Do I need a passport and visa?
When travelling outside of your home country, a passport is required and many countries require that the passport be valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. Some countries also require a visa/e-visa or in other cases, a visa waiver.
We know that navigating visa applications and requirements can be confusing. We can help. Avalon Waterways is pleased to offer its customers the expertise and experience of iVisa, with fast and easy ways to obtain visas, passports, and/or other documents required for travel. You can check visa requirements for your destination by visiting the iVisa Web site at www.ivisa.com. Simply select your country of travel to obtain any necessary visa forms.
Where can I find the docking location for my cruise ship?
Avalon Waterways strives to bring you the best docking locations along Europe’s rivers. In many cities, this includes multiple docking sites. Docking positions at each port are assigned by local authorities and may vary depending upon the number of ships in port on any given day.
Exact docking locations for cities where there are multiple docking locations will be available 24 hours prior to embarkation. Before your cruise’s docking location is available, you can download a map of all possible docking sites for your embarkation city by clicking here. Once your ship’s docking assignment is available, you can download a map that shows only that specific location, including address.
What clothes should I pack for excursions?
During your Avalon journey, your days will be filled with a range of exciting excursions. We recommend dressing for enjoyment and practicality, as weather conditions can be unpredictable. Layering is always a wise choice for outdoor activities, and it's helpful to bring a small backpack or handbag to store jackets and sweaters. Don't forget to pack your most comfortable walking or athletic shoes to keep your feet happy and active. Please note that certain excursions may also have specific requirements, such as covering knees or shoulders in holy places or avoiding shorts during evening events in ports-of-call.
If you're looking to stay active and have some fun, we're excited to let you know that an Adventure Host will be available on all European cruises. They will lead daily workouts and assist you in pursuing your own fitness goals, whether it's biking, hiking, or other individual adventures. Dress for your personal fitness success and embrace the active opportunities available to you.
Can I book transfers?
We can organise departure transfers for you, as well as pick up from the airport, should you require it. Transfers are provided by independent third-party transportation companies (where available).
Our mission is to make your trip as seamless as possible, just ask us how.
Can I book flights with my cruise?
Avalon offers a wide range of flight options to get you from here to there – from a huge range of carriers, seating selection and preferred pricing from our airline partners. And we’ll ensure your flight schedule is perfectly coordinated with your cruise – call us to learn more.
Can I stay extra nights before and after my holiday?
If you'd like to add extra hotel nights, we will try to make arrangements for you at our contracted rates. Rates are per person, per night, and include a room with private bath, breakfast, service charges and taxes. Extra hotel nights are only available immediately prior to or after your holiday and are not available on some cruise-only itineraries or in some cities. If your holiday includes a hotel stay, every effort will be made to reserve extra nights at the hotel where your holiday stays. If space at the hotel is not available, alternative accommodations will be reserved at a hotel of equivalent standard. When this is the case, the transfer to and from the included hotel is at our expense. During particularly busy periods, hotel space in certain cities can become so limited that we may be unable to sell extra nights.
How does Avalon choose hotels?
Avalon is proud to be associated with some of the finest establishments worldwide. Many of them belong to famous chains such as Westin, InterContinental, and Hilton. The specific hotels we have selected for you are listed separately for each holiday. The vast majority of them are rated Deluxe (D), Moderate Deluxe (MD), Superior First-Class (SF), or First-Class (F) establishments. A small few overnight destinations do not offer hotels in these categories, in which case we choose the best available (BA) hotels available. Avalon hotel ratings follow the standards set by the independent Hotel & Travel Index and by national tourist boards. The specific rating for each contract hotel is determined by our quality controllers.
We reserve the right to substitute hotels listed on the itinerary pages with hotels of equivalent standard. With your Avalon travel documents, you'll receive a list of hotel addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers for your holiday.
What about young travellers and children?
In our many years of cruising experience, we have found that children under the age of eight typically are too young to fully enjoy a cruise holiday. Because of this and for the safety and enjoyment of all passengers, we do not accept children under eight years of age. In addition, please note that there are no special arrangements or activities for children on our ships.
How does Avalon handle itinerary disruptions?
Mother Nature (water levels and weather conditions), as well as man-made conditions (maintenance or repair of locks that all ships must pass through), as well as logistical obstacles due to labour strikes or natural elements can create unforeseen disruptions to river navigation.
Avalon’s extraordinary expertise in river cruising keeps us prepared for all such unlikely disruptions or delays—with your comfort and convenience always our paramount priority.
Our dedicated ground team, fleet of comfortable motorcoaches, long-term relationships with quality hotels, and a global tour operations network allow us to quickly address any changes (other than minor deviations stated in our “Terms and Conditions”) that require alternative plans during your cruise. Avalon’s 100% Europe Suite Ship fleet will often make it possible to transfer our guests to a sister ship — when water level disruptions are unchanged after 48 hours—for seamless accommodations and expedited continuation of your journey. Each circumstance is assessed as unique, based on our more than 95 years of experience in travel touring. With real-time updates via social media, we provide complete transparency and valuable information for our guests.
Before, during, and after your Avalon Waterways cruise, we are dedicated to your safety, comfort, and convenience. With our contact-information policy at the time of your booking, to swift resolution protocols during your cruise, to ease of post-cruise communication, your satisfaction and comfort remain our commitment to you.
What size can my suitcase be?
Your bag should have dimensions not exceeding 76cm x 53cm x 28cm and a weight not exceeding 22 kg. We regret that we are unable to accept a second suitcase or any luggage exceeding these limits on any Avalon holiday outside of Europe. Some holidays have more restrictive regulations than these listed above, such as cruises on the Galápagos, Mekong, and Ganges. Please refer to your travel documents for more information.
Please note that air carriers, cruise lines, and other forms of transportation may have other restrictions and requirements, including weight, and we recommend that you contact the suppliers directly for additional information. Some airlines also charge fees for checked baggage, and these fees are not included in our vacation or airfare package price. Check with your airline directly for baggage information and regulations. Avalon is not responsible for additional baggage fees imposed by air carriers
What currency should I use on my holiday?
Most of the countries you will be visiting in Europe use the Euro. Exceptions are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania; they all have their own currencies, but the Euro is accepted in many establishments. Many locations accept major credit cards; however in small towns they are not widely accepted. In these cases and for incidentals or small vendors, you will need some local currency. ATM machines are located on shore at some stops. Prior to your departure, confirm with your bank that your ATM or credit card and PIN number will work abroad.
In Vietnam (Dong) and Thailand (Bhat), local currency is used primarily while in Cambodia U.S. dollars are widely accepted in addition to the local currency (Riel). ATMs are available in most large cities and will dispense the local currency. It is advised that you check with your bank to ensure your card will work; otherwise, we recommend you bring all the currency you’ll need from home.
Ecuador uses U.S. dollars as their official currency. Credit cards are usually accepted in larger towns; in smaller towns, cash is recommended.
Peru uses Nuevo Sol (PEN) as their official currency; however, U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Credit cards are accepted in Peru, and you should have no problems using them in larger shops and restaurants. Visa and MasterCard are most accepted. Smaller shops may ask you to pay in cash or have a minimum amount required to use a credit card.
Egypt uses Egyptian Pound (EGP) as its official currency. Credit cards are accepted in Egypt, and you should have no problems using them in larger shops and restaurants. Visa and MasterCard are most accepted. Smaller shops may ask you to pay in cash or have a minimum amount required to use a credit card.
Are gratuities included?
Gratuities for your Cruise Director, Local Hosts, Local Guides, driver, and ship’s crew are not included in the trip price (unless otherwise noted in pricing details) and are discretionary.
