TRAVELCruise ship tours: Avalon Waterways' Avalon PassionLike other river ships designed to sail in Europe, the length and width of the Avalon Passion is limited by the size of the locks on the region's waterways. The ship measures 443 feet long and 38 feet wide -- the maximum amount possible for ships cruising the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe fastest-growing area for river cruising is Europe, where more than a dozen new vessels are debuting this year. Among them: Avalon Waterways' 166-passenger Avalon Passion.Avalon WaterwaysThe Avalon Passion is the latest in Avalon Waterways' new Panorama class of vessels that feature unusually large (for the industry) cabins and more panoramic views. Here, the vessel's main lobby, where passengers first arrive after boarding.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Avalon Passion's main lobby is home to a reception desk that is staffed around the clock.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYAs on most river ships, a central stairway leads from the Avalon Passion's main lobby to three cabin decks as well as the main dining room (on the lowest level of the ship).Gene Sloan, USA TODAYAs is typical on river ships, the Avalon Passion has one large, central lounge overlooking the front of the ship that serves as a central gathering place for passengers during the day and into the evening.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe stylish, semi-circular bar in the lounge is quiet during the day but often bustling at night.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYAs with other areas on the Avalon Passion, the lounge is filled with contemporary furniture. The room is home to nightly port talks and other activities.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYFounded in 2004, 12-year-old Avalon Waterways is known for a young fleet of ships with a stylish, contemporary design. A notable feature of the Avalon Passion's lounge are its wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYAt the front of the lounge is a seating area that doubles as an alternative dining area for the ship.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA light buffet lunch often is served at the front of the lounge.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYAnother view of the outside seating area at the front of the ship.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYJust outside the lounge, at the very front of the ship, is an outdoor seating area -- one that is larger than on many river ships.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA large dance floor is located at the center of the lounge.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe bar serves German lager Veltins on tap.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe lounge is home to a self-serve coffee machine that's available around the clock.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe bar is stocked with a wide range of liquors available at an extra charge. Pricing is in euro.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA second, smaller sitting room called the Club Lounge is located at the back of the Avalon Passion. Like the main lounge, it offers panoramic views of passing scenery from wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Avalon Passion's Club Lounge also harbors a small breakfast nook for early and late risers as an alternative to breakfast in the main restaurant.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe breakfast nook in the Club Lounge features a self-serve WMF coffee machine, which is in constant use.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYCookies and muffins often are available in the Club Lounge.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Club Lounge is home to a small library nook and wide-screen TV (sometimes used during lectures).Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA range of games can be found in the library nook in the Club Lounge.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA small deck just off the Club Lounge overlooks the wake of the ship. It's one of the few places on the ship where smoking is permitted.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYAs is typical on river ships, the Avalon Passion has one large main restaurant that can accommodate all 166 passengers in one seating.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Avalon Passion's Restaurant serves up four- to six- course dinners nightly. It's open buffet-style for breakfast and lunch.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYBarbells of various weights are stacked in a nook in the fitness center.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Avalon Passion also is home to a small fitness center with a treadmill, a stationary bike and free weights.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYLike other Panorama class vessels launched by Avalon since 2011, Avalon Passion features a large number of Panorama Suites that offer 200 square feet of living space -- about 30% more than the standard river ship cabin.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYNearly 80% of Avalon Passion's 83 cabins are Panorama Suites. They are unusual in the industry not just for their large size but for their floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall panoramic windows that stretch 11 feet wide and open up seven-feet wide. When open, the windows give passengers the feel of being on an open-air balcony.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYPanorama Suites have a small seating area near the floor-to-ceiling windows.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYPanorama Suites have built-in storage areas near the doorway.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe built-in storage areas in Panorama Suites include shelving for clothes anda personal safe.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe built-in storage area also has room for hanging clothes.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYAll cabins on the ship feature a mini bar stocked with sodas and alcoholic drinks, available for an extra charge. Bottled water, however, is complimentary.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYCabin bathrooms on the Avalon Passion are spacious (for a river ship), rich with marble and boast luxurious amenities. Here, the bathroom of a Panorama Suite.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe bathrooms on the Avalon Passion feature upscale L'Occitane toiletries in large bottles.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe tile-lined shower of a Panorama Suite.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYOne of the little touches in Avalon cabins are bathroom towels in two colors, so couples will know who's is who's.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYDespite catering heavily to the U.S. market, the Avalon ships only offer European-style outlets in cabins. If you're coming from the USA, be sure to bring an adapter.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe furniture in Avalon Passion cabins is clean-lined and contemporary. Here, a bedside table in a Panorama Suite.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Avalon Passion also features two Royal Suites, which at 300 square feet are 50% larger than Panorama Suites.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYLike Panorama Suites, the two Royal Suites have wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that can be opened wide, creating the feel of being on a balcony.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA seating area in a Royal Suite.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe shower in the bathroom of a Royal Suite.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe main bathroom in a Royal Suite is similar to the ones on Panorama Suites but larger.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYRoyal Suites also feature a second, smaller bathroom that contains a sink and toilet.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYRoyal Suites also feature a modest desk area.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYLocated on the lowest of three cabin decks, the Avalon Deluxe Staterooms are partially below the ship's waterline and do not have wall-to-wall windows.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA third category of cabins on the Avalon Passion are its 17 Avalon Deluxe Staterooms, which measure 172 square feet. While smaller than Panorama Suites, the cabins still are larger than many others on river ships in Europe.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe bathroom in Avalon Deluxe Staterooms is smaller than in Panorama Suites, but still elegantly appointed.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe bathroom shower in an Avalon Deluxe Stateroom.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYWhile relatively small, Avalon Deluxe Stateroom bathrooms have ample storage space including a cabinet that hides a hair dryer.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYBathrooms in Avalon Passion cabins feature fragrance diffusers from Italy's Millefiori.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYPassengers board the Avalon Passion via a ramp that travels with the ship.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYAmong little touches on the Avalon Passion are the umbrellas at the ready for passenger use on rainy days.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYIn addition to stairs connecting its three levels, the Avalon Passion has a small elevator.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYMachines that spray hand sanitizer are located outside the restaurant.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYAvalon Passion was built at the Den Breejen shipyard in The Netherlands.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe Avalon Passion's ceremonial bell is located on its top deck just in front of the wheelhouse.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe deck-top area of the Avalon Passion includes an open-air bistro, a relative rarity on river ships. It's open for lunches on some days during cruises, weather depending.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe top deck of the Avalon Passion also offers lounge chairs and a hot tub, though there is no pool.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYFour large umbrella-like coverings line the top deck of the Avalon Passion for shade on sunny days. They can be disassembled when the ship crosses under low bridges.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYWhen crossing under low bridges, the lounge chairs and other deck-top structures are laid flat so the ship can clear unimpeded.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYA built-into-the-floor-covering chess board is one of several amusements on the top deck of the Avalon Passion.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYThe top deck of the Avalon Passion also features a giant backgammon game.Gene Sloan, USA TODAYLike other river ships designed to sail in Europe, the length and width of the Avalon Passion is limited by the size of the locks on the region's waterways. The ship measures 443 feet long and 38 feet wide -- the maximum amount possible for ships cruising the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.Avalon WaterwaysA life buoy at the ready atop the Avalon Passion.Gene Sloan, USA TODAY