| Christmas cruises merrily on high

River cruise lines are rejoicing
in the record numbers of
Australians celebrating
Christmas on European cruises.
SINCE 2010, Avalon Waterways has seen
Australian bookings for Christmas cruises
increase an average 24% per year, APT has
added extra departures to cope with demand,
and Uniworld reports “phenomenal business”
from the local market.
“Five years ago, Australians couldn’t imagine
a white Christmas,” John Molinaro, general
manager, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises,
told Cruise Weekly.
“We had nobody on our ships from Australia
or New Zealand, but now it’s become very big.”
Avalon’s double-digit growth is also set to
continue, according to Christian Schweitzer,
marketing manager Australasia, Globus.
“The allure of authentic traditions is a strong
buying consideration,” Schweitzer said.
“I’ve encountered a number of Australians
that have taken these cruises in early
December, having stocked up on gifts and
goodies from the Christmas markets, and
returned home in time for Christmas to make
it all the more authentic.”
Australian-owned APT introduced its first
Europe river cruises covering the Christmas-
New Year in 2011 and for the following season
it has added later departure dates to cater for
passengers who wish to stay at home for
Christmas but “still discover the magic of a
winterland holiday”.
APT general manager marketing, Debra Fox
told CW: “The trend over this short period is
showing that the demand for Australians to
travel to Europe in winter is increasing.
“APT is finding that its loyal past travellers
who have cruised in summer are coming back
to experience Europe river cruising during
winter and to visit the Christmas markets.”
Fox said clients also used the holiday season
to visit friends and relatives in Europe for
Christmas and to attend New Year celebrations.