Avalon Vista

The 2012-built MS Avalon Vista ship cruises on the Danube, Main, and Rhine Rivers. The boat departs from homeports Amsterdam (Holland), Prague (Czechia), Vienna (Austria), Budapest (Hungary), and from Germany (Nuremberg, Frankfurt).

In 2024, Avalon Waterways launched its Suite Ship fleet renovation and refurbishment project. The upgrades included interior enhancements (updated decor and renovations in all public areas, including flooring and furniture), faster Starlink Internet connectivity (with a second antenna installed on each ship), redesigned Sky Deck with new furniture, expanded seating in the Observation Lounge, upgraded gym equipment (including Kinesis One machines and additional free weights), and new onboard bicycles (15 conventional and 4 e-bikes per vessel). The refurbishments were 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 Vista offers a total of 84 staterooms (including 2 Royal Suites, 64 Vista Suites, and 17 with non-opening windows) across six categories. The ship’s two decks of suites feature Wall-to-Wall windows that transform the living space into an Open-Air Balcony. Each Panorama Suite measures 200 ft² and is 30% larger than the industry standard.

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

• All staterooms include: two twin beds convertible to a queen-sized bed, 3-door closet 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, telephone, minibar, safe, deluxe pillow menu, and complimentary bottled water. Maximum occupancy is two guests per cabin.
• 2x "Royal Suites" (category RS) – Deck 3, 300 ft² / 28 m²
• Vista Suites – Category P (31 cabins on Deck 3), A (24 cabins on Deck 2), B (9 cabins on Deck 2) – 200 ft² / 18.6 m²
• Deluxe Staterooms – Category D (10 cabins on Deck 1), Category E (7 cabins on Deck 1) – 172 ft² / 16 m²

Shipboard Facilities

MS Avalon Vista amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi and an Internet Corner, an expanded Fitness Center, and a spacious Sky Deck with the Sky Bistro, a shade system, premium lounge chairs, and a whirlpool.

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

Avalon Vista cruise fares are inclusive of Wi-Fi Internet, room service, all land tours and excursions (led by certified local guides), port charges, flights, motorcoach transfers, evening entertainment (featuring local performers), daily enrichment lectures, behind-the-scenes ship tours, food and wine tastings, and 24-hour access to premium coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, as well as daily replenished bottled water.

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Final cruise rates may vary depending on booking time, special offers, travel agency promotions, group reservations, or last-minute deals. Avalon Waterways also offers USA flight-inclusive deals with discounted airfare and complimentary airport transfers.

River Cruise Itineraries

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

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

(7-night cruising) "The Blue Danube Discovery" – 13-day voyages from Budapest to Prague (via Nuremberg, Westbound, code WBN). The reverse itinerary is themed "The Legendary Danube" – 11-day voyages from Prague to Budapest (Eastbound, code WNB, Nuremberg embarkation). “Cruising-Only” versions: Nuremberg to Budapest (code WNBO) and Budapest to Nuremberg (code WBNO).

(12-night cruising) "European Splendor" – 13-day voyages from Amsterdam to Vienna (Eastbound, code WAV) and Vienna to Amsterdam (Westbound, code WVA).

(7-night cruising) "Romantic Rhine" – 8-day voyages from Zurich to Amsterdam (Northbound, code WZA), and the reverse from Amsterdam to Zurich (Southbound, code WAZ). “Cruising-Only” itinerary: Amsterdam to Basel (code WAZ).

(5-night cruising) "Austrian Highlights and Bavaria" – 9-day voyages from Munich to Vienna (Eastbound, code WPV), and from Vienna to Munich/Passau (Westbound, code WVP). Eastbound trips disembark in Passau with bus transfer to Munich, including a 2-night luxury hotel stay. “Cruising-Only” versions: Vienna to Passau (code WVPO) and Passau to Vienna (code WPVO).

(10-night cruising) "Blue Danube to the Black Sea" – 14-day voyages from Bucharest to Vienna (Westbound, code WOV) and from Vienna to Bucharest (Eastbound, code WVO). Extended 16-day versions include Istanbul with a 3-night luxury hotel package: Istanbul to Vienna (Westbound, code WOVE) and Vienna to Istanbul (Eastbound, code WVOE). “Cruising-Only” option without hotel package: Bucharest to Vienna (code WOVO).

(22-night cruising) "North Sea to Black Sea" – 24-day voyages from Amsterdam to Bucharest (Eastbound, code WA) and Bucharest to Amsterdam (Westbound, code WOA). The extended version includes a 2-night Istanbul stay: Amsterdam to Istanbul (26-day, code WOAE).

Avalon Vista also offers Holiday-themed “Christmas Markets” river cruises, including Frankfurt to Basel (Southbound, code WFZ), Prague to Frankfurt (Westbound, code WNF, via Nuremberg), and Prague to Basel (Westbound, code WNZ, via Nuremberg).

The Avalon Vista boat is the second vessel in Avalon Waterways’ "Suite Ship" class. Among the ship's standout features are two full decks of Suite cabins, each with wall-to-wall sliding windows and French Balconies, as well as spacious and diverse 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) with a total power output of 1420 kW / 1930 HP, along with an emergency diesel generator. The vessel utilizes diesel-electric propulsion, featuring an azimuth thruster at the bow and a "Silent Drive System" that isolates engine noise from the passenger staterooms for a quieter onboard experience.

The ship’s godmother is Mrs. Vanessa Lee, a Canadian travel specialist and the President and CEO of Cruise Strategies Ltd.

Note: You can view CruiseMapper’s complete list of river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.