Avalon River Cruising |Romantic Rhine River Cruise

Fed in part by big ship cruisers and the fact that travelers are looking for new, in-depth experiences, river cruising is dominating the market in 2010 as the hottest, "must-experience" travel style. Helping ensure agents don't miss the river cruise boat – specifically, understanding the travel style and new ships, as well as the commissions and profits available for river cruise specialists – Avalon Waterways is providing them a plethora of opportunities to "experience" river cruising online.

On Monday, Avalon Waterways is encouraging agents to follow a blog written by travel writer Tony Perrottet. Perrottet will sail aboard the Avalon Felicity with his family on the company's Romantic Rhine itinerary from June 27 through July 4, 2010. On his blog, the author will document his journey, tell the stories behind the villages and landmarks he visits and discuss his experience as a first-time river cruiser. To follow Perrottet's experience and story, visit www.avalonwaterways.com/cruiseblog.

In addition, Avalon offers agents – and their clients – virtual tours of ships, including an illustrated tour of the NEW Avalon Panorama, set to debut in May 2011. Virtual tours of four of Avalon's ships – sister ships to the entire European fleet – are available at www.avalonwaterways.com/River-Cruise-Ships. An online photo gallery is also accessible, showcasing Avalon's ships, including many interior images and destinations.

And, for those agents interested in becoming Avalon Waterways Specialists, the award-winning small-ship cruise company is inviting them to 1) Attend a four-part Avalon Waterways Webinar Series; 2) Complete two Travel University courses and 3) Watch a video preview showcasing Avalon's 2011 news, including information on the new Avalon Panorama and fleet-wide enhancements planned for the coming year. For more information, agents should visit www.globusfamily.com/AvalonSpecialist.

"Excited about the promise of river cruising, since our launch, we have dedicated ourselves to create a different kind of small-ship cruise experience – one that embraces and celebrates everything special about this travel style," said Jennifer Halboth, director of marketing for the Globus family of brands. "Year after year, thanks to the continuous feedback and encouragement of our travel agents and clients, we have not only innovated river cruising, we have also provided agents a plethora of opportunities to learn about and sell modern, luxury river cruises. If agents can't get away to get familiar with river cruising with Avalon in person, we're providing them the tools they need to experience this burgeoning travel style virtually and share their knowledge with clients."

Agents interested in experiencing Avalon byway of a FAM trip can visit www.globusfamilypartner.com or call Inside Sales at 866.270.9850 for more information.

ABOUT AVALON WATERWAYS
Avalon Waterways is an award-winning small ship cruise company. In addition to countless trade accolades, Avalon Waterways has garnered some of the industry's most prestigious honors: Among them, Avalon Waterways was voted the No. 2 Best Small-Ship Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure's 2009 World's Best Awards, featured in Condé Nast Traveler's 2009 Gold List and voted a Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Line in the publication's 2008 Reader's Choice. The fastest growing cruise company in the industry, Avalon Waterways offers travelers the newest, most luxurious ships in Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos. The company's ships feature state-of-the-art design and technology and house the largest staterooms, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic sliding glass doors. Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands, a travel industry leader with 80 years of international travel expertise. The Globus family of brands is a member of Sustainable Travel International (STI).

Travel agents can request Avalon Waterways brochures by calling toll free 1.800.221.0090 or visiting www.globusfamilypartner.com.

ABOUT TONY PERROTTET
The need for perpetual motion has always been Tony Perrottet's most obvious personality disorder. While studying history at Sydney University, the Australian-born Perrottet regularly disappeared hitchhiking through the Outback, sailing the coast of Sumatra or traveling through rural India (enjoying a brief and inglorious career as a film extra in Rajasthan). After graduation, he moved to South America to work as a "roving correspondent," where he covered the Shining Path war in Peru, drug running in Colombia and several military rebellions in Argentina. A brief visit to Manhattan 15 years ago convinced him that New York was the ideal place for a rootless wanderer to be based. From his current home in the East Village of Manhattan, he has continued to commute to Iceland, Tierra del Fuego, Wyoming, Tasmania and Zanzibar, while contributing to international publications including Smithsonian Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, Esquire, Outside, National Geographic Adventure, the New York Times and the London Sunday Times.

Perrottet is the author of four books - a collection of travel stories, Off the Deep End: Travels in Forgotten Frontiers (1997); Pagan Holiday: On the Trail of Ancient Roman Tourists (2002); The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Greek Games (2004); and Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008). His travel stories have been widely anthologized and have been selected four times for the Best American Travel Writing series. He is also a regular television guest on the History Channel, where he has spoken about everything from the Crusades to the birth of disco. Visit www.tonyperrottet.com for more information.