Home > Compare Tour Operators > APT vs Travelmarvel
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
373
No. of Departures
2,455
Avg. Trip Length
14 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$703
Accommodation
4 - 5 Star
Budget
Premium & Luxury
No. of Trips
187
No. of Departures
1,892
Avg. Trip Length
15 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$436
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
Our APT tour of tropical North Queensland to the tip of Australia and to Thursday and Horn Island was fantastic. Our tour guide Natasha and driver Grant were outstanding and everything went smoothly. The walk to the tip of Australia was the highlight and should be on everyone's bucket list. The walk was not too difficult and everyone in our group of ...read more predominantly over 70 year olds all got there with a big smile on their face. Accommodation was excellent overall considering the remoteness of some of our stops. APT tours are not cheap but they do represent good value and we would travel with them again. Georgie from Global Journeys was as usual very efficient and responsive with our travel arrangements.
The tour was excellent. Our guide, Leigh, was knowledgeable and good fun. All the accommodation was top quality. The permanent tents the best we have stayed in. The food was first class, even at the camp site, when we were miles from stores. I was involved in all the activities, including going down to the swimming hole at Bell Gorge and walking through ...read more Tunnel Creek. My husband stayed behind on both occasions as he was wary of going over rocky domain as he had suffered a previous ankle injury. He was not alone in staying back and there was no pressure or awkwardness on those did stay behind. There were a number of long coach journeys and early mornings, but also time to relax. All in all a great time.
The cruise on the Caledonian Sky was once again a wonderful adventure. This was the fourth time we have travelled on this ship. Previously we had toured with Noble Caledonian tours and we can honestly say that the service from the expedition team and hotel staff was the same which was of high quality The highlight of the trip was Montgomery's reef. ...read more If you thinking of taking this trip it would be better at the end of the wet season as when we where there in September the waterfalls were dry but the landscape was beautiful. The knowledge of the expedition team was fantastic.
The only negative was that on arrival in Broome we had not been booked into the hotel that we originally booked and paid for due to confusion between Oaks and APT but the staff of Oaks Cable Beach were able to organise with Oaks Town for us to stay with them sat the Oaks Cable Beach Sanctuary. Thank you Rachael from Oaks Cable Beach.
The only negative was that on arrival in Broome we had not been booked into the hotel that we originally booked and paid for due to confusion between Oaks and APT but the staff of Oaks Cable Beach were able to organise with Oaks Town for us to stay with them sat the Oaks Cable Beach Sanctuary. Thank you Rachael from Oaks Cable Beach.
We had a wonderful time on the Kimberley cruise. The Caledonian Sky was very comfortable, the meals and drinks were first rate and the crew were excellent, very attentive and always polite. Overall, we’d give it 10 out of 10.
A wonderful experience to see the Kimberley's via the Gibb River Road. A great 14 days and a wonderful driver / guide full of knowledge of surrounding areas and all the flora and fauna. Horizontal falls was a really wonderful trip not to be missed, and great food throughout.
A very enjoyable trip dispite the low river levels and the need to change ships. The scenery and Signature experiences were wonderful and well organised. Great mix of fellow passengers and everyone looked out for each other. Found the food choices a little disappointing. Presented lovely, but found it largely very bland and not a lot of variety. ...read more Fellow passengers who had done the trip before expressed the view that it was not up to the standard of their original trip and I think there was a general view that standards had slipped. Perhaps that was a result of COVID affecting the staffing levels or general cost cutting. Would like to see a wider range of wines and food selections, but overall we had a great time. Hannah at Global Journeys was as always, helpful, timely and obliging.
4.6
Having arrived home from our fantastic Canada & Alaska tour I have to say it was hassle free and the scenery was every pic a postcard. Great accommodation throughout and always breakfast, but did feel there were too many extras to pay for, so many added tours and meals. The tours of course are optional and your choice.
Could not fault Dale our tour ...read more leader, she was fantastic, always there to help, great stories and knowledge. Our cabin and meals on the cruise were excellent. The crew so friendly and hard working and the ship always being cleaned. Unfortunately we missed our dog-sledding tour through bad weather, no ones fault. We did add a tour in Juneau and did feel it was not at all value for money, very overrated - an old cannery and totem poles with a pure chance sighting of a whale - would not go there. The overall trip was excellent but if you are on a budget it can be pricey.
Could not fault Dale our tour ...read more leader, she was fantastic, always there to help, great stories and knowledge. Our cabin and meals on the cruise were excellent. The crew so friendly and hard working and the ship always being cleaned. Unfortunately we missed our dog-sledding tour through bad weather, no ones fault. We did add a tour in Juneau and did feel it was not at all value for money, very overrated - an old cannery and totem poles with a pure chance sighting of a whale - would not go there. The overall trip was excellent but if you are on a budget it can be pricey.
Georgie, from Global Journeys did a fantastic job of taking care of the organisation of this tour. Owing to COVID cancellations and rearrangements of deposits, we finally were able to depart on a well organised tour of the Northern Territory. After arriving in Alice Springs we were promptly met by our Tour Director, Roxanne and coach driver, Chris. ...read more Thank you to Chris who was our expert on tour information and Roxanne who guided and looked after us by handling any hiccups along the way. A well thought out itinerary by Travelmarvel. Highlights were our helicopter ride over Kings Canyon (additional expense), Uluru sunrise, Standley Chasm and Ubirr Rock. The only thing that I felt could be improved is the daily instruction sheet, which was at times a little confusing.
My first European River cruise and my first with TravelMarvel. My expectations were high because I had been waiting since April 2020 to take this trip due to Covid. What can I say but it was absolutely fabulous. Just the right balance of energetic shore trips, resting and rocking in the lounge, chatting with new friends and sleeping my head off to the ...read more soothing motion of the grand boat Vega.
Travel Marvel's staff were fabulous. Nothing was too much trouble and they noticed before you asked. Special thanks to Cruise Director Emece who worked 24x7 to make our cruise go well despite the challenges of fledgling international travel after Covid. And to the team at Global Journeys especially the ever patient and resourceful Georgie, thanks are just not enough for the support you gave me during the long Covid delays and the patience you showed at my fears I might never get on my journey of a lifetime. You got me there guys!!! I'll be back.
Travel Marvel's staff were fabulous. Nothing was too much trouble and they noticed before you asked. Special thanks to Cruise Director Emece who worked 24x7 to make our cruise go well despite the challenges of fledgling international travel after Covid. And to the team at Global Journeys especially the ever patient and resourceful Georgie, thanks are just not enough for the support you gave me during the long Covid delays and the patience you showed at my fears I might never get on my journey of a lifetime. You got me there guys!!! I'll be back.
Thoroughly enjoyed the tour, doing the 6km rim walk at Kings Canyon was our highlight, along with experiencing Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Erldunda and Standley Chasm. Our coach driver John was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Accommodations were all great, but not overly impressed with the staff and communications at Alice Springs Double Tree on Hilton. ...read more Our consultant Hannah has been extremely helpful over the last 4 years, helping us out with all our cancellations etc..it was so nice to FINALLY get away! We would consider booking with her again.
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. It was a very busy 10 days, and at times I would have liked to get to our hotel a bit earlier in the evening, so we could have a look around, but with time constraints and trying to fit everything in, I fully understand. All the Hotels we stayed at were comfortable, and I didn't have a problem with them. All the staff were ...read more very friendly and very helpful. The food rated very high as well.
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about Tasmania, and was very efficient and friendly. The coach broke down a couple of times, so maybe an upgrade is needed. Going as a single person, did not prove to be an issue, there were other single people on our trip, and hopefully I have made good friends for life. The mix of ages was quite extensive as well.
As far as booking with Global Journeys again, that is a definite. I did not have any issues at all. I was kept informed every step of the way. Talking to other people, they all had a few problems, but if I could make Georgie my personal travel agent I would. She was excellent. Sorry if that was not allowed, but I had to say something.
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about Tasmania, and was very efficient and friendly. The coach broke down a couple of times, so maybe an upgrade is needed. Going as a single person, did not prove to be an issue, there were other single people on our trip, and hopefully I have made good friends for life. The mix of ages was quite extensive as well.
As far as booking with Global Journeys again, that is a definite. I did not have any issues at all. I was kept informed every step of the way. Talking to other people, they all had a few problems, but if I could make Georgie my personal travel agent I would. She was excellent. Sorry if that was not allowed, but I had to say something.
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