MS Monarch Countess

MS Monarch Countess (formerly Avalon Felicity) cruises on the Rhine River, departing from homeports Amsterdam (Holland) and Basel–Zurich (Switzerland). Itineraries include visits to Breisach am Rhein, Kehl–Strasbourg, Speyer, Rüdesheim am Rhein, Koblenz, and Köln–Cologne.

The vessel Monarch Queen (ENI number 2332007) is currently Germany-flagged (MMSI 211479640) and registered in Cologne.

On March 9, 2018, Avalon Waterways announced that its three 138-passenger sisterships (Felicity, Affinity, Luminary) would leave the fleet in 2019, ending their Avalon charters. These ships are now operated under charter by the U.S. tour company Gate 1 Travel as Monarch Countess (Felicity), Monarch Governess (Avalon Affinity), and Monarch Duchess/VistaNeo (Avalon Luminary). Gate 1 Travel’s river fleet also includes Monarch Princess/Arosa Clea (Avalon Creativity).

Cabins

The ship’s well-appointed staterooms offer a minimum of 170 ft² (16 m²), among the largest on Europe’s rivers. All feature a spacious closet, minibar, satellite TV, “Comfort Collection” beds, and a large private bathroom with hairdryer, full shower, and premium bath amenities.

Avalon Felicity has a total of 65 cabins (28 Avalon Suites, 30 French Balcony, 11 with non-opening windows) across 5 categories.

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

• Amenities in all staterooms: 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, French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding doors), individual climate control, phone, minibar, safe, deluxe pillow menu, and complimentary bottled water. Maximum occupancy: 2 guests.
• Suites: 4 “Avalon Suites” (JR), Deck 3 – 258 ft² / 24 m².
• Deluxe Staterooms: P (x24, Deck 3), A (x18, Deck 2), B (x12, Deck 2), E (x11, Deck 1) – each 172 ft² / 16 m².

Shipboard Facilities

The ship offers two restaurants: the Panorama Restaurant (main dining room with buffet stations) and the Sky Bistro (alfresco dining). Other onboard venues include the Bar Lounge (indoor observation area with floor-to-ceiling windows and a Bow Terrace), Club Lounge (with 24-hour beverage station), Library/Internet Corner, Atrium Lobby (glass-walled with SkyLight), Hair Salon, and Fitness Center.

The Sun Deck features the Sky Lounge & Bistro, an outdoor whirlpool, a sunbathing area with loungers and deckchairs, shaded seating areas with retractable awnings, and a deck games zone (Giant Chess Set).

A glass-walled elevator connects all cabin decks. Complimentary Wi-Fi and Internet access are available throughout the ship.

Gate 1 Travel’s Rhine River cruise packages include Wi-Fi, room service, all guided shore excursions (led by certified local guides), motorcoach transfers, live evening entertainment (local performers), daily enrichment lectures, Afternoon Tea, Night Fare, ship tours (“behind-the-scenes”), food and wine tastings, 24-hour premium coffee/tea/hot chocolate service, and daily replenished bottled water.

River Cruise Itineraries

Avalon Felicity’s itineraries for Avalon Waterways included:

(7-night “Romantic Rhine” cruises): 8-day voyages between Zurich and Amsterdam (northbound, code WZA) and the reverse from Amsterdam to Basel (southbound, code WAZ). “Cruise-only” options were also offered for the Amsterdam–Basel route (code WAZ).

The northbound itinerary (departing from Zurich, Switzerland) includes a bus transfer from Zurich to Basel for embarkation (Day 1) and morning disembarkation in Amsterdam (Day 8).

The southbound itinerary (departing from Amsterdam, Holland) features embarkation on Day 1 and an Amsterdam canal cruise on Day 2.