Avalon Waterways® River Cruising Ships

Inspired to create a different kind of river cruise experience – one that embraces and celebrates everything special about the travel style – every year, Avalon Waterways has unveiled innovations to enhance cruisers' experiences. Now, on the heels of announcing the new Avalon Panorama, the industry's first "Suite Ship," in 2011, Avalon Waterways is revealing innumerable comfort–centered enhancements fleet-wide, sure to surprise and delight big- and small-ship cruisers alike.

As part of the award-winning river cruise line's thoughtful redesign efforts, Avalon Waterways is premiering Comfort Collection by AvalonSM: A premium-bedding suite that will soon be available in all Avalon staterooms and suites in Europe. Comfort Collection by Avalon provides travelers a choice of pillows as well as orthopedic mattresses, high-comfort mattress covers, European-style duvets, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, extra blankets and bed configuration options.

And, peering through the looking glass to determine additional improvements to enhance Avalon's on-board experience, the company is also investing in the finest bathroom appointments available and luxury touch-points such as L'Occitane toiletries and quality robes and slippers in each room, fleet-wide.

"In 2011, our ships will entice all five senses," said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways. Some enhancements, including deluxe woven carpeting and flowers in our staterooms are subtle. Others offerings such as warm, modern interiors, natural and designer lighting and panoramic views are distinctive and unexpected."

In addition to providing cruisers comfort in the form of things they can see and touch, Avalon Waterways also provides cruisers space they crave to relax and unwind with the most spacious staterooms in Europe. The company's entire fleet features Avalon Deluxe Staterooms that are, on average, 15 percent larger than the competition. And, the new Avalon Panorama "Suite Ship" offers cruisers 30 percent more room than the industry average with 64, 200-square foot Panorama Suites featuring indoor/outdoor living with Open-Air BalconiesSM.

All of Avalon's spacious staterooms feature large storage spaces for additional comfort and other "comfort touches" like complimentary bottled water and fully stocked mini-bars.

"For some cruisers, comfort comes in the form of connection: Staying in touch with friends, colleagues and family members while they're away," said Clark. "Because of this, we have also taken great strides to enhance technology available to guests on our ships."

In addition to providing cruisers flat-screen televisions offering a plethora of news and entertainment options, Clark says Avalon's vessels now feature 3G high-speed Internet service.

"Like the very rivers we travel, we are continually moving forward, making improvements and embracing the world beyond," said Clark. "It's this approach – our drive to continue to exceed traveler expectations by pushing the boundaries of the river cruise experience – that has inspired fleet-wide comfort enhancements for 2011."

ABOUT AVALON WATERWAYS
Award-winning Avalon Waterways offers travelers the youngest, most innovative fleet of ships in Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos. Our travelers have inspired us to utilize more than 80 years of travel expertise to design the best river cruise experience possible. We've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better-down to the last detail. Our views are panoramic and spaces large and inviting; comfort is king and dining both personal and flexible. And, thanks to our partnership with Globus, our itineraries are legendary. By design, Avalon cruisers are privy to all-inclusive access to a destination, including guided sightseeing in every port, VIP entry into key destinations and unparalleled cultural immersion and storytelling thanks to highly skilled Cruise and Tour Directors. In addition to countless trade accolades, Avalon Waterways has garnered some of the industry's most prestigious honors: Among them, the river cruise company was voted the No. 2 Best Small-Ship Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure's 2009 World's Best Awards, chosen as the "Best Value in River Cruising" by Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel and featured in Condé Nast Traveler's 2009 Gold List. Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands.

Consumers can book an Avalon Waterways vacation or request brochures by visiting a preferred travel agent or by calling the following toll free number: 1.877.380.1535. For more information, please visit www.avalonwaterways.com. Travel agents can request Avalon Waterways brochures by calling toll free 1.800.221.0090 or visiting www.globusfamilypartner.com.