Updates

Your Avalon Waterways holiday can be moved without incurring any cancellation fees for upcoming travel

September 9, 2020
In response to elevated travel restrictions and government advisements, we have made the thoughtful decision to suspend operations through to November 14, 2020. 

Given these circumstances, Avalon Waterways has introduced an unprecedented program designed to give our travellers options and peace-of-mind when considering their travel plans—the Peace of Mind Travel Plan.

Through this plan, Avalon Waterways is now allowing all currently booked travellers between March 14 and November 14, 2020 to move travel dates easily and without incurring cancellation fees*. 

You are free to move your booking to any Globus family of brands (Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon Waterways) holiday for any destination. If you are not ready to choose your new holiday, the full value paid to us will be provided via a Future Booking Credit, redeemable for any future departure through to 2022, and is transferrable.

To make the transition easier, this Plan includes an additional bonus credit. This bonus credit of up to US$200 per person will be in addition to your Future Booking Credit, redeemable for any future travel through 2022:

• Bonus credit of US$200 for Avalon Waterways
• Bonus credit of US$100 for Globus
• Bonus credit of US$50 for Cosmos, Escapes by Globus & Monograms

To opt out of this Peace of Mind Plan and to cancel, those with October departures must advise us by September 30, 2020**.

And for new 2021 bookings, we’re also offering a Peace of Mind Travel Plan. Click here for details:

*Peace of Mind offer valid for travel through to November 14, 2020 until further notice. Offer also applies to all Globus family of brands holidays which include 2020 Holland America Line cruises or VIA Rail packages. Your Future Booking Credit is redeemable for travel departing by December 31, 2022. The new booking bonus will be in addition to the Future Booking Credit amount. Future Booking Credit not redeemable for cash and bonus amount not transferrable. Only one booking bonus per person can be applied per reservation. New bookings made with the Future Booking Credit are non-refundable and SafetyNet Protection cannot be applied. Does not include any airline fees, and the new booking is subject to any increase in holiday price for 2021 and 2022 travel. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and other restrictions may apply. 

**Cancellation refund for 2020 November 1-14 departures follow our trip cancellation procedure, including refund of monies paid to the Globus family of brands equal to the amount paid on your original booking. November 1-14, 2020 departures must be advised by September 30, 2020 in order to opt-out of the Peace of Mind Plan to receive a refund.

Cancellations for all international tours, cruises and packages traveling after November 14, 2020  can be made up to 30 days before departure without penalty and follow our regular trip cancellation policy. Deposits remain non-refundable and applicable final payment dates still apply. Applicable price of the new tour/cruise/package applies. Airline fees may apply. Refer to Terms & Conditions for details. 

                                                                                          ***

TRAVEL UPDATE (AS OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2020)

In response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, the elevated travel restrictions, government advisements, and most importantly, to ensure the safety of each one of our guests, Avalon Waterways is voluntarily and temporarily pausing global operations for travel through to November 14, 2020.

Our guest services team is in contact with guests affected by this suspension in order to adjust their plans for future travel.

FOR UPCOMING TRAVEL (2020 Departures through to November 14)

With the temporary suspension of operations, Avalon Waterways is offering options to move travel dates or cancel bookings for travel through to November 14, 2020 as follows:

• Affected guests can move their holiday to any other itinerary, destination, brand (Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon Waterways) or date in 2020, 2021 or 2022 without penalty and with an additional re-booking credit through our Peace of Mind Travel Plan*. To expedite the process and ensure guests have adequate time to adjust travel plans without worry, we have automatically assigned this booking protection in the form of a Future Booking Credit to all guests with upcoming departures.
• Guests can opt out of the Peace of Mind Plan via our cancelled holiday policy if we are notified by August 16, 2020*.  After that date, the Peace of Mind Travel Plan is the only option.

For questions about Oberammergau Passion Play bookings, see below for details.

For cancellations, including travel beyond November 14, 2020, we are continuing our policy waiving cancellation penalties** until 30 days prior to departure.  

We understand this is a time of hesitation and concern in the world of travel, but are committed to ensuring our guests and their travel advisors manage through this period with the right options, adequate time, and high levels of attention and consideration. As we do our best to help each and every one of our guests, both with current and pending travel plans, we greatly appreciate your confidence and loyalty.

Of course we continue to monitor this situation closely and carefully to determine if additional modifications and updates are needed, always with safety and guest well-being in mind.

Contact us for questions, updates or booking inquiries. Please note that we are experiencing high call volumes, but will do our best to respond in a timely manner. If you have booked through a Travel Agent, they may have service or cancellation fees which will apply. Please contact your Travel Agent for details.

*Peace of Mind offer valid for travel through to November 14, 2020 until further notice. Your Future Booking Credit, including the new booking bonus, is redeemable for travel departing by December 31, 2022. Cannot be applied to groups (including charters, sole use and custom). Future Booking Credit not redeemable for cash. Only one booking bonus per person can be applied per reservation. New bookings made with the Future Booking Credit are non-refundable and SafetyNet Protection cannot be applied. Does not include any airline fees, and the new booking for 2021 or 2022 is subject to any increase in holiday price. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and other restrictions may apply.

Cancellation refund for 2020 tours follow our trip cancellation procedure, including refund of monies paid to the Globus family of brands equal to the amount paid on your original booking. To opt out of the Peace of Mind Travel Plan and receive a refund for October departures must be advised by September 30, 2020.

**Cancellation penalties refer to applicable cancellation fees within final payment, returned in the form of a Future Booking Credit. Deposits remain non-refundable. Cancellation fee waiver applies to all Globus family of brands holidays with the exceptions of anything that includes specific payment conditions, such as some non-Avalon Waterways operated cruises, select rail package inclusions and certain destinations. Does not include any airline fees. May be withdrawn any time. 

Exception List

***

Mother Nature and Unforeseen Events

When it comes to showing you the world, our mission is to provide you with an exceptional and engaging river cruise experience. Occasionally, Mother Nature has other ideas and may present us with unexpected high or low water conditions. While we cannot predict water levels, we can assure you that all of us at Avalon Waterways—on board, on shore, and behind the scenes—are dedicated to providing the best possible holiday experience—no matter what Mother Nature throws our way. 

Our seasoned global team works proactively to manage and communicate any necessary itinerary changes with you. We are always ready with thoughtfully planned alternatives and modifications to minimise delay or disruption—which may include changes in embarkation and/or disembarkation locations, utilising other Avalon Suite Ships available in the area, providing alternative sightseeing, or offering hotel accommodations.  Every modification we make is with your comfort and convenience in mind.

And while we’ll always do our best to anticipate and plan ahead, there can be a rare occasion when river conditions require us to update plans close-in to departure, or even make adjustments during the cruise.  Even in those situations, our goal is to provide a complete holiday experience and rely on our experience to help you navigate around any affected areas.

In any case we deem that weather or river conditions stand in the way of a true Avalon cruise experience, we’ll offer alternatives that will ensure you’ll ultimately experience an amazing cruise, even if it means moving to a new date.

We will also give the opportunity to cancel, without penalty, when there is a high level of certainty a sailing will have major disruptions and we can’t find an alternative cruise or date to suit you.