2013 - APT Europe River Cruising

We're There For You APT's ships boast the highest staff-to-guest ratio on Europe's rivers. From your APT Cruise Director to the onboard hospitality team, expert local guides to our European- based operations staff, with APT you'll be taken care of by the very best in business. And, thanks to the industry-leading number of staff members per guest, you can expect attentive service – every day. Your Onboard Family During your cruise, you'll be treated as the individual that you are. In turn, you'll come to think of the onboard crew as friends. When it does come time to depart, you'll be sad to leave your new onboard family. The Captain & Crew On board, your experienced captain and dedicated crew have vast knowledge and training in their areas of expertise, so your safety and comfort is assured at all times. Exceptional Hospitality Staff We select our hospitality staff for more than just their undeniable skill. Led by a dedicated onboard Hotel Manager, they bring to the ship great knowledge and vast experience in their respective areas. Perhaps most importantly, they perform their roles with a genuine enthusiasm and will always greet you with a smile. Whether pouring a drink just the way you like it, preparing a gourmet delight or turning down your suite, they're on board to provide the ultimate in first-class service. At the Reception Desk, staff are on hand 24 hours a day to assist you. Local Guides – Local Insight As you explore the Europe's cities, towns and villages on our Signature Experiences, Freedom of Choice Inclusions and Small Group Excursions, you'll enjoy the services of an English-speaking local guide. Unlike other guides, they don't receive commission from local establishments, so you can be sure you're getting impartial advice. *Refer to pages 196-197 for further information. 20 APT Cruise & Tour Directors On an APT Platinum Series Cruise, an APT Cruise Director will be on board at all times; during Grand City Stays and extended Land Journeys, an APT Tour Director is present throughout. Committed to going the extra mile, they are there to ensure your experience is unforgettable. With their established reputation as the very best in the business, our cruise and tour directors have become renowned as a highlight of the APT holiday experience. It's not just their job – it's their passion. Kay Hecht, APT Cruise Director Having always loved river ships, Kay gained many years experience in touring and cruising worldwide – he even met his wife from New Zealand while working on a river ship – before joining APT as a cruise director in 2007. 'The Magnificent Europe cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest is my favourite', he says. 'The cruise is two weeks long, which gives me a chance to get to know my guests and to show them so many different highlights of Europe's waterways.' European-based Operations Dedicated English-speaking APT staff are based in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Cologne, Budapest and Prague. So should the unexpected occur while you're travelling, our local staff are able to provide assistance with minimal disruption to your holiday. Private Butler Service* Guests in several suite categories will benefit from our Silver Butler Service, which offers a wonderful level of personalised attention. Silver Butler Services include: pressing of two garments a day; shoe shining; tea & coffee service; booking of appointments, independent shore excursions and Freedom of Choice Inclusions. Gold Butler Service In addition to the benefits of our Silver Butler Service, a number of guests in select suites will enjoy our Gold Butler Service. This includes service of afternoon fruit skewers, pre-dinner canapés and evening petits-fours; a packing and unpacking service; bath-drawing, and a valet service (arranging limousines and similar). Room Service Dining* On APT Platinum Series Cruises, guests in select suite categories can enjoy room service dining at breakfast and dinner. Your European History Team Through the efforts of our guest historians and lecturers, local guides and your cruise director, you'll gain great insight into the fascinating history of each region you visit. Our APT City Concierge In Paris, Prague, Amsterdam and Budapest, APT city concierges are on hand to help ensure your transfer between cruise and land is seamless, further guaranteeing that your journey with APT is a memorable one.

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