POSTED: 17 APRIL 2011

Destination: European river crusing

APT launches its second Concerto ship*

APT's second Concerto Class rivership, MS AmaVerde, has entered service on schedule to sail the popular 15-day itinerary between Budapest and Amsterdam.

The first Concerto ship, MS AmaBella, entered service last year.

APT says these 161-passenger Concerto riverships combine the popular attributes of Aria Class ships with revolutionary twin balcony suites (one indoor and one outdoor), the largest set of suites (ranging from 170 to 350 square feet with average size of 214 square feet) on the rivers, onboard swimming pool, fireside library and an intimate chef’s table restaurant seating only 24 people complete with private chef.

There are 39 Concerto 15-day Magnificent Europe departures and 25 on Aria class ships this year. The six Aria ships are the first six built by APT, so in all, APT is now operating eight of its own purpose-designed ships.

 Virtual tours of both ship types are now on APT’s website, www.aptouring.com.au.

APT introduced the Europe river cruise holiday concept to Australia in 1999 in co-ownership with the experienced European operator AmaWaterways

APT operates cruises between Amsterdam and Budapest on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers with some packages including extensions to Paris and Prague. For 2012 sailings, APT has introduced exclusive itineraries combining the Rhone and Rhone rivers.

The addition of MS AmaVerde has allowed APT to add themed cruises later this year — Culinary Mastercruise hosted by celebrity chef Jacques Raymond, Artistic Visions of Europe hosted by performer Rhonda Burchmore, European Masters hosted by historian Professor Charles Zika, and Photographer’s Europe cruise hosted by documentary and art photographer Emmanuel Santos.

Other themed cruises come under the banners of Autumn Foliage and Christmas Time in Europe.

Contact: phone 1300 229 804, visit www.aptouring.com.au, or see your local travel agent

*Based on media release issued by APT

Fly-free deal

ALSO, APT is offering a fly-free to Europe deal (including airport taxes of $700) on its 15-day Magnificent Europe cruise departing on MS AmaVerde from Budapest on 22 November 22 if booked by 31 May.

The price is from $6345 per person, twin share (based on Category E suite) which includes 14 nights on board the MS AmaVerde, 41 meals on the cruise with local beer, wine and soft drink at lunch and dinner, tipping, transfers, locally-guided small group shore excursions (including APT Exclusive private music recital at the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest), entertainment, gala welcome and farewell dinners and Freedom of Choice Touring.

Conditions apply.

Contact: 1300 229 804, visit www.aptouring.com.au or see a travel agent.