3rd Nov 2025 | 7 nights | APT Travelmarvel | Travelmarvel Polaris
Travelmarvel Polaris, the first of three new Contemporary Class river cruise vessels to set sail for Australian company Travelmarvel, with its launch in April 2020. The name Polaris comes from one of three of the brightest stars in the night sky. It's the first ship to be newly built for the brand.
Top-Deck Attractions
Up on the sundeck, passengers will find a rooftop bar, terrace garden, putting green and heated whirlpool bath.
Entertainment
During the day, passengers can relax in the spa bath on the sundeck, or play mini golf on the putting green or giant chess in the dedicated games area. On rainy days, head for the spa or take shelter in the library where you can flick through books or play board games. In the evenings, head to the Vista Lounge for music and dancing, or simply take in the night air in one of the vessel's open spaces.
Passengers can choose from three dining options on the ship. Panorama Restaurant offers a fine dining experience, while Vista Lounge is a more laidback affair with a focus on light and healthy meals. McGeary's Bar is another more casual option with pub-style dishes.
The ship has 91 staterooms and suites, which all face outside. These range from 14 to 24 sq. m in size and are fitted with recessed blackout blinds, to help deliver a good night's sleep. All rooms on the middle and upper deck also features wide horizontal electric windows to create a French-style balcony when lowered, enabling passengers to make the most of the views even on rainy days.
Culturally inquisitive passengers looking for an upscale experience with a lively onboard atmosphere, particularly at night.
Travellers on a budget who prefer to sail with folks from their own country.
Predominantly aged 50 and upward, APT passengers are likely to be well-travelled couples and singles interested in culture and authentic experiences. The company is primarily aimed at English-speaking markets in Australia, New Zealand and the U.K., with a smattering of folks from North America. It is rare to see children aboard.
The dress code is "casual and comfortable" by day and smart-casual for dinner. Passengers are not allowed to wear swimwear in the restaurant or lounges, and shorts are not suitable for dinner. There is one captain's night per cruise, which is when people tend to wear their best attire -- collared shirts and jackets for men (ties not required) and dresses or smart trousers and tops for ladies. The most important things to pack are comfortable shoes for the shore excursions as many of them involve walking along cobbled or uneven streets.
Yes, with APT all passengers need to factor in is spending money for time ashore. Fares cover excursions, meals and snacks, wine with lunch and dinner and Wi-Fi. As the company is Australian, where tipping is not a firmly entrenched culture, gratuities to local guides, drivers, the ship's crew and cruise director are also included in the fare.
Daily shore excursions -- often more than one -- are included in the fare. These include coach tours to places of interest and town and city walking tours, often usefully divided into gentle, regular and active walking groups. All passengers have personal earpieces and receivers in their cabins, which enable them to hear the guide clearly without having to huddle around, and because different shore excursions are on offer, they invariably involve small groups and never feel over crowded. The line's excursions are particularly popular, as these provide extra special options (think treasure hunts, falconry displays and banquets hosted by actual royalty). Passengers also enjoy taking out one of the 20 or so bicycles onboard for exploring the river bank, or, when not in a port, indulging in some time at the spa or soaking in the top-deck hot tub.
Inclusions may differ depending on region. Please check with our team.