Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways
Private
Industry Travel, Tourism, River cruise company, Cruise line
Founded 2004
Headquarters Lugano, Switzerland and Littleton, Colorado
Products River cruises
Parent Globus family of brands
Website www.avalonwaterways.com

Avalon Waterways is a river cruise company owned by the Globus family of brands and offers cruises in Europe, China, Southeast Asia, the United States, South America and the Galápagos Islands.[1] The company became a member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in August 2009.[2]

History and Ship Design

Avalon Waterways debuted its first ship – the Avalon Artistry – in 2004. The following year, the company added the Avalon Poetry to its fleet.[3] They were the first European river cruise ships to include two full decks of staterooms with French balconies and sliding glass doors.[3] During this time, Avalon Waterways also became known for offering the largest cabins on Europe’s Rivers.[3]

Eight (8) more ships followed, placing Avalon’s young fleet of ships on every major river in Europe.[1]

In 2011, Avalon Waterways introduced the industry’s first Suite Ship - the Avalon Panorama - [4][5] which became the first in a long line of Avalon's now-signature Suite Ships. With a focus on bringing the outdoor experience inside, two full decks of Suite Ship staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows that slide open (7-feet) to create a balcony-like exterior wall for broader views of Europe's passing landscapes.[6][3] Another exclusive feature of every Panorama Suite on all of Avalon Waterways’ Suite Ships are beds that face the views for which river cruising is famous. [7][8]

Avalon Waterways' Suite Ships design has earned the river cruise operator countless awards including, “Best Cabins in River Cruising,” according to USA Today and “Cruise Critic.” [7][8]

Today, the river cruise company operates ships on every major river in Europe, specifically, the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhone, Seine and Saone Rivers.[3] Avalon Waterways also offers travelers the opportunity to sail aboard Suite Ships on the Mekong and Irrawaddy Rivers in Southeast Asia,[9][10] as well as on the Yangtze (in China) and the Amazon River (in Peru).[3]

Fleet

Since its launch in 2004, Avalon Waterways has christened 22 new ships in Europe and three (3) new ships in SE Asia.[11][12][13][14][15]

SHIP YEAR LENGTH STATEROOMS PASSENGERS NOTES
Avalon Imagery II 2016 361 ft (110 m) 64 128 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Passion 2016 443 ft (135 m) 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Tranquility II 2015 (March) 361 ft (110 m). 64 128 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Tapestry II 2015 (March) 443 ft (135 m). 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Poetry II 2014 443 ft (135 m). 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Illumination 2014 361 ft (110 m). 64 128 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Impression 2014 361 ft (110 m). 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Expression 2013 443 ft (135 m). 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 67, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Artistry II 2013 443 ft (135 m). 64 128 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Visionary 2012 361 ft (110 m). 64 128 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 52, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Vista 2012 443 ft (135 m). 83 166 Owned. Europe. "Suite Ship" with 66, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Panorama 2011 443 ft (135 m). 83 166 Owned. Europe. First "Suite Ship" with 66, 200-square-foot (19 m2) suites.
Avalon Luminary 2010 361 ft (110 m). 69 138 Owned. Europe. Sister ship to the Felicity and Affinity.
Avalon Felicity 2010 361 ft (110 m). 69 138 Owned. Europe. Sister ship to the Luminary and Affinity.
Avalon Affinity 2009 361 ft (110 m). 69 138 Owned. Europe. Sister ship to the Luminary and Felicity.
Avalon Creativity 2009 361 ft. 70 140 Owned. Europe. Sister ship to the Scenery.
Avalon Scenery 2008 361 ft (110 m). 69 138 Owned. Europe. Sister ship to the Creativity.
Avalon Imagery 2007 443 ft (135 m). 85 170 Retired from fleet in 2012.
Avalon Tranquility 2007 443 ft (135 m). 85 170 Retired from fleet in 2012.
Avalon Tapestry 2006 443 ft (135 m). 82 164 Retired from fleet in 2011.
Avalon Poetry 2005 426 ft (130 m). 88 174 Retired from fleet in 2010.
Avalon Artistry 2004 426 ft (130 m). 89 176 Retired from fleet in 2010.
Avalon Angkor 2012 131 ft (40 m). 16 32 Retired from fleet in 2015.
Avalon Siem Reap 2015 (January) 200 ft (61 m). 18 36 Owned. SE Asia. All rooms are 245-square-foot suites.
Avalon Myanmar 2015 (September) 200 ft (61 m). 18 36 Owned. SE Asia. All rooms are 245-square-foot suites.
Century Legend 2013 465 ft (142 m). 196 392 Chartered. China.
Century Paragon 2013 465 ft (142 m). 196 392 Chartered. China.
Isabella II 2000 166 ft (51 m). 21 42 Chartered. Galápagos Islands.
Aria 2011 147 ft (45 m). 16 32 Chartered. South America (Amazon).

Avalon Fresh

In 2016, Avalon Waterways announced plans to partner with Vienna-based chefs Karl & Leo Wrenkh to offer its guests Avalon Fresh menu items: Vegetarian and healthy food choices available at breakfast, lunch and dinner.[16] [17]

Special Interest Cruises

Known for its diverse offerings that cater to the growing trend of “passion travel,”[18] Avalon Waterways has grown its luxury Special Interest cruises. In 2016, the river cruise company announced that it would introduce Active Discovery itineraries on the Danube River.[19] From hiking to canoeing along the Danube River to waltzing in Vienna, Avalon’s Active Discovery cruises encourage travelers to immersively experience each destination.[20] In 2017, Avalon announced plans to extend its Active Discovery options to include the Rhine River.[21] Other “Special Interest” cruises include Culinary- ,Beer- and Christmas-themed itineraries.[22] [23] [24] In 2017, the company also announced plans for a special Author cruise, featuring internationally best-selling author Diana Gabaldon. [25]

Godmothers

Throughout its history, Avalon Waterways has invited some notable godmothers to christen its Suite Ships in Europe, including Outlander Author Diana Gabaldon,[26] Singer/Songwriter Jann Arden,[27] 1,000 Places to See Before You Die Author Patricia Schultz[28] and U.S. Women’s National Team Coach Jill Ellis. [29]

References

  1. 1 2 "New Kid on the River," Vacation Agent Magazine
  2. ↑ "Avalon Waterways Joins CLIA," CLIA Press Room
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Evolution Of Avalon". TravelPulse. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  4. ↑ “Avalon Waterways’ Avalon Panorama,” “USA Today,” March 4, 2011, https://www.pressreader.com/usa/usa-today-us-edition/20110304/284369785905491/
  5. ↑ "River Line Avalon Waterways to Break Ground with First Suite Ship," USA Today
  6. ↑ "Ship Designers Look Outdoors," New York Times
  7. 1 2 “Why River Line Avalon Waterways Has the Best Cabin Design in Europe,” “USA Today,” March 26, 2015, https://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/03/26/avalon-panorama-suite-cabin/70474284/
  8. 1 2 “The Rhine River is an Unexpected – and Amazing – Destination,” “Travel+Leisure,” June 22, 2017, http://www.travelandleisure.com/cruises/avalon-cruise-rhine-and-mosel-rivers/
  9. ↑ “The Ship That Sails to Yesterday: Exploring Myanmar’s Hidden Corners,” “Smarter Travel,” Marcy 25, 2016, https://www.smartertravel.com/2016/03/25/the-ship-that-sails-to-yesterday-exploring-myanmars-hidden-corners/
  10. ↑ “8 Reasons to Skip Thailand & Head to Myanmar Instead,” “Vogue,” May 11, 2017, http://www.vogue.com/article/why-to-visit-myanmar-instead-of-thailand/
  11. ↑ "The River Cruise Boom: Cruising through Europe," Miami Herald
  12. ↑ "New Avalon Waterways ship christened in Europe". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  13. ↑ "Judy Bailey christens Rhine cruise ship". Stuff. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  14. ↑ "Avalon Waterways plans two new ships for 2016". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  15. ↑ "Avalon sailing a third river ship in Southeast Asia: Travel Weekly". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  16. ↑ ”Top 10 Cruises for Health Nuts,” “U.S. News & World Report,” July 5, 2016, http://travel.usnews.com/gallery/10-top-cruises-for-health-nuts
  17. ↑ “Europe’s River Cruise Lines Ramp Up Culinary Sailings,” “Travel Agent Magazine,” January 2017, http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/savory-sailings
  18. ↑ “Luxury River Cruises Take Action to Avoid Irrelevance and Compete on Age,” “Skift,” May 2, 2017, https://skift.com/2017/05/02/luxury-river-cruises-take-action-to-avoid-irrelevance-and-compete-on-age/
  19. ↑ “Live from the Avalon Passion: Testing Avalon’s New Active Discovery Options,” “Cruise Critic,” April 11, 2016, https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6940
  20. ↑ ”Top 10 Cruises for Health Nuts,” “U.S. News & World Report,” July 5, 2016, http://travel.usnews.com/gallery/10-top-cruises-for-health-nuts
  21. ↑ “Avalon Waterways Expands Active Discovery Cruises,” “USA Today,” April 12, 2017, https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2017/04/12/avalon-waterways-expands-active-discovery-cruises/100373764/
  22. ↑ “Europe’s River Cruise Lines Ramp Up Culinary Sailings,” “Travel Agent Magazine,” January 2017, http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/savory-sailings
  23. ↑ “Avalon Waterways Adds Christmas Cruises,” “USA Today,” April 19, 2017, https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2017/04/19/avalon-waterways-adds-christmas-cruises/100638896/
  24. ↑ “The Ultimate Vacation for Beer Lovers,” “Travel+Leisure,” April 14, 2016, http://www.travelandleisure.com/cruises/river-cruises/beer-themed-cruise/
  25. ↑ “Diana Gabaldon Hosts Outlander Cruise,” “USA Today,” April 14, 2017, https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2017/04/14/diana-gabaldon-hosts-outlander-cruise/100458282/
  26. ↑ “International Best-Selling Author Diana Gabaldon Named Godmother of Avalon’s Newest Suite Ship,” “Cruise Weekly,” November 5, 2014, http://cruiseweekly.com.au/news/international-best-selling-author-diana-gabaldon-named-godmother-of-avalons-newest-suite-ship/21358
  27. ↑ “Avalon Waterways Names Jann Arden Godmother of Avalon Tranquility II,” “River Cruise Advisory,” November 17, 2014, http://www.rivercruiseadvisor.com/2014/11/avalon-waterways-names-jann-arden-godmother-avalon-tranquility-ii/
  28. ↑ "Avalon Expression christened by Patricia Shultz | All Things Cruise". allthingscruise.com. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  29. ↑ “New Avalon Waterways Ship Christened in Europe,” “USA Today,” April 13, 2016, https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2016/04/13/avalon-passion-cruise-christening/82970660/
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