Avalon Artistry II

The 2013-built MS Avalon Artistry II cruises on the Rhine River with departures from Amsterdam, Vienna, Basel, Passau, Munich, and Zurich.

In 2024, Avalon Waterways launched a renovation project for its Suite Ship fleet. The upgrades included refreshed interiors (decor updates and renovations in all public areas, new flooring, and furniture), enhanced Starlink Internet connectivity (with a second antenna installed on each vessel), a redesigned Sky Deck with new furniture, expanded seating in the Observation Lounge, upgraded Gym with new Kinesis One machines and additional free weights, and 15 new conventional bicycles plus 4 e-bikes added per ship. The refurbishments are scheduled over three years—2024 (Passion, Imagery 2, Poetry 2, Panorama, Vista), 2025 (Artistry 2, Impression, Illumination, Tapestry 2, Tranquility 2), and 2026 (Expression, Visionary).

Cabins

Avalon Artistry II has 65 staterooms, including 200 ft² Panorama Suites—over 30% larger than the industry standard—offering guests the chance to wake up to fresh air and captivating views. The ship provides an intimate atmosphere with two decks of suites featuring panoramic wall-to-wall windows that transform the living space into an open-air balcony. The vessel has a total of 65 cabins (2 Royal Suites, 51 Panorama Suites, and 12 staterooms with non-opening windows) across 6 categories.

Cabin Types, Sizes, Categories (high to low)

• All staterooms feature: two twin beds convertible to a queen, 3-door closet with shelves, private bathroom (glass-door shower, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers), sofa, coffee table, flat-screen TV, vanity/writing desk, French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding door), individual climate control, telephone, minibar, safe, deluxe pillow menu, and complimentary bottled water. Maximum occupancy: 2 guests per cabin.
• 2 Royal Suites (R) – deck 4, size 300 ft² / 28 m².
• Panorama Suites – P (deck 4, 25 cabins), A (deck 3, 17 cabins), B (deck 3, 8 cabins) – size 200 ft² / 18.6 m².
• Deluxe Staterooms – categories D (6 cabins), E (6 cabins) – size 172 ft² / 16 m².

Onboard Facilities

Onboard amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi and Internet Corner, a fully equipped Fitness Center, spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, a whirlpool, shade canopy, and the Sky Bistro.

Dining venues include Artistry (main dining room), Panorama Bistro, and the al fresco Sky Bistro. Additional public spaces are the Panorama Lounge & Bar (with an outdoor viewing area), Club Lounge, Library/Internet Corner, Artistry Atrium Lobby, Hair Salon, Fitness Center, and Sun Deck (featuring Sky Lounge & Bar, Sky Bistro, whirlpool, shaded seating, and deck games area).

Avalon Artistry II cruise fares include Wi-Fi, room service, all guided shore excursions (led by certified local guides), port taxes, flights, motorcoach transfers, live evening entertainment (local performers), daily enrichment lectures, behind-the-scenes ship tour, food and wine tastings, 24-hour premium coffee/tea/hot chocolate, and daily replenished bottled water.

Avalon Artistry II river cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy. These are indicative rates and may vary based on travel agency promotions, discounts, group bookings, or last-minute offers. Avalon Waterways also offers USA flight-inclusive packages with discounted airfare and complimentary airport transfers.

River Cruise Itineraries

Below is a list of Avalon Artistry II itineraries as officially announced by Avalon Waterways:

• (3 nights cruising) "A Taste of the Danube" – 8-day cruises from Vienna to Budapest (Eastbound, code WVB), and reverse (Westbound, code WBV). "Cruising-Only" options are Budapest to Nuremberg (code WBVO, excluding the Budapest hotel package).
• (7 nights cruising) "Romantic Rhine" – 8-day cruises from Zurich to Amsterdam (Northbound, code WZA) and reverse (Southbound, code WAZ). "Cruising-Only" deals cover Amsterdam to Basel (code WAZ).
• (5 nights cruising) "Austrian Highlights and Bavaria" – 9-day cruises from Munich to Vienna (Eastbound, code WPV), and reverse from Vienna to Munich/Passau (Westbound, code WVP). Vienna departures include disembarkation in Passau, followed by motorcoach transfer to Munich and a 2-night hotel stay. "Cruising-Only" options are Vienna to Passau (code WVPO) and Passau to Vienna (code WPVO).
• (12 nights cruising) "The Rhine and Moselle" – 13-day cruises from Zurich to Amsterdam (Northbound, code WZRA) and reverse from Amsterdam to Basel (Southbound, code WARZ).
• (11 nights cruising) "The Upper Rhine to the City of Music" – 12-day cruises from Zurich to Vienna (Eastbound, code WZV).
• (9 nights cruising) "Highlights of Germany" – 13-day cruises from Munich to Basel (Westbound, code WPZ). Departures from Munich include a 2-night hotel stay and motorcoach transfer to Passau for embarkation.
• (7 nights cruising) "Canals, Vineyards, and Paris" – 10-day cruises from Paris to Amsterdam (Northbound, code WRA), and reverse (Southbound, code WAR). Amsterdam departures include disembarkation in Remich (Day 8), followed by travel to Luxembourg or Metz, then high-speed train to Paris and a 1-night hotel stay.

In 2025, the ship introduced the new "Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries & Charming Villages" itinerary, roundtrip from Bordeaux (France). This 7-day roundtrip cruise explores the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and visits Cadillac-sur-Garonne (Chateau de la Brède and a wine tasting), Cussac Fort Medoc (vineyard e-bike tours or château wine tastings), Blaye and Bourg (Citadel of Blaye tour and scenic Route de la Corniche drive, plus a visit to the Rémy Martin distillery for a Cognac tasting), Saint-Emilion (guided village tour, pastry-making class or chocolate and wine pairing), Bordeaux (city walking tour, Capucins Market, or visit to Les Bassins de Lumières), and Arcachon (full-day excursion with oyster farm visit and tasting).

The Avalon Artistry II is the fourth vessel in Avalon Waterways’ “Suite Ship” class. Among her standout features are two full decks of Suite cabins, each offering wall-to-wall sliding windows and a French Balcony, as well as spacious and varied public areas equipped with full-length floor-to-ceiling windows.

Each Avalon Waterways “Suite Ship” is powered by two Caterpillar Marine diesel engines (model C32 ACERT), delivering a combined output of 1420 kW / 1930 HP, along with an emergency diesel generator. The ship utilizes a diesel-electric propulsion system, featuring one azimuth thruster at the bow and a “Silent Drive System” that isolates the engine room from passenger staterooms for enhanced onboard comfort.

Avalon Artistry II was officially launched on April 12, 2013, and christened in Middelburg, the Netherlands, by Mrs. Marilen Sandejas-Yaptangco—President and CEO of Baron Travel Corporation, one of the Philippines’ largest luxury travel companies, founded in 1967 and known for its Philippine tour packages and travel services.

Note: For a complete list of all river cruise ships and riverboats, visit the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All cruise lines and their fleets are listed there.