Avalon expands exotic offerings in Southeast Asia including two new all-suite ships; new destination: Myanmar

Book by June 3 and save up to $712 off a 2015 cruise

A journey on one of Asia’s great rivers offers a tapestry of fascinating sights, colourful cultures and ancient traditions.  And in 2015, travellers will have the opportunity to live the “suite life” in Asia.  For the first time, Avalon Waterways is introducing two NEW, 36-guest Suite Ships on the Mekong and the river cruise line’s newest destination, the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar (Burma).

“Next year, we’re introducing our wildly popular Suite Ship design to travellers looking for a more exotic cruise experience in Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar,” said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways.  “With new, intimate ships in Southeast Asia, as well as small group discoveries in China with no more than 20 travellers, the intimacy we offer travellers, paired with our immersive Local Favorites program designed to spotlight the unique stories in each destination, inspire an unparalleled Asia vacation.”

 

Both new all-suite ships – the Avalon Siem Reap and Avalon Myanmar – will deliver cruisers an intimate experience. One that invites them to truly engage with and experience the local culture and revel in the unique sights and sounds found along the Mekong and Irrawaddy Rivers.  Built by local craftsman, the ships reflect the character, symbols and traditions of the areas through which they sail while also offering travellers the modern features they expect and enjoy.

On these ships, travellers will be welcomed  to 18 well-appointed Avalon Suites with 245-square-feet of living space.  And, while other ships may offer guests tiny balconies, these new ships introduce travellers in Asia to Avalon’s innovative, signature Open-Air Balconies featuring floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall panoramic windows measuring 14-feet-wide with retractable screen systems and doors that slide open a full 9-feet, creating the feeling of sitting outside.  

In front of each Open-Air Balcony is a private sitting area, complete with love seat, chairs and table.  And facing the passing views is Avalon’s Comfort Collection Beds, inviting travellers to relax and enjoy every moment of cruising past the fascinating scenes of daily life on the Irrawaddy and Mekong Rivers.

“Our new Asia vessels mirror the experience found on our Suite Ships in Europe.  But, perhaps as important as the attention to detail and appointments found on these ships is their overall size,” says Clark.  “Both new ships – featuring only 18 Avalon Suites each – were designed to traverse more of the Irrawaddy and Mekong Rivers, providing travellers the chance to enjoy more of Asia.”

For instance, the Avalon Myanmar is small enough to cruise the spectacular Upper Irrawaddy throughout the season – a feat not possible on a larger ship.  And the Avalon Siem Reap is the only ship in the industry cruising all the way from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap (or vice versa), as water levels allow.  And when sailing into the Ho Chi Minh harbor, Avalon guests are just minutes away from their deluxe hotel accommodations.  

With a maximum capacity of just 36 passengers and a crew numbering 24, Avalon cruisers are sure to enjoy service levels of the highest caliber.

2015 Asia cruises offered by Avalon Waterways:

MEKONG RIVER

13-day Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River

(Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap; Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City)

IRRAWADDY RIVER

14-day Golden Myanmar & the Alluring Irrawaddy

(Yangon to Yangon)

YANGTZE RIVER

11-day Magical China & the Yangtze River

(Beijing to Shanghai)

15-day Culture China & Tibet with Yangtze River Cruise

(Shanghai to Beijing)

15-day Enchanting China & the Yangtze River

(Beijing to Shanghai)

DEAL ALERT:  To celebrate the launch of the 2015 cruise season, Avalon Waterways is offering travelers who book their cruise by June 3 the chance to SAVE 10 percent – up to $712 per person- on their 2015 Avalon Asia cruise. 

For more information, visit avalonwaterways.ca; “like” us on Facebook; call 1-800-268-3636 or see your travel agent. 

# # #

ABOUT AVALON WATERWAYS

Award-winning Avalon Waterways offers travellers the youngest, most innovative fleet of ships in Europe, China, Southeast Asia, South America and the United States.  Our travellers have inspired us to utilize nearly 85 years of travel expertise to design the best river cruise experience possible.  We’ve taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better—down to the last detail.  Our views are panoramic and spaces large and inviting; comfort is king and dining both personal and flexible.  And, thanks to our partnership with Globus, our itineraries are legendary.  By design, Avalon cruisers are privy to all-inclusive access to a destination, including guided sightseeing in every port, VIP entry into key destinations and unparalleled cultural immersion and storytelling thanks to highly skilled Cruise and Tour Directors.  In addition to countless trade accolades, Avalon Waterways has garnered some of the industry's most prestigious honors: Among them, the river cruise company was voted the Best River Cruise Line in 2010 by Cruise Critic editors, among the top 5 river cruise lines in Travel + Leisure’s 2011, 2012 and 2013 World’s Best Awards and Condė Nast Traveler’s 2011 and 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards; the river cruise line was also chosen as the “Best Value in River Cruising” by Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel.  Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands.