Avalon Waterways vs Uniworld: which river cruise is better?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Avalon Waterways and Uniworld Boutique River 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 Uniworld: 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; Uniworld includes premium beverages, onboard gratuities and scheduled excursions on cruises of 7 nights or more on its Asia and US terms.

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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises sells river cruises plus Cruise & Land, Cruise & Tour and Cruise & Rail programmes; its Asia and US bookings are made with The Travel Corporation (2011) Pte Limited. 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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.

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

Uniworld Boutique River 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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises sells named sailings on the Danube (Delightful Danube, Danube Grandeur, Danube Holiday Markets) and the Rhine and Moselle (Rhine, Moselle & Belgium Grand Discovery, Moselle Holiday Markets). 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

Uniworld Boutique River 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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' cruises of 7 nights or more include accommodation, onboard meals, premium beverages, onboard gratuities and scheduled excursions, with Wi-Fi on most vessels; airfare, visas, optional excursions, laundry and travel protection 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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises includes scheduled excursions on cruises of 7 nights or more; optional or additional excursions cost extra. Source

What does a sailing cost?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises sails Delightful Danube, 8 days from Budapest to Regensburg, from $2,969 per person, double occupancy, departing 19 March 2028 (early booking offer; regular $3,299). 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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.

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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises asks a deposit of at least 10% of the fare, less discounts, within 48 hours of booking, with final payment 120 days before the start date; flights booked with it add a non-refundable air deposit of US$450 per person (Asia and US terms), A$1,500 (Australia) or C$600 (Canada). 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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' Asia and US scale (2028 terms) per person: $250 at 120 days or more before departure, 25% of the fare at 119 to 90 days, 50% at 89 to 60 days, 75% at 59 to 30 days and 100% under 30 days; Egypt, Peru, India, Vietnam and Bali charge $500, then 50% from 119 days and 100% from 89 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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' Canadian bookings are covered by the Travel Industry Compensation Fund, as an Ontario-registered seller of travel (TICO registration number 50018458); it is also a California seller of travel (CST #2075415-20). Source

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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises says itineraries may be altered because of water levels, with substitute itineraries, hotels or vessels kept as similar as it can; changes bring no refund and guests who cancel because of one pay the standard charges. Source

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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises says it makes reasonable efforts for disclosed mobility needs but cannot guarantee full accessibility; it provides no wheelchairs, scooters or personal care, so such guests must travel with a capable companion. Source

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

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises sets a minimum age of 5 (7 in Peru), with under-18s booked in a cabin with someone aged 21 or older; its Generations programme departures are designed for families travelling with children. Source

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
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: not the fit if you need medical staff on board: it says it does not employ medical personnel. 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.
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: Google: 3.6 out of 5 from 33 reviews; Trustpilot: 2.6 out of 5 from 34 reviews, newest 13 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 Uniworld?

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