APT Tour & Cruise Reviews
The 469 APT Tour & Cruise reviews listed below are from past clients of Global Journeys that have traveled with APT. Each review has been individually verified by our team.
France's magnificence was on full display to be enjoyed through this holiday 5
David, NSW, Australia, May 2018
My trip comprised actually three one week cruises - the first two (Rhone and Seine) were wonderful and the third (Bourdeaux) was marred a little by some poor organisation and less-than-helpful approach of some staff. All three trips gave me a truly enriching experience of regional France and is to be recommended - perhaps just one or two of them at read more a time, if three cruises seems too long.
As a fan of APT and having been on various river cruises and land tours with them, I and some of my fellow passengers were somewhat disappointed with the “UK & Ireland In-Depth” tour. We were fortunate to have only 17 on our tour which gave us “freedom of choice” within our coach, we all interacted well, looked out for each other and everyone was always read more on time for departures. We stayed in some great 5-star hotels however others should be crossed off the list.
Our driver, Graeme, was a brilliant driver and very personable; our Tour Manager was very knowledgeable but not interested in helping if anyone had a problem: e.g. UK paper money not accepted (they now use plastic notes), my sister left her expensive sunglasses behind in one hotel but she had to do all the chasing up (no assistance from the TM) and another girl (solo traveller) had a problem with identity theft and eventually left to fly home but received little assistance from our TM and all APT did was reschedule her flights.
We skirted many of the main towns (e.g. Glasgow, Limerick, Galway, Cardiff) and I felt we really didn’t see Ireland “in depth” as I was looking forward to experiencing the Irish music, singing and comedy plus also visiting an Irish Whiskey Distillery – didn’t happen! In Edinburgh we didn’t have the opportunity to walk down the Royal Mile after visiting Edinburgh Castle and we all would have loved the opportunity to have more time for shopping wherever we went. All in all, it was quite a good tour but on reflection and on reviewing the Insight “Britain & Ireland Discovery” tour, I believe the Insight tour gives a better “in depth” tour over 22 days (plus it’s less expensive) than the APT 21 day tour.
I will always book my tours through Global Journeys as the organisation of our tour was wonderful and we did not experience any difficulties along the way. Thank you Madeline for all you did for us – we will be in contact when next we travel!
Note to travellers: Do study the itineraries of all operators very carefully before deciding on your tour as loyalty to one may not necessarily be the right choice!
Our driver, Graeme, was a brilliant driver and very personable; our Tour Manager was very knowledgeable but not interested in helping if anyone had a problem: e.g. UK paper money not accepted (they now use plastic notes), my sister left her expensive sunglasses behind in one hotel but she had to do all the chasing up (no assistance from the TM) and another girl (solo traveller) had a problem with identity theft and eventually left to fly home but received little assistance from our TM and all APT did was reschedule her flights.
We skirted many of the main towns (e.g. Glasgow, Limerick, Galway, Cardiff) and I felt we really didn’t see Ireland “in depth” as I was looking forward to experiencing the Irish music, singing and comedy plus also visiting an Irish Whiskey Distillery – didn’t happen! In Edinburgh we didn’t have the opportunity to walk down the Royal Mile after visiting Edinburgh Castle and we all would have loved the opportunity to have more time for shopping wherever we went. All in all, it was quite a good tour but on reflection and on reviewing the Insight “Britain & Ireland Discovery” tour, I believe the Insight tour gives a better “in depth” tour over 22 days (plus it’s less expensive) than the APT 21 day tour.
I will always book my tours through Global Journeys as the organisation of our tour was wonderful and we did not experience any difficulties along the way. Thank you Madeline for all you did for us – we will be in contact when next we travel!
Note to travellers: Do study the itineraries of all operators very carefully before deciding on your tour as loyalty to one may not necessarily be the right choice!
We found Juliet (from Global Journeys) to be very helpful and answered all questions even when we were the ones unsure. She had a bright sunny personality. Her advice was helpful regarding visas and helped us even when APT didn’t help. Would use Global Journeys again if we book another trip.
Didn't realise this trip was the inaugural tour so there were issues that need to be sorted out. For instance, starting the tour on the day you fly in is disaster. We were all exhausted from flying then we had a 2 hour walking tour of Rome followed by a dinner at a person's place then we're off early next morning. Consequently, we saw very little read more of Rome with no free time at all.
Two of our hotels were in out of the way places, and these were all the 2 night stays. One of the hotels was so remote there was nowhere to buy food for the second night so we had to buy it in town and eat it cold. This particular hotel had a plumbing problem and my room stank of mould. Not a happy time there. Most of the hotels did not offer a choice of main course and I missed a few dinners because I couldn't eat what they were serving.
Loved the fact we only had 9 people on the tour in a 48 seater coach and also loved 99% of the places we stayed. I was lucky enough to get rooms with spectacular views.
Overall a good tour which could have been great with a few problems ironed out.
Two of our hotels were in out of the way places, and these were all the 2 night stays. One of the hotels was so remote there was nowhere to buy food for the second night so we had to buy it in town and eat it cold. This particular hotel had a plumbing problem and my room stank of mould. Not a happy time there. Most of the hotels did not offer a choice of main course and I missed a few dinners because I couldn't eat what they were serving.
Loved the fact we only had 9 people on the tour in a 48 seater coach and also loved 99% of the places we stayed. I was lucky enough to get rooms with spectacular views.
Overall a good tour which could have been great with a few problems ironed out.
Accommodation at all APT lodges was very good, nice staff. Food was overall very good. The wildlife cruise on Ord river was sensational, we could have done without the Wyndham trip, and Zebedee springs were a bit disappointing. All walks have been great, especially Echidna Chasm, Bungle Bungle walk, Emma Gorge, and Bell Gorge. Too much driving from read more Home Valley Station to Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge. All in all a great experience with a great bunch of people.
We will only travel with APT in the future 13
Magnificent Europe
Jim & Ros, QLD, Australia, Apr 2018
Everything about this trip was fantastic, from initial booking, airport pickups & drop offs to the trip itself, we could not fault anything. We will only travel with APT in the future.
Great trip Amsterdam to Budapest 8
Magnificent Europe
Richard, Chrys & Gay, VIC, Australia, Apr 2018
Great trip! The weather was excellent and all facets of the journey with APT were first class. The ship, the food, the excursions and the accommodation were all first class. Value for money spent was excellent.
Amazing and unforgettable experience 11
Rockies Odyssey and Alaska Cruise
Chris, NSW, Australia, Apr 2018
From the professional and friendly service from Jemma (at Global Journeys), through to our wonderful APT land tour director, Zita and Stephanie, our cruise guide, the trip was an amazing and unforgettable experience.
It was everything we imagined and hoped for, being further enhanced by a great group of people that we toured with. We highly recommend read more the tour/cruise, hence the excellent rating in all categories.
It was everything we imagined and hoped for, being further enhanced by a great group of people that we toured with. We highly recommend read more the tour/cruise, hence the excellent rating in all categories.
A great trip and enjoyed it all 4
Margaret, ACT, Australia, Apr 2018
I like small ship travelling as you get to interact with all the fellow passengers. I have been to Japan several times and have experienced much of its beauty and culture, but on this trip I did do some things that were new for me. I found this trip was a great mix of things to do with a friend who I was introducing to this part of the world, culture read more and people.
One thing that could be improved would be more tasting of the authentic Japanese food which is just great, healthy and a work of art also.
Thank you for the effort that was put into this trip.
One thing that could be improved would be more tasting of the authentic Japanese food which is just great, healthy and a work of art also.
Thank you for the effort that was put into this trip.
First time visit to Japan's smaller ports and South Korea 10
Ian & Jan, QLD, Australia, Apr 2018
The holiday was fine but in a few respects, lacked attention to detail. The least satisfactory component was the lack of coordination related to the travel plan and the pre and post activities. APT claimed that they provided detailed options to clients for both but none of this information made its way to us. APT staff said that if clients booked direct read more they got all details but clients who booked via second parties missed out because agents fail to pass on information. The truth might be different?
We thought the trip overall was excellent but multiple journey APT clients seemed to be grumbling that the execution of arrangements fell short of previous experiences. Some are hard to please!
One real deficiency is that there was no meet and greet activity on arrival in Tokyo. We arrived at the hotel and found one other couple wandering around. We didn't see an APT representative until next day.
On departure we were scheduled to leave the ship at 9 am but not fly out until 11.45pm. Last minute changes were made by APT, at additional cost, but we still reached the airport almost 8 hours before fly time and five hours before luggage could be handed over.
Once on the ship we were well catered for and most daily plans seemed appropriate. We saw rather too many temples and gardens. With a little thought the program could be enhanced. For example, the staple Japanese food is rice. It would be possible to visit a rice farm and hear about production, transport and marketing of this important crop. We just drove past farms like they didn't play any role in society. Further, several major car manufacturing plants were observed being Mazda and Toyota. Many on the trip would have loved an opportunity to see a robotic car production line. Japan is a great manufacturing country and they have enormous price in their products. Surely more diversity is possible?
A lasting impression will be the friendly welcomes provided by locals in all of the small ports visited. Their efforts were remarkable. The brief visit to South Korea was no different.
We thought the trip overall was excellent but multiple journey APT clients seemed to be grumbling that the execution of arrangements fell short of previous experiences. Some are hard to please!
One real deficiency is that there was no meet and greet activity on arrival in Tokyo. We arrived at the hotel and found one other couple wandering around. We didn't see an APT representative until next day.
On departure we were scheduled to leave the ship at 9 am but not fly out until 11.45pm. Last minute changes were made by APT, at additional cost, but we still reached the airport almost 8 hours before fly time and five hours before luggage could be handed over.
Once on the ship we were well catered for and most daily plans seemed appropriate. We saw rather too many temples and gardens. With a little thought the program could be enhanced. For example, the staple Japanese food is rice. It would be possible to visit a rice farm and hear about production, transport and marketing of this important crop. We just drove past farms like they didn't play any role in society. Further, several major car manufacturing plants were observed being Mazda and Toyota. Many on the trip would have loved an opportunity to see a robotic car production line. Japan is a great manufacturing country and they have enormous price in their products. Surely more diversity is possible?
A lasting impression will be the friendly welcomes provided by locals in all of the small ports visited. Their efforts were remarkable. The brief visit to South Korea was no different.
Great holiday but sadly with a few hiccups. Arrived on an early flight into Tokyo booked by APT picked up by rep and taken to our hotel to find that us as well as many others on the tour could not get into our rooms until mid afternoon (after 2pm) which left many weary travellers longing for a shower and rest to hang around the hotel.
Similar problem read more at the end of the tour when a lot of us had been booked on late night flights after disembarking in the early morning but APT did, on realizing the problem, organize a morning tour with an afternoon drop off at the airport, at an extra cost, which filled in a few hours but still a long wait for our 11.30pm flight home!
The tour itself was very enjoyable with great inclusions and a good group. Unfortunately we both came down towards the end of the trip with a very aggressive respiratory infection which laid us up for over a week which is why I am late sending in this feedback.
Similar problem read more at the end of the tour when a lot of us had been booked on late night flights after disembarking in the early morning but APT did, on realizing the problem, organize a morning tour with an afternoon drop off at the airport, at an extra cost, which filled in a few hours but still a long wait for our 11.30pm flight home!
The tour itself was very enjoyable with great inclusions and a good group. Unfortunately we both came down towards the end of the trip with a very aggressive respiratory infection which laid us up for over a week which is why I am late sending in this feedback.
Wonderful trip 1
Jan, VIC, Australia, Apr 2018
This has been an amazing holiday. It was very well organised. A wonderful very experienced guide, Kitty Weigert, and guest lecturer Anna Pavord, a world authority on tulips and an historian, made sure the whole trip ran smoothly and it was incredibly interesting. The flowers....tulips, daffodil and hyacinths were amazing and in full bloom.
We went read more to some spectacular private and public gardens and museums and also the largest flower market in the world, Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer, to name a few of the highlights. The fortnight ended with the triumph of Keukenhof, the spectacular spring park an absolute masterpiece of colour and beauty. Thank you also Georgie for your excellent and professional management of my booking. I will certainly be using Global Journeys again.
We went read more to some spectacular private and public gardens and museums and also the largest flower market in the world, Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer, to name a few of the highlights. The fortnight ended with the triumph of Keukenhof, the spectacular spring park an absolute masterpiece of colour and beauty. Thank you also Georgie for your excellent and professional management of my booking. I will certainly be using Global Journeys again.
A very good cruise round Japan 3
Alan & Janet, VIC, Australia, Apr 2018
Fascinating country and people. Comfortable ship with a good crowd of passengers. Excellent crew. The cruise was well organised, combining the ship's cruise director and her deputy with the three botanical guides. However once we left the ship on the final day, with only the botanical guides to lead us, the trip fell apart to some degree.
The shore read more excursions were a little disappointing as the Japanese guides tended to be hesitant, not fluent in English and often there was a tension between the Japanese guide, our botanical guide and the cruise director or deputy on the bus. Who was in charge?
Attention to detail and special events - demonstrations / treats etc were appreciated. The welcome to port and farewell from port events were especially memorable. Would recommend Botanica to friends even though they may only have a passing interest in gardens as there were lots of other sights included in the cruise.
The shore read more excursions were a little disappointing as the Japanese guides tended to be hesitant, not fluent in English and often there was a tension between the Japanese guide, our botanical guide and the cruise director or deputy on the bus. Who was in charge?
Attention to detail and special events - demonstrations / treats etc were appreciated. The welcome to port and farewell from port events were especially memorable. Would recommend Botanica to friends even though they may only have a passing interest in gardens as there were lots of other sights included in the cruise.
Fantastic trip, enjoyed it thoroughly. A highlight was visiting Amsterdam, an easy city to walk around. The visit to Namedy Castle with evening meal was a definite highlight, as was meeting our host. Austria and its gorgeous cities of Salzburg, Vienna, and Melk are a must.
We attended an amazing concert in Vienna and visited the site where the Lipizzano read more horses train, the most beautiful animals. A little cold at this time of year but would travel again with APT and Global journeys continued their professional attitude with our booking.
We attended an amazing concert in Vienna and visited the site where the Lipizzano read more horses train, the most beautiful animals. A little cold at this time of year but would travel again with APT and Global journeys continued their professional attitude with our booking.
Thank you Jemma for arranging our trip. Had a great time and APT certainly treated us well, attention to detail all the way!! We will do another river cruise in the future, probably France!
Already thinking of my next cruise with APT 10
Magnificent Europe
Sandy Owen, WA, Australia, Mar 2018
People have asked me what was the highlight of my trip and my answer was I didn’t have a favourite as it was all fabulous in different ways. Each country was unique and there was always something amazing to see. As I was travelling on my own, it was a very safe way to go, and I am already thinking of my next cruise with APT.
Usually we travel independently, organising all details ourselves, so going on a trip that was organised for us was a bit of a leap. The trip was faultless - the food was wonderful, the upgrade that Hannah secured for us was absolutely unbelievable - wonderful cabin with the chance to lay in bed and watch the world go by.
The staff were helpful read more and kind. We are used to doing things at our pace which is a lot faster than the tour guides but I understand that there were older people on board who would not be able to keep up a normal pace, but it was still a bit frustrating to shuffle around. We especially enjoyed the hikes. It was organised the best way it could possibly be done to cater for the diverse age groups and mobility of the passengers.
The tours were educational and the free time was appreciated. It was a wonderful experience, the passengers were a great group and we even got invited to the Captain's Table on the last night.
The staff were helpful read more and kind. We are used to doing things at our pace which is a lot faster than the tour guides but I understand that there were older people on board who would not be able to keep up a normal pace, but it was still a bit frustrating to shuffle around. We especially enjoyed the hikes. It was organised the best way it could possibly be done to cater for the diverse age groups and mobility of the passengers.
The tours were educational and the free time was appreciated. It was a wonderful experience, the passengers were a great group and we even got invited to the Captain's Table on the last night.
We were looking for a holiday that gave us all the sights and also provided a high level of comfort. We were very impressed with Sandy (our Tour Director) and Ron (our Driver). Sandy was a fountain of knowledge and had everything well organised. The tour was excellent in that we stayed at premium accommodation. Whatever we requested we were provided read more with... in other words this holiday for us "ticked all the boxes"! Also we are very impressed in the way that Hannah from Global Journeys handled all our bookings and coordinated everything!!!
What a fabulous holiday! Everything was thought of - from tours to teas!
APT are a very well organised operator focusing only on the satisfaction of holiday makers. We were on the move from day one but had the option to have quiet time if it suited. Many memories of cities, culture and history!
APT are a very well organised operator focusing only on the satisfaction of holiday makers. We were on the move from day one but had the option to have quiet time if it suited. Many memories of cities, culture and history!
Travel with APT in India was well organised and interest filled. We arrived in southern India in Kochi and explored the Kerala Backwaters. We then flew to Jaipur and spent the remainder of our time in Rajastan. The hotels were sensational and the food amazing. The colour and chaos appealed to me. Our guides were excellent, especially in Rajastan. He read more was well organised, knowledgeable and fun.
In Myanmar we cruised on the Irrawaddy on the RV Samatha. It was wonderful to see life along the river as we travelled along. The staff on the RV Samatha are wonderful. Our guides were also knowledgeable and friendly. We got an insight into Burmese life and politics. Bagan was a highlight.
In Myanmar we cruised on the Irrawaddy on the RV Samatha. It was wonderful to see life along the river as we travelled along. The staff on the RV Samatha are wonderful. Our guides were also knowledgeable and friendly. We got an insight into Burmese life and politics. Bagan was a highlight.
