Avalon Impression

Avalon Impression at a glance

Avalon Impression is an Avalon Waterways river ship sailing the rivers of central Europe. Her itineraries focus primarily on the Danube — one of Europe's great waterways — with a smaller number of sailings on the Main. Here is what to know before you read further:

• Operated by Avalon Waterways
• Two cabin grades available: Royal Suite and Deluxe Outside Cabin
• Sailings of up to 21 nights, departing from late September 2026
• Embarkation ports include Budapest, Vienna, Nuremberg, Vilshofen and Amsterdam

Every sailing currently on sale departs from a European port, which means your trip will include an international flight. Cruise1st can arrange the full package — more on that below.

Cabins on Avalon Impression

Avalon Impression offers two cabin grades, each sleeping two guests and designed around life on the river.

The Royal Suite (grade S) is the ship's most spacious accommodation, at 27.9 m². It is fitted with two televisions and two wardrobes — a practical advantage on longer voyages where unpacking properly makes a difference. If you are travelling for two or three weeks, the extra room earns its place.

The Deluxe Outside Cabin (grade D) is 16 m² and features two windows with unobstructed river views. The connection to the passing landscape — medieval towns, vineyard slopes, castle-topped ridges — is a defining part of river cruising, and these windows deliver it throughout the day.

Full deck plans and a side-by-side comparison of both grades are on the Avalon Impression cabins and deck plans page.

Where Avalon Impression sails

The great majority of Avalon Impression sailings follow the Danube, with a smaller number on the Main. Between them, the itineraries connect some of central Europe's most celebrated cities and landscapes.

Budapest is the most common embarkation point. Hungary's capital straddles the river dramatically, with the Chain Bridge, the Hungarian Parliament and the thermal bath district all within reach of the dock. Explore cruises from Budapest to see what departs from there.

Vienna is both a port of call and a departure point. The Austrian capital — imperial palaces, the Ringstrasse, the Naschmarkt — rewards a day or two before or after the cruise. See cruises from Vienna for sailings that start there.

Amsterdam serves the Main itineraries. The Dutch capital is one of Europe's most visited cities and a natural place to extend the trip. Browse cruises from Amsterdam for the full range of sailings.

Nuremberg and Vilshofen in Germany are also used as embarkation points. If you are thinking about the broader Main corridor, the Frankfurt am Main port page lists related sailings on that river.

Why book Avalon Impression with Cruise1st

Every Avalon Impression sailing on sale here departs from Europe — Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands or Austria. That means the cruise sits in the middle of a longer international trip, and the most straightforward way to book it is to wrap everything into one package. Cruise1st can do exactly that: our Cruise1st Packages combine the cruise with flights from Australia, a hotel on either side of the sailing and all transfers, confirmed in a single booking.

If you prefer to speak to someone first, our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week — before you book, not just after. They can walk you through the cabin grades, advise on the best departure point for your itinerary, and help you match the fare inclusions to your circumstances.

And whatever you book, it is covered by our Best Price Guarantee.

Common questions about Avalon Impression

Do I need to fly to join an Avalon Impression cruise?

Yes — every Avalon Impression sailing currently on sale departs from a European port (Budapest, Nuremberg, Vilshofen, Amsterdam or Vienna). Australians will need to fly to the embarkation city. Cruise1st can arrange flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels and transfers as part of a single Cruise1st Package booking, so nothing is left to organise separately.

Which cabin grade should I choose on Avalon Impression?

It depends on how much space matters to you and how long you are travelling. The Royal Suite at 27.9 m² offers noticeably more room, two wardrobes and two televisions — a real advantage on voyages of a week or more. The Deluxe Outside Cabin at 16 m² is the more compact option, but its two river-view windows mean you are never far from the scenery. Our cruise experts can help you weigh the options for your specific itinerary.

How long are the sailings?

Current sailings run up to 21 nights, with departures from late September 2026. The range spans shorter Danube itineraries through to extended cruises that take in a wider stretch of river. Longer sailings tend to make the Royal Suite's extra wardrobe space and second television particularly worthwhile.

What is the difference between the Danube and Main itineraries?

The Danube itineraries account for the majority of Avalon Impression sailings and cover the river's central European heartland — including Budapest and Vienna. The Main sailings are fewer in number and operate from Amsterdam, connecting a different arc of cities and landscapes in Germany and the Netherlands. Both rivers are covered under Avalon Waterways, so your choice of departure port is often the deciding factor.

Can I see all current Avalon Impression departures?

The quickest way is to go straight to the departure port that suits you: the Budapest, Vienna and Amsterdam pages each list live sailings. Alternatively, the Avalon Waterways page shows the full fleet and all current itineraries in one place.