Poetry in Motion

Waltz Along the Danube: A Storyteller Cruise with Christopher Moore

Promising all prose, no cons, this special Storyteller Cruise with Christopher Moore sails through the legends and legendary settings of the Danube River: A river that’s inspired empires, dynasties, winemakers, waltzes – and Moore’s newest novel debuting in 2025! Explore some of the most dramatic chapters in time while uncovering scenic ports, riveting plots and the richest banks of history. As the river, Rieslings and pilsners flow, we invite you to try to compose yourself as you experience the settings that set the stage for unrivaled music and art – and the coffee houses – where creative geniuses converged. Offering you unparalleled facts, fiction and fun, your cruising vacation with celebrity storyteller host Christopher Moore also promises special meet-and-greets and a book signing of his new novel, Anima Rising, on a cruise that will take you beyond words! 

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Rogue on the Rhône: A Legendary Voyage with Graham McTavish

The Rhône River has seen its share of conquerors, poets, and revolutionaries—and now legendary actor, author, and Avalon Waterways spokesperson Graham McTavish! Join Graham as he joins Avalon once again for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure as history, heritage, and hearty tales set sail in swashbuckling style. Cruise through the heart of Burgundy and Provence, tracing the footsteps of Roman emperors, artistic geniuses, and timeless winemakers–with a wee bit of Scottish spirit for good measure.

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Rockin’ on the Rhine with Sister Hazel

Who doesn’t love an encore? Hazelnuts are getting just that with another chance to cruise with sensational Sister Hazel on their third Avalon sailing! Grab your VIP pass for this special Suite Ship® sailing with sweet southern rock-n-roll on the Rhine River! From colorful Amsterdam to the soaring heights of the Rhine Gorge to the stunning sights of Switzerland—to exciting cities, extraordinary cathedrals and castles, and classic cobblestones in between–you're free to rock the boat your way.

Celebrate with fellow Hazelnuts along the historic canals of Holland and the cafes of France–and clap your hands for cherry cake and cuckoo clocks in the Germany’s Black Forest. Mix it up with intimate performances and onboard events with Sister Hazel that are designed “All for You!” 

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Cheers to 50 Years!

Here’s a cruise to write home about! Join Jen Hatmaker on an 8-day, Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium sailing for her 50th birthday! That’s right! Jen is embarking on the first page of her 50th chapter while sailing the waters of Holland and Belgium and you – and just 150 fellow friends – are invited to sail along and celebrate away with her! On this trip of a lifetime, you’ll spend your days gliding through the canals of Amsterdam, biking past Holland’s postcard-perfect windmills, walking through Rotterdam’s modern architecture; sampling sweet treats in Brussels and tagging the streets of Ghent along with your favorite Storyteller, Jen Hatmaker. This intimate vacation takes the idea of  "Me Camp" to a whole new level!

Disappear on a Magical Sailing with Diana Gabaldon

A NOVEL VACATION… Bound to be one of the most memorable trips of 2024 (or a lifetime), author of the No. 1 New York Times-bestselling OUTLANDER series, Diana Gabaldon, personally hosted a Storyteller cruise with Avalon Waterways on the Danube River in 2024. It was a  once-in-a-lifetime chance to sail with a small group of fellow fans and get exclusive OUTLANDER insights, with your favorite author… for a whole week of page-turning time travel! 

The Storied Seine River with Candace Bushnell

In 2022, fans of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda sailed the Seine River from Paris to Le Havre with stylish storyteller Candace Bushnell. This celebrated author dished the secrets of the 'Lipstick Jungle', 'Rules of Being a Girl', and 'Sex in the City' in style, while sharing a love affair with the storybook scenery of France on an Avalon Suite Ship®. 

Suite Sailing Down the Legendary Danube with Cheryl Strayed

Avalon guests recently accepted the invitation to pin, plot and plan a sweet, Suite Ship sailing from Budapest to Deggendorf with best-selling author and hit podcaster, Cheryl Strayed. Her gracious smile and generous sharing of the writer’s process was a delight to fans who joined her on the Danube River through Slovakia, Austria, and Germany, with the encouragement to stay “Wild” while enjoying the “Tiny Beautiful Things” we’re “Brave Enough” to explore!

Gone Sailing with Gillian Flynn

Mystery lovers followed the clues to cruise with best-selling author Gillian Flynn – known for her runaway hits – Gone Girl, Sharp Objects, and Dark Places. Avalon guests were privy to the art of mystery with inside secrets to crafting chilling tales and twisted characters that keep the pages turning and eyes glued to the screen from the edge of our seats. Indeed, we were spellbound by the stories shared by Gillian Flynn as we sailed past the Danube’s dramatic cliffs and storied landscapes on a “Killer Queen” cruise! 

A Riot on the Rhine with Christopher Moore

We jest you not when we say that a recent Avalon Waterways cruise on the Rhine River was filled with jocularity and joy, thanks to our special guest storyteller, Christopher Moore. Cruising enthusiasts and enthusiasts of his satirical wit within the pages of “Lamb: the Gospel According to Biff” cruised along the legendary Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam for the laugh-inducing and thought-provoking humor of the renowned satirist and comic author.