Avalon Waterways · All Avalon Waterways ships · Avalon Suite Ship
Avalon Expression: ship guide
A 166-guest Suite Ship on the Danube Symphony route from Vilshofen to Budapest.
Best for: First-time river cruisers who want Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest in a six-day Danube cruise, with an all-suite ship and every excursion included. Sails from Vilshofen, Budapest, Nuremberg, Vienna, Basel, Frankfurt in 2026 and 2027.
About Avalon Expression
Avalon Expression entered service in 2013 as the third of Avalon’s full-length Suite Ships and the first of the series that continued with Illumination, Impression, Passion, Envision and View. It is 443 feet long with four decks, 83 staterooms and 166 guests, and like every Avalon ship in Europe it devotes its two upper stateroom decks entirely to 200-square-foot Panorama Suites with the Open-Air Balcony.
The ship is built around the river view: beds face the water, the Panorama Dining Room and Panorama Lounge are walled in glass, and the Sky Deck on top has a whirlpool, a shade system and the Sky Bistro for al fresco lunches. Wine, beer and soft drinks come with lunch and dinner, the Club Lounge is open 24 hours, and the Adventure Center stocks bikes, e-bikes and walking sticks for the included Classic, Discovery and Active excursions.
In 2026 and 2027 Avalon Expression is a Danube ship. Its core itinerary is the six-day Danube Symphony between Vilshofen and Budapest, offered with a night in Budapest or two nights in Munich, and in November and December it sails Christmastime on the Danube between Nuremberg and Vienna. The late-2027 season adds Christmastime in Alsace & Germany on the Rhine and Christmastime in the Heart of Germany on the Main. It suits first-time river cruisers who want the Danube’s capitals in under a week.
- 2013 Avalon Suite Ship with two full decks of 200-square-foot Panorama Suites
- Open-Air Balcony windows that slide open seven feet wide, with the bed facing the Danube
- Royal Suites of 300 square feet with a king bed, oversized shower and separate half-bath
- Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade system, premium loungers and the Sky Bistro
- Panorama Dining Room and Panorama Bistro, with wine, beer and soft drinks included at lunch and dinner
- Avalon Choice excursions in Classic, Discovery and Active styles, all included
- Adventure Center with complimentary bikes, e-bikes and Nordic walking sticks
- Six-day Danube Symphony between Vilshofen and Budapest, plus Christmas-market cruises, in 2026-2027
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 best value 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 river, an adjustable table and a spa-style bathroom.
Panorama Suite, Royal Deck
The same 200-square-foot suite on the top stateroom deck, a few steps from the Panorama Lounge and the stairs to the 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.
Avalon Expression 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
Sky Deck with chairs, Onboard Camera.
- Sky LoungeSky Lounge
- Sky BistroSky Bistro
- Premium Lounge ChairPremium Lounge Chair
- Game AreaGame 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 Expression
Dining on Avalon Expression
Panorama Dining RoomIncluded
Glass-walled main restaurant with buffet breakfast and lunch and a four-course dinner or lighter tasting menu, with regional wines and beer at lunch and dinner and sparkling wine at breakfast.
Panorama BistroIncluded
Casual venue off the lounge for small plates, light dinners and afternoon tea.
Sky BistroIncluded
Al fresco light lunches and grilled dishes 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 at every port
- 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
- Avalon Fresh menus and regional food and wine presentations
- Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi throughout the ship
- Scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley with commentary from the cruise director
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 Expression is an adult-oriented ship for couples, friends and family groups with older teens.
Best for: First-time river cruisers who want Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest in a six-day Danube cruise, with an all-suite ship and every excursion included.
Sails from: Vilshofen, Budapest, Nuremberg, Vienna, Basel, Frankfurt · Regions: Danube, Rhine, Main
Avalon Expression questions we answer every day
How big is Avalon Expression?
Where does Avalon Expression sail in 2026 and 2027?
What does the Danube Symphony itinerary include?
Which staterooms are best on Avalon Expression?
What is included in the fare on Avalon Expression?
Is Avalon Expression suitable for children?
Facts checked against Avalon Waterways: Avalon Expression, Avalon Waterways: Avalon Expression cruises, Avalon Waterways: Danube Symphony (Eastbound), 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 Expression sailing, priced all-in
Every Avalon Expression 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.
SmartCruiser picks
Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery Avalon Expression 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.