Avalon brings a new, welcoming vibe to river cruising on the redesigned Avalon Artistry II

by Carolyn Ray

Is there any place more beautiful than a vineyard in France? The earthy smell of spring is in the air as I bike past some of the world’s most prestigious wineries in Bordeaux. While some guests have chosen chocolate and wine tastings, I’m letting my inner kid play outdoors with an active itinerary that includes e-biking, hiking and guided tours through UNESCO World Heritage sites, like St-Emilion. Earlier, I hiked past the famous Chateau Margaux in Médoc, a “premier grand cru classé” according to the official Bordeaux wine classification of 1855.

As a special guest of Avalon’s inaugural voyage, “Bonjour Bordeaux: Châteaux, Wineries & Charming Villages”, I’m getting an insider’s view of the newly refurbished Avalon Artistry II. This eight-day river cruise starts and ends in Bordeaux, with stops in Cadillac-sur-Garonne, Cussac, Fort Médoc, Blaye, Bourg, Libourne, and Saint Emilion. For guests looking for longer stays, there is a pre-trip extension in Paris, and Switzerland-based Avalon has aligned all of its France itineraries so that guests can extend their time in France up to 22 days by combining this cruise with its Romantic Rhine and Paris to Normandy trips.

“In designing this new itinerary, we’ve been inspired by our customers and our crew,” says Avalon Waterways President Pam Hoffee, who has been intimately involved in the new itinerary and the ship redesign. “Our local partners help us design authentic experiences, and I’ve learned a lot from boutique hotels, which have a fun, relaxed, comfortable vibe.”

Making river cruising fun and relaxing

If you associate river cruising with butlers in white gloves, Hoffee wants women to know that the vibe on Avalon’s ships is relaxed, casual and comfortable. She calls this ‘relaxed luxury’, and says it includes all the comforts of home, with special touches like robes and slippers.

Hoffee comes from an operations background and takes great pride in the small touches throughout the ship, particularly the hairdryers. She’s also incorporated thoughtful items that support women-owned businesses, like handmade bracelets from Landmine Design, which supports human trafficking prevention.

“Our team brings a really high level of service, but in a relaxed, comfortable way,” she says. Guests are encouraged to ‘make it your home’ and eat meals where and whenever they feel comfortable. Meal times are flexible too, with a light lunch offered in the Panorama Lounge, a buffet downstairs or the rooftop SkyGrill, weather permitting. Dinner options include wine pairings, with diverse and plentiful options, including vegetarian, gluten-free and local cuisine, created by Vienna-based Wrenkh, a popular vegetarian restaurant.

There is also a non-alcoholic cocktail menu designed by world-renowned mixologist  Martin Hudák. Drinks during happy hour and meals are included. Instead of cookies and pastries, there are also packages with a healthy nut and raisin mix.

Flexible excursions: classic, discovery and active

With a focus on cultural and immersive experiences, Avalon offers three options on its excursions: classic, discovery and active, which can be mixed and matched to suit your desire and physical mobility.

For example, on the Bordeaux cruise, a classic itinerary includes a guided visit to the Citadel of Blaye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a panoramic drive of the famous Route de la Corniche along the right banks of the River Dordogne. Guests can also choose from a discovery itinerary like a guided visit and wine tasting at a local château to sip the sweet notes of Sauternes, the beloved golden-yellow wine of the region.

On the inaugural trip, my itinerary includes a guided hike through vineyards and chateaux in Medoc, and an e-bike tour to the UNESCO World Heritage city St-Emilion. To get warmed up, I visit the newly updated on-ship fitness centre, which has a brand new Speediance smart home gym machine, and join Georgina, the ‘adventure coach’, for a stretching class before breakfast. The Avalon Artistry II has 19 bikes (5 e-bikes and 14 manual bikes) available at no charge and a putting green on the top floor.

Panorama rooms with beds that face the water

On the three-story Avalon Artistry II, there are 64 rooms, including two Royal Suites (300 square feet). The ‘open air’ panorama suites cover two of the three floors (80 percent of all rooms) on the ship, with windows that open across the entire width of the suite.

Hoffee played an active role in working with her team to redesign the Avalon Artistry II, creating a warm, neutral colour palette that extends throughout the 110-metre ship. Avalon offers different comfort levels on beds, and if guests want a firmer or softer mattress, all they have to do it request it. With the panorama suites, all beds face the window, which opens the full width of the suite. Returning to the ship one afternoon, I almost think I’ve walked into the wrong room when I find the bed intentionally moved against the opposite wall. Later that day, it’s moved back to face the water. There is plenty of closet and storage space in the room and under the bed.

But is all this affordable?

Avalon’s new eight-day “Bonjour Bordeaux” itinerary runs from April to November. For new bookings made until April 19, Avalon is offering a complimentary two-night Paris extension with a TGV transfer to Bordeaux on most of its 2025 itineraries. All excursions are included, as are the meals, transportation to and from the airport or train, local guides and tickets to attractions. Tipping both local guides and the onboard team is not included; budget US$15 per person per day for room attendants and restaurant/ bar staff.

For solo women travellers, Avalon charges an additional cost of 55 percent above the cost of a double room. However, Hoffee is quick to point out that Avalon frequently offers special deals for solo women on both its deluxe staterooms and panorama rooms.

“We try to keep it as reasonable as possible for solo women,” she says. “We have dates that we waive the single supplement on almost every cruise where we offer a certain amount of cabins across both deluxe staterooms and panorama suites. We don’t want solo travellers to be relegated to one kind of room.”

When it comes to dining alone, which is often a concern of solo women on cruises, she says that women have to be their own best advocates. “I’ve travelled as a solo traveller, and I don’t always want to join a large group of people. But you can tell the maitre d’ if you’d like to join another table or the cruise director. We also tell our staff to look for solo travellers. Just raise your hand, tell us and we’ll help you.”

As a smaller ship, it’s easier to get to know people who share your interests through excursions or special interest cruises like Outlanders actor Graham McTavish or cookbook author Jen Hatmaker, she believes.

“Our repeat travellers know that Avalon is a good secret,” she says. “Now, we want to get the word out to others, especially to active, adventurous women.”

Why not make it a longer stay?

One of the benefits of European travel is that it’s easy to move around. As a first-time visitor to Bordeaux, I flew to Paris and took the train to Bordeaux from the airport. I stayed one night at the charming Hotel Burgdigala (Bordeaux’s original Roman name) before boarding the ship.

Knowing that travel styles are shifting to longer stays, Avalon has two other trips that can be added to this one to create longer stays. The 15-day French Masterpiece: Paris, Normandy & Bordeaux sails on two Suite Ships on the Seine, Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. It combines Avalon Waterways’ Paris to Normandy itinerary with the river cruise line’s new Bordeaux cruise. France, Uncorked: The Rhône, the Seine & Bordeaux is a 22-day cruise from Arles to Bordeaux that sails on three Suite Ships on the Rhône, Saône, Seine, Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. It combines Avalon Waterways’ Grand France itinerary with its new Bordeaux cruise. Vineyards, Châteaux & Bordeaux is a 22-day cruise from Basel to Bordeaux that sails on three Suite Ships on the Rhine, Seine, Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. It combines three itineraries: the Romantic Rhine, Paris to Normandy and new Bordeaux cruises.

Disclaimer: The author was a guest of Avalon Waterways, which did not review the article prior to publication.

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