LITTLETON, Colorado – January 26, 2009 – In 2008, Avalon Waterways created a virtual tour of its newest ship, the Avalon Scenery.  Dedicated to its marketing philosophy of “show, don’t tell,” the small ship cruise company is now providing agents and cruisers even more chances to get an inside look at Avalon – quite literally – through 360-degree virtual tours of two additional ships – the Avalon Tranquility and Avalon Poetry – at avalonwaterways.com/difference.

“When travelers cruise with us, they not only enjoy the destinations they visit, they fall in love with our modern ships, averaging just two years in age,” said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways.  “Now, thanks to virtual tours, we can show cruisers and agents our ships – complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and almost every amenity imaginable – from bow to stern, before they book their vacation.”

The three ships available to tour virtually represent the three types of vessels the company sails in Europe.  Both agents and clients can click on various areas of the ship, including the lobby & reception, stateroom, bar & lounge, dining room, sky deck and fitness room to take an online tour which includes information, photos and 360-degree views of Avalon.

“Our ships feature all of the personal touches American travelers look for in a boutique hotel,” said Clark.  “Now, we’re taking travelers on-board with us, virtually, showing them the Avalon difference.”


ABOUT AVALON WATERWAYS
Chosen by Travel + Leisure magazine as a Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Line in 2007 and voted a 2009 Gold List winner by Condé Nast Traveler readers, Avalon Waterways is the world’s fastest-growing small ship cruise company.  Making waves in small ship and river cruising by offering travelers the newest, most luxurious ships in Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos, Avalon Waterways’ ships feature state-of-the-art design and technology and house the largest staterooms, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic sliding glass doors.  The Avalon Waterways team cares about the little things that make a big difference in enhancing a journey abroad, including local wine with all on-board dinners and the best land programs available.  Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands, an award-wining travel industry leader with 80 years of international travel expertise.

Consumers can book an Avalon Waterways vacation or request 2009 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.