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Avalon Impression: ship guide

Danube Symphony and Christmas-market sailings on a 2014 Suite Ship refreshed in 2025.

Best for: First-time river cruisers and couples who want the classic Danube between Germany and Budapest with an open-air suite, included drinks at meals and a choice of excursions every day. Sails from Vilshofen, Budapest, Nuremberg, Vienna, Frankfurt in 2026 and 2027.

See every Avalon Impression sailing Deck plans Avalon Waterways policies

166guests at double occupancy

4decks

2014entered service, refurbished 2025

443 ftlong

83staterooms

About Avalon Impression

Avalon Impression joined the fleet in 2014 as a twin of Avalon Illumination, and like her sister it went through Avalon’s fleet-wide refresh in 2025. The 443-foot ship carries 166 guests in 83 staterooms, with 67 suites spread over the Sapphire and Royal Decks and 16 Deluxe Staterooms on the Indigo Deck. The update brought new flooring and furniture in the public rooms, a reworked Sky Deck, Kinesis weight machines in the fitness room and 15 new bikes and four e-bikes.

Every suite is a 200-square-foot Panorama Suite whose floor-to-ceiling window slides open seven feet to form the Open-Air Balcony, with the bed facing the water. The glass-walled Panorama Dining Room serves breakfast and lunch buffets and a four-course dinner, the Panorama Bistro offers a lighter alternative, and lunch moves to the Sky Grill when the weather allows. Wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner and a Happy Hour runs daily in the Panorama Lounge.

For 2026 and 2027 Avalon Impression is assigned mainly to the Danube: six-day Danube Symphony and eight-day Danube Dreams cruises between Vilshofen and Budapest, with Munich and Budapest hotel stays, plus Christmastime on the Danube between Nuremberg and Vienna and Main River festive cruises from Frankfurt to Nuremberg. It is a good fit for first-time river cruisers who want the classic Danube at a measured pace.

200-square-foot Panorama Suites on two full decks with the Open-Air Balcony window that opens seven feet wide
Comfort Collection beds positioned to face the river, with a choice of four mattress firmness levels
Two 300-square-foot Royal Suites with living area, second TV, double-sink bathroom and separate half-bath
2025 fleet refresh: new public-room decor, modernized Sky Deck, Kinesis fitness gear and a second Starlink antenna
Panorama Dining Room, Panorama Bistro and the Sky Grill for al fresco lunches
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine at breakfast, daily Happy Hour
Avalon Choice excursions with Classic, Discovery and Active options
Six-day Danube Symphony sailings, one of the shortest ways to see Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest by river

Staterooms and suites

Deluxe Stateroom

172 square feet on the Indigo Deck with two windows set high on the wall, L’Occitane toiletries, marble bathroom counters, a glass-enclosed shower, TV, safe and minibar; the best-value way on board.

Panorama Suite

200 square feet on the Sapphire and Royal Decks with the Open-Air Balcony, a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling window that slides open seven feet wide, and a Comfort Collection bed that faces the scenery.

Panorama Suite, Royal Deck

Identical 200-square-foot suite on the top accommodation deck, steps from the Panorama Lounge and the Sky Deck stairs.

Royal Suite

Two 300-square-foot suites on the Royal Deck with a seating area, king-size bed, second TV, a second sliding panoramic door, double sinks and oversized shower plus a separate half-bath.

Avalon Impression 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
WhirlpoolWhirlpool
Premium Lounge ChairPremium Lounge Chair
Game AreaGame Area

Royal Deck

Lounge, Outside Viewing Deck, Bar, Lobby, Hair salon, Avaoln Suites (AS), Avalon Deluxe Staterooms (P).

P Panorama SuiteS Royal Suite

Observation LoungeObservation Lounge
Panorama BistroPanorama Bistro.
Panorama LoungePanorama Lounge
BarBar
ElevatorElevator
Hair SalonHair Salon

Sapphire Deck

Dining Room, Reception, Foyer, Avalon Deluxe Staterooms (A, B).

A Panorama SuiteB Panorama Suite

Dining RoomChoose from a delicious variety of cuisine at the buffet breakfast and lunches at this elegant yet relaxed-atmosphere restaurant. Lunch buffet includes a pasta station, carving station, soups, salads and light fare. At dinner guests will enjoy a four-course meal with appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and delicious deserts. All meals are open seating.

Indigo Deck

Fitness Center, Galley, Avalon Deluxe Staterooms (E).

D Deluxe StateroomE Avalon Deluxe Stateroom

Fitness CenterFitness Center

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 Impression

Dining on Avalon Impression

Panorama Dining RoomIncluded

Glass-walled main restaurant with buffet breakfast and lunch and a four-course dinner or lighter tasting menu, with Avalon Fresh dishes at every meal.

Panorama BistroIncluded

Casual lounge dining for small plates, a lighter dinner option and afternoon tea.

Sky GrillIncluded

Al fresco lunches cooked to order on the Sky Deck when the weather cooperates.

Club LoungeIncluded

24-hour self-serve cappuccinos, lattes, teas, juices, cookies and snacks, with a library of books and board games.

Room serviceIncluded

Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner delivered to the stateroom at no charge.

Included drinksIncluded

Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine at breakfast, specialty coffee and tea around the clock, and a daily Happy Hour in the Panorama Lounge with select beer, wine, spirits and cocktails.

Bar drinks outside those hoursSpecialty

Drinks ordered at the bar outside meals and Happy Hour are charged to the onboard account.

Entertainment and activities

Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade system, premium loungers and the Sky Grill
Panorama Lounge with Happy Hour, port briefings, local performers and evening music
Avalon Choice excursions: Classic walking tours, Discovery tastings and workshops, Active hikes and bike rides
Complimentary bikes and e-bikes, Nordic walking sticks and an Adventure Host for morning stretch classes
Fitness center with cardio machines, free weights and Kinesis weight machines added in 2025
Avalon Fresh heart-healthy, vegetarian and vegan menus at every meal
Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi and the AvalonGO app for the daily program
Avalon After Dark evening entertainment program, announced for 2026

Families and who it suits

Avalon does not accept children under eight years of age and has no children’s programs or facilities on board; the ship is built for adults, with older teens welcome alongside their parents.

Best for: First-time river cruisers and couples who want the classic Danube between Germany and Budapest with an open-air suite, included drinks at meals and a choice of excursions every day.

Sails from: Vilshofen, Budapest, Nuremberg, Vienna, Frankfurt · Regions: Danube, Main, Rhine

Avalon Impression questions we answer every day

How big is Avalon Impression?

Avalon Impression is a 443-foot Suite Ship launched in 2014 for 166 guests in 83 staterooms, of which 67 are suites. It has three accommodation decks, Indigo, Sapphire and Royal, and an open Sky Deck. The ship was refreshed in 2025 with new decor, Sky Deck furniture, fitness equipment, a second Starlink antenna and a new bike fleet, so it feels current despite its 2014 build date.

Where does Avalon Impression sail in 2026 and 2027?

The ship sails the Danube for most of the year: Danube Symphony and Danube Dreams between Vilshofen and Budapest, calling at Linz, Melk, Dürnstein, Vienna and Bratislava, with optional Munich and Budapest hotel nights. From late November it runs Christmas-market cruises, Christmastime on the Danube between Nuremberg and Vienna and Christmastime in the Heart of Germany on the Main between Frankfurt and Nuremberg.

What is the Open-Air Balcony?

Rather than bolting a narrow balcony onto the outside of the ship, Avalon built its Panorama Suites with a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling window that slides open seven feet wide. The whole 200-square-foot suite becomes the balcony, with a sitting area at the window and the bed facing the river. It is why Avalon calls them Suite Ships and why most guests book a Panorama Suite.

Which stateroom should I book on Avalon Impression?

A Panorama Suite on the Sapphire or Royal Deck gives you the Open-Air Balcony; the two decks are the same size, and the Sapphire Deck is often better value. The two Royal Suites on the Royal Deck are 300 square feet with a living area. If budget matters most, the 172-square-foot Deluxe Staterooms on the Indigo Deck share every amenity apart from the opening window.

What does the fare include?

Meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine at breakfast, a daily Happy Hour, 24-hour Club Lounge coffee and snacks, room service, Wi-Fi, bikes and e-bikes, an Adventure Host and a choice of included Avalon Choice excursions. Airfare, optional excursions, bar drinks outside included hours and gratuities are extra. SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit on sailings where Avalon allows it, not available when you book direct.

Does Avalon Impression take children?

No child under eight may sail with Avalon, and the ship has no kids’ club, pool or family programming. The line is an adult product where the typical guest is a couple, a group of friends or a multigenerational family with adult children. Older teens who like to cycle and hike enjoy the Active excursions, but families with young children should look at an ocean ship instead.

Facts checked against Avalon Waterways: Avalon Impression, Avalon Waterways: Avalon Impression cruises, Avalon Waterways: onboard amenities, Cruise Industry News: Avalon fleet-wide refresh on October 14, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.

Live from the cruise line

Every Avalon Impression sailing, priced all-in

Every Avalon Impression 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.

Every Avalon Impression sailing

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Prices 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.