor space from the room
- Classic, Active, and Discovery excursions on selected days
- Flexible dining without assigned seating
Cons
- Airfare and gratuities are not automatically included
- The lowest headline fare may be a lower-deck Deluxe Stateroom
- Not every excursion style is offered in every port
Inclusions
What’s included
A quick read on the standard Christmas-sailing package. Partial inclusions are marked with a half-circle.
Drinks
PartialBeer & wine with lunch/dinner
Excursions
PartialIncluded touring; optional extras may apply
Flights
Flights extra
Gratuities
Extra
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Bikes
Bikes carried, free to use
The fleet
Ships
Avalon View
Avalon Envision
Avalon Passion
Avalon Vista
Avalon Expression
Avalon Visionary
Christmas itineraries
Example Christmas sailings
Published itinerary examples, not live cabin availability. Check the departure for current ships and inclusions.
- 6 nights
Christmastime on the Danube
Danube River
- 7 nights
Christmastime on the Romantic Rhine
Rhine River
- 5 nights
Christmastime in the Heart of Germany
Main River
Itineraries we feature
Example cruises on this line
Real, published itineraries — shown as examples. Live availability via a planning expert.
Christmastime on the Danube
Avalon's six-night Christmastime on the Danube links Nuremberg and Vienna through Regensburg, Passau, Melk, and the Wachau Valley. The line's Panorama Suites place the bed toward the river view, while Avalon Choice excursions give guests more than one way to explore on selected days.
Example pricing
from $2,947
2026 example · per person · checked Oct 11
Christmastime on the Romantic Rhine
This seven-night Rhine route connects Amsterdam and Basel through Cologne, the Rhine Gorge, Rüdesheim, Mainz or Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and the Black Forest gateway. Most of the remaining space found in October was in Avalon's Panorama Suites, with a smaller number of Deluxe and Royal categories on specific dates.
Example pricing
from $4,430
2026 example · per person · checked Oct 11
Christmastime in the Heart of Germany
This five-night Main River trip stays within Germany, visiting a smaller riverside town, Würzburg, Bamberg, and Nuremberg. The October 11 inventory check found one bookable Panorama Suite category on the December 6 departure; the later departure was sold out.
Example pricing
from $4,217
2026 example · per person · checked Oct 11
Keep exploring
Other cruise lines
See how the rest of the field compares.
Viking River Cruises
The thinking person's river cruise.
Viking's European river cruises combine Scandinavian-style interiors with destination-focused touring. Fares include one shore excursion per port, onboard meals, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, and port taxes. Enrichment lectures and destination performances add context to the journey. Ships and layouts vary by river; compare the actual vessel and cabin rather than assuming every Longship is identical.
Our score
4.6Request pricing
per person · example
AmaWaterways
The heart of the river.
AmaWaterways is a family-owned line known for food-forward dining, several excursion styles, and active choices such as hiking and biking. On European sailings, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, along with a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour; The Chef's Table is included at no extra charge. Its Christmas-market itineraries combine guided touring with time to explore independently. AmaMagna offers an especially spacious Danube experience, while the wider fleet gives travelers a useful range of ship and cabin styles.
Our score
4.7Request pricing
per person · example
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Luxury, redefined on the river.
Riverside offers several fare packages rather than one universal all-inclusive fare. On Riverside Mozart, full-board options and premium beverage packages can be booked with or without selected excursions. Compare the package and ship alongside the cabin price; some specialty dining and experiences can cost extra.
Our score
4.5Request pricing
per person · example
Tauck River Cruising
All-inclusive, done right.
Tauck's Christmas itineraries combine river cruising with its escorted-tour approach. Scheduled sightseeing, special events, selected onboard drinks, and specified gratuities are included. Its Danube route connects Nuremberg and Vienna; the Rhine trip connects Basel and Düsseldorf. Confirm the exact events, vessel, and departure direction before choosing.
Our score
4.6Request pricing
per person · example