Sarah Bretz, ContributorOn the heels of a record-breaking year for Avalon Waterways in 2024, the river cruise line is once again poised to smash sales goals for 2025.
“We’re coming to the finish line of our strongest sales year ever. And I’m thrilled to share that 2025 is on another record pace and gaining. In recent weeks, 2025 bookings are outpacing 2024 by more than 50 percent, year-over-year,” said Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways. “Leading the way are France and Portugal as well as off season, ‘special interest’ cruises, including our exclusive series of ‘Active & Discovery’ itineraries.”
For the first time in 2025, Avalon Waterways will add Bordeaux to its roster of beautiful cruise destinations.
“Next year, we’re adding another Suite Ship to the rivers of France and cruising Bordeaux on the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers,” said Hoffee. “Our new, week-long Bordeaux itinerary – Bonjour Bordeaux: Châteaux, Wineries & Charming Villages – can also be combined for new, longer cruises on the Seine, Saône, Rhône and Rhine Rivers, creating an incredible, in-depth opportunity to enjoy France and Western Europe, as a whole.”
Other popular itineraries in France for 2025 include Burgundy & Provence, Paris to Normandy, and Grand France.
Avalon also made its debut in Portugal on the Douro River this year, with a new itinerary and all-suite ship, Avalon Alegria. The vessel sailed at full capacity in its inaugural year and already, Douro sales for 2025 are outpacing those seen in 2024.
Off-season cruising is also growing in popularity. Since 2023, the line has increased its off-season offerings by 88 percent. Among those cruises with the highest year-over-year sales increase are Festive Season itineraries including Christmas in Alsace & Germany, Festive Season in the Heart of Germany, and Christmas on the Danube.
Among Avalon’s best-selling itineraries for 2025 are the Tulip Time, Highlights of Holland & Belgium and Treasures of Holland & Belgium cruises.
The river line also offers a variety of Active & Discovery Cruises which involve more physical activities including bicycling, paddling, and walking.
“Our cruisers are not passive. They want to activate their mind, heart, body and tastebuds on vacation,” said Hoffee. “A recent survey of 16,600 past Avalon guests indicated that 25 percent want to be active while cruising, immersing themselves in new, passion packed ways. And in 2025, we’re giving them more options than ever before to move and be moved on all Avalon cruise departures.”
According to Hoffee, Avalon’s Active & Discovery departures on the Rhine, Danube, Rhône, and Seine Rivers are among its most popular sailings for 2025.
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