MS Monarch Countess

MS Monarch Countess (fka Avalon Felicity) ship boat cruises on Rhine River departing from homeports Amsterdam (Holland) and Basel-Zurich (Switzerland). Itineraries' call ports include Breisach am Rhein, Kehl-Strasbourg, Speyer, Rudesheim am Rhein, Koblenz, Koln-Cologne.

On March 9, 2018, Avalon Waterways announced that fleet's three 138-passenger sisterships (Felicity, Affinity, Luminary) will leave the fleet (end their charters with Avalon) in 2019. The riverboats are currently chartered by the tour company "Gate 1 Travel" under the names Monarch Countess (Felicity), Monarch Governess (Affinity) and Monarch Duchess/VistaNeo (Luminary). Gate1Travel's river cruise fleet also includes Monarch Princess (Avalon Creativity).

Cabins

The well-appointed roomy staterooms feature the modest minimum of 172 sq. feet of space - the largest on the European rivers. All staterooms include a spacious closet, well-stocked minibar, flatscreen satellite TV, Comfort Collection beds, a large private bathroom with a hairdryer, full shower, premium bath amenities.

Avalon Felicity has a total number of 65 cabins (of which 28 Avalon Suite, 30 French Balcony, 11 with non-opening windows) in 5 grades.

Cabins Types, Sizes, Categories (high to low) 

• Amenities in all types of staterooms) - 2 twin beds converting to queen-sized, 3-door closets with shelves, private bathroom (glass-door shower, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers), sofa, coffee table, flat TV, vanity/writing desk, private French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding door), individual climate control, phone, minibar, safe, deluxe pillow menu, complimentary bottled water. Cabin occupancy - 2 guests in a room.
• Suites - 4x "Avalon Suites" (JR) - deck 3, size 258 ft2 / 24 m2.
• Deluxe Staterooms (category, number) - P (x24, deck 3), A (x18, deck 2), B (x12, deck 2), E (x11, deck 1) - sizes 172 ft2 / 16 m2.

Shipboard facilities

Shipboard restaurants are two - Panorama Restaurant (Dining Room with Buffet stations) and Sky Bistro (alfresco). The boat also has Bar Lounge (indoor observation venue with floor-ceiling windows and Bow Terrace/outside viewing deck), Club Lounge (with 24-hour beverage station), Library/Internet Corner, Atrium Lobby (glass-walled and covered by SkyLight), Hair Salon, Gym/Fitness Center.

The Sun Deck houses the Sky Lounge & Bistro, Whirlpool (outdoor jacuzzi), sunbathing area (with recliners/loungers and deckchairs), shaded seating area (retractables awnings, deckchairs, tables), deck games area (Giant Chess Set).

One elevator (glass-walled lift) connects all cabin decks.

Free Wi-Fi access and complimentary Internet are provided throughout the ship.

Gate1Travel river cruise deals are inclusive of Wi-Fi Internet, room-service, all Rhine cruise tours and excursions (by certified local tour guides), motorcoach transfers, live evening entertainment (local performers), daily enrichment lectures, Afternoon Tea, Night Fare, cruise ship tour ("behind-the-scenes"), food and wine tastings, 24-hour premium coffee/tea/hot chocolate, replenished daily bottled water.

River Cruise Itineraries

Follows the list of Avalon Felicity itineraries operated for Avalon Waterways.

(7-nights cruising) "Romantic Rhine" are 8-days river cruises from Zurich to Amsterdam (Northbound, code WZA), and the reverse from Amsterdam to Basel (Southbound, code WAZ). "Cruising-Only" deals are from Amsterdam to Basel (code WAZ).

The Northbound route (departures from Zurich, Switzerland) includes bus transfer from Zurich to Basel for embarkation (on Day 1)and morning disembarkation in Amsterdam (on Day 8).

The Southbound route (departures from Amsterdam, Holland) features embarkation (on Day 1) and Amsterdam canal cruise (on Day 2).