Take the river cruising plunge!
By: Louise Goldsbury and Bruce Piper, Cruise Weekly

It's just about time to think about where you'd like to cruise next year, and Avalon Waterways has released some deals to encourage bookings on its range of European river cruises.

Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands, which also includes coach touring companies Globus and Cosmos, well known to Australian and New Zealand travellers.

It operates eight ships on the rivers of Europe - including the brand new Avalon Creativity which launched just last weekend in the Netherlands - offering a range of itineraries including the popular Magnificent Europe which takes 15 days to cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest.

The company's Australian chief, Stewart Williams, said this week's offers provided savings of up to $2524 per couple.

"These three deals are designed to encourage those Australian travellers still hesitant about taking a holiday in Europe in 2010 to take the plunge and book," Williams said.

The $2524 saving applies to a 28 March 2010 departure on the Magnificent Europe voyage - because if you book this journey you only pay airline taxes (about $725 per person) for your economy return Malaysia Airlines flights to Europe.

But you'll have to be quick - this bargain is valid for bookings made at your travel agent before the end of this month.

If a 28 March 2010 departure doesn't suit, the second Avalon special offers a free two-night stopover in one of four Asian cities, valued at up to $1768 per couple, plus a saving of $500 per couple on any river cruise of eight days or more departing in April or May 2010.

For the first time stopovers are available in Tokyo, as well as in Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong, with this offer available for bookings made before 30th September.

The third Avalon enticement is a saving of up to $1700 per couple on any Magnificent Europe cruise departing April to October, for bookings made before 17th October 2009.

And you don't have to pay the whole amount when you book (although you can save 2.5% if you pay in full four months prior to departure).

Cruise fares include all meals on board, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner as well as gratuities, activities, sightseeing, entry fees and ground transport.

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