Avalon Waterways has announced it’s building two new luxury “suite” ships, set to enter service on the popular Danube and Rhine rivers in 2012. Siblings to the new Avalon Panorama, the two new ships include the 83-stateroom Avalon Vista, and the 64 stateroom Avalon Visionary. Like Panorama, both ships will offer two decks of all-suite accommodations, with the trademark wall-to-wall windows which open to transform the suite into an open-air balcony.

The introduction of these two new ships will increase the Avalon fleet to 11 vessels. Avalon is also planning to boost its fleet in Egypt with the introduction of the 74-stateroom MS Mayfair, and 65-stateroom MS Kasr Ibrim with new itineraries beyond the Aswan dam to archeological sites including Lake Nasser.

And for the first time Avalon will also offer cruises along the Mekong with the launch of the new 16-stateroom Avalon Angkor operating from Ho Chi Minh City to the temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Other new initiatives across the Avalon fleet include the introduction of more themed cruises, pre and post cruise stays, free Wi-Fi across the European fleet, complimentary iPads in Royal Suites, and cycling excursions in select European cities.

There’s also an early bird deal on offer. Book a cruise on Panorama, Vista and Visionary in 2012, and you’ll save $1,000 per couple. Fares for 15-day Magnificent Europe cruise on Panorama start from $4,651 a person, twin share (not including the discount). Other early bird deals include a saving of $750 per couple on any other European cruise and airfare package booked with Avalon Waterways, and a saving of $500 per couple on any other European river cruise.

For more information, visit www.avalonwaterways.com.au.