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Avalon Passion: ship guide

A 2016 Suite Ship refreshed in 2024 for Danube, Main and Christmas-market cruises.

Best for: Travelers who want a recently refreshed Suite Ship for the Danube, and especially for Avalon’s Christmas-market cruises between Nuremberg, Vienna, Frankfurt and Prague. Sails from Nuremberg, Vienna, Frankfurt, Vilshofen, Budapest in 2026 and 2027.

See every Avalon Passion sailing Deck plans Avalon Waterways policies

166guests at double occupancy

4decks

2016entered service, refurbished 2024

443 ftlong

83staterooms

About Avalon Passion

Avalon Passion was launched in 2016 and was in the first group of ships to receive Avalon’s fleet-wide refresh in 2024, which added new flooring and furniture in the public rooms, a modernized Sky Deck, more comfortable seating in the lounge, Kinesis weight machines and extra free weights in the fitness room, a second Starlink antenna and 15 new bikes and four e-bikes. The 443-foot ship carries 166 guests in 83 staterooms, 67 of them suites.

As on every Avalon Suite Ship, the Sapphire and Royal Decks are lined with 200-square-foot Panorama Suites whose wall-to-wall window slides open seven feet wide to become the Open-Air Balcony, with the bed facing the river; two Royal Suites of 300 square feet add a living area. Dining is in the glass-walled Panorama Dining Room, the Panorama Bistro or at the Sky Grill, with wine, beer and soft drinks included at lunch and dinner and a daily Happy Hour.

In 2026 and 2027 Avalon Passion concentrates on the Danube and the Main. Its Christmas-market program is the deepest in the fleet: Christmastime on the Danube between Nuremberg and Vienna, Christmastime on the Danube with two nights in Prague, and Christmastime in the Heart of Germany between Frankfurt and Nuremberg, with regular-season Danube cruises between Vilshofen and Budapest. It suits travelers who want a recently refreshed ship on the classic Danube.

Refreshed in 2024: new public-room decor, modernized Sky Deck, lounge seating, Kinesis fitness machines and a second Starlink antenna
200-square-foot Panorama Suites on two full decks with the Open-Air Balcony window that opens seven feet wide
Comfort Collection beds facing the river, with four mattress firmness options
Two 300-square-foot Royal Suites with living area, second TV, double-sink bathroom and separate half-bath
Panorama Dining Room, Panorama Bistro, Sky Grill and the 24-hour Club Lounge
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine at breakfast, daily Happy Hour
The fleet’s widest choice of Christmas-market itineraries on the Danube and the Main
Avalon Choice excursions with Classic, Discovery and Active options plus 15 bikes and four e-bikes on board

Staterooms and suites

Deluxe Stateroom

172 square feet on the Indigo Deck with two windows set high on the wall, L’Occitane amenities, marble bathroom with glass shower, TV, safe and minibar; the lowest fare on the ship.

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 facing the scenery.

Panorama Suite, Royal Deck

The same 200-square-foot suite on the top accommodation deck, closest to the Panorama Lounge and Sky Deck.

Royal Suite

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

Avalon Passion 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.

Royal Deck

Lounge, Outside Viewing Deck, Bar, Lobby, Hair salon.

P Panorama Suite

Observation LoungeObservation Lounge

Sapphire Deck

Dining Room, Reception, Foyer.

A Panorama SuiteB Panorama Suite

Indigo Deck

Fitness Center, Galley.

D Deluxe StateroomE Deluxe Stateroom

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 Passion

Dining on Avalon Passion

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 and afternoon tea.

Sky GrillIncluded

Made-to-order al fresco lunches on the Sky Deck when the weather allows.

Club LoungeIncluded

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

Room serviceIncluded

Complimentary continental breakfast, lunch and dinner in the stateroom.

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 outside meals and Happy Hour, including mulled wine on deck on Christmas cruises, are charged to the onboard account.

Entertainment and activities

Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade system and new loungers from the 2024 refresh
Panorama Lounge with Happy Hour, port briefings, local performers and evening music
Avalon Choice excursions: Classic walking tours, Discovery workshops and tastings, Active hikes and bike rides
15 bikes and four e-bikes added in 2024, Nordic walking sticks and an Adventure Host for stretch classes and guided rides
Fitness room with cardio machines, Kinesis weight machines and an expanded free-weight selection
Avalon Fresh heart-healthy, vegetarian and vegan menus at every meal
Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi with a second antenna, and the AvalonGO app
Avalon After Dark evening 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, and older teens are welcome with their parents.

Best for: Travelers who want a recently refreshed Suite Ship for the Danube, and especially for Avalon’s Christmas-market cruises between Nuremberg, Vienna, Frankfurt and Prague.

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

Avalon Passion questions we answer every day

How big is Avalon Passion?

Avalon Passion is a 443-foot Suite Ship launched in 2016 for 166 guests in 83 staterooms, 67 of them suites, with three accommodation decks, Indigo, Sapphire and Royal, and an open Sky Deck. It was among the first ships in Avalon’s 2024 refresh, which renewed the public rooms, Sky Deck, lounge seating, fitness equipment, Wi-Fi and bike fleet.

Where does Avalon Passion sail in 2026 and 2027?

The ship is a Danube and Main specialist. In the regular season it sails Danube cruises between Vilshofen and Budapest; from late November it runs Christmastime on the Danube between Nuremberg and Vienna via Regensburg, Passau and Melk, the same cruise with two nights in Prague, and Christmastime in the Heart of Germany on the Main from Frankfurt to Nuremberg via Würzburg and Bamberg.

What changed in the 2024 refresh?

Avalon gave the ship new flooring and furniture across the public spaces, a modernized Sky Deck with new furniture, more comfortable seating in the observation lounge, new Kinesis weight machines and more free weights in the fitness room, a second Starlink antenna for faster internet, and 15 new bikes plus four e-bikes. The Panorama Suites themselves kept their 200-square-foot layout and Open-Air Balcony.

Which staterooms are best on Avalon Passion?

A Panorama Suite on the Sapphire or Royal Deck gives you the Open-Air Balcony and the river-facing bed; the decks are identical in 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. The 172-square-foot Deluxe Staterooms on the Indigo Deck have high windows and the same amenities at the lowest fare.

What is included in the fare?

All 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.

Are Christmas-market cruises on Avalon Passion cold?

December on the Danube and Main is cold, often near freezing, and the markets are outdoors, so bring layers, gloves and warm shoes. On board the Panorama Lounge, Club Lounge and the heated suites are the refuge, and the Open-Air Balcony window still slides open for a quick photo. Days are short in December, so plan on seeing most markets after dark, when the lights are on and the mulled wine is poured.

Facts checked against Avalon Waterways: Avalon Passion, Avalon Waterways: Avalon Passion cruises, Avalon Waterways: Christmastime on the Danube, 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.

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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.