Avalon Poetry II

Avalon Poetry II at a glance

Avalon Poetry II is a river cruise ship operated by Avalon Waterways, sailing itineraries along the Rhône River in southern France. She currently departs from two French cities — Arles and Lyon — making her a strong choice for travellers drawn to Provence, Burgundy and the landscapes of the Rhône valley. The cabins and configuration details printed above give you the key numbers at a glance.

• Operated by Avalon Waterways
• Sails the Rhône River, departing from Arles and Lyon, France
• Two cabin grades available: Royal Suite and Deluxe Outside Cabin
• Sailings currently available from September 2026

Cabins on Avalon Poetry II

Avalon Poetry II offers two cabin grades, each designed for two guests and suited to different preferences and budgets.

The Royal Suite (Grade S) is the ship's most spacious accommodation at 27.9 m², with separate sleeping and living areas that give the room to genuinely unwind after a day ashore. If you are travelling as a couple and want a suite experience on the river, this is the grade to consider.

The Deluxe Outside Cabin (Grade D) covers 16.0 m² and features two windows that bring natural light and river views into the cabin throughout the day. It is a well-proportioned outside cabin for a river ship, and the dual windows make a real difference when you are drifting through scenic stretches of the Rhône.

For a closer look at layouts and deck positions, visit the Avalon Poetry II cabins and deck plans page.

Where Avalon Poetry II sails

All current sailings on Avalon Poetry II follow the Rhône River in southern France, with departures from either Lyon or Arles. Itineraries run up to seven nights, taking in the vineyards, medieval towns and Roman heritage that define this stretch of river. Because every sailing departs from France, all Australian travellers will need to fly — which is something we plan around when you book through Cruise1st.

Booking Avalon Poetry II with Cruise1st

Every sailing on Avalon Poetry II departs from France, so the cruise sits at the centre of a longer journey from Australia. At Cruise1st, we treat that as one holiday rather than several separate bookings: our Cruise1st Packages bring the flights, any hotel nights in Lyon or Arles either side of the cruise, and your transfers together under a single booking. That means one point of contact, one confirmation, and no gaps between arrangements.

Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week to help you match the right cabin grade to your travel style and work out which fare inclusions suit your circumstances. And whatever price we quote, it is backed by our Best Price Guarantee — Cruise1st's own named promise, offered site-wide.

Prices for Avalon Poetry II sailings currently start from A$4,164pp* for departures from September 2026.

Common questions about Avalon Poetry II

Do I need to fly to join Avalon Poetry II?

Yes. All current sailings depart from France — either Lyon or Arles — so Australian travellers will need to fly to Europe to join the ship. Cruise1st can book your flights, pre- or post-cruise hotel stays and transfers as part of a single Cruise1st Package, so nothing is left to arrange separately.

Which cabin grade should I book on Avalon Poetry II?

It depends on how much space matters to you. The Royal Suite at 27.9 m² offers separate sleeping and living areas, which makes a meaningful difference on a seven-night river cruise. The Deluxe Outside Cabin at 16.0 m² is a practical and comfortable choice, with two windows giving you natural light and river views throughout the day. Our specialists can talk you through both options — call us seven days a week.

How long are the itineraries on Avalon Poetry II?

Current sailings run up to seven nights along the Rhône River. All departures are from France, with embarkation in either Lyon or Arles depending on the itinerary you choose.

Who operates Avalon Poetry II?

Avalon Poetry II is operated by Avalon Waterways, a dedicated river cruise line. You can find out more about the fleet and what sailing with them is like on the Avalon Waterways page.

Can I combine Avalon Poetry II with time in France before or after the cruise?

Absolutely. Because the sailings begin and end in French cities, it is natural to extend your trip with a few nights in Lyon or Arles — or to use them as a base for exploring Provence or Burgundy. Cruise1st can include those hotel nights and transfers in your booking alongside the cruise and flights, making the whole trip one tidy arrangement.