Avalon Expands Southeast Asia Options
In 2015, travellers will have the opportunity to live the “suite life” in Asia as 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 featuring Avalon’s signature Open-Air Balconies with floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall panoramic windows measuring 14 feet wide with retractable screen systems and doors that slide open a full nine feet, creating the feeling of sitting outside.
“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 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, for the first time, Avalon is sailing the Irrawaddy with a new, 14-day itinerary — Golden Myanmar & The Alluring Irrawaddy — featuring a 10-night cruise from Began to Bhamo with hotel stays in Yangon.
(http://www.avalonwaterways.ca)
