Not Just a Great Valley, but a Shrine to Human Foresight
Yosemite National Park plays a significant role in the imagination, culture, and history of California and the United States. It is a land of contrasts, with its thundering waterfalls, soaring granite cliffs, serene meadows, and the largest trees on earth. Yosemite is also the birthplace of the national park movement, a muse for writers, painters, and photographers, and a natural resource that has fueled the growth of California and the Western United States. It’s important to protect this incredible place for future generations.
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! When you book a cruise with Avalon Waterways, we contribute to environmental organizations that work to improve the health of our planet. Cruise confidently, knowing that travelling with Avalon also supports a leading champion of the environment, Trees4Travel, planting trees on behalf of each guest to help offset their cruise’s carbon emissions. Avalon partners with Trees4Travel to purchase a tree to be planted for each guest who travels with us. This is a small way we make a big difference in helping to reduce CO2 from the air, 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 or The Ocean Cleanup 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:
- The Ocean Cleanup
- Trees4Travel
- Vital Ground Foundation – Grizzly Bear Recovery*
- Wildlife Conservation Network, Lion Recovery Fund
- South African Parks Honorary Rangers
*visited on trip
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
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, China
- National Kiwi Conservation Project, New Zealand
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Australia
- The Kangaroo Sanctuary, Australia
- Elephant Nature Park, Thailand
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. Even better? This is just the beginning of what we have planned to protect our beautiful Mother Earth, and her fans.