Avalon Illumination

Sails from Budapest, Hungary · Fly into BUD

Editorial score

3.7/ 5

6 of 6 metrics scored

Page updated October 2026

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Avalon Illumination, 2019 · Photo: DALIBRI, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

About Avalon Illumination

Avalon Illumination is an Avalon Waterways cruise ship, in service since 2014. She carries 166 guests with a crew of 47. She sails Danube, Rhine itineraries. We rate her 3.7 out of 5.

Avalon Illumination is a 135-meter Suite Ship that entered service in 2014 with 166 guests, most in 200-square-foot Panorama Suites. She has the Panorama Bistro, a fitness center and a Sky Deck with a whirlpool and the Sky Bistro. Her schedule is built around the Danube: Danube Symphony cruises in both directions between Vilshofen and Budapest, some with hotel nights in Budapest or Munich, and Christmas market trips between Vienna and Budapest. Some departures also use the Main and the Rhine.

Ship facts

Guests: 166; Crew 47 · 1:3.5
Entered service: 2014
Length: 135 m; Shorter than 73% of 575 ships
Decks: 4

Ratings

How she ranks

Cabins: 4/5, fleet average 4.2
Dining: 4/5, fleet average 4.0
Entertainment: 3/5, fleet average 3.0
Service: 4/5, fleet average 4.0
Pools & decks: 3/5, fleet average 3.0
Value: 4/5, fleet average 4.0

Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Avalon Waterways fleet average across 19 rated ships in service.

More from Avalon Waterways

Whole fleet

The ships in the fleet closest to her in size.

3.8 ★Avalon View2022 · 166 guests · Rhine · RhôneAvalon View is the newest of Avalon Waterways' 135-meter Suite Ships, entering service in 2022 with 166 guests. Like Avalon Envision she has the FlexDining layout, with a…3.7 ★Avalon Envision2019 · 166 guests · Rhine · DanubeAvalon Envision is a 135-meter Suite Ship christened in Budapest on April 7, 2019, by author Elizabeth Gilbert. She carries 166 guests, most in Panorama Suites with window-facing…

3.7 ★Avalon Expression2013 · 166 guests · Danube · RhineAvalon Expression is a 135-meter Suite Ship from 2013, renovated in 2018, carrying 166 guests mostly in Panorama Suites. On board are the Panorama Bistro, a fitness center…

Official deck plans

Deck plans on avalonwaterways.com

Photos

1 photo

Avalon Illumination, 2019Photo: DALIBRI, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where she sails

Home port: Budapest, Hungary.

Flying in for your cruise?

Avalon Illumination sails from Budapest, Hungary. The airport is Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), with 5 lounges to wait in before you board.

All 5 lounges at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport on Lounge Frog Every ship sailing from Budapest, Hungary

Quick answers

Which cruise line operates Avalon Illumination?

Avalon Illumination is operated by Avalon Waterways.

How big is Avalon Illumination?

Avalon Illumination measures 135 metres in length, with 4 decks.

How many passengers does Avalon Illumination carry?

Avalon Illumination carries 166 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 47 (about 3.5 guests per crew member).

When did Avalon Illumination enter service?

Avalon Illumination entered service in 2014.

Where does Avalon Illumination sail?

Avalon Illumination sails Danube and Rhine itineraries. Her home port is Budapest, Hungary.

Which airport should I fly into for Avalon Illumination?

Avalon Illumination sails from Budapest, Hungary. Fly into Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), which has 5 airport lounges listed on Lounge Frog.

Where can I find the deck plans for Avalon Illumination?

Avalon Waterways publishes the deck plans for Avalon Illumination; this page links to Deck plans.

How is Avalon Illumination rated?

Cruise Frog rates Avalon Illumination 3.7 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on cabins (4/5) and lowest on pools & decks (3/5).

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