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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
346
No. of Departures
2,376
Avg. Trip Length
16 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$976
Accommodation
4 - 5 Star
Budget
Premium & Luxury
No. of Trips
334
No. of Departures
2,614
Avg. Trip Length
15 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$613
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
Exploring the best of the Kimberleys with APT 0
Essence of the Kimberley
Di, VIC , Australia, Aug 2026
After a rocky start due to poor communication between APT and Cable Beach resort, we met our APT tour guide/coach driver, Scotty who proceeded to exceed our expectations in his leadership and infectious enthusiasm for the Kimberley region. Travelling in APT’s go anywhere, very comfortable, coach made the long distances over often corrugated dirt roads read more and through river beds well worthwhile. The Bungle Bungles, El Questro Homestead, (a wonderful upgrade option), hikes through Emma Gorge, Tunnel Cave, Bell Gorge and Galvan Gorge were spectacular whilst the Ord River Cruise was well worthwhile. Our privately arranged Sea plane flight, with luxury overnight stay, to the Horizontal Falls ended our adventure on a fantastic note. A final note for APT is to take responsibility for arranging all meal options throughout the trip, and ensure the guests have a proper introduction to each other on the night prior to our departure, so all guests are provided with the same level of service they expect from APT.
Fantastic Trip 0
Best of South America with Amazon Cruise
Karen and Bradley , NSW, Australia, Jul 2026
Global Journeys were great to deal with and I saved money booking my trip through them. The APT tour of South America and Amazon cruise was fantastic. We saw some amazing sights like Machu Picchu, a pod of pink dolphins chasing fish in the Amazon river and the jaw dropping Iguazu Falls. The hotels we stayed at were 5 stars and were located in terrific read more areas. The restaurant meals included were magnificent. It truly was a trip of a lifetime.
The River Cruise we looked forward to with much anticipation but did not deliver. 0
Magnificent Europe
Joanne and Mark, VIC, Australia, Jul 2026
We were so excited about this cruise through beautiful scenery and we were looking forward to slowing down and relaxing on deck with a cocktail or two but this was not the case. We were notified the night before boarding that we would not be boarding the ship we had paid for, but instead another ship for the next two days. This happened four times due read more to low river levels and each time we had to be up early and cases packed ready to move on again. It was tiring and we never really got time to enjoy services on ship. We could not have washing done because we were on the move which was a problem for us because we were away for almost five weeks.
The four days we got to experience the Solara were enjoyable. The staff and cuisine on ship amazing and it would have been delightful to be able to sit up on deck and enjoy the scenery but this only happened twice because they closed off the top deck! Our cruise director Evelin did everything she could to make the cruise enjoyable under the circumstances we were experiencing. I personally would not advise cruising the Danube during the summer season , its not worth the money invested.
The four days we got to experience the Solara were enjoyable. The staff and cuisine on ship amazing and it would have been delightful to be able to sit up on deck and enjoy the scenery but this only happened twice because they closed off the top deck! Our cruise director Evelin did everything she could to make the cruise enjoyable under the circumstances we were experiencing. I personally would not advise cruising the Danube during the summer season , its not worth the money invested.
In comparison to the Kimberley tour this was disappointing. I expected a different experience with a full quota of passengers and the itinerary, however the accommodation was well below the standard I expected for the cost. Dietary requirements were not well catered for and one picnic lunch was two slices of gf bread with a handful of salad leaves - read more no butter no protein. I think this tour needs to be reviewed and revamped. All the passengers got on well together but I know there was discontent about the very restricted use of the onboard toilet. It was only used once (in an emergency-a requirement) and the bushes were still recommended as the better option. Not acceptable and I have included this in my APT feedback.
Eastern Block and River cruise 0
Eastern Bloc with Magnificent Europe
Judith and Geoffrey, QLD, Australia, Jun 2026
APT is definitely a luxury company - accommodation, meals, staff were all exceptional. Mostly Australians and New Zealanders on our 2 tours which made it easy for us to assimilate and find discussion topics with like-minded people. Our tour guides were also exceptional - very helpful, tolerant and accommodating. This was our first journey with APT and read more we would go with this travel company again.
Global Journeys provided timely updates and information and Mandy was also quick with responses to questions and provided the tactful “prod” we needed to get organized for our trip. It’s too easy to let things slide when you are flat strap with daily business but Mandy was diligent in reminding us of things that needed to be done. Loved the “check list” provided.
Name badges: I could have sworn I packed them but they weren’t in the bag when we opened them in Prague. Some travellers didn’t receive them before they left Australia. I would have preferred that APT gave us the name badges at the welcoming event in Prague. The staff on the cruise ship did prove us with one when we asked.
Global Journeys provided timely updates and information and Mandy was also quick with responses to questions and provided the tactful “prod” we needed to get organized for our trip. It’s too easy to let things slide when you are flat strap with daily business but Mandy was diligent in reminding us of things that needed to be done. Loved the “check list” provided.
Name badges: I could have sworn I packed them but they weren’t in the bag when we opened them in Prague. Some travellers didn’t receive them before they left Australia. I would have preferred that APT gave us the name badges at the welcoming event in Prague. The staff on the cruise ship did prove us with one when we asked.
This was an amazing experience. Our guide/driver Trish was fabulous. A small number of passengers made this trip very personal and everyone was very enthusiastic. A couple of disappointing accommodations but the APT camps were excellent. Dietary requirements were generally good especially at APT lodges. I would recommend this trip and the APT experience on this tour.
4.6
The Duoro Valley was spectacular but the actual cruise felt like a coach trip where we used the Travelmarvel Estrela more as a hotel. Of course there was cruising and we passed through some impressive locks, but often excursions would bus us to a winery while the ship continued along the river, returning us to meet it at a different location. Consequently read more I felt that I missed out on a lot of the relaxing river cruising I was looking forward to. The Estrela was quite a new ship, but not very well designed. The bathrooms were minute as was the pool on the sundeck. The dining room and lounge with their very low ceilings need much better sound damping. It was a pleasant trip but did not live up to my expectations. Hannah Perry at Global Journeys handled our booking very well and was always available to answer queries.
A wonderful holiday despite difficult circumstances 0
European Gems
Peter and Ruth, NSW, Australia, Jul 2026
We planned and booked this holiday over 12 months ago and were impressed by the quality of service provided by Tracey Standing at Global Journeys. Nothing was too much trouble even when a small war started on our route to Europe threatening to prevent our getting there. Tracey was able to book us alternate flights, taking us around the world the other read more way (via Canada), as a contingency plan then was able to get our money back when we didn't actually need them.
The Travelmarvel cruise was an excellent product too. Their staff were all highly skilled and very effective at working around difficult circumstances. Due to low water levels in the Rhine/Danube river system we were unable to make the full journey on a single ship and ended up traveling on four different ships with buses shuttling us between navigable portions of the rivers. In many ways we probably managed to see more of Europe than we would normally see just from the river. Through the efforts of our Cruise Director Bernadett we covered every one of the locations we were booked to see and there was a sound clear plan and effective control measures every time we had to relocate. (With over 150 passengers that adds up to a lot of cats to herd). I would go on a similar Global Journeys/Travelmarvel trip again in a heartbeat without any concerns about what fate throws at us. (I might wait until it rains again in Europe though.)
The Travelmarvel cruise was an excellent product too. Their staff were all highly skilled and very effective at working around difficult circumstances. Due to low water levels in the Rhine/Danube river system we were unable to make the full journey on a single ship and ended up traveling on four different ships with buses shuttling us between navigable portions of the rivers. In many ways we probably managed to see more of Europe than we would normally see just from the river. Through the efforts of our Cruise Director Bernadett we covered every one of the locations we were booked to see and there was a sound clear plan and effective control measures every time we had to relocate. (With over 150 passengers that adds up to a lot of cats to herd). I would go on a similar Global Journeys/Travelmarvel trip again in a heartbeat without any concerns about what fate throws at us. (I might wait until it rains again in Europe though.)
To the top of Australia 0
Cape York and Tropical North by 4WD
Gary and Lea, NSW, Australia, Jul 2026
Interesting and informative trip. Well worth the effort and definitely a 'bucket list' tour. Accommodation, meals, 4WD vehicle and driver/guide Noel were all very good although the Bramwell Station accommodation was quite cramped. Our thanks to Grace for her assistance throughout the booking process.
Far North Queensland and beyond 0
Gulf Savannah Discovery by 4WD
Gary and Lea, NSW, Australia, Jun 2026
We combined the Gulf Savannah and Cape York trips back-to-back. Both tours were very interesting and worthwhile.
Highlights of the Gulf Savannah tour were sunset and drinks on a sand island in the Gulf at Karumba, exploring Cobbold Gorge and going deep into the Undarra Lava Tubes. Our driver/guide (Danny) was personable and informative, but some of read more the accommodation and meals were very basic.
Highlights of the Cape York tour were travelling the Bloomfield 4WD track, crocodile spotting in Weipa, exploring Bamaga, walking to the tip of Cape York, and checking out the highlights of Thursday Island. Our driver/guide (Noel) was excellent and very experienced/knowledgeable about the areas visited. Accommodation and meals were generally good, although Bramwell Station is quite different!
As usual, Grace from GJ was a great help with our booking, liaising professionally with Travelmarvel when the tour dates were changed late in the process.
Highlights of the Gulf Savannah tour were sunset and drinks on a sand island in the Gulf at Karumba, exploring Cobbold Gorge and going deep into the Undarra Lava Tubes. Our driver/guide (Danny) was personable and informative, but some of read more the accommodation and meals were very basic.
Highlights of the Cape York tour were travelling the Bloomfield 4WD track, crocodile spotting in Weipa, exploring Bamaga, walking to the tip of Cape York, and checking out the highlights of Thursday Island. Our driver/guide (Noel) was excellent and very experienced/knowledgeable about the areas visited. Accommodation and meals were generally good, although Bramwell Station is quite different!
As usual, Grace from GJ was a great help with our booking, liaising professionally with Travelmarvel when the tour dates were changed late in the process.
Our river cruise was incident-free, well organised, and attention to detail could not be faulted. For our age group, it was paced, and every request was attended to with professionalism. The ship was clean and comfortable, and the meals were well presented with a good choice. We did enjoy the friendly atmosphere created by the ship's crew.
Canada & Alaska 0
Reflections of the Rockies and Alaska Cruise
Karen and Michael, NSW, Australia, May 2026
Very happy booking with Global Journeys. I had quick responses to any queries from Hannah Perry. Loved every moment of our Travelmarvel Reflections of the Rockies & Alaska tour. Everything was streamlined to make our journey pretty perfect.
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