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APT vs Travelmarvel
Compare the travel styles, pricing, destinations and popularity of APT and Travelmarvel.The Low Down
Initially providing coach touring around Australia and NZ to the local market, APT have grown exponentially over the last decade to now offer trips around the world, and are well known for their European river cruises. Over the last few years APT have introduced small ship expeditions that cruise the waters through Asia, Europe, Canada and off the coast of Kimberley. Catering primarily for the retired market, their trips aren't cheap, but in APT's case - you get what you pay for. Look out for their great Fly Free offers, and Earlybird Savings. The team here at Global Journeys have travelled multiple times by coach, cruise & river with APT, and we definitely recommend them as a quality, consistent, reliable Operator, and our past client reviews back that up.
The lesser known, but equally popular Travelmarvel, is the sister brand of APT. Positioned as a premium Operator, but a level down from APT with regards to pricing, inclusions and the age of it's river ships. Travelmarvel & APT share the same past passenger Rewards Scheme, and many of our clients like prefer to spend a little less, knowing they are still backed by one of Australasia's premier touring companies. With it's roots in coach touring through Australia and New Zealand, Travelmarvel now offer river cruises in Europe & Asia, tours and cruises in Canada and trips around South & Central America. As Platinum Partners of APT & Travelmarvel, our consulting team have an in-depth knowledge and have personally experienced travelling with Travelmarvel and would relish the opportunity to help organise your next holiday.
Stats
No. of Trips
350
No. of Departures
1,653
Avg. Trip Length
16 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$719
Accommodation
4 - 5 Star
Budget
Premium & Luxury
No. of Trips
308
No. of Departures
1,159
Avg. Trip Length
15 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$469
Accommodation
4 Star
Budget
Affordable & Premium
In Their Own Words
We asked the travel companies themselves why you should travel with them
APT is an Australian family-owned company whose essence began in Melbourne in the 1920s. More than 90 years on, APT offers life-enriching trips to every continent, and through the company’s vast industry experience, meticulous planning and unquestionable passion it's earned a place among the world’s most well-regarded travel companies.
From boutique river cruising to small-group 4WD adventures; traditional coach touring with a decadent twist; epic rail journeys to small-ship expeditions; classic ocean cruising to safaris of discovery by both land and air – there’s little APT are unwilling to consider in pursuit of creating the finest holiday experience for its valued guests.
Timeless luxury, exclusive experiences, life enriching moments and true personalisation. APT offers all-inclusive holidays so everything is taken care of. We invite you to join us; you won’t be disappointed.
Holiday memories are not just shaped by the incredible places you visit, but also by the wonderful people you meet along the way. At Travelmarvel, we know that great service is about going above and beyond, and that’s why our staff are regarded as a holiday highlight in their own right.
Travelmarvel holidays offer the perfect combination of all the highlights of the destination with outstanding quality and value for money - you won’t go wrong choosing Travelmavel for your next holiday adventure.
Recent Reviews
4.7
Lake Eyre and Flinders Ranges 0
Lake Eyre and Flinders Ranges
Barb and Garry, QLD, Australia, Apr 2026
Well arranged tour allows you to see & experience from the Flinders Ranges to the outback. The extended flights over Lake Eyre & the Diamantina to Birdsville were spectacular. Unique opportunity now to see the Lake Eyre in flood & desert in bloom.
Botanica Japan 0
Spring Gardens, Culture and History of Japan & South Korea by Small Ship
Bill and Yvonne, NSW, Australia, Apr 2026
The trip was really well organised & of high quality. All Botanica staff were excellent being both down to earth as well as knowledgeable. The ship & crew was excellent with the cabins being spacious & plenty of storage. The food was fabulous. The local guides were also fabulous. The trip was very well handled for us by Hannah Perry who is always pleasant.
This tour was from Uluru to Alice Springs over 7 days. Our tour guide/driver, Geery was an amazing guy whose knowledge and lifetime experience in the area gave us an insight into life in the region. Uluru was one place I have always wanted to visit and getting up close to the rock was a great experience. Accommodation and the meals at Sails was superb. read more We then had a couple of days at Kings Canyon before moving onto Alice and spending the day walking through the MacDonnell Ranges. Great experience walking into Simpson's Gap and Standley Chasm. Our last night was spent at the Outback Bush BBQ, a great way to end the tour. Thank you to Hannah from Global Journeys for organising this tour for me.
Vietnam and Cambodia by land, air and river cruise 0
Best of Vietnam and Cambodia
Robyn and Michael, VIC, Australia, Apr 2026
Our tour with APT was very well organised and run, with an excellent local Tour Director and knowledgeable local guides. Hotel accommodation, included meals and the one week Mekong River Cruise were generally excellent. While it was not a cheap way to travel, we appreciated the all-inclusive nature of the tour (including not having to search for local read more restaurants most of the time, or worry about tipping). The itinerary nevertheless provided enough choices to limit group sizes for activities and cater to different tastes and abilities. The tour attracted a cohort who were mainly retired and well-travelled Australians and New Zealanders, generally active and curious. There were plenty of opportunities to get up close to local life, and to hear from knowledgeable local guides, while retreating to the bubble of a luxury hotel or cruise boat at night.
Thanks APT for supporting us navigate the difficulties caused by the outbreak of war in the middle east.We were able to change our flights and undertake our planned trip from Budapest to Amsterdam. Special thanks to Global Journeys staff for their guidance and patient reassurance. The cruise was all we had hoped for and the ship, staff, meals and organisation read more were excellent. We met a diverse range of fellow travelers whose company we enjoyed. We would have no hesitation in recommending APT to others.
Pretty awesome trip overall. We took the extended option which included Mai Chau. Definitely worth a visit! The trip was well organised, and in general the tour guides we had at each section were great. Although, we thought the Vietnam guides were of a higher quality than those in Cambodia. It was a little disappointing to be led into Siem Reap read more to see sunrise over Angkor Wat, and not be told the best position to take the sunrise photos from. Many of our tour missed the best photo opportunities. We were extremely lucky to have an initial group of 11 people who undertook the extended tour together (known as the Epic 11), and clicked really well. Added bonus for the trip really.
4.6
Tracey was outstanding, always available, answered our many detailed questions and worries, promptly and really cared about us. TM was terrific, we would like to have had a detailed dynamic map on the screen in the cabin, so we knew exactly where we were at any moment. We missed the Iron Gates which we were disappointed about due to water level issues. read more Yes would book again, but never a 'non definite departure 'again.
A comfortable way to explore a magic area of Croatia. 0
Adriatic Coastal Cruise
Loris and Peter, ACT, Australia, Apr 2026
A most enjoyable way to experience the beautiful coastline of Croatia. The smaller ship was able to navigate into bays and ports that would have been inaccessible to larger ships. Every day revealed new vistas and an new understanding of the history of this whole area. The ship was comfortable, meals were outstanding and the wine flowed freely. The read more perfect weather was an added bonus.
Great Food, Great Service...but 0
Lisbon with Douro Discovery
Rosemary and Neil, NSW, Australia, Apr 2026
We were very impressed with both the food and the service given on the ship. There was a great range of food and it was always served with a smile. The cabin, though understandably small, was well maintained and there was plenty of room for storage with cases tucked away under the bed. The evening entertainments were enjoyable and well chosen. However, read more when we arrived on board and were directed to our cabin, we received no information regarding what happened next. All there was, was a piece of paper from the Travelmarvel CEO and a safety video being shown on the cabin TV. It was up to us to go out and ask to actually find out that the daily schedule was posted near the tour desk and that it could be accessed eventually through the TV. We understand that saving paper is important but a brief “How to” on the back of the CEO’s welcome would have easily solved our confusion.
The guided tours and accompanying guides were generally good and we enjoyed them, but often it was quite a lengthy trip away on a bus. We figured we could have simply done a bus tour! We usually found that, where the ship docked, there was little or nothing to do if you didn’t take the excursion. At times, as well, we felt the Tour Director on the boat was too verbose. Simple, straightforward explanations and directions would be been better, especially as over half of the passengers were of an age that complicated explanations meant important information was either not understood or was forgotten. So, if you just wanted a few calm days on a boat with great food and service, it was fine.
The guided tours and accompanying guides were generally good and we enjoyed them, but often it was quite a lengthy trip away on a bus. We figured we could have simply done a bus tour! We usually found that, where the ship docked, there was little or nothing to do if you didn’t take the excursion. At times, as well, we felt the Tour Director on the boat was too verbose. Simple, straightforward explanations and directions would be been better, especially as over half of the passengers were of an age that complicated explanations meant important information was either not understood or was forgotten. So, if you just wanted a few calm days on a boat with great food and service, it was fine.
We have just completed the Majestic Mekong River cruise and below is my feedback. Once again Travelmarel have exceeded our expectations and please pass on my feedback to the fabulous onboard team. We thoroughly enjoyed our recent cruise from Vietnam to Cambodia along the beautiful Mekong river on the RV Amalotus.There were lots of opportunities to read more site see on set tours or to do what one wished. We love that flexibility, as after all it’s our trip to enjoy! The onboard staff were amazing to deal with, with nothing ever being a problem. And I won’t even talk about the food as there was so much choice of excellent quality and quantity. Well organised and thoroughly enjoyable trip.
Our TD, Tim Thinh Dinh was brilliant. Very professional, nothing was too much trouble for him and always a simile on his face. Tim is an excellent representative for the APT / Travelmarel Brand in Vietnam and goes over and above to ensure all guests get to have an amazing journey on the ever-changing Mekong River. Hotel Manager Johnny also provided outstanding service and was well supported by an excellent and extremely professional onboard Team. Johnny's attention to detail and customer focus was a real strength. The local guides were also good. Extremely knowledgeable and great sense's of humour. We look forward to many more journeys with APT / Travelmarel. Thank you, and thanks Hannah for yet another well organised holiday.
Our TD, Tim Thinh Dinh was brilliant. Very professional, nothing was too much trouble for him and always a simile on his face. Tim is an excellent representative for the APT / Travelmarel Brand in Vietnam and goes over and above to ensure all guests get to have an amazing journey on the ever-changing Mekong River. Hotel Manager Johnny also provided outstanding service and was well supported by an excellent and extremely professional onboard Team. Johnny's attention to detail and customer focus was a real strength. The local guides were also good. Extremely knowledgeable and great sense's of humour. We look forward to many more journeys with APT / Travelmarel. Thank you, and thanks Hannah for yet another well organised holiday.
Every thing went very smoothly. The tour director &coach driver were excellent. 0
Grand Tasman
Evan , NSW, Australia, Mar 2026
Thanks very much for Grace who guided me through all things applying to our application for the Grand Tasman Tour. The tour was very well run, and for our first trip to Tassie the whole trip was a wonderful experience. Thanks again cheers.
Wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia 0
Wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia
Gary and Lea, NSW, Australia, Jan 2026
An excellent experience, thanks to our Tour Director (Yee) and our Cruise Director on the Lotus (Johhny). The TM staff looked after us well from arrival to departure, and everywhere in between. Hotels were all 5*, with spacious rooms and great facilities. Cruise staff, food and service were very good (although the Bhaya is old, cramped and tired, and read more in need of replacement). Locals in both Vietnam and Cambodia were friendly and welcoming; a tribute to their resilience after recent wars and deprivations. Grace, and the rest of her team from GJ, handled our booking with customary efficiency. Overall, an experience to be greatly recommended!
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