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A Look Back at the History of Cruising

Even before the invention of the airplane, travelers longed to see the world. Cruising has captured the hearts of vacationers for over 100 years. In fact, several cruise lines, like Cunard, launched in the 1800s. From the beginning, exciting innovations, thrilling journeys, and good times have defined cruising.

1844 — P&O Introduces Leisure Excursions

  • As a precursor to modern cruises, P&O Cruise Line began sailing small ships around the Mediterranean purely for the pleasure of sailing and seeing the sights. This was the first step in changing the sailing industry from its focus on mail and cargo to one about carrying passengers for travel and pleasure.
View From A Cruise Ship Balcony At Sunset

 

1900 — Prinzessin Victoria Luise is built in Germany

  • This was the first ship to be exclusively built for luxury cruising rather than for cargo transport, marking the beginning of cruising as we know it today.

1922 — The first world cruise set sail.

  • The Laconia of the British Cunard Line set sail on the first world cruise. This voyage lasted six months and took guests to the most popular and far-off destinations in the world.

1950 — Cunard held an all-American celebrity cruise.

  • Cruising was popular among the world’s biggest stars and was a social event complete with drinks, dancing music, and more. On one voyage, Cunard hosted special guests that included Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Walt Disney, and Rita Hayworth.

 

Mariner Of The Seas Royal Caribbean 2019

 

1960s and 1970s — Modern cruise lines are founded.

  • Though some cruise lines can trace their history back to 1800s, many of today’s modern cruise lines were founded in the 1960s and 1970s. Princess Cruises launched in 1965, Norwegian Cruise Line in 1966, and Royal Caribbean in 1968. Carnival Cruise Line followed soon after, launching in 1972.

1977 — The Love Boat premieres.

  • Set on a Princess Cruises ship, this television show tells the story of Captain Merrill Stubing, his crew, and passengers, often played by guest stars. The show frequently featured the Pacific cruise ports of Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. Many credit The Love Boat for the rise in popularity of cruising.

 

1990s & 2000s — Bigger and Better

  • Ships grew bigger and got better. Cruise lines worked to incorporate unique onboard activities, exclusive shows, more dining options, and kid-friendly fun! These advancements paved the way for the technology-packed, incredible cruising experiences!

Cruise lines’ plans for ships in 2024 and beyond will usher a new chapter in cruising history. From even more mega-ships to ultra-luxury sailing ships and expedition cruising, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come and the options now available. Let’s start planning your next cruise today! 

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10 Surprising things about a River Cruise

River cruises, often overlooked in favor of their oceanic counterparts, hold a treasure trove of surprises that can transform your travel experience into something truly extraordinary. From the intimate charm of the vessels to the picturesque views along the way, here are 10 surprising delights awaiting you on a river cruise:

1. Intimate Atmosphere: Unlike larger ocean liners, river cruises offer a cozy and intimate ambiance. The smaller ships foster a sense of camaraderie among passengers, allowing for meaningful connections and a close-knit community.

2. Ever-Changing Scenery: River cruises wind through picturesque landscapes, offering ever-changing views right outside your window. Each bend of the river reveals a new panorama, creating a journey filled with natural wonders.

3. Dock in the Heart of Cities: River cruises dock in the heart of vibrant cities and charming towns, allowing you to step off the ship and directly into the heart of the action. No long commutes from the port are required!

4. Boutique Experiences: With fewer passengers, river cruises can offer more personalized experiences. From attentive service to tailor-made shore excursions, it’s like having your own private voyage.

5. Cultural Immersion: River cruises focus on cultural immersion, allowing you to connect deeply with the regions you visit. You’ll have the opportunity to explore local markets, taste authentic cuisine, and engage with the local community.

6. Scenic Sailing: The peacefulness of river sailing is a delight in itself. No worries about seasickness or rough waters; instead, you’ll enjoy smooth sailing while absorbing the tranquility of the surroundings.

7. No Crowds: Say goodbye to long lines and crowded attractions. River cruises often visit lesser-known destinations, providing a more tranquil and authentic experience.

8. All-Inclusive Options: Many river cruises offer all-inclusive packages, covering not only accommodations but also meals, drinks, and even excursions. It’s a hassle-free way to enjoy your vacation.

9. Cultural Enrichment: River cruises frequently offer onboard lectures, workshops, and demonstrations, providing insights into the history, art, and culture of the regions you traverse.

10. Hidden Gems: Discover hidden gems that larger ships can’t reach. River cruises navigate narrower waterways, giving you access to charming villages and stunning sights off the beaten path.

Embrace the unexpected and allow the enchantment of a river cruise to weave its magic. If you’re seeking a unique and immersive travel experience, a river cruise may just be your passport to unforgettable memories. Contact us to embark on a journey that’s sure to surprise and delight. 🛳️🌍

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Cruising to Europe’s Christmas Markets with Avalon Waterways

Different regions and families have their own holiday traditions, and one of the most enticing European traditions is the Christmas Market. In fact, each year thousands of travelers visit European Christmas Markets, but what exactly are they, and how can you go?

Tallinn Christmas Market


WHAT ARE EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS?

Throughout Europe, the tradition of Christmas Markets has persisted for hundreds of years. It is said that these markets go back to the late-middle ages, around 1300, and originated in German-speaking areas, like Germany and Austria. Today, the Christmas Markets can be found throughout the European continent, with most running from late November through Christmas or New Year’s Day.

WHAT CAN YOU FIND AT TODAY’S CHRISTMAS MARKETS?

The most prominent aspect of a Christmas market is the vendor stalls. Businesses and individuals sell a variety of wares from these stalls, usually items that are traditionally made in the area or are related to the Christmas season. Market mugs, handmade cards, ornaments and hand-carved wooden artwork, like nutcrackers, toys, and wall art to name a few items

Along with handmade and traditional goods, one of the best parts of a Christmas market is the food! Gingerbread hearts, punch, mulled wine, and other regional specialties are favorites among visitors who are looking to dive into a location’s food scene. Many markets also feature Christmas displays, ice skating rinks, and musical performances to entertain guests while they shop, eat, and explore the market.

Christmas Market


HOW CAN YOU CRUISE TO EUROPE’S CHRISTMAS MARKETS?

An Avalon Waterways river cruise is one of the best ways to visit Europe’s Christmas markets. The Danube River and Rhine River have many popular Christmas market cities, such as Vienna, Budapest, Basel, and Strasbourg, along their banks, giving you the chance to visit cities that have been hosting these markets since their founding well over 500 years ago. With tradition on their side, the markets in this region are some of the best you will find anywhere in Europe, particularly those in Germany and Austria.

Avalon Waterways hosts a variety of cruises on both the Danube and Rhine River ranging in length and activities. Some cruises are as short as four days while others, like Christmastime from Budapest to Basel, are 17 days long with the option to add cruise extensions.

Avalon Artistry Ii Exterior Belgium Schelderiver Antwerp 140017 Einhard 052413


WHY AVALON?

Along with their stellar Christmas market cruises, Avalon Waterways’ onboard experience brings a new level of relaxation and convenience to your vacation. River cruising allows travelers to experience the scenery and culture of Europe without the hassle of repacking suitcases and making travel arrangements. Instead, you sail in the evenings or while you sleep. This also means that you get to spend more time in port exploring the cities and markets.

And Avalon’s ships are suite! Their Panorama Suitessm offer the offer floor-to-ceiling windows so that you can take in the view from the comfort of your bed. The Avalon Fresh program brings local flavors for the chefs to prepare regionally-inspired dishes with the freshest ingredients possible.

Along with their onboard experience, Avalon offers three types of excursions for guests to choose from, Classic, Discovery, and Active. This variety means you can customize your experience while being sure to receive the quality of experience guests expect with Avalon.

Are you ready to experience one of these amazing Christmas markets for yourself? Let’s start planning your exceptional vacation with Avalon Waterways today! We will help you manage pre- and post-cruise hotels and travel logistics to ensure every moment of your trip is taken care of.

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Bucket List Travel: Amawaterways Christmas Market River Cruises

I get asked a lot, “Where would you go?” and that’s a hard question to answer. My list is long. I have the privilege of seeing so many amazing destinations and experiences all over the world. Every once in a while, something comes across my desk that makes me stop and daydream for a second.   

One such trip came over a few months ago and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. So, I decided to start a new blog series…’Bucket List Travel.’ Here I will share one trip that is on my bucket list. 

Many places are off-limits for now due to COVID and political unrest. Some options are on my list because they are places clients are asking about and I’ve never been. They are within reach, I just need to find the time to go. Others are my true bucket list trips. They are the once in a lifetime trips that I have my heart set on. 

While cruising wasn’t possible this last Christmas, I thought this month was the right time to share the Christmas Market River Cruises that Amawaterways offers. Their Iconic Christmas Markets River Cruise takes you down the Danube through Austria, Germany, and Hungry. I’ll be honest, I would go on any of them! 

Travel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns bedecked with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts gleaming with handcrafted treasures. Sparkling lights; the festive sounds of children dressed as angels singing carols; enticing smells of hot-mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, sausages and sweet treats of every kind; and timeless wonders are a feast for all your senses.

Christmas Markets on the Danube lets you experience timeless holiday traditions and elegant pageantry in five countries—Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. Let iconic capital cities—Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna—decked in holiday finery with glittering Christmas trees illuminated by thousands of lights, bells pealing from cathedral towers and children dressed as angels singing Christmas carols, dazzle you. Wander the stalls of Europe’s most traditional and enchanting Christmas Markets, including Regensburg and Salzburg, shopping for handcrafted toys and gifts, sipping hot mulled wine and inhaling the fragrance of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. Cherish all the glory and magic of the season in grand European style as you cruise along the Danube during this festive time of the year.

Experience the deep-rooted holiday traditions of Europe at its most festive time of year and get caught up in the magic of the holidays with visits to some of the world’s most timeless Christmas Markets on the Christmas Markets on the Rhine cruise. Warm-up with a mug of steamy glühwein while at the Cologne Christmas Market located in front of its UNESCO-designated Gothic cathedral. Let the “Capital of Noël,” Strasbourg, the oldest and largest Christmas Market in France, captivate you the way it has for so many others for centuries. Meander through Heidelberg’s majestic Christmas Market nestled idyllically amongst the historic squares of the Old Town. And while in Gengenbach, marvel at the world’s largest Advent calendar, where every evening at 6:00 PM, the brightly lit windows of the neo-classical town hall open and behind each one is a picture by a famous artist, such as Andy Warhol. Cherish all the glory of the season in grand European style as you cruise along the Rhine.

Throughout this dreamlike journey, an overflowing of good tidings and magical Christmas markets come alive on the Magical Christmas Markets River Cruise. A winter wonderland awaits at Prague’s Christmas markets brightly decorated with wooden huts stocked with handicrafts and delicious scents flavoring the air. Be spellbound by the medieval atmosphere of Nuremberg’s main Christmas market, and sample its renowned gingerbread. Stroll through Regensburg’s romantic Christmas market at the Thurn and Taxis Castle, savoring fresh dumplings with vanilla sauce. Get caught up in the magic of Salzburg’s Christmas markets at both Hellbrunn Palace and at Christkindlmarkt, located at the foot of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and around the venerable cathedral, which is a feast for the senses, from the warm aroma of mulled wine and Austrian pastry delights, to the sights and sounds of holiday performances, to the colors and textures of traditional handcrafts. And while in Vienna, visit enchanting Christmas markets from the regal Schönbrunn Palace to Vienna’s charming Maria Theresa markets.

2021 and 2022 Christmas Market River Cruises are now available to book!

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