Deborah Hutton launches newest Avalon Suite Ship

Deborah Hutton launches newest Avalon Suite Ship
By admin


Avalon Waterways’ newest river cruise ship, Avalon Illumination, received a special treat when Aussie TV personality Deborah Hutton launched the vessel.

In a ceremony on June 3 on the banks of the Danube in Vienna, Illumination became the third addition to Avalon’s European fleet this year.

“May she enjoy the warm and familiar welcome of the ports, towns and cities she visits along Europe’s greatest rivers,” said Hutton as she launched the ship.

Jointly hosted by the Vienna tourist Board, Illumination’s launch was carried out in true Austrian style, featuring music by Strauss and Viennese dancers performing a waltz.

The event was attended by media and travel industry representatives from Australia, New Zealand and the US, with Austrian dignitaries and tourism officials welcoming the guests to the occasion.

The 83-cabin vessel is the eighth ship to join Avalon’s Suite Ship collection, which made its debut three years ago.

Designed with Australasian travellers in mind, the Suite Ships offer all-suite accommodation and wall-to-wall panoramic windows that slide back to transform the entire cabin into an open-air balcony.

“Avalon’s Suite Ships have met with sell-out success thanks largely to the enthusiasm of Australians and New Zealanders, so we’re delighted to have an Aussie godmother to launch Avalon Illumination,” managing director Australasia Stewart Williams said.

“Australasian travellers now represent Avalon’s second biggest source market worldwide and continue to book river cruises in record numbers.”

Hutton is the second Aussie ‘godmother’ to launch an Avalon Suite Ship, after television presenter, Lisa Wilkinson, launched Avalon Panorama in 2011.

Hutton will now play an ongoing role with Avalon as its brand ambassador for Australasia, appearing in advertising and marketing initiatives in Australia and New Zealand.

"email-Globus-Australasia-MD-Stewart-Williams-Deborah-Hutton-and-Avalon-Waterways-MD-Patrick-Clark.jpg"

Globus Australasia MD Stewart Williams with godmother Deborah Hutton and Avalon Waterways MD Patrick Clark

"email-L-to-R-Petra-Solba-Stewart-Williams-godmother-Deborah-Hutton-Patrick-Clark-and-Astrid-Mullholland-1.jpg"

Austrian National Tourist Office CEO Petra Solba, with Globus Australasia MD Stewart Williams, godmother Deborah Hutton, Avalon Waterways MD Patrick Clark and Austrian National Tourist Office Director Australia Astrid Mullholland

"email-L-to-R-Captain-Anton-van-den-Boom-Deborah-Hutton-and-Patrick-Clark-1.jpg"

Captain Anton van den Boom, Deborah Hutton and Avalon Waterways MD Patrick Clark

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Tura Turizm joins World Travel & Trade Council to promote tourism in Türkiye

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is delighted to welcome Tura Turizm Holding as its newest Regional Member, adding their expertise on the powerful Turkish market to the global organisation’s membership. Decades of experience with deep-rooted industry expertise makes Tura Turizm a key player for both Türkiye and the global Travel & Tourism sector. Established […]

  • Aviation

Qatar Airways wins big at Cellars in the Sky Awards

Qatar Airways has once again been recognized for its outstanding onboard wine offering as it takes home eight honours at Business Traveller’s prestigious Cellars in the Sky Awards. The World’s Best Airline, as voted by Skytrax in 2024, won Gold for: Overall Cellar Best First Class Cellar Best-presented Business Class Wine List Best First Class […]

  • News

Klook hosts inaugural Partner Awards with Tourism Australia’s Pip Harrison as special guest

Travel activities and experiences booking platform, Klook, held its inaugural Klook Partner Awards event in Sydney last night honouring its top-performing and best-loved merchant partners. Tourism Australia’s Pip Harrison, who was invited to the event as the guest of honour, spoke about the importance of experiences. “I think that experiences are absolutely everything,” she said. […]

  • Events

AIME 2025 is underway!

If you're headed down to AIME we hope you brought your networking shoes because it's going to be big!