LITTLETON, Colorado – July 15, 2009 – On August 8, 2009, Avalon Waterways will unveil the Avalon Creativity in a Dutch-themed christening event.  Christening attendees will arrive in Volendam, a Netherlands fishing village, and enjoy a reception on the dock as the Avalon Creativity appears on the water in the distance.

Nancy Telliho, president of Newsweek Budget Travel, Inc., will serve as the vessel’s godmother.   “My career is full of many firsts, from leading the development of the burgeoning Girlfriend Getaways franchise to overseeing Budget Travel’s migration to the Web, but this ‘first’ – my first time as a godmother of a ship – is an experience of a lifetime.”  As the godmother, Telliho will baptize the Avalon Creativity with Champagne in preparation for its maiden voyage.

The Avalon Creativity marks the company’s eighth new ship in Europe since 2004.  Post-christening, the Avalon Creativity will set sail on its inaugural Romantic Rhine cruise – an itinerary the ship will cruise through the end of 2009.  Travelers interested in experiencing this new ship this year can receive 50 percent off air on Avalon Waterways air-inclusive 2009 Europe cruises if booking before August 4, 2009.*

In 2010, the Avalon Creativity will move to Western Europe, cruising Avalon Waterways’ new Grand France and Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches itineraries.

The Avalon Creativity
Arriving from the Den Breejen Shipyard in Holland, the delivery of the Avalon Creativity – setting sail just two months after the Avalon Affinity’s inaugural cruise – once again underscores Avalon Waterways position as the fastest-growing river cruise company in the world, offering travelers the youngest fleet of ships, averaging just two years in age.

“In five short years Avalon has established itself as a major European river cruise operator,” said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways.  “Our ships are modern in design, showcasing contemporary appointments and state-of-the art technology.  They also house the largest staterooms available.  All staterooms measure 172-square feet and 90 percent boast floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic sliding glass doors, while our Junior Suites are a spacious 258-square feet.”

Other amenities and features on Avalon’s new ships include: Flat screen televisions, modern bathrooms, large closets, flexible bed design (beds may be configured as two twins or one queen), Egyptian cotton linens, mini-bar, safe, laundry and ironing services, a fully equipped fitness room, library, hair salon and gift shop, as well as a club lounge and large Jacuzzi pool on the Sky Deck.

Visit www.avalonwaterways.com/difference to get a virtual tour, complete with 360-degree views, of the Avalon Creativity’s sister ship, the Avalon Scenery.  

“Cruising with us provides travelers big benefits including a more intimate, small ship experience, close proximity of attractions and great value,” said Clark.  “Our prices include accommodation, meals, unlimited complimentary local wine, beer or soft drinks with all on-board dinners, regional entertainment and unparalleled land excursions.  Not only do travelers appreciate knowing what their vacation will cost before they go, agents benefit with strong commissions from this all-inclusive style of travel.”

*Book a qualifying 2009 air-inclusive Europe Avalon Waterways or Globus River Cruise and each passenger will receive 50% off the base airfare (including any fuel surcharges).  Globus Portugal river cruise is not eligible.  Valid on all ticket inventories and classes, excluding first-class and business-class. Certain government-imposed taxes and fees of up to $200, including a September 11th Security fee of up to $10, are additional and must be paid by each traveler.  Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between March 25-August 4, 2009, and travel must be completed by December 31, 2009.  Offers not valid with any other offer except Journey's Club and applies to new 2009 bookings only.  Cancellation penalties of up to $250 will apply. Blackout dates, travel date restrictions, and advance purchase requirements may apply.  Change fees of up to $250 per person, plus any difference in airfare, may be charged, and some fares may be non-refundable. Additional restrictions and carrier baggage fees may apply to the flight selected .  Contact Avalon Waterways (Globus) for further details.


About Nancy Telliho
Nancy Telliho was named president of Newsweek Budget Travel, Inc., in August 2008. She oversees all aspects of the Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel franchise including editorial, ad sales, marketing, circulation, production and digital, while leading business development initiatives like the burgeoning Girlfriend Getaways franchise.

Publisher of Budget Travel since October 2000, her responsibilities encompassed all business-side operations of the magazine and its Web site, BudgetTravel.com.  During her tenure at Budget Travel, the magazine has increased its rate base from 350,000 to 675,000; increased its publishing frequency from 6 times to 10 times a year; increased advertising pages by over 60%; and has been named to ADWEEK’s Top 10 Hottest List in both 2003 and 2004.

Over the past eight and a half years, Telliho has overseen Budget Travel’s migration to the Web, first as the sole travel content provider to MSNBC.com in 2002 and now with its own independent Web site, BudgetTravel.com, launched in June 2005.

About Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways is an award-winning small ship cruise company.  In addition to countless trade accolades, Avalon Waterways has garnered some of the industry's most prestigious honors:  Among them, Avalon Waterways was featured in Condé Nast Traveler's 2009 Gold List, voted a Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Line in the publication's 2008 Reader's Choice Awards and listed as a Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Line in Travel+Leisure's World's Best Awards in 2007.  The fastest growing cruise company in the industry, Avalon Waterways is making waves in river and small ship cruising by offering travelers the newest, most luxurious ships in Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos, The company's ships feature state-of-the-art design and technology and house the largest staterooms, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic sliding glass doors.  Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands, a travel industry leader with 80 years of international travel expertise.  The Globus family of brands is a member of Sustainable Travel International (STI).

Travel agents can request Avalon Waterways brochures by calling toll free 1.800.221.0090 or visiting www.globusfamilypartner.com.