Avalon Waterways vs Emerald Cruises: which river cruise is better?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026
No score and no verdict of ours: what Avalon Waterways and Emerald Cruises each publish on their own websites, read 10 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.
Avalon Waterways vs Emerald Cruises: which river cruise is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Avalon includes up to 28 excursions with wine and beer at lunch and dinner, in Panorama Suites of 200 square feet in Europe; Emerald Cruises, a Scenic Group brand, includes excursions, EmeraldACTIVE activities and bicycles on board.
What is each line?
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
Emerald Cruises is a brand owned and operated by Scenic Tours (USA), Inc., within Scenic Group, founded as Emerald Waterways in 2013; it sells river cruises on its Star-Ships in Europe and on the Mekong, plus luxury yacht cruises. Source
Which ships does each line sail?
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
Emerald Cruises says it has grown to eight Star-Ships sailing the waterways of Europe and one on the Mekong, plus three luxury yachts; named Star-Ships include Emerald Sky (christened April 2014), Emerald Star (August 2014) and Emerald Harmony on the Mekong, its first self-built Star-Ship (September 2019), with Emerald Astra and Emerald Lumi named as new river additions from 2026. 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
Emerald Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.
Which rivers does each line sail?
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
Emerald Cruises sells named sailings on the Rhine (Jewels of the Rhine), the Danube (Danube Delights, Danube Explorer), the Rhine and Moselle (Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards), the Rhône and Saône (Sensations of Lyon & Provence), the Douro (Secrets of the Douro) and the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia (10-Day Meandering Majestic Mekong Cruise). 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
Emerald Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.
What does the fare include?
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
Emerald Cruises includes excursions, EmeraldPLUS experiences and EmeraldACTIVE activities, with complimentary bicycles on board; optional DiscoverMORE excursions on river and yacht cost extra. Source
Are shore excursions included?
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
Emerald Cruises includes excursions, EmeraldPLUS experiences and EmeraldACTIVE activities, among them guided walks and bike tours; optional DiscoverMORE excursions cost extra and can be booked on board or through its reservations team. Source
What do solo travellers pay?
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
Emerald Cruises: On its US Europe river offers, Solo Program Select Fares offer a 75% single supplement and Solo Program Preferred Fares a 50% single supplement saving, with a free single supplement on select dates. Source
How much is the deposit?
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
Emerald Cruises does not state its deposit amount; its US Europe river offers say the deposit is due within 48 hours of booking, with final payment due no later than 90 days before departure. Source
What happens if you cancel?
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
Emerald Cruises does not set out its standard cancellation scale on its US booking policies page; its optional Penalty Relief Program costs $295 per person per river cruise and its optional plans can give a Future Travel Credit for an alternate tour or cruise, valid for 24 months. Source
Is your money protected?
Avalon Waterways gives California Seller of Travel #2017032-20 and Florida Seller of Travel # ST38397 and does not say what they cover. Source
Emerald Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.
What happens if the water is too high or too low?
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
Emerald Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.
What if your mobility is limited?
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
Emerald Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.
Can children come?
Avalon Waterways sets a minimum age of 8, with no child reductions and no special arrangements or activities for children on its ships. Source
Emerald Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.
When is each not the fit?
The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.
- 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
- Emerald Cruises: not the fit if you want time before paying a deposit: on its US Europe river offers the deposit is due within 48 hours of booking. 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.
- 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.
- Emerald Cruises: Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 37 reviews. 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.
Avalon Waterways
- Best for
- Suite Ships with open-air balconies
- What it sells
- Sells river cruises on its own Avalon Suite Ships, which average 150 guests or less, on the Douro in Europe, the Mekong, the Amazon in Peru and in Egypt.
- Why choose them
- Its Panorama Suites in Europe measure 200 square feet, which it says is an average of 30% larger than others. 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.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Avalon Choice Excursions on your sailing, in Classic, Discovery or Active style.
- Not the fit if
- you use a wheelchair or walker: outside the United States you must be able to walk up and down steps and ramps without one; many of its small ships have no lift.
- Enquiry
- avalonwaterways.com/contact
Emerald Cruises
- Best for
- Star-Ship river cruises in Europe and Asia
- What it sells
- Runs river cruises on its own Star-Ships, eight in Europe on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Rhône, Saône and Douro and one, Emerald Harmony, on the Mekong, plus luxury yachts.
- Why choose them
- Founded in 2013, it now sails eight Star-Ships in Europe and one on the Mekong. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 37 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Solo Program Preferred Fare, which gives 50% single supplement savings.
- Not the fit if
- you need time after booking: the deposit on river cruises is due within 48 hours.
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 Emerald Cruises?
Avalon vs Emerald: the questions people ask
How many guests are on board with Avalon Waterways and Emerald Cruises?
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. Emerald Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.
What does the fare include with Avalon Waterways and Emerald Cruises?
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. Emerald Cruises includes excursions, EmeraldPLUS experiences and EmeraldACTIVE activities, with complimentary bicycles on board; optional DiscoverMORE excursions on river and yacht cost extra.
Are excursions included with Avalon Waterways and Emerald Cruises?
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. Emerald Cruises includes excursions, EmeraldPLUS experiences and EmeraldACTIVE activities, among them guided walks and bike tours; optional DiscoverMORE excursions cost extra and can be booked on board or through its reservations team.
What is the cancellation policy with Avalon Waterways and Emerald Cruises?
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. Emerald Cruises does not set out its standard cancellation scale on its US booking policies page; its optional Penalty Relief Program costs $295 per person per river cruise and its optional plans can give a Future Travel Credit for an alternate tour or cruise, valid for 24 months.
How much is the deposit with Avalon Waterways and Emerald Cruises?
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. Emerald Cruises does not state its deposit amount; its US Europe river offers say the deposit is due within 48 hours of booking, with final payment due no later than 90 days before departure.
Is there a single supplement with Avalon Waterways and Emerald Cruises?
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. Emerald Cruises: On its US Europe river offers, Solo Program Select Fares offer a 75% single supplement and Solo Program Preferred Fares a 50% single supplement saving, with a free single supplement on select dates.
What happens if the water is too low with Avalon Waterways and Emerald Cruises?
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. Emerald Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.
How do I compare prices like for like?
Ask for a written quote for the same dates, the same river and the same cabin type, with every inclusion listed: excursions, drinks, gratuities, wifi, flights, transfers and hotel nights. The price lines above give what each line publishes and on what basis.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Each card links the line's own website; ask for a written quote that lists what the fare includes.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Every line on this page links the page of the line's own website it was read from, read 10 November 2026.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each line published on its own website, read on 10 November 2026, with links to the pages read. Google and Trustpilot figures are shown where the listing carries the line's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel river cruise lines table. Lines are set out in the order the question names them. No score and no verdict. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.