AmaWaterways vs Avalon Waterways: which river cruise is better?

No score and no verdict of ours: what AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways each publish on their own websites, read 10 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

AmaWaterways vs Avalon Waterways: which river cruise is better?

Neither is better for everyone. AmaWaterways includes a choice of daily onshore experiences and asks a $400 deposit per person for Europe on US bookings; Avalon includes up to 28 excursions, wine and beer with lunch and dinner; it takes a $250 deposit per person on most cruises under its US terms.

What is each line?

AmaWaterways sells river cruises; its US booking terms say AmaWaterways, LLC acts solely as sales and marketing agent for separate carriers, among them AmaWaterways GmbH for Swiss-flag ships, DouroAzul in Portugal and a partnership with Wings Tours & Nile Cruises in Egypt; the same terms say it does not own or operate any ship. Source

Avalon Waterways runs river cruises on its Avalon Suite Ships; it belongs to the Globus family of brands with Globus and Cosmos and calls itself a Swiss family-owned company, with its office in Denver, Colorado. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

AmaWaterways sells sailings on ships including AmaRudi, which it calls the newest ship to join its fleet, AmaPrima and AmaMagna, plus AmaNubia arriving on the Nile in November 2026. Source

Avalon Waterways sails Avalon Suite Ships in Europe, the Avalon Alegria on the Douro (its newest Suite Ship) and the Avalon Saigon on the Mekong; it also sells cruises on the Delfin III on the Amazon and the MS Farah in Egypt; its pages do not say who owns them. Source

How many guests are on board?

Avalon Waterways carries 102 passengers on the Avalon Alegria on the Douro and 36 guests in 18 Panorama Suites on the Avalon Saigon on the Mekong; it says its small ships average 150 guests or less. Source

AmaWaterways does not publish this on the pages read.

Which rivers does each line sail?

AmaWaterways sells named sailings on the Rhine and the Dutch & Belgian Waterways (City Escapes: Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals), the Danube (Celebration of Music), the Main (Europe's Rivers & Castles), the Douro (Flavors of Portugal & Spain), the Nile (Secrets of Egypt & the Nile) and the Mekong (Riches of the Mekong, Charms of the Mekong). Source

Avalon Waterways sails European rivers on its Suite Ships, the Douro on the Avalon Alegria and the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia on the Avalon Saigon; it also sells cruises on the Amazon in Peru (Delfin III) and in Egypt (MS Farah). Source

How large are the cabins?

Avalon Waterways' Panorama Suites are 200 square feet in Europe, which it says is an average of 30% larger than others, with Open-Air Balconies whose windows open 7 feet wide; suites on the Avalon Saigon are 245 square feet with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling Open-Air Balconies. Source

AmaWaterways does not publish this on the pages read.

What does the fare include?

AmaWaterways' fares include daily onshore experiences, regional cuisine and personalised service; its US terms say airfare, fuel surcharges, visas, travel protection, laundry, additional food and drinks, optional excursions and gratuities cost extra. Source

Avalon Waterways' Europe fares include wine and beer with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast, soft drinks all day, Wi-Fi, up to 28 included excursions and gratuities for wait staff at included meals; airfare, guide and crew gratuities, laundry, minibar, optional excursions, travel protection and visas cost extra. Source

Are shore excursions included?

AmaWaterways includes daily onshore experiences, with a choice each day from guided walking tours, culinary tastings, bike rides and vineyard hikes; optional excursions cost extra. Source

Avalon Waterways includes up to 28 excursions per cruise in small groups, in three Avalon Choice styles (Classic, Discovery and Active); its Active & Discovery cruises average 22 included excursions and optional excursions are sold from 90 days before departure. Source

What do solo travellers pay?

AmaWaterways charges a single supplement when a stateroom's occupancy is reduced. Source

Avalon Waterways charges a single room supplement where it applies, with no figure published; single accommodation can be requested and no solo cabins are named. Source

How much is the deposit?

AmaWaterways asks US bookings for a deposit of $400 per person for Europe, Colombia and Asia, $1,200 for Egypt or $2,400 for Africa, with final payment no later than 90 days before travel; Canadian bookings pay $500, $1,500 or $3,000 per person in CAD and UK bookings from £270 to £570. Source

Avalon Waterways: Under its US terms, takes a non-refundable deposit of $250 (USD) per person on most cruises ($500 on the Delfin III, MS Farah and Botswana trips), with final payment 90 days before departure. Source

What happens if you cancel?

AmaWaterways' US scale per person for Europe, Colombia and Asia: $200 at 121 days or more before departure, $400 at 120 to 90 days, 35% of the cruise and land price at 89 to 60 days, 50% at 59 to 31 days and 100% from 30 days; Egypt and Africa start at $600 and $1,200, while date or name changes count as cancellations. Source

Avalon Waterways: On 2026 and 2027 cruises, charges 50% of the total price from the final payment date to 30 days before departure, 80% at 29 to 1 days and 100% on the day of departure or later; deposits are non-refundable. Source

Is your money protected?

AmaWaterways' UK flight-inclusive packages are protected under ATOL number 11232 and UK packages without flights by an ABTA bond (membership no. Y6393); in the US it is a California seller of travel (CST 2065452-20) with the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund where applicable. Source

Avalon Waterways gives California Seller of Travel #2017032-20 and Florida Seller of Travel # ST38397 and does not say what they cover. Source

What happens if the water is too high or too low?

AmaWaterways says the carrier may alter itineraries for high or low water, keeping guests on the docked ship, substituting ground arrangements or moving them by coach or another vessel; such changes bring no credit or refund except as the Passenger Ticket Contract provides. Source

Avalon Waterways says it will often move guests to a sister Suite Ship when water level disruptions are unchanged after 48 hours and uses motorcoaches and hotels for changes; its terms treat low or high water as a Force Majeure Event, with future travel credit offered and a refund possible if requested within 21 days. Source

What if your mobility is limited?

AmaWaterways says accessible facilities may not be available on board or in many places visited; guests with mobility needs should tell it in writing at booking. Source

Avalon Waterways: Outside the United States, guests must be able to walk up and down steps and ramps without a wheelchair or walker; collapsible wheelchairs up to 1030mm x 555mm are allowed if disclosed, motorised scooters are not permitted outside the US and many small ships have no lift. Source

Can children come?

AmaWaterways sets a minimum age of 4 (children under 5 not recommended) or 12 on Africa (including Egypt) and Southeast Asia programmes; it provides no child-specific programmes or child-minding. Source

Avalon Waterways sets a minimum age of 8, with no child reductions and no special arrangements or activities for children on its ships. Source

When is each not the fit?

The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.

• AmaWaterways: not the fit if you need a doctor on board: it says medical doctors are not available on any vessel. Source
• Avalon Waterways: not the fit if you use a wheelchair or walker: outside the United States, guests must be able to walk up and down steps and ramps without one. Source

How do their reviews compare?

Their figures per platform, read 10 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.

• AmaWaterways: Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 67 reviews; Trustpilot: 1.7 out of 5 from 109 reviews, newest 24 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
• Avalon Waterways: Google: 4.2 out of 5 from 22 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.4 out of 5 from 1,905 reviews, newest 25 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.

The lines at a glance

One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel river cruise page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.

Which other lines sail the same rivers?

The lines that sell sailings on the same rivers are compared on What are the best alternatives to AmaWaterways?

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 10 November 2026 · updated 10 November 2026