Avalon Expression

The 2013-built MS Avalon Expression cruises on the Danube River, departing from homeports in Amsterdam, Budapest, Prague, and Nuremberg.

In 2024, Avalon Waterways launched a renovation project across its Suite Ship fleet. Upgrades included interior renovations (updated décor, flooring, and furniture in public areas), faster Starlink Internet (with a second antenna on each ship), redesigned Sky Decks (with new furnishings), expanded Observation Lounges (with additional seating), upgraded fitness centers (with new Kinesis One machines and more free weights), and new bicycles (15 conventional bikes and 4 e-bikes per ship). The refurbishment was scheduled in three phases: 2024 (Passion, Imagery II, Poetry II, Panorama, Vista), 2025 (Artistry II, Impression, Illumination, Tapestry II, Tranquility II), and 2026 (Expression, Visionary).

Cabins

Avalon Expression features two decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall windows that transform the living space into a unique open-air balcony. Each Panorama Suite measures 200 ft², over 30% larger than the industry standard, offering guests a stunning way to wake up to river views.

The ship has a total of 84 staterooms across 6 categories, including 2 Royal Suites, 66 Panorama Suites, and 16 Deluxe Staterooms with non-opening windows.

Cabin Types, Sizes, and Categories (high to low):

• All staterooms include: two twin beds convertible to a queen-sized bed, 3-door closets with shelves, private bathroom (glass-door shower, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers), sofa, coffee table, flat-screen TV, vanity/writing desk, floor-to-ceiling sliding door (French balcony), individual climate control, telephone, minibar, safe, deluxe pillow menu, and complimentary bottled water. Maximum occupancy is 2 guests per cabin.
• 2x Royal Suites (RS) – Deck 3, 300 ft² / 28 m²
• Panorama Suites – P (33 suites on Deck 3), A (23 suites on Deck 2), B (9 suites on Deck 2) – 200 ft² / 18.6 m²
• Deluxe Staterooms – D (10 cabins on Deck 1), E (6 cabins on Deck 1) – 172 ft² / 16 m²

Shipboard Facilities

Onboard amenities include the Panorama Bistro for alternative dining, a fully equipped fitness center, a spacious Sky Deck with lounge chairs, complimentary Wi-Fi access, a whirlpool, and al fresco dining at the Sky Bistro.

Dining venues include the main Expression Restaurant, Panorama Bistro, and Sky Bistro (al fresco). Additional facilities include the Panorama Lounge & Bar (with an outside viewing deck), Club Lounge, Library/Internet Corner, Atrium Lobby, Hair Salon, Fitness Center, and Sun Deck (featuring Sky Lounge & Bar, Sky Bistro, whirlpool, shaded seating, and a games area).

Avalon Expression cruise fares are inclusive of Wi-Fi, room service, all land tours and excursions (led by certified local guides), port taxes, flights, motorcoach transfers, live evening entertainment (local performers), daily enrichment lectures, ship tours (“behind-the-scenes”), food and wine tastings, and 24-hour access to premium coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Bottled water is replenished daily.

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Listed fares are indicative and may vary depending on promotions, discounts, group bookings, or last-minute deals. Avalon Waterways also offers USA flight-inclusive packages with discounted airfare and complimentary airport transfers.

River Cruise Itineraries

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

(7-night cruise) "Tulip Time Cruise" – 8-day spring-themed cruises through Belgium and Holland, roundtrip from Amsterdam (code WAA).

(7-night cruise) "Magnificent Europe" – 15-day voyages from Amsterdam to Budapest (Eastbound, code WAB) and reverse from Budapest to Amsterdam (Westbound, code WBA).

(7-night cruise) “The Blue Danube Discovery” – 13-day sailings from Budapest to Prague (via Nuremberg, Westbound, code WBN). The reverse, “The Legendary Danube,” is an 11-day itinerary from Prague to Budapest (Eastbound, code WNB). “Cruise-Only” options: Nuremberg to Budapest (code WNBO) and Budapest to Nuremberg (code WBNO).

(3-night cruise) "A Taste of the Danube" – 8-day voyages from Vienna to Budapest (Eastbound, code WVB) and reverse from Budapest to Vienna (Westbound, code WBV). “Cruise-Only” option: Budapest to Nuremberg (code WBVO; excludes hotel package in Budapest).

(7-night cruise) "Capitals of Central Europe" – 10-day Danube cruises from Prague to Budapest (Eastbound, code WPB) and reverse from Budapest to Prague (Westbound, code WBP). “Cruise-Only” option: Passau to Budapest (code WPBO; excludes Prague hotel package).

(5-night cruise) "Austrian Highlights and Bavaria" – 9-day itineraries from Munich to Vienna (Eastbound, code WPV) and reverse from Vienna to Munich/Passau (Westbound, code WVP). Departures from Vienna disembark in Passau, followed by motorcoach transfer to Munich with a 2-night hotel stay. “Cruise-Only” options: Vienna to Passau (code WVPO) and Passau to Vienna (code WPVO).

Expression is the fifth vessel in Avalon's "Suite Ship" class. Among her standout features are two full decks of Suite cabins, each equipped with wall-to-wall sliding glass windows and French Balconies, as well as spacious and varied public areas with full-length floor-to-ceiling windows.

Each Avalon "Suite Ship" is powered by two Caterpillar Marine diesel engines (model C32 ACERT) with a combined output of 1420 kW / 1930 HP, supplemented by an emergency diesel generator. The vessel features diesel-electric propulsion with a bow-mounted azimuth thruster and a "Silent Drive System," which separates the engines from the passenger staterooms to minimize noise and vibration.

The Expression riverboat was launched on May 6, 2013. She was christened in Koblenz (Germany) by Patricia Schultz, co-author of Berlitz travel guides and bestselling author of the "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" series, including editions focused on "USA-Canada" and "Germany-Austria-Switzerland."

Note: You can find CruiseMapper’s complete list of river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub, which includes all companies and their fleets.