Published online by USA Today | By Gene Sloan
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Avalon Waterways nearly doubled its capacity on the Seine River in France on March 24, 2015 with the unveiling of a new ship, the 128-passenger Avalon Tapestry II. (Photo: Avalon Waterways) -
Shown here docked in Paris, the Avalon Tapestry II is operating seven-night sailings on the Seine. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
As is the case with other river ships designed to sail in Europe, the size of the Avalon Tapestry II was limited by the dimensions of standard European river locks. It measures about 361 feet long and 38 feet wide. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry II 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. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
As on most river ships, a central stairway leads from the Avalon Tapestry II's main lobby to three cabin decks as well as the main dining room (on the lowest level of the ship). (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
As is typical for river ships in Europe, the Avalon Tapestry II has one big, forward-facing lounge where passengers gather nightly for port talks and entertainment. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry II's lounge has several distinct seating areas separated by see-through dividers to create pockets of intimacy. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The stylish, semi-circular bar in the lounge is quiet during the day but often bustling at night. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
As on other Avalon vessels, beer and wine are available at no extra charge on the Avalon Tapestry II at dinner, but passengers pay extra for bar drinks that include a wide range of top-shelf brands. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
As with other areas on the Avalon Tapestry II, the lounge is filled with contemporary furniture. The room is home to nightly port talks and other activities. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry II's lounge also has a dance floor and is home to live piano music nightly. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Just outside the lounge, at the very front of the ship, is an outdoor seating area. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Just outside the lounge, at the very front of the ship, is an outdoor seating area. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry II's restaurant serves four- to six- course dinners nightly. It's open buffet-style for breakfast and lunch. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
At the front of the Avalon Tapestry II's lounge is a cluster of tables that double as a secondary eatery for the ship at night called the Panorama Bistro. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The small eating area at the front of the lounge is home to a limited-option buffet at lunchtime and a more formal sit-down meal at dinnertime. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The top deck of the Avalon Tapestry II features a large number of tables, chairs and loungers from which passengers can watch the passing scenery. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
A giant chess board and a backgammon board are among the amusements on the top deck of the Avalon Tapestry II. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Just in front of the Avalon Tapestry II's wheelhouse on the ship's top deck is a seating area with chairs and low tables. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Just behind the wheelhouse on the Avalon Tapestry II's top deck is a covered sitting area with a food station where outdoor meals can be served. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry II's top deck also is home to a small hot tub. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
A second, smaller sitting room called the Club Lounge is located at the back of the Avalon Tapestry II. Like the main lounge, it offers panoramic views of passing scenery from wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry II's rear lounge has a self-serve coffee and tea station that is open throughout the day. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The coffee station at the rear of the Avalon Tapestry II has a self-serve coffee machine that serves up cappuccino and other espresso drinks. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Club Lounge is home to a small library nook and wide-screen TV (sometimes used during lectures). (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry II's main lobby is home to a reception desk that is staffed around the clock. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Just across from the front desk in the lobby area of the Avalon Tapestry II is a small sitting area. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The lobby area of the Avalon Tapestry II also houses an excursion desk where the ship's cruise director often can be found. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Among little touches on the Avalon Tapestry II are umbrellas pre-positioned in the lobby for passenger to use on rainy days. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
One of the few places where smoking is allowed on the Avalon Tapestry II is a small seating area at the back of the ship just outside the rear lounge. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Like other Avalon ships, the Avalon Tapestry II has a small fitness center with a treadmill, stationary bike and free weights. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The running machine in the Avalon Tapestry II's fitness center is sunken into the floor to accommodate the space's low ceilings. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry II also has a small salon where passengers can have their hair styled. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The single hair station in the Avalon Tapestry II's small salon. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry II has an elevator to assist passengers with mobility issues in moving between its three decks. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
All of the meals on the Avalon Tapestry II are prepared from this small kitchen just behind the main dining room. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Desserts at the ready in the kitchen of the Avalon Tapestry II. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Like eight previous Panorama class vessels launched by Avalon since 2011, Avalon Tapestry II features a large number of Panorama Suites that offer 200 square feet of living space -- about 30% more than the standard river ship cabin. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Nearly 80% of Avalon Tapestry II's 64 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 -- a first for a river ship. When open, the windows give passengers the feel of being on an open-air balcony. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The beds in Panorama Suites on the Avalon Tapestry face the rooms' floor-to-ceiling windows -- a departure from the bed configuration in most rooms on river ships in Europe. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Beds in Panorama Suites boast white-on-white duvets. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Cabin bathrooms on the Avalon Tapestry II are spacious for a river ship, rich with marble and boast luxurious amenities. Here, the bathroom of a Panorama Suite. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The travertine marble-lined shower of a Panorama Suite. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Avalon Tapestry II cabin bathrooms feature plush towels in alternating brown and white colors. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The bathrooms on the Avalon Tapestry II feature upscale L'Occitane toiletries in large bottles. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
All cabins on the Avalon Tapestry have built-in, floor-to-ceiling storage areas located near the doorway. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The built-in storage areas in Avalon Tapestry II cabins have room for hanging clothes as well as shelves for storage. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The storage area in cabins has a personal safe. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Panorama Suites have a desk area with a phone, lamp, built-in drawers and a built-in miniature refrigerator. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
All cabins on the ship feature a mini bar stocked with sodas and alcoholic drinks, available for an extra charge. Bottled water, however, is complimentary. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry II also features two Royal Suites, which at 300 square feet are 50% larger than Panorama Suites. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Like 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. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The bed area of a Royal Suite. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Royal Suites also feature a modest desk area. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Royal Suites feature a second television that is set in a swiveling case. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The main bathroom in a Royal Suite is similar to the ones on Panorama Suites but larger. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Royal Suites also feature a second, smaller bathroom that contains a sink and toilet. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
A third category of cabins on the Avalon Tapestry II are its 12 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. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Located 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. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The bathroom in Avalon Deluxe Staterooms is smaller than in Panorama Suites, but still elegantly appointed. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The bathroom sink area in an Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The bathroom shower in an Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Despite catering heavily to the U.S. market, the Avalon Tapestry II only offers European-style outlets in cabins. If you're coming from the USA, be sure to bring an adapter. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Bottled water is among the amenities in Panorama Suites on the Avalon Tapestry II. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Avalon Tapestry II passengers receive a robe in their cabin for use during the trip as well as disposable slippers. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
All cabins on the Avalon Tapestry II come with hair dryers. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
A hallway to cabins on the Avalon Tapestry II. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Contemporary artwork lines the hallways of the Avalon Tapestry II. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Passengers enter and exit the Avalon Tapestry II through sliding doorways located along the sides of the vessel. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Small landing areas on each side of the Avalon Tapestry II lead to the sliding glass doors into the ship. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Passengers can come and go as they please when the Avalon Tapestry is visiting Seine River towns, and the line also offers free guided tours at each port. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The bridge on the Avalon Tapestry II can be lowered as the ship passes under bridges. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The very front of the bow of the Avalon Tapestry II contains machinery and is off limits to passengers. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry's salon is located next to the ship's rear lounge. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
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A wide array of teas are available at the Avalon Tapestry II's rear lounge. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Avalon Tapestry II passengers will find an array of games located in the rear lounge. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The Avalon Tapestry II flies the flag of Switzerland, where Avalon Waterways' parent company is based. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
While the Avalon Tapestry II doesn't have a ship's store, there is a small glass display in the lobby showing Avalon-themed items for sale. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The entrance to the Avalon Tapestry II's main lounge is located just off the main lobby. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
The bar on the Avalon Tapestry II stocks several European beers in bottles as well as French beer Kronenbourg on tap. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Live piano music in the evening is a hallmark of an Avalon Waterways cruise. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
Founded in 2004, 11-year-old Avalon Waterways is known for a young fleet of ships with a stylish, contemporary design. A notable feature of the Avalon Tapestry II's lounge is its wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
A sign points to the location of public areas and cabins on Avalon Tapestry II's three decks. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
A row of lounge chairs along the top deck of the Avalon Tapestry II. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
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The Avalon Tapestry II was built at the Den Breejen shipyard in The Netherlands. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY) -
A life buoy along the top deck of the Avalon Tapestry II. (Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY)
ABOARD THE AVALON TAPESTRY II — Thinking about a river cruise through France’s Normandy region? Our latest Cruise Ship Tour, in the carousel above, offers a deck-by-deck look at the newest vessel on Normandy’s Seine River: Avalon Waterways’ Avalon Tapestry II.
Christened last week in Les Andelys, France, the 128-passenger ship is the first of Avalon’s new Panorama class of vessels to sail on the Seine and features the line’s signature, extra-wide Panorama Suites.
As can be seen in the tour, the Avalon Tapestry II is a modern and stylish ship with a spacious lounge and bar, restaurant and deck-top sunning area. It’s sailing seven-night trips along the Seine out of Paris that include stops in Les Andelys, the cathedral town of Rouen and Caudebec (gateway to the D-Day landing beaches).
Designed as a research tool for vacationers considering a voyage, the Avalon Tapestry II photo tour is the 124th in our ongoing series of ship galleries. For previous photo tours, click on the links below.
