Today's world has changed, but what remains certain is Avalon Waterways' commitment to guest safety, comfort and peace-of-mind while traveling with us. To that end, Avalon Waterways has established a worldwide Assurance program, with enhanced on-trip protocols and procedures, to ensure the health – and happiness – of guests throughout their travels with us.

It all starts with Avalon Waterways' Global Health & Safety Team, dedicated to ensuring that cleanliness of all operations exceeds today’s travel standards—from start to finish. The following areas address Avalon Waterways' commitment to providing a safe and clean environment for guests.

WELCOME ABOARD

New embarkation procedures to offer guests a safe start to their journey, including:

• Social distancing throughout embarkation
• Mandatory health screening, including touch-free temperature-check, for all guests and crew
• Luggage disinfection prior to onboarding (with crew wearing gloves and masks)

FRESH AIR, INSIDE AND OUT:

In addition to Avalon Waterways' Open-Air staterooms, the air in the ships is not circulated between staterooms; only within an individual stateroom and mixed with fresh, outside air.

BLENDING CULTURAL PROXIMITY WITH SOCIAL DISTANCE:

New social distancing guidelines for guests throughout their Avalon cruise include:

• Reducing ship capacity as required for more space on board per guest
• Introducing more dining venues for more dining space per person
• Crew wearing masks for the duration of the cruise during any guest interaction
• Providing masks for guests to wear during any event where social proximity could become an issue, including disembarkation for excursions and safety drills
• Adjusting ratio of guides and coaches for excursions, as required

NEW TECHNOLOGY TO ENSURE CLEANLINESS:

• Electrostatic disinfecting systems
• UV disinfecting systems

TOUCHING HEARTS, NOT HANDS:

Reducing risk with hands-free service, including:

• More hand-sanitizing stations throughout the ship
• Required use of hand-sanitizing stations when leaving the ship, returning to the ship and entering dining venues as well as entering each public/common space
• Self-serve stations, including buffets, drinks, specialty coffees and snacks have been replaced with crew service
• All buffets (breakfast and lunch) replaced by a full range of á la carte menu choices
• Hourly (or more frequent) disinfection of all public areas

COMMITMENT TO THE CLEANEST SHIPS:

Enhanced cleaning procedures throughout each ship, including these additional steps that go above-and-beyond Avalon’s already strict procedures:

• Deep disinfection of each stateroom between cruises, including:
  • Use of disinfectants and cleaning materials that meet the highest standards
  • Soft goods in each stateroom (mattress, sofa, window coverings, chairs, etc.) disinfected between cruises
• Disinfection of all dining areas between meals
• Disinfection of all shared items like umbrellas, bicycles and other Adventure Center items
• Disinfection of all goods prior to loading on the ship
• Ongoing crew training in protective equipment use and hygiene

FOCUS ON CREW HEALTH:

Ensuring a healthy crew, including:

• Medical certificate required prior to start of contract
• Daily temperature checks
• Social distancing in crew living quarters
• Regular health screenings