AmaWaterways or Avalon?

If you're researching European river cruises, chances are both AmaWaterways and Avalon have come up in your search. They are both excellent lines with a lot to offer, and choosing between them is genuinely a matter of travel style rather than one being objectively better than the other. Having sailed on both, here is my honest assessment.

The Cabin Experience
This is where the two lines differ most visibly and where I see the most confusion among clients researching their first river cruise.
Avalon is known for its wall to wall, floor to ceiling windows and beds that face the river. It sounds spectacular on paper, and the views are genuinely beautiful. However in my experience, most river cruise travelers are not spending much time in bed gazing at the scenery. You are up early, off the ship exploring destinations, and back on the ship for dinner and evening entertainment. The bed facing the window is a lovely feature if you prefer to linger a bit longer and have breakfast in bed before heading out for a day of exploration. 
AmaWaterways offers their signature twin balcony: a French balcony that opens inward and a separate outside sitting balcony. This gives you genuine flexibility regardless of weather. On a sunny day you are outside with the breeze and the views. On a rainy day you are inside with floor to ceiling glass and the scenery rolling by. I found this significantly more versatile and usable than Avalon's window setup during my time on both lines. In the rain, I sat inside my comfortable room to gaze out the large window and on sunny days, it was a pleasure to sit outside for a a relaxing moment before dinner.

The Onboard Atmosphere
This is the difference I find most meaningful and hardest to quantify. AmaWaterways has a warmth and family feel that is difficult to describe until you experience it. The staff feel genuinely invested in your experience, they remember your preferences, and there is an intimacy to the onboard atmosphere that makes everything feel personal.
Avalon delivers a more polished, traditional vacation experience. The service is excellent and the product is consistent. It simply feels a little more like a typical cruise and a little less like a home away from home.
Neither is wrong, it genuinely depends on what you are looking for. 
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Dining and Inclusions
Both lines offer exceptional dining with locally inspired menus, open seating, and regionally sourced ingredients. The quality is comparable and both change their menus regularly to reflect the destinations being visited.
Both lines offer beer, wine, and soft drinks included with meals, as well as their signature happy hour every evening adds a complimentary social gathering with drinks and light bites that becomes a highlight of the day for many guests. AmaWaterways also offers a Chef's Table Experience which is an intimate specialty restaurant serving as an alternative to the main dining room with an open kitchen, featuring locally inspired, experimental cuising in a more formal atmosphere. Avalon offers Avalon Fresh program, which grows fresh produce in an onboard sky deck garden.

Destinations
In Europe the itineraries are similar and the ports of call overlap significantly. Both lines sail the Danube, Rhine, and Seine among other rivers. For my clients whose focus is European river cruising, this distinction rarely matters.

My Honest Take
I have sailed on both lines and I recommend both! For travelers who prioritize warmth, personal service, strong active excursion options, and an intimate onboard atmosphere, AmaWaterways is consistently my first recommendation.
For travelers who want a reliable, polished experience with strong global itinerary options beyond Europe, Avalon is an excellent choice.
If you are trying to decide between the two, let's talk. A conversation about your travel style, priorities, and budget will quickly clarify which line is the right fit for you.