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With Peter Deilmann shutting down shop in the river cruise arena, a window of opportunity may be opening for younger cruise lines like Avalon Waterways. Just two months after introducing the Avalon Affinity, the five-year-old cruise line is moving full-speed ahead with the August 9 christening of the Affinity’s sister ship the Avalon Creativity. In addition to these latest introductions, two more ships are expected to debut in 2010 – doubling Avalon’s fleet in just two over years.

The newest ship features a fully equipped fitness room, library, hair salon, gift shop, and club lounge and Jacuzzi pool on the Sky Deck – not to shabby for a ship that only carries 140 passengers. Its 2010 itineraries include a 9-day voyage from Paris to Normandy starting from $2,149, plus 17 and 19-day grand tours of the French waterways from $4,429.

To learn more about the newest ships, or to book a cruise visit www.avalonwaterways.com.