APT River Cruises & Tours
View company profile →
Not quite what we expected
15 days [Budapest to Amsterdam] which could have been more relaxing had we not had to change ships half way through; this was unavoidable due to a maintenance issue with a lock in the Danube & seriously low water levels in the Main/Rhein. We were made aware prior to departure [the week before], that we weren't able to board our vessel in Budapest, but did not realise how far away from Budapest Komarov is/was in respect of time on the road. Having travelled all day from UK to Budapest on day one, followed by a hair raising one & a half hour taxi dash to join the Amastella, we were not about to face a three hour return trip on a coach, for only three hours in Budapest in temperatures of 36c+ on Day 2; so missed out on one of the main reasons for booking. Also, it became clear that APT has been aware of the low water/lock issue for a while. The water issue is unlikely to improve, so a little more upfront on the practicalities would have been appreciated. It might have been that we decided not to go as we really did need the longer stretch of 15 days, and not the two lots of 6/7 days that it actually became. In retrospect, it spoiled our time away even though the staff couldn't have been more helpful throughout. Can't fault the staff on the Amastella who were looking after about half a ship of passengers. One of the pluses was complimentary everything for the first week until we changed ships to the Travel Marvel Capella. We weren't interested in drinking ourselves into the deck [!] but the onboard prices on Capella were too expensive [for us]. So we had two different crews and two different standards of environment. Wifi on the Amastella was great and we had the use of internet in cabin on an Apple PC - but not so on the Capella; frustrating Wifi - slightly downmarket LG TV monitor with no internet access; but a happier crew. Definitely noticed the difference. George & the girls in the bar on Amastella were brilliant, but we found the restaurant staff under pressure and tense - the opposite of the Capella who seemed to have a more professional, relaxed relationship with the catering heads & that made for a more pleasant dining experience, for them and us - so well done the bar staff on the Amastella; and Capella crew overall. We enjoyed our break away - the 2nd with APT - and would consider another cruise, but would definitely make sure we had more details about itinerary before making the final decision. Also, the cruise director Gunther kept emphasizing the difference between APT and APT Travel Marvel - something we actually weren't aware of - and didn't need to be constantly reminded about; all to do with complimentary drinks 24/7 compared to the Travel Marvel package on the Capella. His twice daily reminders became tedious and unnecessary, and made us feel as if we'd booked on a downmarket version of APT which is def not the case. We will, however, ensure we know exactly what we are booking should we decide to holiday with APT or APT Travel Marvel in the future. Also cannot understand why we had to pay a supplement of £270 each [extra £540] to fly from our local airport [Norwich] via Amsterdam to Budapest, when we discovered another couple on board opted [as we had] to travel from their local airport in Bristol to Budapest via Amsterdam instead of direct from Heathrow, and weren't charged any additional fees. Something definitely not OK with that. Will require a very satisfactory answer to that one - but preferably a refund of the £540. So overall, a 4 star, bordering 3 star - instead of a resounding 5 star which our first experience with APT in 2019 was.