Recommend August 2013 - (Page 13)

⏟ Clark says the ambiance the line was going for is casual comfort. With river ships in Europe limited in size due to low bridges and tight locks, the Avalon Expression and its sister ships are designed to make the most of the space. “When we created this class we looked at how to best utilize space so guests can enjoy the experience and have the creature comforts,” Clark says. “People have the impression that river cruising is like, ‘When I retire and I’m 80 and in a wheelchair, I’ll go on a river cruise.’ That’s not true.” Linda Cherwin Gow, Travel Agent, Posh Travel christening a new ship River cruising, with its destination-focused itineraries bringing cruisers to inland sights, is being touted as the hottest segment in the travel industry. To celebrate the popularity, Avalon chose as godmother of the Avalon Expression Patricia Schultz, author of the bestselling “1,000 Places to See Before You Die.” U.S.-based travel agents were among those on board for the christening—the actual ceremony took place in Koblenz, Germany—checking out the ship to share details with their clients. “Everybody wants river cruises. There’s a lot more knowledge about river cruises right now,” says Mary Hanigan, managing partner of Uniglobe Travel Partners in Lake Oswego, OR. “People are calling and asking about river cruises.” The fact that river cruises are mostly inclusive, including unlimited beer and wine at dinner and shore excursions, is a big plus for clients, Hanigan adds. The whole trip is basically managed for the client. Avalon’s shore programs are with certiﬁed guides and focus primarily on history and culture. “You don’t have to pull out a guidebook and walk out and ﬂag a taxi. It’s an easy way to do Europe,” Hanigan says. shipboard features From its windowed Panorama Lounge, where new carefully created dividers add intimate nooks for conversation, to its classy dining room, the Avalon Expression is a thoughtfully designed ship. The attention to detail shows. The vessel brings a contemporary elegance complete with cushy seating, pleasant artwork and designer lighting, enhanced by such little touches as fresh ﬂowers. Up on the Sky Deck, passengers can soak in a whirlpool, practice their golf putting on a tiny green or play a game of chess with a giant set—when they are not catching views from lounge chairs or tables, some under shaded canopies. An expanded ﬁtness center has equipment (treadmill, exercise bike, weights) for those who want to keep up their workout routine. Most meals are open seating in the dining room, where dinner is a multi-course, waiter-served affair. But a brand-new Panorama Bistro option is a reservations-only meal (complimentary) served in a corner of the lounge and featuring a dozen European cuisineinspired small tastes, presented in creative fashion. A dish of veal, tomato and goat cheese served in a shot glass, a taste of Viennese goulash and a rich opera cake were particularly yummy. If clients don’t want to indulge at the buffets in the dining room, they can choose light alternatives served in the lounge at breakfast and lunch. Several times per cruise a grill set up on the sundeck offers an open-air meal alternative. Clients can munch on German sausages as they pass by views of the German countryside. Agent Linda Cherwin Gow of Posh Travel in Greenland, NH, was impressed with the whole shebang. “The ship in its entirety is so contemporary but yet so very warm, all the decor, the plants, the ﬂowers, the colors, the artwork, the cabins, to die for. The wall-to-wall cabin windows, it doesn’t get any better. I think that Avalon has nailed it,” she says. target demographic The sweet spot in terms of customers for Avalon Waterways is English-speaking (about 55 percent of passengers are from the U.S.) and age 55 to 70, Clark says. But like all river cruise companies, Avalon is also recently seeing a slightly younger group, especially on its wellness theme cruises and on its Christmas Market itineraries, he adds. Agents say they are also seeing a shift in demographic. Says Gow, “People have the impression that river cruising is like, ‘When I retire and I’m 80 and in a wheelchair, I’ll go on a river cruise.’ That’s not true.” itineraries The Avalon Suite Ships cruise the Rhine, Main and Danube. Fares include shore excursions, sparkling wine with breakfast and beer, wine or soft drinks with dinner, plus complimentary WiFi (though it can be slow). There is limited availability on 2013 cruises. Avalon also has ships on the Seine, Moselle and Rhone rivers in Europe and in Egypt, China, Cambodia/Vietnam and the Galapagos, plus cruises on the Mississippi (on the American Queen). Fares for an 11-day The Legendary Danube cruise in 2014 aboard Avalon Expression start at $3,509 pp. ● Archived related articles (available on recommend.com/magazine/issue-archive): Four Cheers for River Cruising (January 2013) contact information Avalon Waterways: (877) 797-8791; avalonwaterways.com august 2013 13 12-13 CR Avalon.indd 13 7/23/13 1:18 PM http://www.recommend.com/magazine/issue-archive http://www.avalonwaterways.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2013

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Dan Hotels, Israel
Tour Talk: Jacada Travel
Avalon Expression
Cruising the Rivers of Southeast Asia
Girls & Guys Getaways in Las Vegas
Kimpton Takes Center Stage in San Francisco
South Africa: Bicycles, Horses & Wonderful Experiences
A French Twosome with SLH
Bogota, Colombia
Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto
Westin Grand Cayman
Grand Case Beach Club, St. Martin
Aruba Marriott Resort

Recommend August 2013