Avalon Waterways isn’t just expanding in Europe next year. For 2016, the popular river cruise line is placing expanded focus on its more exotic itineraries, including two brand-new ships destined for the Mekong and Irrawaddy Rivers, a return to Egypt’s Nile River, and a new partnership on the Amazon River.
“As more travelers adopt river cruising as their preferred travel style, they want to broaden their experiences,” said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways. “We’re expanding our offerings to help them engage with a plethora of cultures in places like Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, China, Tibet, Egypt, Peru and the Galápagos Islands in the comfort of a floating hotel.”
On the Mekong, the previously announced Avalon Siem Reap (which debuts this year) will a full-schedule of Avalon’s 13-day Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River itinerary. Capable of carrying just 36 guests in spacious suites measuring 245 square feet apiece, the Avalon Siem Reap is one of the newest and most nimble vessels to sail the Mekong.
In keeping with the small and intimate theme, Avalon will introduce its new Avalon Myanmar along Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River this October. The ship will feature spacious Avalon Suites that feature sitting areas and a 14-foot tall wall of glass. When she enters service this fall, she’ll operate Avalon’s 14-day Golden Myanmar & the Alluring Irrawaddy itinerary.
Next year also marks Avalon’s triumphant return to Egypt and the Nile River, with a 9-day Highlights of Egypt cruisetour itineraries that include a four night voyage aboard the MS Mayfair – a long-standing favorite among river cruisers on the Nile. Departing roundtrip from Cairo, this itinerary includes calls on some of Egypt’s most treasured sites, including Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Memphis, Sakkara and Giza.
Last but not least, Avalon has entered into a new partnership along South America’s Amazon River. Sailing aboard the Amazon Discovery, guests taking part in Avalon’s 11-day From the Inca Empire to the Peruvian Amazon cruisetour will get to experience the fabled and mysterious Amazon River up-close and personal. They’ll also get to visit Iquitos, Pisac, Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lima, Peru, where this itinerary operates roundtrip from.
The Amazon Discovery measures 169 feet in length and carries just 44 guests in four different types of accommodations ranging from 237 square feet to the massive 597 square-foot “Amazonia Suite.”
Regardless of where you choose to sail in 2016, one thing is clear: Europe is far from being the only place to river cruise in style.
