MS Leonora

MS Leonora (formerly Avalon Scenery) cruises along the Rhone and Saone Rivers, departing from Cote d’Azur, Arles, and Chalon-sur-Saone. Some itineraries are combined with a second ship departing from Paris, France.

Note: In 2017, Avalon Scenery (previously chartered by Avalon Waterways from "Blue Ships 1 Renditefonds GmbH & Co KG Hamburg") was sold to "HTL Cruises," a travel company based in Arnhem, Holland. Following the sale, the ship was renamed "MS Leonora." Her fleetmate and sistership Avalon Creativity was renamed Monarch Princess.

Cabins

MS Leonora accommodates up to 138 passengers in an elegant and comfortable setting. The ship offers deluxe suites, most featuring French balconies and floor-to-ceiling glass doors. Avalon Scenery had a total of 70 cabins (including 2 Avalon Suites, 57 with French Balconies, and 11 with non-opening windows) across 5 categories. Most staterooms feature French Balconies, including the two signature Avalon Suites, which also offer a separate seating area.

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

• Amenities in all staterooms include two twin beds convertible to a queen size, a 3-door closet with shelves, a 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. Each cabin accommodates up to 2 guests.
• Suites – (x4, JR), size 258 ft² / 24 m².
• Deluxe Staterooms – categories P (x24), A (x18), B (x12), E (x11), size 172 ft² / 16 m².

Shipboard Facilities

MS Leonora (Avalon Scenery) features 1 bar, 3 lounges, complimentary Wi-Fi access, an Internet Corner, Sky Deck (Sun Deck with Sky Bistro and Whirlpool), hair salon, fitness center, and 1 elevator.

The ship provides 5-star service, gourmet dining with chef-inspired menus and complimentary wines, a Bar Lounge (with observation and outdoor viewing areas), Club Lounge, Library (Internet Corner), Atrium Lobby, Hair Salon, Gym, and Sun Deck (Sky Lounge and Bistro, Whirlpool, shaded seating, and deck games area). Onboard restaurants include the Scenery Dining Room and the Sky Bistro (al fresco).

MS Leonora cruise fares include Wi-Fi Internet, room service, all land tours and excursions (led by certified local guides), 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 service, and daily replenished bottled water.

River Cruise Itineraries

Below are the itineraries previously operated by Avalon Scenery for Avalon Waterways:

• (7-night cruise) “Burgundy and Provence” – 11-day river cruises from Paris to Cote d’Azur (southbound, code WCL) and the reverse from Cote d’Azur to Paris (northbound, code WLC). The itineraries include TGV high-speed train travel between Paris and Dijon, embarkation in Chalon (with transfer from Beaune) or Arles (with transfer from Cote d’Azur), and Burgundy wine tours included in the Avalon Waterways fare.
• (Two ships, 14-night cruise) “Grand France” – 16-day Seine, Saone, and Rhone river cruises from Paris to Cote d’Azur (southbound, code WPL) and the reverse from Cote d’Azur to Paris (northbound, code WLP). These back-to-back cruise deals combine Scenery’s Saone and Rhone itinerary with the “Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches” route operated by Avalon Tapestry II. These itineraries include embarkation and disembarkation in Paris, Chalon, and Arles, with TGV train travel between Paris and Dijon or vice versa.