APT (River)
Also called: APT
PremiumSee how APT (River) describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1Drinks are included on board APT's Europe river ships throughout the day (APT's US Terms exclude French Champagne and premium spirits)
- 2Wi-Fi is complimentary on board
- 3APT Solara, APT Ostara and APT Alara carry free e-bikes to borrow on request
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise line100 days before departure
The balance is due 100 days before departure unless a special offer says otherwise. Bookings made less than 100 days before departure must be paid in full at booking.
Applies to: US bookings (US General Terms & Conditions).
Deposit
Per cruise line$500 pp, due within 7 days of booking confirmation
A $500 per person security deposit, per holiday package, is due within seven days of booking confirmation. Deposit requirements may vary on special offers. All fares and charges are in USD. APT also lets guests hold a place for up to seven days without a deposit.
Applies to: US bookings (US General Terms & Conditions).
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise line100+ days: loss of deposit; 99-61 days: 50%; 60 days or less: 100%
Per-person fees for Europe river cruises: 100 days or more before departure, loss of deposit; 99-61 days, 50% of the holiday package price; 60 days or less, 100%. Once the holiday has started, 100% is charged. Airline and other supplier fees are extra, and a $50 pp APT fee applies to cancelled ticketed air.
Applies to: Europe holiday packages (US Terms, Europe section). The Vietnam & Cambodia and Murray River sections show the same scale; South America tours (Amazon) use a different scale starting at 120 days.
What's included on board
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Guests per ship
- 154 guests (APT Solara, APT Ostara); 116 (MS Estrela, Douro); Mekong Serenity has 44 suitesPer cruise line
- Gratuities
- IncludedPer cruise line
- Beer & wine
- Included (Europe, Mekong, Murray; Ganges: 2 glasses of house wine or beer with lunch and dinner)Per cruise line
- Premium drinks
- Not included per the US Terms (French Champagne and premium spirits excluded); Sources differPer cruise line
- Wi-Fi
- IncludedPer cruise line
- Dining
- Included (meals as stated in the itinerary)Per cruise line
- Premium dining
- Included; multiple venues on APT Solara/Ostara/Alara (Sources differ: seven or six)Per cruise line
- Included tours
- Included (Signature Experiences and Freedom of Choice excursions)Per cruise line
- Extra tours
- Not published
- Transfers
- Included (airport transfers on the first and last day)Per cruise line
- Air program
- Available (not included unless stated)Per cruise line
- Pre/post land tours
- Available (extension packages before or after the cruise)Per cruise line
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Guests with a disability or medical condition needing assistance must tell APT at booking about anything affecting their health, mobility or fitness, and report later changes before departure. APT sends a Health, Fitness & Mobility Questionnaire to complete at booking. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Guests who need help (pushing a wheelchair, dressing, walking) must travel with a companion who can give it; crew cannot help with boarding or walking. Guests must manage ramps, which may have steep steps at low water, and stairs between decks. In Europe APT says wheelchairs are of minimal use and wheelchair users should reconsider these tours. Coaches have no wheelchair ramps. Per cruise line
- Blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing
- Only the Antarctica & South America terms (which cover the Amazon) address this: deaf guests must share a cabin with someone who can hear the cabin alarms. Nothing is published for Europe or Asia river cruises. Per cruise line
- Service animals
- Not published
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- APT does not employ medical staff on its tours; guests needing care are referred to local medical services at their own cost. (APT's small-ship expedition cruises, not its river ships, have an onboard doctor.) Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Loyalty program
APT ClubPer cruise line
- 1Silver — 1 trip of 7+ days
- 2Gold — 2-3 trips of 7+ days
- 3Platinum — 4-5 trips of 7+ days
- 4Diamond — 6 or more trips of 7+ days
Guests may say
“APT Club”
Eligible trips with the other APT Travel Group brands, Travelmarvel and Botanica World Discoveries, count toward APT Club tiers, and the $100 Welcome Home and Friends & Family vouchers can be used on any of the three brands (Australian site).
Military & veterans
We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
APT includes airport transfers on the first and last day of the holiday package at designated times. Unused transfers are not refunded, cannot be re-routed, and guests who miss them travel at their own expense.
Which ports: Designated times only; see the US Terms.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Good to know
Hold a place without a deposit
Per cruise lineGuests can hold a place on a tour or cruise for up to seven days without paying a deposit, by calling APT or through a travel agent.
Sun deck closures in Europe
Per cruise lineIn locks, under low bridges or in bad weather the main sun deck must close. APT says closures average 4-6 days per 15-day Europe cruise.
Onboard currency
Per cruise lineOn APT's Europe river ships the onboard currency is the euro. Purchases go on a shipboard account, settled by cash or card at the end of the cruise.
Card surcharges
Per cruise lineAPT adds a 1%-3% surcharge (by card) to the holiday price when paying by credit card, and 0.5% for debit cards.
Children
Per cruise lineOn Europe holidays APT does not recommend children under 12, and under-18s must share a room with an adult. The Vietnam & Cambodia terms say under-12s are not permitted.
Free e-bikes in Europe
Per cruise lineAPT Solara, APT Ostara and APT Alara carry e-bikes guests can borrow free on request. Guided bike tours run mid-April to October, with helmets provided.
Butler service on Mekong Serenity
Per cruise lineOn Mekong Serenity, Bayon Suite guests get Silver Butler Service and Angkor Suite guests get Gold Butler Service. All guests get two garments laundered free each day.
Owner's Suite extras (Europe)
Per cruise lineOn APT Solara, APT Ostara and APT Alara, Owner's Suite guests get complimentary laundry and pressing and a complimentary spa treatment.
Fleet
- Ships
- 8 river ships listed: APT Solara and APT Ostara (Europe), MS Estrela (Douro), Mekong Serenity, Ganges Voyager, Yangzi Explorer, PS Australian Star (Murray River) and Delfin III (Amazon); APT Alara joins in 2028Per cruise line
- Newest ship
- APT Solara and APT Ostara, which began sailing in Europe in 2025Per cruise line
Where they sail
Last full review: 4 Nov 2026·Last updated: 4 Nov 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.