Cruise line comparison
AmaWaterways vs Avalon: which should you choose?
Choose AmaWaterways if you want a lively, generously inclusive river cruise: a two-balcony cabin on many ships, Sip & Sail drinks before dinner every evening, bikes and a wellness host on board, and a night at The Chef’s Table with no surcharge. Choose Avalon Waterways if you want the best river views from bed: its Suite Ships feature Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall windows that slide open, plus Classic, Discovery and Active versions of most excursions and an easygoing pace. Both pour wine and beer free at lunch and dinner.
- AmaWaterways
- Avalon
Photo: Alf van Beem, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Our verdict
AmaWaterways and Avalon are evenly matched premium river lines, and both deliver well-run, comfortable cruises with excursions, mealtime wine and beer, and Wi-Fi in the fare. Ama layers on a few more extras, from evening drinks to bicycles and wellness classes, and reaches more rivers beyond Europe. Avalon’s Panorama Suites give it the best in-cabin views in river cruising, and its three excursion styles suit couples who explore at different speeds. Pick AmaWaterways for inclusions and activity, Avalon for the view from your bed.
AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways are both premium river lines popular with North Americans, sailing the Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle, Seine and Rhône, as well as Southeast Asia’s Mekong. They’re close in price and in the basics, so the details decide it.
AmaWaterways is a family-founded company known for its owners’ hands-on involvement, wine-themed sailings with winemakers aboard, and active options. Avalon belongs to the Globus family of brands, and its calling card is the Panorama Suite: on its Suite Ships, the outer wall of most cabins is floor-to-ceiling glass that slides open to create an open-air balcony, and the bed is turned to face the river rather than the wall. Picture waking up to castles drifting past without lifting your head from the pillow.
AmaWaterways vs Avalon: head to head
| Feature | AmaWaterways | Avalon |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Convivial and upbeat, with a family-company warmth and wine as a recurring theme. | Unhurried and comfortable, centered on the view and choosing your own pace ashore. |
| Typical guest | Energetic couples, wine enthusiasts and, on certain dates, families with children. | Couples over 50, plenty of first-time river cruisers and fans of Globus land tours. |
| Ships | Mostly 150- to 200-guest ships, with the extra-wide AmaMagna on the Danube offering more restaurants and larger cabins. | Suite Ships of roughly 130 to 170 guests, such as Avalon View, Envision and Illumination. |
| Cabins | Many cabins pair a floor-to-ceiling French balcony with a separate outside balcony you can sit on. | Panorama Suites with a wall of glass that opens to the river and a bed facing the scenery. |
| Included excursions | A daily choice of tours, from slower walks to hikes, plus rides on the ship’s own bikes. | Avalon Choice: Classic, Discovery and Active versions of most outings. |
| Drinks | Unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks at meals, and drinks on the house during the evening Sip & Sail. | Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, plus sparkling wine at breakfast. |
| Dining | Main restaurant plus The Chef’s Table, a tasting-style dinner included with a reservation. | Open-seating main restaurant, light bites in the Club Lounge and Avalon Fresh plant-based dishes on every menu. |
| Wellness and activity | A wellness host leading daily stretching and yoga, onboard bikes and brisker hiking or cycling tours. | Active Discovery itineraries and Active excursion options built around hikes and bike rides. |
| Kids | Family-oriented dates, including Adventures by Disney charters on European rivers. | Children are accepted on many sailings, but family-specific departures are rare. |
| Rivers | Europe’s major rivers plus Portugal’s Douro, the Mekong, Egypt’s Nile and the Chobe in southern Africa. | Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône and Saône, plus the Mekong. |
| Price positioning | Premium; fares for comparable dates land close to Avalon’s. | Premium; promotions and Globus-family credits can sharpen the price. |
| Loyalty | Repeat-guest savings and occasional appreciation cruises through its loyalty benefits. | Journeys Club across the Globus family of brands, plus Welcome Back Credit toward future trips. |
Which should you choose?
Choose AmaWaterways if…
- You want the two-balcony cabin layout found on many Ama ships.
- You like pre-dinner drinks and a night at The Chef’s Table already covered.
- You’d enjoy borrowing a bike in port or joining a morning yoga class led by the wellness host.
- You’re bringing kids or grandkids, or want an Adventures by Disney river sailing.
Choose Avalon if…
- You want to wake up facing the river through a wall of glass that slides open.
- You and your travel partner have different energy levels and want Classic, Discovery or Active versions of each day’s outing.
- You’ve toured with Globus or Cosmos and want to use Journeys Club perks or Welcome Back Credit.
- You prefer a slightly smaller, calmer ship with an easygoing rhythm.
AmaWaterways vs Avalon: FAQs
Is AmaWaterways or Avalon Waterways better?
It depends on your priorities. AmaWaterways leads on extras and activity, adding evening Sip & Sail drinks, onboard bicycles and wellness classes. Avalon leads on cabin views, thanks to Panorama Suites with a glass wall that opens to the river.
What is an Avalon Panorama Suite?
It’s Avalon’s signature cabin on its Suite Ships. The outer wall is floor-to-ceiling glass that slides open to create an open-air balcony, and the bed is positioned to face the river, so you see the scenery from bed.
Which includes more, AmaWaterways or Avalon?
AmaWaterways, by a small margin. Both cover excursions, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, and Wi-Fi. On top of that, Ama includes its Sip & Sail happy hour, bike use, wellness classes and a dinner at The Chef’s Table.
Who owns Avalon Waterways?
Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands, which also includes Globus and Cosmos tours. Past travelers with any of these brands can join the Journeys Club for savings and perks.
Read the full reviews
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: AmaWaterways official site, Avalon official site.