APT launches 2012 Europe preview deals,adds Rhine-Rhone cruises
APT is offering several deals to launch its 2012 Europe River Cruising Preview Brochure which features new Paris to Monte Carlo and Barcelona to Paris packages with cruising along the scenic Rhine and Rhone rivers.
APT will be the first travel company to market Rhine-Rhone cruise packages in Australia.
The offers are 2012 cruises at 2011 prices (fares will increase from May 1), free return airfares to Europe including air taxes on a variety of suite categories or savings of $2,200 a couple for April-September departures on Category C suites.
All offers relate to bookings made before April 30,2011.
The deals apply to the new Rhine-Rhone itineraries as well as the other 2012 cruises listed in an European River Cruising 2012 preview brochures issued to travel agents this week – 15-day Magnificent Europe (Amsterdam to Budapest), 18 and 21-day Magnificent Europe with Prague and Paris, 25-day Eastern Bloc & Magnificent Europe, 28-day Switzerland & Magnificent Europe, 31-day Italy and Magnificent Europe and 27-day Croatia & The Balkan Peninsula.
The new 15-day Amsterdam-Arles cruise is from $6995 per person twin share. The itinerary (it operates in both directions) includes Cologne, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Worms, Heidelberg, Speyer, Breisach, Colmar, Freiburg, Basel, Gruyeres, Lake Geneva, Lyon, Trevoux, Vienne Tournon, Viviers and Avignon.
The price includes the luxury cruise, all meals (including soft drink, beer and wine with lunch and dinner on board), APT Cruise Director, comprehensive sightseeing, nightly entertainment, airport transfers and tipping.
The 21-day Paris to Monte Carlo package is from $10,897 per person twin share and the 21-day Paris to Barcelona package is from $10,495.
APT has very limited number of suites available for 2011 departures, so for those who wish to travel in 2011 it is advised to book as soon as possible.
Contact: call 1300 229 804, see www.aptouring.com.au or your local agent.
Additional detail and comment
· APT continues its pioneering role in European river cruising with new Paris-Monte Carlo and Barcelona-Paris packages. The company introduced European river cruising to the Australian market in 2000 and this year will have its own fleet of nine custom-built boutique riverships in central Europe.
· APT will use Aria Class ships ms Amacello for the Rhine sector and the ms Amadagio for the Rhone sector on 15, 18 and 21-day itineraries across a 2012 March-November season .
· Ms Amadagio will be barged from Amsterdam through the North Sea and English Channel to the Mediterranean Sea and the mouth of the Rhone at Arles for the first cruise in March.
General Manager Marketing, Debra Fox said adding the Rhone and its magnificent Provence countryside, culture and food experiences was aligned to APT's strategy to continue to invigorate its cruise product range and to demonstrate that we are the leaders in river cruising. "In recent times we've elevated our cruising product in Europe with our Concerto class ships and our first Christmas-New Year cruises announced earlier this month, we've just added themed cruises there as well, we're building our own ships for Russia and the Mekong River and we have secured a Yangtze River ship that aligns with our standards," she said. 'All this development has been driven by demand from customers who have experienced the European river product ... they want the same levels of service and comfort, but a new destination cruise. Provence's Rhone Valley and Germany's Rhine will meet that need."
