AMSTERDAM – August 9, 2009 – On Saturday, August 8, 2009, Avalon Waterways unveiled and christened the Avalon Creativity in Volendam, a Netherlands fishing village.  Nancy Telliho, president of Newsweek Budget Travel, Inc., served as the vessel’s godmother

On a sunny and 70-degree afternoon, Telliho blessed the ship will the following words, “May you ply these great rivers of Europe with respect and grace … May you serenely carry the merriment, laughter, joy and creativity of those travelers seeking new and enriching vistas … And may you fulfill your responsibility to promote understanding and harmony amongst all cultures.  I now christen you Avalon Creativity.  May you hold safe her crew, and all guests who sail on her.”

After reciting the christening speech, Telliho cut the rope tethered to a bottle of Champagne.  The Avalon Creativity’s 39 crew members cheered from the ship’s sky deck as the bottle shattered against the vessel’s newly painted exterior. 

Post christening, attendees enjoyed commemorative speeches by Dr. Thomas Ritter and Helge Jansen of Seehandlung, the financing company for the Avalon Creativity; the ship’s Captain Istvan Fckete; Jacque Den Breejen, owner of the Den Breejen Shipyard in Holland, the builders of the new vessel; Burghart Lell and Patrick Clark of Avalon Waterways.

The Avalon Creativity marks the company’s eighth new ship in Europe since 2004.  Post-christening, the Avalon Creativity set sail on its inaugural Romantic Rhine cruise, filled to capacity.  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.”


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 website, 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 website, 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 voted the No. 2 Best Small-Ship Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure’s  2009 World’s Best Awards, featured in Condé Nast Traveler's 2009 Gold List  and voted a Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Line in the publication's 2008 Reader's Choice.  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).

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.