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Avalon Poetry II: ship guide
Avalon’s Rhone and Saone ship, sailing Burgundy & Provence between Lyon and Arles.
Best for: Wine and food travelers who want Lyon, the Rhone valley, Avignon and Arles on a small all-suite ship with Burgundy and Rhone wines poured at every lunch and dinner. Sails from Lyon, Arles in 2026 and 2027.
About Avalon Poetry II
Avalon Poetry II is the Avalon ship for the south of France. Delivered in 2014 as one of the line’s 128-guest Suite Ships, it is 361 feet long with four decks, 64 staterooms and a crew of 37, and it spends its seasons on the Rhone and Saone between Lyon and Arles. Its sisters are Visionary, Artistry II, Tapestry II, Tranquility II and Imagery II.
The Royal and Sapphire decks hold 200-square-foot Panorama Suites with the wall-to-wall Open-Air Balcony window that slides open seven feet wide and a Comfort Collection bed facing the river, with Deluxe Staterooms on the Indigo Deck. The glass-walled Panorama Dining Room pours Rhone and Burgundy wines at lunch and dinner, the Panorama Bistro and Sky Bistro add lighter choices, and the Sky Deck has a whirlpool and shade system for the Provence sun.
In 2026 and 2027 Avalon Poetry II sails the eight-day Burgundy & Provence cruise between Lyon and Arles in both directions, calling at the Maconnais, Tournon and Avignon, with themed Wine Lovers, Jazz Lovers and Culinary departures, an Active & Discovery on the Rhone version in 2027, and extensions to Paris or the French Riviera. It also forms the southern half of Grand France with Avalon Tapestry II. It suits wine and food travelers who want Provence at an easy pace.
- 128-guest Avalon Suite Ship (2014) dedicated to the Rhone and Saone
- Two full decks of 200-square-foot Panorama Suites with the Open-Air Balcony and the bed facing the river
- Royal Suites of 300 square feet with a king bed, oversized shower and separate half-bath
- Burgundy & Provence cruises between Lyon and Arles, with Wine Lovers, Jazz Lovers and Culinary themed departures
- Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade system, premium loungers and the Sky Bistro
- Panorama Dining Room and Panorama Bistro, with Rhone and Burgundy wines, beer and soft drinks included at lunch and dinner
- Avalon Choice excursions in Classic, Discovery and Active styles, with bikes and e-bikes from the Adventure Center
- Grand France combination with Avalon Tapestry II linking the Rhone with the Seine
Staterooms and suites
Deluxe Stateroom
172 square feet on the Indigo Deck with two picture windows, a Comfort Collection bed and a marble bathroom with glass shower and L’Occitane products; the lowest fares on board.
Panorama Suite, Sapphire Deck
200 square feet with the wall-to-wall Open-Air Balcony window that opens seven feet wide, a bed facing the Rhone, an adjustable table and a spa-style bathroom.
Panorama Suite, Royal Deck
The same 200-square-foot suite on the top stateroom deck, closest to the Panorama Lounge and Sky Deck.
Royal Suite
300 square feet with a king-size bed, a second sliding panoramic door, a second television, an oversized shower with double sinks and a separate half-bath; the largest suites on the ship.
Avalon Poetry II deck plans
Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.
Sky Deck
1. Sky Deck with chairs 2. Navigation Bridge 3. Sky Bar 4. Onboard Camera 5. Restaurant 6. Lounge 7. Hairdresser 8. Reception 9. Galley 10. Club Lounge 11. Foyer 12. Fitness Center
- Sky BistroSky Bistro
- WhirlpoolWhirlpool
- Premium Lounge ChairPremium Lounge Chair
- Game Area
Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.
On board Avalon Poetry II
Dining on Avalon Poetry II
Panorama Dining RoomIncluded
Glass-walled main restaurant with buffet breakfast and lunch and a four-course dinner or lighter tasting menu, with regional wines from the Rhone and Burgundy, beer at lunch and dinner and sparkling wine at breakfast.
Panorama BistroIncluded
Casual alternative off the lounge for small plates, light dinners and afternoon tea.
Sky BistroIncluded
Light lunches served al fresco on the Sky Deck when weather allows.
Club LoungeIncluded
Open 24 hours with self-serve cappuccinos, lattes, tea and snacks plus books, cards and board games.
Avalon FreshIncluded
Heart-healthy, vegetarian and vegan choices at every meal.
Room serviceIncluded
Complimentary in-suite continental breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Drinks policyIncluded
Wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast, and a daily happy hour in the Panorama Lounge includes select beer, wine, spirits and cocktails; other bar drinks are charged to your account.
Entertainment and activities
- Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade system, premium lounge chairs and deck games
- Panorama Lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows, daily happy hour and evening music or local performers
- Avalon Choice included excursions in Classic, Discovery and Active styles, from Avignon’s Papal Palace to vineyard bike rides
- Adventure Center with complimentary bikes, e-bikes, Nordic walking sticks and yoga mats, run by the Adventure Host
- Fitness Center with cardio equipment, free weights and Kinesis machines, plus daily stretching classes
- Wine Lovers, Jazz Lovers and Culinary themed departures with tastings, live jazz or cooking-focused excursions
- Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi throughout the ship
- Avalon Fresh menus and Provencal food and wine presentations on board
Families and who it suits
Avalon Waterways does not accept children under eight years of age and has no children’s programs or facilities on board; Avalon Poetry II is an adult-oriented ship for couples and friends, and its wine and food themes draw few teens.
Best for: Wine and food travelers who want Lyon, the Rhone valley, Avignon and Arles on a small all-suite ship with Burgundy and Rhone wines poured at every lunch and dinner.
Sails from: Lyon, Arles · Regions: Rhone, Saone
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Facts checked against Avalon Waterways: Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Waterways: Avalon Poetry II cruises, Avalon Waterways: Burgundy & Provence (Southbound), Avalon Waterways: staterooms and suites on October 14, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.
Every Avalon Poetry II sailing, priced all-in
Every Avalon Poetry II departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.
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Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery Avalon Poetry II sailing
Stack any filters, then pick a sortPrices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. Onboard credit shown on a sailing is per stateroom and applies to the lowest category offered unless stated otherwise.