Despite a European drought that is currently threatening the industry, the 'river cruise' business is booming. More people than ever are expected to take one of these cruises in 2012.
Expedia has announced changed to keep up with these growing industries, and has added a boutique fleet of new luxury and river cruise booking options to the company's search engine. Expedia now offers eight award-winning luxury cruise brands and three top-ranked river cruise brands.
"The cruise industry offers a remarkable range of options. The traditional 'Love Boat'-style cruise from our youth is a thing of the past," said Joe Megibow, vice president and general manager, Expedia.com. "Today, if you spend even just a moment looking, you will find a cruise option that is tailored to your specific interest, taste, region and budget. And we're proud that Expedia has become the preferred booking partner for savvy modern cruisers."
In addition to the benefits people have always enjoyed with cruising like seeing multiple destinations but only unpacking once, modern cruises are noteworthy for the range of amenities they offer to customers, including world-class entertainment, extensive dining options catering to a variety of palates, family activities and sumptuous spas with extensive exercise options.
The luxury cruise lines now offered by Expedia include:
- Azamara Club Cruises
- Crystal Cruises
- Oceania Cruises
- Paul Gaugin Cruises
- Regent Seven Sea Cruises
- Seabourn
- Silversea
- Windstar Cruises
Expedia.com's luxury cruise fleet now comprises 28 ships. The luxury lines offer cruises to destinations including the Mediterranean and Northern Europe in the summer and South America, the Arctic and the Caribbean in the winter. Cruisers can tour the globe, traverse the beaches of Tahiti and the tranquil waters of the South Pacific, or circle Africa and the Red Sea. The options are limitless.
Meanwhile, river cruising is one of the fastest-growing cruise sectors. River cruise lines now offered by Expedia include:
- Avalon Waterways
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
- Viking River Cruises
Because most major cities grew to prominence because of their proximity to waterways, river cruising has become a popular way to experience many of the world's greatest cities and regions in Europe, Asia and Egypt. River cruisers can walk right off the ship and into the center of town. All of the brands Expedia now offers include shore excursions at each of the stops on the river cruise itinerary. Expedia's river cruise fleet now features 55 ships.
With the addition of luxury and river cruises to the Expedia portfolio, Expedia is now the only online travel agency that enables customers with the ability to shop exclusively for river and luxury cruises with one click ease.
For more information on booking a cruise please let Expedia take care of your needs.
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