Avalon Waterways

Type| 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

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]

## Contents

* 1 History and Ship Design
* 2 Fleet
* 3 Avalon Fresh
* 4 Special Interest Cruises
* 5 Godmothers
* 6 References
* 7 External links

## 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

|
|
|
|
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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.[16] In 2017, Avalon announced plans to extend its Active Discovery options to include the Rhine River.[20] Other “Special Interest” cruises include Culinary- ,Beer- and Christmas-themed itineraries.[17][21][22] In 2017, the company also announced plans for a special Author cruise, featuring internationally best-selling author Diana Gabaldon.[23]

## Godmothers

Throughout its history, Avalon Waterways has invited some notable godmothers to christen its Suite Ships in Europe, including Outlander Author Diana Gabaldon,[24] Singer/Songwriter Jann Arden,[25] 1,000 Places to See Before You Die Author Patricia Schultz[26] and U.S. Women’s National Team Coach Jill Ellis.[27]

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "New Kid on the River," Vacation Agent Magazine
2. ↑ "Avalon Waterways Joins CLIA," CLIA Press Room
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "The Evolution Of Avalon". http://www.travelpulse.com/articles/cruise/the-evolution-of-avalon.html.
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. ↑ 7.0 7.1 “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. ↑ 8.0 8.1 “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" (in en). USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2016/04/13/avalon-passion-cruise-christening/82970660/.
13. ↑ "Judy Bailey christens Rhine cruise ship". http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/cruising/78604516/judy-bailey-christens-rhine-cruise-ship.
14. ↑ "Avalon Waterways plans two new ships for 2016" (in en). USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/03/29/avalon-waterways-new-ships/70625596/.
15. ↑ "Avalon sailing a third river ship in Southeast Asia: Travel Weekly" (in en). http://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Avalon-sailing-a-third-river-ship-in-Southeast-Asia.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 ”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. ↑ 17.0 17.1 “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. ↑ “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/
21. ↑ “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/
22. ↑ “The Ultimate Vacation for Beer Lovers,” “Travel+Leisure,” April 14, 2016, http://www.travelandleisure.com/cruises/river-cruises/beer-themed-cruise/
23. ↑ “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/
24. ↑ “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
25. ↑ “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/
26. ↑ "Avalon Expression christened by Patricia Shultz | All Things Cruise" (in en-US). http://allthingscruise.com/international-best-selling-author-patricia-schultz-christens-a-suite-ship-the-avalon-expression/.
27. ↑ “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/

## External links

More information about Avalon Waterways can be accessed through the company Web site or blog.

* www.AvalonWaterways.com
* Blog.AvalonWaterways.com
* Cruise Critic review

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