Avalon Poetry II

The 2014-built MS Avalon Poetry II cruises on the Danube, Main, and Rhine Rivers. The vessel offers itineraries departing from homeports Amsterdam (Holland), Prague (Czechia), Budapest (Hungary), Nuremberg (Germany), and Remich (Luxembourg).

In 2024, Avalon Waterways began its Suite Ship fleet renovation project. The upgrades included updated interiors (new decor and renovations in all public areas, including flooring and furniture), faster Starlink Internet connectivity (with a second antenna added to each ship), a redesigned Sky Deck with new furniture, expanded seating in the Observation Lounge, enhanced gym facilities (including Kinesis One machines and more free weights), and additional bicycles (15 conventional and 4 e-bikes per ship). The refurbishments are scheduled over three years: 2024 (Passion, Imagery II, Poetry II, Panorama, Vista), 2025 (Artistry II, Impression, Illumination, Tapestry II, Tranquility II), and 2026 (Expression, Visionary).

Cabins

Avalon Poetry II has a total of 65 staterooms (2 Royal Suites, 51 Panorama Suites, 12 with non-opening windows) across six categories. Like her sister Suite Ships—Avalon Artistry II, Avalon Tapestry II, Avalon Tranquility II, and Avalon Visionary—Poetry II offers two decks of suites with Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows.

Cabin Types, Sizes, Categories (from highest to lowest):

• Amenities in all staterooms include two twin beds convertible to a queen-size, 3-door closets with shelves, private bathroom (glass-door shower, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers), sofa, coffee table, flat-screen TV, vanity/writing desk, private French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding door), individual climate control, phone, minibar, safe, deluxe pillow menu, and complimentary bottled water. Cabin occupancy: 2 guests.
• Suites: 2 Royal Suites (Category S, Deck 3, 300 ft² / 28 m²) and Panorama Suites—Category P (25 suites on Deck 3), Category A (17 suites on Deck 2), and Category B (8 suites on Deck 2), each 200 ft² / 18.6 m².
• Deluxe Staterooms (Deck 1): Category D (6 cabins) and Category E (6 cabins), each 172 ft² / 16 m².

Shipboard Facilities

MS Avalon Poetry II’s amenities include alternative dining at Panorama Bistro, complimentary Wi-Fi, an Internet Corner, expanded Fitness Center, and a spacious Sky Deck with a whirlpool, premium lounge chairs, and al fresco dining at Sky Bistro.

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

Included in Avalon Poetry II cruise deals are Wi-Fi Internet, room service, all shore excursions (guided by certified local tour guides), port taxes, flights, motorcoach transfers, live evening entertainment (featuring local performers), daily enrichment lectures, a “behind-the-scenes” ship tour, food and wine tastings, 24-hour premium coffee/tea/hot chocolate, and replenished bottled water.

River cruise fares are per person based on double occupancy. Prices are indicative and may vary depending on booking conditions, agency promotions, special offers, 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 are Avalon Poetry II's themed itineraries as officially announced by Avalon Waterways:

(7-night cruise) "Burgundy and Provence" – 11-day voyages from Paris to Côte d’Azur (southbound, code WCL) and the reverse from Côte d’Azur to Paris (northbound, code WLC). This itinerary includes high-speed TGV train travel from Paris to Dijon, embarkation in Chalon (via transfer from Beaune) or Arles (via transfer from Côte d’Azur), and Burgundy wine cruise tours included in the cruise fare.

(Two ships, 14-night cruise) "Grand France" – 16-day Seine, Saône, and Rhône cruises from Paris to Côte d’Azur (southbound, code WPL) and the reverse (northbound, code WLP). These are “back-to-back” itineraries combining Poetry II’s Saône and Rhône segments with Avalon Tapestry II’s “Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches” itinerary. Embarkation and disembarkation are offered in Paris, Chalon, and Arles, with TGV train travel between Paris and Dijon included.

(Two ships, 14-night cruise) "Rhine and Rhône Revealed" – 16-day cruises from Amsterdam to Côte d’Azur (southbound, code WAL) and reverse (northbound, code WLA). This back-to-back itinerary combines Poetry II’s Saône and Rhône cruise with the “Romantic Rhine” itinerary operated by Avalon Tranquility II. Embarkation/disembarkation ports include Basel/Zurich, Chalon, and Arles, with motorcoach transfers between Basel and Beaune (or the reverse) included.

The Avalon Poetry II boat is the eighth vessel in Avalon Waterways' "Suite Ship" class. Among her most notable features are two full decks of Suite cabins—each equipped with wall-to-wall sliding windows and French Balconies—and spacious, diverse public areas with full-length floor-to-ceiling windows.

Each Avalon Waterways "Suite Ship" is powered by two Caterpillar Marine diesel engines (model C32 ACERT) with a combined output of 1420 kW / 1930 HP, along with an emergency diesel generator. The vessel uses a diesel-electric propulsion system, featuring one azimuth thruster at the bow and a "Silent Drive System" that separates the engines from passenger staterooms for reduced noise and vibration.

Avalon Poetry II was launched on March 22, 2014, and christened in Dordrecht (Holland) by Dr. Katherine Grainger—a British rower, Gold medalist at the London 2012 Olympics, six-time World Champion, and Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE). The christening ceremony was a joint event with sistership MS Impression.

On August 12, 2016, Katherine Grainger won a silver medal at the Rio Olympic Games, becoming the UK's most-decorated female Olympian. In recognition of her achievements, Avalon Waterways awarded her a complimentary cruise.

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