Description
Launched in 1998, the magnificent 237-foot Santa Cruz is the only Avalon Waterways cruise vessel to sail to the wondrous Galapagos Islands. Carrying just eighty-eight passengers, Santa Cruz offers an intimate, relaxed atmosphere for all passengers as she cruises around this fascinating and beautiful corner of the world.
Avalon Waterways Santa Cruz Entertainment
In order to fully appreciate your spectacular surroundings, head to the Observation Deck and keep an eye out for any passing dolphins or whales. The Sun Deck is another prime spot for enjoying the weather and the scenery. Santa Cruz offers the services of a handful of knowledgeable naturalists to provide further facts about these interesting islands, while a splendid reference library furnishes you with yet more nuggets of information regarding your next port.
For those passengers looking to relax during the day, the fantastic Jacuzzi offers the perfect haven of tranquility, while the bar serves a selection of fine spirits. A particularly enjoyable way to spend an afternoon is to make use of Santa Cruz’s snorkelling equipment and explore the islands in a fun, unique way.
Avalon Waterways Santa Cruz Dining
A prominent feature of any Avalon Waterways cruise is the superb dining experience afforded to guests. A succession of culinary delights await the passengers of Santa Cruz, with sumptuous dinners laid on every day, showcasing the finest local recipes and ingredients along with a selection of Western favourites. Guests will no doubt be particularly intrigued by the prospect of some authentic Ecuadorian cuisine. Dinner is served in an open seating plan at a set time each evening.
Avalon Waterways Santa Cruz Accommodation
At the end of a long day’s exploring, the thing guests will most likely be looking forward to is the prospect of a comfortable bed for the night. Avalon Waterways Santa Cruz offers a choice between forty luxury staterooms and four stunning suites, each offering a choice of twin or double beds.
All rooms come with a lovely picture window view, a splendid en suite bathroom with shower, flat screen satellite television, tempting mini bar, desk and easily adjustable air conditioning. Passengers can also make use of the spacious three-door wardrobe, while any further belongings can be easily stowed away under the bed.
Cruise Line
Avalon Waterways Description
Whereas most cruise lines carry you across vast seas to your destination, Avalon Waterways ensures you are never from the next exciting port with one of the best river cruise experiences around. Their fleet of smaller ships can gain access to some of the most exciting rivers in the world, and can count some of the most iconic cities on the planet among the various destinations you can look forward to on these unique, memorable cruises.
Avalon Waterways Destinations
Avalon Waterways features itineraries to four different corners of the world, with a European itinerary exploring the exciting rivers of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as further cruises in other continents served by specific liners.
• China
• Egypt
• Europe
• Galapagos Islands
Avalon Waterways Accommodation
The Avalon Waterways cruise fleet offer a combination of staterooms and suite accommodation. In most cases staterooms far outnumber suites, with the majority of ships featuring only a handful of exclusive luxury suites. The exception is Panorama, Avalon Waterways’ stunning new suite-only ship.
All staterooms offer high levels of luxury and comfort, with each presenting the guest with a picture window view, lovely en suite bathroom with shower, writing desk, flat screen television, bathrobe and slippers, hairdryer, mini-bar and air conditioning. Passengers can also look forward to an abundance of storage space, a choice of twin or queen-size beds and a selection of nine different pillow types.
Suites offer a higher level of luxury, with more space to enjoy, a pleasant balcony area and a comfortable separate seating area.
Avalon Waterways Entertainment and Dining
On board each ship, guests can look forward to a selection of fantastic amenities and activities to keep them entertained as they cruise between each port. The Sky Deck is a beautiful area to relax in the sun on one of the many loungers, while many ships also feature an indulgent whirlpool. The Sky Deck is also brilliant for enjoying the stunning views on offer, while if you would prefer to be indoors you can relax in the Sky Bar and experience the scenery from a comfy chair with a drink in your hand. Ships also provide a fully equipped fitness centre and wonderful hair salon for guests to enjoy, as well as a helpful Internet Corner with Wi-Fi connection. Avalon Waterways cruises lay on fabulous nightly entertainment to make your evenings enjoyable, and the Club Lounge is a marvellous, warm setting to enjoy a quiet evening in.
The culinary delights Avalon Waterways guests can look forward to are truly exemplary. Passengers are looked after right from the start, with the opening night of your voyage the setting for a fabulous welcome banquet, while the Captain’s Reception is also a lovely way to begin your cruise. On many ships, your final night plays host to a marvellous five course farewell meal.
In between, delightful buffet breakfasts are laid on, with separate egg stations allowing you to have your eggs prepared just as you like them. Lunch is also a buffet, and guests can also sample an elegant afternoon tea every day. Dinners are fabulous four-course feasts showcasing a host of local ingredients and recipes.
Avalon Waterways Fleet
The small, intimate vessels that make up the fleet are divided into those serving each of the four Avalon Waterways cruise itineraries
Europe:
• Affinity
• Artistry
• Creativity
• Felicity
• Imagery
• Luminary
• Panorama
• Poetry
• Scenery
• Tapestry
• Tranquility
Egypt:
• Royal Lotus
Galapagos Islands:
• Santa Cruz
China:
• Victoria Anna
• Victoria Jenna
Ships
American Queen, Avalon Affinity, Avalon Angkor, Avalon Artistry II, Avalon Creativity, Avalon Expression, Avalon Felicity, Avalon Illumination, Avalon Imagery, Avalon Impression, Avalon Luminary, Avalon Panorama, Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Scenery, Avalon Tranquility, Avalon Visionary, Avalon Vista, Century Legend, Century Paragon, Isabela II, MS Kasr Ibrim, MS Mayfair, MV Aria, MV Santa Cruz
stars