Avalon Waterways Sets New Ships, Itineraries for 2010

Avalon Waterways in 2010 will christen two new ships in Europe and will increase its vacations by nearly 20 percent with more than 30 itineraries of five to 23 days in Europe, China, Egypt and the Galapagos. Avalon Waterways has created five new river cruises for 2010.

“Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches” is an eight-day trip roundtrip from Paris, while “Grand France” is a 16-day vacation between Paris and the Côte d’Azur. The 13-day “Castles on the Rhine to the City of Music” travels from Zurich to Vienna, while the four- or five-day “A Taste of the Danube” sails between Vienna and Budapest. In the winter, the 12-day “Christmastime in Germany and Austria” sails between Frankfurt and Vienna.

In 2010, the company will christen its fifth new ship in less than 36 months, bringing Avalon’s Europe fleet total to 10. The company serves passengers unlimited complimentary local wine with all onboard dinners and features regional entertainment, land programs and an English-speaking staff.

To celebrate its new offerings, and to encourage travelers to book the cruise of their dreams, Avalon is offering early-booking incentives. Guests receive $150 per person off any 2010 Egypt, China, Galapagos or “Taste of the Danube” cruise-and-land-only vacation or $300 per person off when booking air on the same itineraries.

For most Europe cruise vacations, the deal increases. Guests can receive $250 per person off select Europe river cruise-and-land-only vacations or $500 off per person when booking air on the same itineraries. Bookings must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between March 25 and June 30 for travel through Dec. 31, 2010. The offer applies to new 2010 bookings and will not be applied to existing bookings.