Only Here, Only Now: Avalon Waterways’ 2027 Seasonal Excursions

Some travel experiences exist for only a moment and that’s exactly when Avalon Waterways wants your client to be there. 

The river cruise line has announced new seasonal excursions for 2027, designed to inspire travellers to consider where they go – and when. 

Created to take place exclusively during specific times of the year, these experiences – which span across spring, summer, fall and winter – are rooted in the simple idea that the season is part of the travel story. 

From now you see them, now you don’t blooms and harvest traditions to time-honoured rituals shaped by local life, Avalon’s newest excursions are timed to help travellers enjoy destinations in ways that don’t exist year-round. 

“Where you go matters. When you go can change the experience entirely,” said Avalon president Pam Hoffee. “Our new seasonal excursions connect our guests more deeply – and authentically – to the places they’re exploring. These are experiences that exist for a moment, and that’s exactly the point.”

Highlights from the new 2027 lineup include:

• Harvesting summer’s sweetest moments in the South of France with hands-on apricot picking and tastings.
• Wandering fields of purple in bloom with lavender visits and distillery experiences timed to the season.
• Stepping into autumn in Normandy with apple picking and cider tastings as orchard life comes alive.
• Cooking what the season calls for with hands-on culinary classes featuring fresh, regional ingredients from local markets. 
• Picking and tasting summer with strawberry harvest experiences that celebrate the season.
• Discovering the art of distillation through flower picking and essential oil workshops rooted in tradition.
• Experiencing harvest traditions across Europe with vineyard visits and farming practices shaped by generations.

Because no two travellers are alike, Avalon says its new seasonal experiences build on its approach to shore excursions that provides choices in every destination. 

Through Avalon Choice Excursions, guests can explore each port in different ways – whether that means Classic sightseeing, Active exploration or deeper cultural Discovery. Seasonal experiences add another layer to that choice.

Avalon says the introduction of seasonal excursions comes as traveller preferences continue to shift toward more intentional, cooler and less crowded travel. In fact, 75% of 10,000 Avalon cruisers say they prefer to travel outside peak months, a trend already reflected in booking patterns. In 2025, Avalon saw off-season sailings grow 18% year-over-year, driven in part by expanded capacity in late fall and early winter.

“Travellers are realizing that shifting when they go doesn’t compromise the experience. Instead, timing can enhance it,” added Hoffee. “With fewer crowds, cooler temperatures and in some cases, more value, we’re opening the door to different experiences year-round. The introduction of seasonal excursions takes that concept even further.”

To meet growing demand, Avalon continues to expand its lineup of seasonally focused cruises, including its Cozy Cruise Collection featuring Harvest, Festive and Christmastime cruises as well as spring sailings, such as Tulip Time cruises.