What to Know about Avalon Waterways’ New Itinerary on the Garonne and Dordogne

Bonjour Bordeaux! Travel Market Report – along with nearly 70 media and consortia partners – was onboard for a four-night sneak preview cruise in advance of the March 25 inaugural voyage of Avalon Waterways’ Bordeaux itinerary. Sailing out of Bordeaux roundtrip, guests will visit chateaus, wineries, and charming villages.

The 128-guest Avalon Artistry II, which had been sailing on the Rhine River, received an extensive refresh (part of Avalon’s fleetwide revitalization program) and was redeployed to Bordeaux to sail on the Garonne and Dordogne (pronounced daw-doyne) Rivers. The ship – originally launched in 2013 – now sports a neutral color scheme, new carpets and tiles, new mattresses, and new furnishings in the Panorama Lounge and on the Sky Deck. Upgraded fitness center equipment, 19 new bicycles (including 4 e-bikes), improved Starlink internet, and a second shore power hook-up complete the refresh.

Why Avalon Chose Bordeaux Now

With 79 itineraries across 13 rivers and 23 countries, it’s surprising that Avalon didn’t offer Bordeaux until now. According to Avalon’s president Pam Hoffee, the company relies heavily on customer feedback from its “wish list” surveys.

“We ask our customers where they want to go next,” said Hoffee. “France is always at the top of that list.” The addition of the Bordeaux itinerary also allows Avalon guests to combine all three French rivers – the Seine, the Rhône, and Bordeaux – for a 21-day French immersion vacation. 

Avalon is also mindful when it comes to expanding its cruise offerings.

“We’re really about intentional growth,” said Hoffee. “We want to make sure that we’re being welcomed into the communities that we go to, that we aren’t overwhelming.”

To that end, Avalon collaborated with a Bordeaux-based tour company, as well as officials of each city on the itinerary to curate a meaningful, immersive, and sustainable tour program for its guests. 

As a result, Hoffee said, Avalon’s itineraries aren’t run of the mill.

“We’re going to chateaus that not everybody goes to. We’re going to small family-owned wineries and really having an immersive experience. That’s what makes this itinerary so special.” 

Chateaus, Wineries, and Charming Villages

The seven-night Bonjour Bordeaux itinerary includes exactly what Avalon’s guests asked for on the wish list survey: must-see sights and immersive and active experiences.

The Avalon Choice excursion program encompasses Classic, Active, and Discovery experiences, examples of which are a Highlights of Bordeaux walking tour, a walk through the vineyards of Médoc, and a wine blending experience in Libourne, respectively.

For new bookings made until April 19th, Avalon is offering a complimentary two-night Paris extension with a TGV transfer to Bordeaux on most of its 2025 itineraries. A few journalists on our trip who took the Paris extension described the entire process as “flawless.”  And this is one thing that impressed us tremendously. Every aspect of the Bordeaux cruise – the logistics, excursions, and overall operations – went so smoothly, you would never know that this was the first time Avalon operated a ship and carried passengers here.

Is a Bordeaux River Cruise Suitable for Non-Drinkers?

Without question, Bordeaux wine is a big part of the experience on this itinerary, but Avalon has taken care to ensure the cruise is just as enjoyable for non-drinkers. There are plenty of excursions that do not involve wine, such as a food and market tour in Libourne (which we did and was fantastic), a day at the seaside resort of Arcachon Bay with oyster tasting, city walking tours, and E-bike excursions.

In Cadillac-Sur-Garonne, guests can visit the Château de La Brède fortress – the birthplace of political philosopher Montesquieu. And in Blaye, they can take a panoramic drive following the famed Route de la Corniche along the River Dordogne, and a guided visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Citadel.

Non-drinking guests won’t be left out during meals and happy hour either, as Avalon has added zero-alcohol cocktails, sparkling wine, and spirits, which complement the already-existing menu of alcohol-free wine and beer.

Avalon and Bordeaux: “Easy to Sell”

Consistency is key onboard Avalon Waterways. Hoffee pointed out that “when you walk onboard an Avalon ship, you feel at home. No matter what ship [our guests] choose, they know that it’s got two full decks of panorama suites, where the dining room is, where the lounge is. And for travel advisors, it makes it very easy to sell.“

Avalon’s calling card is the 200-square-foot Panorama Suite, with a sliding glass door that opens seven feet wide to create an open-air balcony, and a bed that faces the window and the ever-changing river views.

Its Flex Dining program is another point of distinction: diners can enjoy dinner anytime between 7 pm. And 8:30 p.m., opt to take a lighter fare in the Panorama Bistro (which also serves a light lunch), or order complimentary room service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – a rarity on river ships.

Once a cruise, there’s a special wine-pairing dinner curated by a local sommelier who chooses the wines to pair with the menu and provides commentary about them during the meal. Needless to say, Bordeaux wines are the standard pours on this itinerary.

TMR spoke to Pam Young, senior vice president of partner relations at Travel Leaders Network, who was onboard our cruise.

Her reaction to the Bordeaux experience: “I love it. The ship has a relaxed feel, and the staff is phenomenal.”

Hoffee had told us that “the majority” of Avalon’s bookings come from travel advisors, and Young knows why. “Avalon is one of the strongest partnerships we have, there’s a special DNA within that partner. Our sales teams work collaboratively and closely to make our advisors grow.”

Kathryn Mazza-Burney, chief sales officer at TRAVELSAVERS also confirmed that Avalon is incredibly supportive of the trade.

“They believe in travel advisors and invest well. It all starts from the top down,” she told TMR.

Mazza-Burney loved the Artistry II’s perfect size and fabulous service and agreed that this itinerary has plenty to offer besides wine. Her prediction on the inaugural season?  

“They’ll do very well here.”

As a red wine lover, Rick Zimmerman, president & CEO of KHM Travel Group was in his element on this cruise but fully agreed that there are plenty of other compelling reasons to go on a river cruise in the region, such as the stunning scenery, rich history and architecture, local cuisine, and art and culture.

Zimmerman shared a tip for advisors planning on trying the itinerary out for themselves and thinking about how to market it.

“I would recommend sending a number of bottles back and have a wine-tasting night for your clients to talk about the region and the travel opportunities.”

The 2025 Bonjour Bordeaux season onboard Avalon Artistry II departs weekly on Tuesdays through November 2.