AVALON WATERWAYS ANNOUNCES

TWO GODMOTHERS FOR TWO SUITE SHIPS IN 2012

PLUS ONE DUAL CHRISTENING

LITTLETON, Colorado – January 12, 2012 – Continuing its mission to redefine the river cruise experience by enhancing traveler comfort and views, while also bringing indoor/outdoor living on board, Avalon Waterways is gearing up to unveil two more Suite Ships.  In May, the river- and small ship-cruise company will christen the Avalon Vista and Avalon Visionary.

Joining the coveted Avalon Panorama, these new vessels create a trio of inspiration, delivering an experience like no other.  With THREE new ships boasting two full decks of suites, Avalon Waterways is providing cruisers a total of 185 Panorama and Royal Suites, measuring 200- and 300-square feet respectively, providing the most room available to relax and take in 360-degrees of Europe.

While the Avalon Vista is a sister ship to the Avalon Panorama, the new, smaller 52-suite Avalon Visionary provides cruisers the sought-after suite experience on the river cruise line’s most popular Rhine River itinerary.  Serving as the Visionary’s godmother is Nicole Mazza, representing American Marketing Group, Inc. a global travel conglomerate with a 42-year history that owns 18 travel brands including the well-known TRAVELSAVERS, NEST and The Affluent Traveler.

“I am honored to serve as godmother to Avalon Visionary. For more than 14 years with The American Marketing Group, I have established and implemented marketing programs to boost sales for our 3,000 plus -travel agency base,” said Nicole Mazza, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of TRAVELSAVERS and NEST and Publisher of The Affluent Traveler magazine.  “And I know from personal experience that one of the most exciting – and inspired – areas of leisure travel sales is happening in river cruising.  I’m thrilled to deepen my support of this travel style, by becoming the Avalon Visionary’s godmother.”

For the first time, Avalon Waterways will unveil two ships – the Avalon Visionary and Avalon Vista – in one christening ceremony.  Mazza will be joined by Canada’s travel industry insider Vanessa Lee, serving as the Vista’s godmother.

The Avalon Visionary and Avalon Vista mark the company’s 12th and 13^th new ships in Europe since 2004.  Post-christening, the Avalon Visionary will introduce Panorama Suites to the Rhine River in 2012, sailing the 8-day Romantic Rhine cruise (starting at $1,849) as well as several Christmastime cruises.  The Avalon Vista will sail the 11-day Legendary Danube cruise (starting at $1,839) and 13-day Blue Danube Discovery (priced from $2,249) as well as the 15-day Magnificent Europe vacation.

MORE ABOUT THE SUITE SHIPS

With two full decks of suites, nothing showcases the best of river cruising like our Suite Ships,” said Patrick Clark managing director of Avalon Waterways.    “Each Suite has been thoughtfully designed to enhance the European cruise experience.  From bed and bathroom positioning to storage and sound-proof insulation, we provide cruisers a renewed feeling of freedom, space and comfort not found with other cruise lines.”

The suites on these ships feature a large seating area 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 Balcony^SM. With a focus on bringing the beauty of Europe inside, Avalon’s Open-Air Balconies can be enjoyed any hour of the day, all year, adding comfort to the overall guest experience.

Inspired by design, every element of Avalon’s on board experience was crafted to entice the five senses.  Some enhancements, including flowers in each stateroom and premium L’Occitane products are subtle.  Other offerings, such as marble bathrooms, Avalon-branded deluxe bedding (Comfort Collection by Avalon^SM) and the perfect balance of warm interiors and natural lighting are distinct and unexpected.  Mirroring the on board cruise experience found on all of Avalon’s ships, the Suite Ships also feature a club, main lounge and dining room with sweeping views, hair salon, Sky Deck fun pool and Open-Air Bistro for outdoor, grilled lunches.  In addition, the fitness rooms aboard the Panorama, Visionary and Vista are more expansive, featuring additional equipment and room to renew.

“Like the very rivers we travel, Avalon is continually moving forward, making improvements and embracing the world beyond,” said Clark.  “And it’s this approach – our drive to exceed guest expectations by pushing the boundaries of the river cruise experience – that makes us not only the most contemporary cruise line on Europe’s waters, but also the most consistent.”

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ABOUT NICOLE MAZZA

Nicole has been an integral part of The American Marketing Group family for the past 14 years. In her daily responsibilities she oversees all leisure marketing initiatives for The American Marketing Group’s agency distribution groups – TRAVELSAVERS, NEST and The Affluent Traveler organization worldwide and is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with preferred suppliers.

Her focus is on establishing and implementing marketing programs that boost sales and maximize profits for American Marketing Group’s over 3,000 travel agency base and its preferred suppliers. She has extensive expertise in travel agency relationships, preferred supplier relationships, integrated marketing and promotions, strategic planning, and brand awareness.

In addition, she has been highly instrumental in developing American Marketing Group’s consumer and trade publishing division. Under her guidance as publisher, The Affluent Traveler (an international newsstand luxury travel magazine) and JOURNEYS magazine (a vacation travel magazine) have both been honored as award-winning publications. Her previous publishing background includes an editorial position held at CMP Publications.  

ABOUT VANESSA LEE

One of Canada's leading proponents and influencers within the cruise industry and a well known writer and speaker on cruising and travel, Vanessa Lee celebrates her 35th year in the travel industry this year.

Born and educated near Brighton, England, Vanessa moved to Canada in her late teens and later to Australia where she worked for tour operator Trafalgar Tours before returning to England and employment with Kuoni and Insight International. In 1980 she returned to Canada, spending 10 years with Paramount Holidays, and in 1991 became a founding partner of Encore Cruises, which went on to achieve enormous success as Canada's pre-eminent cruise specialist tour operator.

Today Vanessa is owner and publisher of the upscale Cruise and Travel Lifestyles Magazine; president and CEO of Cruise Strategies Ltd. (a strategic sales and marketing organization promoting cruising and luxury travel) and a partner in Rising Tide Strategic Media, a multi-faceted travel media company encompassing television, web and print.  Additionally Vanessa is a regular columnist for the travel trade website Travel Industry Today; was voted one of Canada's Top 20 “Industry Rock Stars” in a poll of her peers; and is a frequent motivational speaker on the joys of cruising and selling to the affluent.

ABOUT AVALON WATERWAYS

Award-winning Avalon Waterways offers travelers the youngest, most innovative fleet of ships in Europe, China, Southeast Asia, 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 Best River Cruise Line in 2010 by Cruise Critic editors, picked the No. 2 Best Small-Ship Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure’s 2010 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.