APT has today unveiled ‘The Royal Experience’ – a new, exclusive and entirely indulgent style of European river cruising for 2014. A focus on exceptional sightseeing discoveries, exquisite cuisine, personal and attentive service and stylish accommodation all combine to create a truly royal standard across its exclusive collection of cruises.
Highlights of the new APT Royal Experience are detailed in APT’s latest European River Cruising brochure for 2014 and include:
Signature experiences – tailor-made exclusively for APT guests, these unique once-in-a-lifetime experiences are all included in the cost of the trip. Highlights include:
– an exclusive Royal invitation from Germany’s Princess Heide von Hohenzollern to experience a behind-the-scenes exploration of her home, Berg Namedy castle, where they are free to explore the rooms and grounds. This once-in-a-lifetime experience includes a lavish regal banquet dinner in the castle’s Hall of Mirrors;
– a tour and private opera recital of the Hungarian State Opera House;
– private access to Vienna’s newly renovated City Palace, including a cocktail reception and private concert featuring members of the Mozart Boys’ Choir;
– Michelin-starred dinner overlooking the World Heritage-listed gardens at the gorgeous 17th-century castle, Chateau Neercanne;
– a truffle hunting tour and tasting where guests get to take the dogs out in the hilltop village of Gringan in southern France to search for the jewel in the culinary crown;
– an exciting night of glitz and glamour at the Moulin Rouge in Paris; and
– a private tour of Municipal House, Prague’s premier Art Nouveau building.
Magnificent Gourmet Dining – each ship offers a choice of at least seven all-inclusive dining experiences. New additions in 2014 include:
– the exclusive Erlebnis Chef’s table restaurant – an intimate, private dining experience for up to 24 people – introduced across APT’s fleet; and
– the new River Bistro restaurants serving quick, simple and fresh made-to-order fare. Both are available on all Concerto and Aria river ships.
Exquisite service – as well as APT’s signature butler service available to select suites on board its Concerto River Ships, each member of staff will make guests feel immediately at home by knowing their names and personal preferences, delivering the very highest standard of service.
Resplendent River Ships – two new Concerto river ships, the AmaSonata and the AmaReina will join the 15-strong APT fleet in 2014. As well as suites that feature personal climate control, Egyptian linen, state-of-the-art entertainment systems and for selected suites, room service, champagne and a butler service as standard; new on board features for many ships in 2014 include electronic bicycles on selected vessels and enhanced bike tours.
In addition, APT has also expanded its destinations with the new addition of:
– Highlights of the Danube and Rhine & Moselle Discoveries cruise;
– a land journey through Spain to complement the Douro River cruise in Portugal;
– Greece and the British Isles adding to the diversity of its luxury land journeys; and
– a selection of its new Luxury Small Expedition Ship cruising adventures, taking guests off the rivers and onto the sea.
Other brochure highlights include:
– Airport transfers included to ensure a seamless holiday experience
– No hidden cost structure of APTs all-inclusive product means all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, entertainment, tours and signature experiences are included
– High staff to guest ratio to ensure first-class service
– European-based APT team to cater to guests’ every need
– Small group excursions and Freedom of Choice sightseeing and dining inclusions to allow a more tailored discovery
– Twin balcony suites on board all Concerto River ships.
APT SuperDeals on selected 2014 European River Cruise itineraries that are booked with paid deposits by 31 October 2013 include:
– Free flights, including taxes – a saving up to $6,400 per couple
– Free flights, just pay taxes – a saving of up $4,600 per couple
– Companion fly free, including taxes – saving up to $3,200 per couple
– Air credit – book any of the brochure holidays from Australia with APT before 31 October and receive a credit of up to $3,000 per couple.
Commenting on its new ‘Royal Experience’ cruise concept, APT’s General Manager for Sales and Marketing, Debra Fox, said, “Our goal is simple. We want to exceed expectations and send our guests home with memories that last a lifetime.
“Our pledge to guests is that when they travel with APT they will be treated like royalty. That means having every little detail taken care of, delivering a highly personalised service, giving them access to people and places that other travellers can’t reach and catering to their every need. It’s all about pampering, no matter which suite you choose. All our guests have to do is sit back and enjoy the ultimate, most luxurious river cruising experience possible,” she said.