Leading river
cruise operator Avalon
Waterways started the new year by conducting a "Wish List" survey
among its past cruisers in which it asked about their future travel plans and areas
of interest. The survey garnered over 16,600 responses, from which emerged one
notable new post-pandemic travel trend: a strong desire among cruisegoers for
longer, more immersive itineraries. This revelation prompted the company to
test its theory that “life is better on a boat” by introducing a slew of new
cruises exceeding 10 days’ duration in 2025.
Among Avalon
Waterways’ past guests, the study showed a significant preference for extended
vacations, with 57 percent of respondents saying they’d like their next cruise
to be a two-week voyage. That’s a 23 percent difference when compared to the
number who indicated they’d be booking a one-week trip for their next cruise
vacation. Additionally, 10% of participants expressed enthusiasm for three-week
options. In response to this growing demand, Avalon Waterways announced plans
to roll out 16 new extended itineraries and city-stay combinations for the year
2025.
“The pent-up
desire for long-haul travel, combined with an increased interest in garnering
more mileage out of air costs, as well as the rise in remote work are
contributing factors to this post-pandemic travel trend,” said Pam Hoffee,
president of Avalon Waterways. “Today’s cruisers have a stronger interest—and
broader abilities—to make the most of their time away. We’re helping with big,
new, ‘Bucket List’ cruises for 2025.”
10+ Days:
- NEW The Netherlands in Bloom (10 days, round trip from Amsterdam)
- NEW Illuminations of the Danube (10 days, from Vilshofen to Budapest)
Two Weeks:
- NEW The Danube from Germany to Romania (15 days, from Vilshofen to Oltenita)
- NEW Timeless Rivers of Europe: The
Rhine & Seine (15
days, from Basel to Paris)
Three Weeks:
- NEW European Masterpiece: The Rhine,
Seine & Rhône Revealed (22 days, from Basel to Arles)
Additionally,
several of Avalon’s extended cruise options offer the flexibility to
incorporate pre- and post-cruise stays in such captivating destinations such as
Lucerne, Nice and Prague.
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