Avalon is happy to announce the return of their European river cruises for travelers from the United States beginning on July 20, 2021.  Below is their planned start date with a limited roll-out of select cruises per river:

• Seine - July 20
• Rhine - August 7
• Danube - August 10
• Rhône - August 31
• Moselle - September 10

Will I need to be vaccinated?

Travelers are now required to offer Globus family of brands’ personnel one of the following printed and/or digital verifications upon arrival:

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days prior to travel
• Proof of a negative COVID-19 test (NAAT/PCR or antigen) result within 72-hours of travel
• Proof of recovery from a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis within three (3) months of travel

Without one of these verifications, travelers will not be able to join a planned vacation with Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways or Monograms.

Will I need to wear a mask onboard?

Avalon will provide masks for guests to wear during any event where social proximity could become an issue, including disembarkation for excursions and safety drills.

All 2021 Travel Reservations Automatically Come with their 2021 Peace of Mind Travel Plan* - Free Of Charge!

This plan gives guests the ability to move their booking to another destination, vacation, brand or simply a different 2021 or 2022 departure date in their vast travel portfolio, no questions asked. Just let them know before final payment and they’ll waive all land or cruise penalties and transfer to the new vacation.

And for as long as the COVID-19 pandemic is still affecting, travel**, all bookings for 2022 travel dates are also covered by their Peace of Mind Travel Plan, extending the ability to move travel dates through 2023.

*The Peace of Mind Travel Plan allows for any 2021 booking made on Avalon Waterways, Cosmos, Globus or Monograms to be changed to a different brand, destination or to another 2021 or 2022 departure date. Notice of change in travel plans must be given before final payment date; standard cancellation penalties will apply for full cancellation without rebooking or changes made after final payment date. The penalty waiver applies to the land or cruise portion of the booking only; airfares and vacations booked air-inclusive may be subject to penalties and/or change fees from the airline*. Applicable price and eligible promotions for the new tour or cruise will apply; if new trip is less expensive, a future travel credit will be issued for the difference in price. Cannot be applied to charters, custom tours, or TBA space. No cash value. Credit is fully transferable. Offer reliant on space availability. May be withdrawn at any time. Additional restrictions may apply; see Travel Terms & Conditions for details. *See optional Travel Protection Plan coverage for details.

**For 2022 bookings, travel dates can be moved to any other brand, destination or departure, 2021, 2022 or 2023 dates for the duration in which the COVID-19 pandemic is determined to still be affecting travel if your country of residence’s federal health agency has issued a warning to avoid non-essential travel, due to COVID-19, for your destination. For all 2022 departures including the Oberammergau Passion Play, this Peace of Mind Plan does not apply after June 30, 2021 when the deposits become non-refundable.

Guests impacted by European sailings that have been suspended will be contacted by their Travel Advisor or by Avalon Waterways with options for rebooking. 

For other destinations, Avalon Waterways has continued suspension of operations through July 31, 2021 for guests from the U.S. Given these circumstances, Avalon Waterways continues their program designed to give their travelers flexibility when considering their travel plans.

Through this program, Avalon is allowing guests with bookings on any suspended travel dates to move dates easily and without incurring cancellation fees, land or airline penalties*.

You are free to move your booking on any suspended cruise to any Globus family of brands (Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon Waterways) vacation for any destination. If you are not ready to choose your new vacation, the full value paid to them will be provided via a Letter of Credit, redeemable for any future departure through 2022, and is transferrable.

To make the transition easier, this program includes an additional bonus credit. This bonus credit of up to $200 per person will be in addition to your Letter of Credit, redeemable for any future travel through 2022:

• Bonus credit of $200 for Avalon Waterways
• Bonus credit of $100 for Globus
• Bonus credit of $50 for Cosmos, Escapes by Globus & Monograms

To decline this offer and cancel, those with departures through July 31, 2021 must advise them by June 9, 2021**. 
And for added flexibility for future travel plans, they’re also offering a Peace of Mind Travel Plan, allowing you to move your 2021 or 2022 booking to any other date, departure or brand up until your final payment date.

And for added flexibility for future travel plans, they’re also offering a Peace of Mind Travel Plan, allowing you to move your 2021 or 2022 booking to any other date, departure or brand up until your final payment date.

* Peace of Mind Travel Plan offer valid for departures through July 31, 2021. Refund in the form of a Letter of Credit, redeemable for travel departing by December 31, 2022. The new booking bonus will be in addition to the Letter of Credit amount. Letters of Credit not redeemable for cash and bonus amount not transferrable. Only one booking bonus per person can be applied per reservation. Suspended departures through July 31 may retain past promotional offers if rebooked by June 9, 2021. Changes in airfare may apply, and the new booking is subject to any increase in vacation price for 2021 and 2022 travel. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and other restrictions may apply.

** Cancellation refund for suspended 2021 departures follow their trip cancellation procedure, including refund of monies paid to the Globus family of brands equal to the amount paid on your original booking. Departures July 1-31, 2021 must be advised by June 9, 2021 to receive a refund. Refunds may take up to 6 weeks for processing.

Due to a variety of COVID-related factors, a number of 2021 Avalon cruises have been suspended. Avalon will be in contact directly with guests and travel advisors on affected cruises with a number of options to re-book onto another date this yearyear oror beyond, including their Peace of Mind program that allows guests with bookings on any suspended travel dates to move dates easily and without incurring cancellation fees, land or airline penalties.

WELCOME ABOARD

New embarkation procedures to offer guests a safe start to their journey, including:

• Social distancing throughout embarkation
• All international travelers are fully vaccinated before joining their cruises
• Luggage disinfection prior to onboarding (with crew wearing gloves and masks)

FRESH AIR, INSIDE AND OUT

In addition to their Open-Air staterooms, the air in their ships is not circulated between staterooms; only within an individual stateroom and mixed with fresh, outside air. Air in public spaces is also not recirculated, only fresh outside air is brought into the systems

BLENDING CULTURAL PROXIMITY WITH SOCIAL DISTANCE

New social distancing guidelines for guests throughout their Avalon cruise, include:

• Introducing more dining venues for more dining space per person
• Crew wearing masks for the duration of the cruise during any guest interaction
• Providing masks for guests to wear during any event where social proximity could become an issue, including disembarkation for excursions and safety drills
• Adjusting ratio of guides and coaches for excursions

NEW TECHNOLOGY TO ENSURE CLEANLINESS

• Electrostatic disinfecting systems
• UV disinfecting systems

TOUCHING HEARTS, NOT HANDS

Reducing risk with hands-free service, including:

• More hand-sanitizing stations throughout the ship
• Required use of hand-sanitizing stations when leaving the ship, returning to the ship and entering dining venues
• Self-serve stations, including buffets, drinks, specialty coffees and snacks have been replaced with crew service. All buffets (breakfast and lunch) replaced by crew service or a full range of à la carte menu choices
• Hourly (or more frequent) disinfection of all public areas

COMMITMENT TO THE CLEANEST SHIPS

Enhanced cleaning procedures throughout each ship, including these additional steps that go above-and-beyond Avalon’s already strict procedures:

• Deep disinfection of each stateroom between cruises, including:
• Use of disinfectants and cleaning materials that meet the highest standards
• Soft goods in each stateroom (mattress, sofa, window coverings, chairs, etc.) disinfected between cruises
• Disinfection of all dining areas between meals
• Disinfection of all shared items like umbrellas, bicycles and other Adventure Center items
• Disinfection of all goods prior to loading on the ship
• Ongoing crew training in protective equipment use and hygiene

FOCUS ON CREW HEALTH

Ensuring a healthy crew, including:

• Medical certificate required prior to start of contract
• Daily temperature checks
• Social distancing in crew living quarters
• Regular health screenings
• All crew vaccinated

Avalon will continue to review and update Assurance initiatives as we make our return to the world’s waterways including adhering to—and building upon—the standards set forth by travel and health agencies across the globe, including the European Centre for Disease Prevention (ECDC), Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)