Time To Try A River Cruise!
Avalon Waterways has just launched the Avalon Panorama. With the arrival of this ship, and the announcement of 2 more ships in 2012 Avalon is keeping a firm hold on their claim to the youngest fleet on the rivers.
The Avalon fleet has always had some of the largest cabins on the rivers, with their smallest cabins at 172 square feet. The Avalon Panorama, soon to be followed by the Avalon Visionary and the Avalon Vista are the “suitest” ships in river cruising. Almost 75% of the cabins are suites including 2 Royal Suites on each ship. Panorama suites are 200 square feet and include wall to wall windows.
For anyone unfamiliar with river cruising, you will be traveling on ships of 60 to 80 cabins. Most cabins are outside cabins, giving you incredible, and close up, views of the towns you will be visiting.
River cruising allows you to be closer to the sights, sounds and tastes of Europe, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. As you travel from town to town you are immersed in the local culture.
One of the main selling points of river cruising has always been its “inclusivity” – is that a word?? You are treated to complimentary regional wines and beers with your dinner and most of your shore excursions are included in the cruise fare. Many of the cruises include pre or post cruise nights in a hotel. On an Avalon ship there is sparkling wine with breakfast, complimentary cappuccino and lattes and in 2012 Avalon will also offer complimentary Wi Fi on their ships.
Want to learn a bit more about river cruising? Take a look at this video – and enjoy!!
https://agents.globusfamily.com/user/videos/Avalon_Short.html
Family Vacation to Key West
A special “thank you” to Michael for taking time to let us know how his trip to Key West was. We encourage all of our On Track fans and friends to do the same!!
We want to thank you so much for recommending Key West as family vacation spot. While we do love visiting Disney, it was nice to take a relaxing vacation. The Sheraton Suites hotel you suggested was an excellent choice, all the rooms in the hotel were suites and it was beautiful. The sunset festival at Mallory Square was a lot of fun and one of those things everyone should do once in their lives. We also decided on an all day water excursion, that included parasailing, jet ski riding, and snorkeling on the only reef in North America (who knew). There where a lot of really good restaurants in the Mallory Square area or down on Duvall Street, and the shorts and flip flops dress code, helped make it a stress free evening. Two places I would highly recommend are Fogarty’s and Red Fish Blue Fish. If you have kids be sure to take them to the Butterfly Conservatory of Key West and the Southernmost point in the US. There are a few beaches on the island but the one at Fort Zachary is the nicest absolutely worth the $1 per person admission fee.
If you’re thinking of visiting Key West I would recommend trying to get a direct flight, or connection into the Key West Airport. If not spend a night in Miami, the four hour drive from Key West to Miami followed by a 2 hour flight, is almost a sure fire meltdown moment for your kids.
Other than that we had a great time and want to thank you for suggesting Key West.
Michael
