Avalon Waterways reported its strongest first-quarter sales season ever.
From witnessing an increase in reservations across France on the Seine, Rhine, Rhone, and Moselle Rivers, to sell-out status on special interest sailings, the company is adding new departures to meet 2023-2024 river cruise demands.
Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways said they had just witnessed the biggest first-quarter bookings swell in their history.
“While the Rhine River is leading this wave of interest, our most popular destination for 2023 is France. We expect both the Seine and Rhône Rivers to sell-out this year. And, thanks to an increased interest in longer journeys, we’re also enjoying a growing trend in two-week vacations, including 14- and 15-night river cruises that cover more ground like our ‘Magnificent Europe’ and ‘Grand France’ itineraries.”
Hoffee added Avalon was also experiencing a surge in off-season travel. Since the line’s festive season sailings are nearly sold out for 2023, Avalon has added 2 new voyages featuring some of the best Christmas markets on the Danube, between Budapest-Vienna, in late November in order to provide more availability/options for guests.
According to Hoffee, Avalon's wine-themed cruises were nearly sold-out for this current year, so the company was offering 2 additional wine-themed sailings that take cruisers along the Rhone River through Burgundy/Provence in early/mid-November, reaching more vacationers in the off-season.
The river cruise line is also extending its 2024 cruising season into November on the Rhone and Seine Rivers while also adding a range of departures on the Danube and Rhine Rivers, besides more festive sailings.