River and small-ship cruising is booming in popularity, and the reasons for the growing interest are abundant. According to Arthur Frommer, “The European river cruise is gaining tremendous popularity as a way to overcome the weak value of the U.S. dollar.” Since the price of a river cruise includes accommodations, local sightseeing, many meals, and complimentary wine with dinner, both on-shore and onboard costs are greatly minimized. Plus, since the ship acts as a “floating hotel,” travelers are falling in love with the idea of unpacking once and then enjoying an up-close look at a variety of destinations along the way.
Rising to the head of the new river cruising class is Avalon Waterways. Travelers return home from an Avalon vacation with glowing reviews. “The cruise ship, Avalon Artistry, was the best river cruise ship I ever sailed [on] (I had been on four other river cruises in Europe before, operated by four different ship lines),” said Kurt Goldschmidt, a recent Avalon Waterways traveler.
Avalon Waterways combines the comfort and style of the world’s youngest river cruise fleet with the stories and charm of years gone by. With spacious staterooms, panoramic views, and state-of-the-art technology, our ships are decked out in the latest amenities. And our engaging on-ship activities and insightful Local Guides bring the legends of Europe, China, Egypt, and the Galápagos to life.
Here’s a look at how Avalon Waterways is setting the standard in small-ship and river cruising.
The Youngest Fleet
With ships averaging two years in age, know your clients will be consistently sailing upon the newest ships on the water. The Avalon Scenery debuted in France in 2008 and two ships are already on order for the 2009 season, which will bring our fleet total to 8 in Europe.
Modern, Contemporary Design
Since our ships are so new, they stand out in the crowd. While other operators’ ships were built in an older, traditional style, Avalon is committed to bringing you all of the latest cruising innovations, from the sleek, contemporary ship design to state-of-the-art technology. Modern conveniences include flat screen TVs in the staterooms and wireless internet access.
A Floating Room with a View
More than 90% of the staterooms in the Avalon fleet have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and French balconies, allowing passengers to enjoy the remarkable scenery pass by. Avalon’s staterooms are the most spacious in the industry, measuring 172 sq. feet and featuring a mini-bar, hotel style beds with Egyptian cotton linens, large wardrobes and three closets—that’s 50% more closet space than the nearest competitor.
Special Details and Extra Touches
Since its inception, Avalon has offered fine dining with unlimited complimentary local wines which vary nightly on all vacations, thus setting the standard for dining on river cruise vacations. Every detail of the Avalon experience has been designed with the guest in mind. That’s why we offer impeccable service from an English-speaking crew, cuisine tailored to North American tastes and plenty of engaging onboard activities.
The Best On-Shore Programs
Because Avalon is part of the Globus family of brands, all land programs are operated by Globus, the leader in escorted travel for 80 years. As your ship docks in the heart of the world’s most captivating cities, you don’t have to go far to dive straight into the local scene. Expert Tour Directors share little-known stories, historic insights and helpful tips so that you return to the ship having experienced a slice of local life.
A Name You Can Trust
We’ve had eight decades to refine and enhance our vacation programs, resulting in an engaging and insightful experience that is seamless and hassle-free. With 200 support staff in Europe and 32 offices worldwide, your clients are never far from a trusted resource.
Now is the most opportune time to introduce your clients to the world of river cruising. With the new 2009 vacations just hitting the market, you’ll need to act quickly to secure a prime selection of departure dates and cabin locations. And, to make the timing even more perfect, this unprecedented promotion can send your clients sailing for less.
For a limited time, your clients can receive:
• $600 off per stateroom on the air-inclusive price of any 2009 Avalon river cruise.
or
• $250 off per stateroom on the cruise-only price of any 2009 Avalon river cruise.*
To learn more about how Avalon Waterways can help you tap into the river cruise market, visit www.avalonwaterways.com or call 877.380.1544.
* Please visit www.globusfamilypartner.com for terms and conditions.
