Beer, wine & soft drinks at lunch & dinner
One complimentary shore excursion In every port
Speciality wine pairing meal @ Panorama Bistro
Experience European river views unlike any other ship can offer. The Avalon Vista's two full decks of suites feature two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that transform the living space into river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony. Enjoy seamless views from your Comfort Collection bed that faces the window. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, affording you the space to entertain in your private sitting area or just relax and enjoy the passing vistas. Onboard amenities include a Fitness Center, complimentary computer use in public areas and Wi-Fi access, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, shade system, whirlpool, and the delightful Sky Bistro. Sweeping views are yours to enjoy on the Avalon Vista!
Tipping is a personal way to show your satisfaction for good service and is a general practice on all vacations. It is recommended that tips be paid in cash—unless when paying by credit card there is a specific gratuity line. General tipping guidelines can be found below. Each country in Europe has different customs regarding tipping and guidelines can be found in each country-specific guide.
With Avalon, all your hotel taxes, service charges, tips for luggage handling, and gratuities for included meals are included in the vacation price.
For services with gratuity not included in the vacation price, we recommend the following as tipping guidelines. More information can be found in the country-specific sections of the Know Before You Go document and in your Important Travel Documents, which will be available 2-3 weeks prior to your vacation. Since each country is unique, the below are merely guidelines to assist with budgeting.
Cruise Directors
Gratuities for your Cruise Director are not included in the vacation price. For a good job, we suggest the equivalent of €3 (Euros) per day per passenger for your Cruise Director. An envelope will be provided in your stateroom for you to deposit any gratuities you would like to provide your Cruise Director. It is also possible for you to pre-pay the gratuities for your Cruise Director at the time of paying the balance of your cruise cost.
Ship’s Crew
Gratuities for your crew on board our Avalon Waterways ships are not included in the vacation price. For a good job, we suggest the equivalent of €12 (Euros) per day per passenger for the ship’s crew. This will be pooled and distributed fairly among those who have been of service to you, including personnel who work behind the scenes and whose service is equally crucial to your enjoyment of the cruise. It is also possible for you to pre-pay the gratuities for your crew at the time of paying the balance of your cruise cost.
Drivers
Gratuities for sightseeing drivers are included in the vacation price.
Hotel Services
It is customary to tip hotel staff for room service delivery if the charge has not already been added to the bill. If ice machines are not available and you get ice from the bar, a small tip to the bartender is always appreciated. Avalon includes gratuities for luggage handling for one bag per passenger. You may wish to tip for any excess luggage delivery. Gratuities for included hotel meals are already taken care of by Avalon.
Certified Local Guides
Traveling with us means you get specialized sightseeing with Certified Local Guides in each major city. To make each location come alive throughout your vacation, these Certified Local Guides share their vast knowledge about culture and history with you. Gratuities for your Certified Local Guides are included in the vacation price.
Restaurants
For restaurant meals not included in the Avalon itinerary, gratuities are not included and we recommend you review the country-specific guidelines for appropriate gratuity amount based on quality of service. Additional details and recommendations will be included in your Important Travel Documents, sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to your vacation start date, and your Cruise Director can always help with local customs on tipping. Tips in restaurants are usually left in cash and not added to the credit card payment, unless there is a specific line for it on the credit card signature receipt. In many European restaurants, there is also a per-person cover charge that will be added to your check/bill. This is not a gratuity.
Taxis
Usually, rounding up the fare for driver gratuity is more than adequate in most countries. A few dollars is usually reasonable for service, equal to 10-15% of the fare. If possible, we recommend you pre-negotiate taxi fares in foreign countries to avoid unpleasant surprises at the end of your journey. Ask hotel/ship staff or airport hospitality desks for the best cab companies, and make sure pricing is either clearly indicated prior to departure or prenegotiated. In all instances, we recommend that you carry some small change with you, as it is unusual to ask for change when you are tipping.
From the first bite to the last "Mmmmm," Avalon frees your tastebuds from the ordinary. At breakfast, lunch, and dinner, try mouthwatering recipes from the region through which you're traveling-or more familiar Western dishes, if that's your preference. With Avalon, they make every meal part of the journey.
- Avalon Fresh healthy cuisine options at every meal
- Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, including decaf options
- Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés
- Spacious, open-seating Panorama Dining Room
- Daily early-riser breakfast
- Daily late-riser breakfast
- Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine and made-to-order egg station
- Lunch buffet with carving and pasta stations
- Al fresco lunch in the Sky Grill
- Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
- Healthy Corner options including low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy choices
- Vegetarian options at every meal, as well as vegan and allergy-free selections
- Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
- Happy Hour every evening including featured drink specials
- Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
- Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
- Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
- Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast
- Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
- Healthy meal options
- Casual dinner in the Panorama Bistro
- Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
- Tastings - sample the destination's famous delicacies
- Coffee or tea after dinner
- Light lunch in the Panorama Lounge
- FlexDining flexible dining times with menu & venue options
Avalon Waterways want your experience with them to be as rich as possible and have included everything that they know will be important to your cruise enjoyment.
With so many amenities on board, whether you are making the most of happy hour by enjoying a glass of wine or a gin and tonic in the lounge, or having a quiet moment in the Club Lounge∘ with a cappuccino, there is plenty of space to stretch out and relax on an Avalon ship. Complimentary Wi-Fi access∘ and free use of computers or laptops is available to help you stay in touch with friends and family. They've designed a cruise experience that includes all the right things...but still leaves room for your own preferences.
