The Avalon Panorama has a small fitness center and a hair salon. The club lounge includes a small library, along with a large video screen for watching movies. Entertainment on the Avalon Panorama (as on other river ships) usually consists of local musicians or singers who come onboard just for the evening. The ship also has an onboard pianist who plays during afternoon tea and for pre-dinner/after-dinner cocktails. The Avalon Panorama has local destination speakers and other experts who help the guests better understand the river ports of call and surrounding countries. Dinners are usually long and leisurely, and I didn't find anyone who missed having a more "Las Vegas-style" production show. The entertainment suits the laid-back, informal atmosphere.
Conclusion
The Avalon Panorama's new larger suite accommodations will satisfy those who have wished for larger cabins on river ships and thought they could never have them due to the size constraints. Much like I found on the Avalon Tranquility, the food and service were excellent. Even though the ship was on its first voyage, there were none of the incomplete areas or service gaps sometimes seen on other new ships. Avalon Waterways has an excellent new addition to its fleet. The good news for river cruise travelers is that the company will introduce two more ships with the larger staterooms like those on the Avalon Panorama - the Avalon Vista and Avalon Visionary - in 2012.
More on the Avalon Panorama
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary cruise accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
