These were just some of the highlights from a press briefing with Avalon Waterways as they celebrated the launch of their latest itinerary in France.
Traveltalk was invited on the inaugural ‘Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries & Charming Villages’ sailing, a new cruise on the Garonne and Dordogne rivers.
The seven-night adventure sails roundtrip from Bordeaux, stopping in Cadillac-sur-Garonne, Cussac Fort Médoc, Blaye, Bourg and Libourne.
The new cruise is aboard the recently refurbished 128-passenger Avalon Artistry II and will offer the company’s signature Active, Discovery and Classic inclusive excursions which provide guests with shore excursion options according to their desired activity level.
“When you walk on board an Avalon ship you really feel at home and that’s really the goal,” said Pam Hoffee, President of Avalon Waterways, who was also on the inaugural cruise.
“Creating this itinerary that you can actually combine with two other river cruises was a really good step forward in helping our guests experience France more.
“People think about Bordeaux for the wine and that is a big part of the experience here, but we wanted to create something that had more than that, so we built in a lot of other experiences.”
Guests on the new tour can visit local wineries but also try oysters in Arachon, visit historic Saint-Emilion and the UNESCO-listed Citadel of Blaye, or take a scenic drive along the Route de la Corniche.
Going forward, Ms Hoffee said Avalon intended to increase their fleet by one ship per year and that she was in discussions with two shipyards but couldn’t yet announce where those ships might sail.
“We’re all about intentional growth and that’s a really important distinction about how we are growing our fleet.
“We want to make sure that we can deliver the experience that our guests expect from Avalon without overwhelming any community. We want to be welcomed by the communities that we go to and match the pace that the market’s growing. We don’t want to end up in an over capacity situation in any way.”
Returning for a fifth year in 2026 is the company’s popular Storyteller Series, which brings stars of entertainment and literature onboard for special sailings.
Chart-topping rockers Sister Hazel and celebrated author, actor and Avalon Waterways spokesperson Graham McTavish will feature on two cruises next year.
‘Rogue on the Rhone’ will feature McTavish on an eight-day cruise from Lyon to Arles in June next year while Sister Hazel will be the featured act on an eight-day Amsterdam to Basel voyage in July 2026.
“When you combine breathtaking scenery with some of the most talented storytellers of our time, you create an experience unlike any other,” added Ms Hoffee.
“With our Storyteller Series, we’ve redefined river cruising – offering guests front-row access to their favourite icons, unforgettable encounters and immersive adventures that turn the page on traditional travel.”
Avalon announced recently that they were refreshing their entire fleet of award-winning Suite Ships with upgrades to the last vessels to be completed next year.
“We believe the perfectly designed river cruise starts with a perfectly designed ship, inviting guests to explore the world in comfort and style.
“With our fleet-wide refresh we’re ensuring that our Suite Ships continue to set the standard for effortless travel along the world’s waterways.”
