Avalon Waterways Adds Theme Cruises for 2010

Avalon Waterways is expanding its themed vacations in 2010 because of “increased demand for passion travel,” offering cruises focusing on wine, music or holiday traditions. In addition, Avalon offers the chance to attend the legendary Oberammergau Passion Play with extensions combinable with several river cruise itineraries.

The “Magnificent Europe” departure on Oct. 17, 2010, will feature a Strauss concert in Vienna, an organ recital in Melk and a visit to the Opera House in Bayreuth and the city of Mozart’s birth in Salzburg.

The voyage is priced from $3,849 land-cruise only. The jazz-focused “Burgundy & Provence” itinerary departing July 5, 2010, lets cruisers visit the Jazz Festival in Vienna. The land and cruise trip is priced from $3,219.

Wine theme cruises are “Burgundy & Provence” departures on Aug. 22 and Oct. 31, 2010, priced from $2,919 land/cruise only; “Windmills, Vineyards & Paris,” departing Aug. 1, 2010, priced from $3,889; and “The Legendary Danube” Oct. 28, 2010, priced from $2,499. Holiday cruises include the new “Christmastime in Germany & Austria,” “Christmastime on the Danube” and “Christmas in the Heart of Germany.” They are priced from $1,709 land/cruise only.

The Oberammergau Passion Play is available through three- and four-night cruise extensions that are combinable with more than 10 river cruise vacations, from May through September. The extensions are priced from $1,955.

Avalon is offering early-booking incentives, including a $150-per-person discount on any 2010 Egypt, China, Galapagos or “Taste of the Danube” cruise/land-only vacation or $300 off air on the same itineraries. The deal is $250 off select Europe river cruise vacations or $500 off when booking air on the same itineraries.