LITTLETON, Colorado – October 10, 2018 – Today, Avalon Waterways announced that Elizabeth Gilbert, acclaimed author of the award-winning, New York Times-bestselling EAT PRAY LOVE, will christen the Avalon Envision on the Danube River in 2019.
Of her godmother duties, Ms. Gilbert said, “As somebody who is almost pathologically obsessed with travel and adventure, what could be more fun than being named the godmother of beautiful riverboat? I’m honored and delighted to be part of this lovely endeavor.”
Ms. Gilbert will christen the Avalon Envision in an international ceremony that will take place on April 7, 2019 in Budapest, Hungary.
“From EAT PRAY LOVE to BIG MAGIC, as an author, Ms. Gilbert has invited her readers to envision something different; a hint of a life or journey outside their comfort zone,” said Pam Hoffee, managing director of Avalon Waterways. “An inspired choice as godmother of the Avalon Envision, she has helped us embrace curiosity each day in search of extraordinary. This is something we ask our travelers to do on their journeys across the world with Avalon.”
After the christening ceremony, the 443-foot, 166-passenger Avalon Envision will join an all Suite Ship fleet to sail the Danube River throughout 2019.
“With the addition of the Avalon Envision, there’s only one point-of-view on an Avalon Waterways cruise – the suite view,” said Hoffee. “For the first time, our entire fleet in Europe and Southeast Asia is comprised completely of Suite Ships, each featuring our signature Panorama Suites with the industry’s only Open-Air Balcony and an inviting bed facing the ever-changing scenery on two full decks of every ship. Even seasoned travelers have never seen – or experienced – the world like this.”
Creating wider openings for the wide-eyed, Avalon Waterways’ Open-Air Balconies were designed with views in mind. A Panorama Suite highlight on all of the Suite Ships of Avalon, these wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows open 11-feet wide in Europe and 14-feet wide in Southeast Asia … Wider than any other balconies in the industry. They blur the line between outside and in while forming a comfortable and spacious seating area without compromising room space. As a result, Avalon guests can enjoy 100 percent of their Panorama Suite, 100 percent of the time.
ABOUT GODMOTHER ELIZABETH GILBERT:
Elizabeth Gilbert was born in Waterbury, Connecticut and grew up on a small family Christmas tree farm. She attended New York University where she studied political science by day and worked on short stories by night. After college, she spent several years traveling across the country, working in bars, diners and ranches, collecting experiences to transform into fiction before working as a journalist in New York City.
In 2000, Ms. Gilbert published her first novel, which became a New York Times Notable Book. She received worldwide attention in 2006 for her award-winning memoir EAT PRAY LOVE which chronicled her journey alone around the world, looking for solace after a difficult divorce. The book became an international bestseller, translated into more than 30 languages with over 10 million copies sold worldwide. In 2010, EAT PRAY LOVE became a film starring Julia Roberts, causing Time Magazine to name Ms. Gilbert as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. That year, she also published a follow-up to EAT PRAY LOVE titled, COMMITTED.
Her latest manifesto about creativity, BIG MAGIC, invites readers to live a life guided more by curiosity than by fear.
ABOUT AVALON WATERWAYS
Since we launched our very first ship in 2004, Avalon Waterways has invited you – our traveler – to be our muse. Thanks to you, we let imagination and a relentless desire to create a smart use of space, be our guide. The result? An incomparable river cruise experience, including one-of-a-kind Panorama Suites℠ – with innovative Open-Air Balconies® and beds facing the views – on the industry’s only Suite Ships®: Unequaled vessels that feature two full decks of 200- and 300-square-foot suites.
On the spectacular ships of Avalon, “included” is one of our favorite words. Spacious outside staterooms with plenty of room to relax – included. Special touches like regional wines and beer at every onboard lunch and dinner – included. Complimentary Wi-Fi – included. The most shore excursions, led by Certified Local Guides – included. VIP entrance into must-see sites – included. Unique Local FavoritesSM designed to bring your destination to life – included. In addition to everything that is included, we also give you the freedom of Avalon Choice® – a different approach to river cruising that invites travelers to personalize their trip. Whether looking for a romantic mini-break, an in-depth 24-day exploration or something in between, with Avalon Waterways, you can choose the river cruise that reveals the very best of Europe, Asia, or South America– your way!