Rooted in Heritage. Reaching for a Better World.
Since 1928, when we first began enlightening curious travelers from a rowboat across Lake Lugano, we’ve been committed to unveiling the world to those seeking greater meaning and memories – all while protecting its people, places, and traditions for generations to come. As a Swiss family-owned company, our legacy is rooted in connection, care, and curiosity – values that have guided us for nearly a century.
Although we ensure our guests travel without worries, our concerns are many – including our own footprint on the globe and respecting the paths of other people and cultures that make this world such a fascinating place.
As we approach our 100th anniversary, we invite you to travel deeper with us. To reflect on our past. To support progress around the globe. And to form more thoughtful, heartfelt connections wherever your journey takes you.
Looking Back
A Century of Dedication. A Century of Discovery.
From humble beginnings on the shores of Lake Lugano, the Globus family of brands (Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways) was born from a single rowboat and a bold vision – to share the wonders of the world with others. What began as a local operation has grown into a global journey, still guided by the same values of connection, care, and curiosity.
As a Swiss family-owned company, our legacy is deeply personal – built on trust, tradition, and a passion for travel that has been passed down through generations. For nearly 100 years, we’ve empowered travelers to connect with cultures, explore responsibly, and appreciate the rich traditions that shape our shared human experience.
The National WWII Museum
Telling the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world.
Located in New Orleans, Louisiana – and visited on select tours – The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in ‘the war that changed the world’—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
Keeping the world in its best light.
While nothing is more exciting than tracing the paths of historic legends, doing so with the most minimal footprint excites us even more. We make every effort to conserve and preserve in each destination we visit by helping to protect the waterways, wild places, and wildlife by supporting and shining a light on organizations that do the same.
Keeping the blue planet green.
We love caring for the world just as much as we love sharing it with you! By booking an Avalon River Cruise, you’re helping us do just that! Travel confidently, knowing that we support a leading champion for the environment, Trees4Travel.
Avalon works with Trees4Travel by planting trees to help restore ecosystems, biodiversity, and support indigenous communities, whilst simultaneously reducing carbon emissions by backing up every tree with United Nations renewable energy projects. This is a small way we make a big difference in helping to reduce our environmental impact, while keeping our commitment to bigger experiences and smaller footprints.
The forests for the trees.
While a single tree doesn't make a forest, Avalon believes in the power of people and their effect on the world as a whole. Enjoy the anticipation and excitement of your upcoming adventures, while making a difference in the world we discover together. You may also choose to make a personal donation of your own to Trees4Travel to help make the world even greener!
A cleaner planet is the best reward.
Avalon Waterways has been honoured by Europe’s Green Award—recognised for our Suite ShipSM; fleet's high safety and environmental standards. This prestigious award is given to river cruise ships based on the environmental impact of engines, fuel consumption, waste and maintenance, pollution prevention, and more.
The planet-focused initiatives we support include:
- Trees4Travel
- Wildlife Conservation Network, Lion Recovery Fund
- Ecostyle Reforestation and Conservation Project
- Endangered Wildlife Trust: Conservation Canine Project
- Endangered Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin Project
Additionally, we shine a light on the following organizations through a combination of vacation visits and donations:
- Monkey Rehabilitation Center, Brazil
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Baby Elephant & Rhino Rescue, Kenya
- National Kiwi Conservation Project, New Zealand
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Australia
- The Kangaroo Sanctuary, Australia
- Elephant Nature Park, Thailand
Paws for this Cause: Our Promise for Ethical Wildlife Encounters
The Globus family believes the world's four-legged, furry, feathered, and fragile wildlife populations are precious to our planet—and in need of protection. As part of our commitment to the welfare of wildlife worldwide, Globus has adopted the guidelines of World Animal Protection to end the use of wild animals as entertainment. By creating an animal welfare policy, we are committed to protect wild animals by not selling, offering, or promoting venues or activities involving wild animal entertainment, such as rides, bathing, walks, and shows. We will only offer responsible viewing of wild animals in the wild or semi-wild habitats and with a high standard of animal welfare and conservation.
Helping the communities of the world shine.
It’s not just the splendid landscapes and landmarks that make travel so rewarding – it’s the unique people we meet along the way and the cultures they hold dear. We are dedicated to protecting, respecting and supporting the extraordinary communities of the world as well as improving the individual lives within them. The measure of the Lighthouse Project’s success? The megawatt smiles we see along the way.
The people-focused organizations we support include:
- Landmine Design
- Rural Aid
- Pathways Project
- The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
- Friends International
- St. Columba’s Hospice Care (Scotland)
Additionally, we shine a light on the following organizations through a combination of vacation visits and donations:
- Local orphanage, Cambodia
- Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity
- KOTO Hospitality Training Center, Vietnam
- Local school English class, Cambodia
- Local school, Tanzania
- Indigenous Amazon communities (via lodge stays), Ecuador and Peru
- Home visits, Peru
- Ladli Child Vocational Program, India
Reflecting on the past and brightening the future.
The parks, palaces, museums and monuments we enjoy today are the result of previous generations passionately committed to preservation. By way of the Lighthouse Project, we aim to pay it forward – staying light years ahead of preservation – so that future generations can enjoy the same glorious places to relax, renew and reflect.
While every one of our destinations is precious to us, here are some of the sights and attractions we have supported – many of which we also visit on trip:
- National Civil Rights Museum, Tennessee*
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho*
- Yosemite National Park, Nevada, California*
- Squamish Lil’Wat Centre, British Columbia*
- USS Arizona Memorial, Hawaii*
*Visit on trip
- World War II Memorial Museum, Louisiana*
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, New Mexico*
- Alaska Native American Heritage Center, Alaska*
- Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site, Alberta*
- Museum of the Cherokee Indian, North Carolina*
As active participants in the travel community, our team members also spearhead and participate in countless volunteer programs and events supporting the planet, its people, and special places.
Navigating the Way to a Brighter Future on the World’s Waterways
Avalon Waterways has undertaken an ambitious mission to lead the way in sustainable operation and practices. Part of our mission to preserve the precious environment river cruising affords travelers.
This commitment extends to every aspect of cruising. From how we power and propel our fleet of Suite Ships to the care and attention we give to environmentally friendly practices onboard. Not to mention the many causes we support. All to ensure that we're helping to make tomorrow on these incredible rivers as special as the experiences they gift us today.
Creating a Sustainable Tomorrow
Avalon is charting an ambitious course toward zero emissions and sustainability in every aspect of cruising. Our state-of-the-art fleet of Suite Ships and top-of-the-line technology limit energy, consumption and emissions. Plus, Avalon’s waste and recycling programs reduce our environmental footprint, save water and foster a sustainability culture among crew and guests worldwide. Avalon’s leadership in sustainability has been recognized by the Green Award Foundation, granting Green Award status to our entire European fleet, including a Gold Award for the Avalon Alegria.
This is just the beginning of what we have planned to protect our beautiful Mother Earth, and her fans.
Today, Avalon has:
- Eliminated single-use plastics onboard our ships and at operations offices, worldwide
- Reduced paper waste by 80% onboard by favoring digital communications
- Invested in local farmers to secure locally produced foods, reducing food miles while supporting local economies
- Installed LED lighting throughout ships, fleet-wide
- Worked with dozens of ports to use shore energy while docked
- Committed to using shore power while docked wherever it is available, allowing us to turn off engines and reduce emissions
- Signed an agreement with the river cruise trade union providing heightened employment standards and protection of our crew. No other river cruise line has made this commitment to their team.
Tomorrow, Avalon pledges to:
- Pilot a program to use bio-fuel, aiming to reduce total carbon emissions by 50%
- Utilize electric bow thrusters to further reduce emissions
- Reduce paper waste further – to less than 1%
- Partner with more destinations to generate sustainable electricity, while docked
- Unveil the first, fully electric river cruise vessel.