If you’re considering a river cruise for the first time, or simply looking for the quintessential spring getaway to some of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Avalon Waterways may have just the itinerary for you with its 8-day Tulip Time cruises that are as easy on your time as they are on your wallet.

The beautiful windmills of Kinderdijk. Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways.

Setting sail aboard Avalon Affinity, Avalon Luminary, and Avalon Tranquility, Avalon’s Tulip Time voyages are offered next spring between March 30 and May 5, 2012.  The full itinerary:

Explore the historic streets of Ghent with Avalon Waterways. Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways.

Prized for their unique ability to showcase the natural beauty of the Netherlands and Belgium, springtime Tulip river cruises are some of the most picturesque voyages you can take, and are perfectly suited to first-time river cruisers looking to experience this relaxing method of travel.

Avalon Affinity. Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways.

While you’re likely to be awed by the natural beauty of these ports, the rich history of places like Amsterdam and Ghent beckons you to explore further. The people here are famous for their friendliness and forward-thinking attitudes, and it doesn’t take long for most visitors to come completely under the spell of these wonderful countries.

Category A, B and P staterooms aboard Avalon Affinity feature sliding glass doors with French balconies. Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways.

Though spring may seem like a long way off, you may want to book one of these fascinating itineraries now; they’re some of Avalon Waterways’ most popular, and they tend to fill fast.

For more information on Avalon Waterways, be sure to view our dedicated line and fleet overview, and check out our feature on Tulip Time cruises and discover why they’re right for you!

And, she’s off! Avalon Waterways christened its tenth ship, the Avalon Luminary, at a ceremony in the fishing village of Hoorn in the Netherlands last week.

The 138-passenger ship was christened on July 30 by its godmother, Kristi Jones, president of travel agency consortium Virtuoso.

The Avalon Luminary features 65 staterooms and four junior suites. The ship’s staterooms measure 172 square feet, and 90% have floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors. The junior suites are 258 square feet each.

The Luminary cabins also feature flat screen televisions, Comfort Collection by Avalon bedding, a mini-bar, safe, laundry and ironing services. The ship has a fitness room, library, hair salon and gift shop, as well as a club lounge, Jacuzzi and a Sky Grill for open-air lunches on the sky deck.

Arriving from the Den Breejen Shipyard in Holland, the Avalon Luminary marks the company’s tenth new ship in Europe since 2004.

In attendance at the christening were Thomas Ritter, CEO of Seehandlung, the financing company for the Avalon Luminary; the ship’s captain Michael Hoffman; as well as Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways.

“Inspired by design, our ships are crafted to entice all five senses,” said Clark. “Some enhancements, including deluxe woven carpeting, bathrobes and slippers and premium L’Occitane products in our staterooms are subtle. Other offerings, such as Avalon-branded premium bedding, large staterooms and a perfect balance of warm interiors with natural lighting and panoramic views are distinctive and unexpected.  Combined, all elements provide travelers with a unique feeling of space, freedom and comfort.”

Following the christening, the new vessel set sail on an inaugural Romantic Rhine cruise.  The Luminary will sail the two 9-day itineraries between Amsterdam and Basel, and between Zurich and Amsterdam (both called Romantic Rhine) for the remainder of 2010. The ship will also sail Christmas in the Heart of Germany, Christmastime in Germany & Austria and Christmastime on the Danube.

The Luminary is already 92% sold for 2010.

In 2011, the Avalon Luminary will sail more than 10 Avalon itineraries throughout Europe, including the Tulip Time Cruise, Central European Experience, Magnificent Europe, The Blue Danube Discovery, The Legendary Danube, Windmills, Vineyards & Paris and a wine-themed cruise on the Rhine and Moselle rivers.

The Avalon Luminary is the sister ship to the Avalon Felicity, launched in May 2010, Avalon Creativity, launched in August 2009, and Avalon Affinity, launched in May 2009.

In May 2011, Avalon will be launching the Avalon Panorama, marking a new design for Avalon ships with 200-square-foot suites on the top two decks featuring floor-to-ceiling panorama balcony doors.

Avalon will be retiring the 178-passenger Avalon Artistry, which was built in 2004, and the 176-passenger Avalon Poetry, built in 2005, at the end of this year.

Avalon Waterways christened its seventh river cruise ship, the Avalon Affinity, this spring.

Avalon’s clean and contemporary design ethos is again echoed in the the 361-foot-long Affinity, which includes 65 staterooms at 172 square feet each, and four junior suites at 258 square feet.

Each stateroom has a flat-screen television, flexible bed design (beds may be configured as two twins or one queen), mini-bar and safe. Laundry and ironing services are available.

The ship features a restaurant, fitness room, library, hair salon and gift shop as well as a club lounge and Jacuzzi on the sky deck.

In 2009, the 138-passenger Affinity will sail eight itineraries throughout Europe.