Avalon Waterways' 166-passenger Avalon Passion was launched in 2016 as one of the company's newest Suite Ship class of river cruise vessels. Avalon designed its Suite Ships with staterooms on the upper two decks that have beds facing out toward floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding glass doors that when opened provide passengers with a 7-foot-wide French balcony. Referred to as Panorama Suites, they measure between 200 and 300 square feet each. The Avalon Passion is also one of the first vessels to host Avalon's new Active Discovery program, a series of locally immersive excursions.