Avalon Waterways’ newest all-suite ship has been fitted with custom-made ballast tanks to be able to deal with low and high water situations on the Danube.
Avalon Envision, the cruise line’s 13th European ship, will sail between Budapest and Nuremburg this year.The ship’s engineering has been designed following record-low water levels last year.
Speaking at the ship’s christening last weekend, managing director Pam Hoffee, said: “There are some unique features that are new to this ship that will help us in low and high water situations – some new ballast tanks that allow us to sail and change the water and the draft of the ship in a more efficient way.
“This ship was purposefully placed on our routing that goes to Nuremburg because the touchiest part of the river is between Passau and Regensburg.
“I think that will help us a lot, so that little section won’t be such a challenge.”
The additional ballast tanks sit alongside freshwater and gas tanks which allows the ship to increase or decrease its water draft more significantly.
Meanwhile, Hoffee said the line will be offering multiple fam trips throughout the year, having increased its sales team last year.
“The trade is a really important piece of our business and we weren’t supporting them enough,” she said.
“We’re hosting multiple fams on Avalon this year for the trade so agents and advisors can really get to know the Avalon brand, so I think we have a lot in place to help agents know our brand and be able to recommend us with more confidence to their clients.”