Avalon Waterways vs Scenic: which river cruise is better?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Avalon Waterways and Scenic 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 Scenic: which river cruise is better?

Neither is better for everyone. Avalon says its small ships average 150 guests or less and includes up to 28 excursions; Scenic carries up to 163 guests on its Space-Ships in Europe and includes a wide selection of daily excursions on all its river cruises.

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

Scenic sells all-inclusive river cruises in Europe and on the Mekong, ocean voyages and land journeys; established in 1986, it is part of Scenic Group, which designs, builds and operates its own ships through its shipbuilding division MKM Yachts. 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

Scenic's river fleet is 13 ships, growing to 16 with additions planned for 2027 and 2028 in Europe, the Mekong and India; its Europe ships are the Scenic Space-Ships and its Mekong ship is Scenic Spirit. 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

Scenic carries up to 163 guests on its Scenic Space-Ships in Europe and 68 guests on Scenic Spirit on the Mekong. Source

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

Scenic sells named sailings on the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Seine, Rhône and Douro, wine cruises in Bordeaux and Mekong cruises through Vietnam and Cambodia. 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

Scenic's suites have a Queen-size Scenic Slumber bed, with Scenic Sun Lounge all-weather windows in all suites on its Mekong ship and in Royal, Junior and Balcony Suites on its Europe Space-Ships. Source

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

Scenic's river cruises include a wide selection of daily excursions and special events and list five dining options; spa treatments and optional tours such as helicopter and hot air balloon rides 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

Scenic includes a wide selection of daily excursions and special events on all river cruises, with a choice of Scenic Freechoice excursions; optional tours, including helicopter and hot air balloon rides in selected destinations, may cost extra. Source

What does a sailing cost?

Scenic sells Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle, 8 days, from USD $4,528 per person, double occupancy, 2027 season, for legal residents of the United States. Source

Avalon Waterways does not publish a dated price on the pages read.

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

Scenic: For US bookings, its Solo Program Select Fares carry a 75% single supplement and Preferred Fares give 50% single supplement savings, with a free single supplement on select dates, in Stateroom (E) and Balcony Suites but not Deluxe Balcony, Junior Balcony, Royal or Riverview Suites. 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

Scenic does not state its deposit amount; for US bookings on Europe and Southeast Asia river cruises it asks for the deposit within 48 hours of booking, with final payment 90 days before departure on Full Fares or 120 days on Select Fares; on Preferred Fares for sailings more than 10 months away, full payment is due 10 months 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

Scenic publishes no standard cancellation scale on its booking policies page; for US bookings its optional Flexible Booking Plan ($125 on river) lets you defer or cancel up to 90 days before departure, less third-party fees, for a Future Travel Credit valid 24 months; its optional Penalty Relief Program, $295 per person per river cruise, gives a refund or credit for eligible reasons when you cancel 31 days or more before departure (70% at 15 to 30 days). 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

Scenic 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

Scenic 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

Scenic 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

Scenic 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
• Scenic: not the fit if you are not a legal resident of the United States: its prices and offers apply to legal US residents. 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.
• Scenic: no Google or Trustpilot listing under Scenic's own name was found.

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 Scenic river cruises?

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