TWO MORE “SUITE” REASONS TO CRUISE EUROPE’S WATERWAYS

[HostDave]

LITTLETON, Colorado – March 19, 2012 – Cruising with Avalon Waterways is about to get even more “suite.” Thanks to the great customer response Avalon’s Suites Ships have received, next year, the small-ship cruise company will unveil two more award-winning Suite Ships – the Avalon Expression and Avalon Artistry II – bringing the fleet’s Suite Ship total to five.

Promising the newest, roomiest and “viewiest” staterooms in Europe, this quintet of inspiration delivers a cruise unlike any other. While Avalon has always provided river cruisers the most spacious staterooms in Europe, with five new Suite Ships boasting two full decks of suites – 200-square foot Panorama Suites (293 total) and 300-square foot Royal Suites (10 total) – the cruise line is offering travelers the room they want to relax and take in 360-degree views of Europe.

“A Panorama Suite on our Suite Ships comes fully appointed and ready to deliver the very best of river cruising,” said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways. “Cruisers will discover they can really ‘live’ in the remarkably large, indoor/outdoor living space we provide, which is 30 percent larger than the industry standard.”

Each suite on all five of Avalon’s Suite Ships features a large seating area that is perfect for quiet moments alone while also spacious being enough to host a private cocktail party with new friends. It sits adjacent to a Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window. When opened, this 10’ x 7’ floor-to-ceiling window transforms the entire suite into the category’s only Open-Air BalconySM. With a focus on bringing the beauty of Europe inside, Avalon’s Open-Air Balconies can be enjoyed any hour of the day, year round, adding considerable comfort to the overall guest experience.

Thoughtfully designed to offer the most stateroom space on any river cruise vessel, these Suite Ships also provide travelers a Sky or Panorama Bistro (for alternative dining) as well as Panorama, Sky and Observation Lounges, featuring plenty of seating and cozy spots to relax and take it all in.

“Seeing the Old World doesn’t mean you have to cruise on an old ship,” said Clark. “On an Avalon cruise, travelers will step aboard Europe’s youngest fleet where they’ll find themselves surrounded by the most expansive views, innovative technologies and inspired designs available.”

Whether reading under designer lighting in a corner of the Panorama Lounge, sipping a cocktail after dinner at the Observation Lounge or watching the passing riverscapes while keeping up with their fitness routine in the fitness center, Avalon cruisers will experience the company’s unparalleled passion for details.

“Meticulous millwork, hand-applied finishes and contemporary décor surround our cruisers at every turn, providing them an elegant and comfortable home-away-from-home for their river cruise escape,” said Clark.

In 2013, Avalon’s Suite Ships will offer cruisers five times the options to see and experience Europe – on the Danube, Rhine and Main Rivers – in the comfort of a Panorama or Royal Suite for four days (A Taste of the Danube on the Avalon Panorama) to 15 days (Magnificent Europe on the Avalon Panorama, Avalon Expression, Avalon Vista and Avalon Visionary). Suite Ship itineraries for 2013 include:

· Tulip Time Cruise, priced from $2,329 cruise-only.

· NEW! Tulips of Northern Holland, priced from $2,449 cruise-only.

· NEW! Capitals of Central Europe, priced from $2,499 cruise-only.

· The Legendary Danube, priced from $2,099 cruise-only.

· Blue Danube Discovery, priced from $2,099 cruise-only.

· Magnificent Europe, priced from $4,399 cruise-only .

· Romantic Rhine, priced from $2,229 cruise-only.

Outside of Europe, Avalon Waterways is also introducing cruisers to new and different ships on the Yangtze River – the Century Paragon (2012) and Century Legend (2013).