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.

With a trade ‘call to action’, the ad campaign features a 60 second advert and represents the biggest broadcast investment by Avalon Waterways UK.

Targeting the 50 plus age group, the campaign is being 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) said:  “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.”   

Avalon has re-launched its website with a dedicated trade portal and a totally refreshed look. 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 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 agencysales@cosmos.co.uk, for a unique user log in.

Hawke continued: “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.”

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 agencysales@cosmos.co.uk.   

2018 Lead-In Prices

Avalon’s 2018 cruise programme offers river cruise 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 from £1289pp for the four day ‘Taste of the Danube’, or from £1,489pp for the ‘Tulips of Northern Holland’.  The 14 day ‘Fascinating, Vietnam, Cambodia.