Comparison

AvalonGO vs American Explorer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

AvalonGO

This app provides pre-trip and on-trip information for river cruises, including flight details, itineraries, and customized suggestions for dining, entertainment, and sightseeing. It also features offline GPS navigation and allows users to document their journey with notes and photos, sharing experiences on social media.

Highlights
  • Flight and transfer information
  • Review and customize itinerary
  • Dining, entertainment, and shopping suggestions
  • Offline GPS navigation
  • Trip notes and photo organization
  • Social media sharing
Features
Read full description

Docked and Loaded. While Avalon Waterways® is devoted to leading you down the legendary rivers of the world, our complimentary AvalonGO app was designed to put a world of pre- and on-trip information at your fingertips. Up to 30 days prior to departure – and for the duration of your vacation – you can log in to check flight and transfer information, review your itinerary, and customize your trip with a host of entertainment, sightseeing, dining and shopping suggestions. Bistros, bars, bookstores, bakeries – they’re all in there! Best of all, when you’re at port on an Avalon Waterways vacation, you can safely wander without Wi-Fi and discover without draining data, as built-in GPS navigation works offline for on-trip ease.* Created to help you make the most of precious travel time, AvalonGO is a digital travel guide and journal in one, allowing you to also take trip notes, organize photos, and share your incredible Avalon Waterways experiences with friends and family on social media. Download, dock and go! • Stay in the know, on the go. From your flight schedules and transfer details to your daily itineraries, the AvalonGO app keeps you abreast of logistics throughout your vacation. • Fuel your free time. The AvalonGO app is loaded with restaurant, entertainment and sightseeing suggestions to make the most of your independent time. • Wander and wonder without Wi-Fi. Easily navigate local streets with GPS directions – without the need for Wi-Fi or cellular data. • Pen it. Snap it. Post it. Document your journey with notes and photos, and share your experiences with friends and family on social media.

About

American Explorer

This official cruise line app provides easy access to daily schedules, shore excursions, dining menus, and ship information. Enhance your cruise experience with real-time updates and connectivity.

Highlights
  • Daily schedules
  • Shore excursion details
  • Dining menus
  • Ship information
  • Real-time updates
  • Connectivity
Features
Read full description

American Explorer is the official onboard app for American Cruise Lines, providing easy access to daily schedules, shore excursions, dining menus, ship information, and more. Designed to keep you informed and connected, American Explorer helps you make the most of every moment of your cruise.

Screenshots

AvalonGO4 screens
American Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: AvalonGO at 86% against American Explorer's 0%. AvalonGO also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.9) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 13). American Explorer's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

AvalonGO holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AvalonGO has 2.5K ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of AvalonGO's written reviews are positive against 0% of American Explorer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AvalonGO ships an update every 3 months, American Explorer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
AvalonGO versus American Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAvalonGOAmerican Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.5K ratings) — better2.9 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews86.1% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2.5K — better13
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB17 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperGlobus family of brandsAmerican Cruise Lines

Customer experience

AvalonGO

All ratings2,422 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews332 reviews
Positive86.1%
Neutral6.0%
Negative7.8%

American Explorer

All ratings13 ratings
Positive46.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative53.8%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

AvalonGO

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inconsistent performance across devices
  • Difficulty logging in or accessing account information
  • Syncing issues between app and cruise details

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to mark/highlight booked excursions
  • More detailed port/city guides and recommendations
  • Offline access to all app features
  • Improved navigation and search functionality
  • Integration with other travel apps and services

American Explorer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

AvalonGO

No in-app purchases

None

American Explorer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AvalonGO free?
AvalonGO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is American Explorer free?
American Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, AvalonGO or American Explorer?
AvalonGO is rated higher. AvalonGO averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.5K ratings, while American Explorer averages 2.9 from 13 ratings.
Do AvalonGO or American Explorer have ads?
Neither AvalonGO nor American Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AvalonGO or American Explorer?
AvalonGO ships an update every 3 months, and American Explorer every 3 weeks. Most recently, AvalonGO was updated on October 20, 2026 and American Explorer on October 5, 2026.

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