AVALON CHRISTENS TWO MORE

AVALON Waterways has added two more Suite Ships to its fleet in Europe this season, with the new Avalon Passion now sailing on the Danube and the Avalon Imagery II on the Rhine River. Jill Ellis, head coach of the US Women’s National Soccer Team is the godmother of the 83-cabin Passion, christening the vessel in a ceremony in the Austrian city of Linz. Avalon Waterways managing director Patrick Clark said Ellis was chosen because she “epitomises how passion coupled with hard work can make dreams come true”.

The Imagery II debuted in the German city of Engers in an event attended by the Globus Family of Brands team from Australia and New Zealand along with more than 70 Kiwi travel industry guests. The ship’s godmother is New Zealand broadcaster Judy Bailey, who fronted the country’s prime time news for more than 26 years. Bailey is pictured with Patrick Clark, the ship’s captain Nico van den Boom, Globus GM New Zealand Troy Ackerman and Globus managing director Australasia, Stewart Williams. The two newbuilds take Avalon to a total of 16 vessels in Europe, 12 of them utilising the Suite Ship concept which offers two full decks of all-suite accommodation.