Avalon Waterways has launched its 2018 brochure, and a newly designed website with trade portal, all backed by a mainstream TV campaign, to raise awareness of Avalon river cruises to the UK market.

TV Advertising Campaign

With a trade ‘call to action’, the campaign features a 60 second advert showcasing the best way of experiencing Europe by river cruise, and represents the biggest broadcast investment by Avalon Waterways UK. Targeting the 50 plus age group, the campaign is due to be broadcast on a range of Sky, ITV and Channel 4 channels over a six week period from 19 June 2017.

Giles Hawke, Avalon Waterways (UK) commented:  “As we head towards the Brexit process, concerns have already been voiced in the industry about the possibility of cruise holiday prices rising, so it’s even more important to get the message across about the inclusiveness of a river cruise. The cruise sector needs to demonstrate amazing value for money linked to high quality experiences, compared to stand-alone city breaks or other types of holidays.  We want to instil confidence into the market and believe our TV campaign will do just that, driving first time river cruise customers to our agent partners.

He added: “Improving our brochure and web design will further help agents sell Avalon cruises, and we’re pleased to host a high number of agents this year on our ships, to gain first-hand experience, and put them in a strong position to interest customers in our cruises.”

Newly designed website – avaloncruises.co.uk

Avalon has re-launched its website featuring a dedicated trade portal, with a totally refreshed look, and an easily navigable design, showcasing its range of worldwide unique river cruise holidays.   Agents can tailor customers’ cruise and travel arrangements to suit an individual with the option to select their preferred stateroom category, closest UK departure airport and favourite airline, and with live flight pricing, are guaranteed of the lowest prices available.

The website will host three shortened 30 second versions of the TV advert to encapsulate the Avalon cruise experience, and help agents show customers what makes the Avalon river cruise experience so special.   Agents can email [email protected], for a unique user log in.

New Panorama Suite Ship, Avalon Saigon For 2018

Avalon Waterways is set to expand its Panorama Suite Ship fleet in Asia with the introduction of Avalon Saigon.  Due to launch in late 2018, the new ship will join existing sister ship, Avalon Siem Reap on the Mekong River, and will sail the popular 13 day ‘Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong’ cruise.  The ships feature 18 Avalon Suites with 245-square-feet of living space and innovative signature Open-Air Balconies featuring floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall panoramic windows. In front of each Open-Air Balcony is a private sitting area, complete with love seat, chairs and table.  Facing the passing views are Avalon’s Comfort Collection BedsSM, so guests can relax and enjoy every moment of cruising past the fascinating scenes of daily life on the Irrawaddy and Mekong Rivers.

Early Booking Offers

A range of early booking offers are available for bookings made before 31 October 2017.  These include a low deposit offer of £99pp on European cruises, and £199pp on Asia and Amazon cruises, as well as Galapagos coastal cruises.  To meet demand for the increase in small groups wanting to travel together, Avalon is offering free places with group bookings.  One in ten passengers can travel for free on an Avalon Panorama Suite Ship group booking, and one in eight passengers on an Avalon Deluxe Ship group booking.

Agents can earn £20 Love2shop vouchers for any booking made before 30 June 2017 by emailing their name, agency name and booking reference to [email protected].   There is no limit on how many vouchers agents can earn.

Avalon Extends Avalon Active Discovery to the Rhine

Following the successful launch of ‘Active Discovery’ river cruises on the Danube this year, Avalon Waterways has added another exciting itinerary on the Rhine, from Wiesbaden to Amsterdam, with a reverse itinerary available.  ‘Active Discovery on the Rhine’ (from £2299pp) is available from May-September 2018.

New ‘Garden & Nature’ theme for Tulip Time Cruise

Meeting customer demand to combine river cruising with a hobby or interest,  a new Garden & Nature Themed Cruise has been introduced on its ‘Tulip Time’ Cruise (from £2,299pp – 13 April departure). Highlights include the famous gardens of Keukenhof, Amsterdam’s hidden gardens, as well as private gardens of 17th-century homes.

An expanded range of departures dates have been added to Avalon’s most popular themed river cruises based on wine appreciation, culinary, beer, history and festive cruises.

2018 Lead-In Prices

Avalon’s 2018 cruise programme offers a broad range of exciting river cruises holidays in Europe, Asia and South America.  Featured rivers include the Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Main, Rhône, Seine, Dutch & Belgian Waterways, Mekong, Irrawaddy and Amazon, as well as coastal sailing around the Galapagos Islands.   Prices for 2018 are as low as £1289pp for the popular 4 day ‘Taste of the Danube’, or from £1,489pp for the ‘Tulips of Northern Holland’.  The 14 day ‘Fascinating, Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong’ is priced from £3,999pp.

The Avalon River Cruise Experience

An Avalon river cruise offers the highest level of service from beginning to end, for the most relaxing way to see Europe. Included in the holiday price is a VIP home pick-up service by executive car, providing a smooth journey to and from the UK departure airport. With a ratio of just three passengers to one staff member, guests can look forward to attentive on-board service as well as deluxe full board dining with a choice of mouth-watering dishes accompanied by regional wines at both lunch and dinner.

Avalon customers experience the heart of a destination as ships moor up in city and town centres, providing the perfect base to enjoy included excursions with expert local guides, or explore on their own.  Avalon holidays offer great value for money with return flights, on-board gratuities, full board accommodation, overseas transfers and port charges also included in the price.

Avalon’s flexibility gives customers the choice to fly from their local airport (flights from up to 27 UK airports), travel by rail, make their own travel arrangements, or add pre and post cruise hotel stays.

For copies of the 2018 brochure visit www.trade-gate.co.uk and for more detailed information visit www.avaloncruises.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @AvalonTradeUK