Highlights of new brochure include return to Russia and new itineraries along Danube and Douro rivers  

To celebrate the launch of its new 2017 Luxury River Cruising brochure, APT is giving agents the chance to earn rewards, such as cinema vouchers and new gadgets, with every booking made before 31 August as part of its new booking incentive.

Agents will receive rewards ranging from a £25 cinema voucher to a Fitbit Alta or Kindle Fire HD as part of the APT Agent Incentive. The incentive applies to every new 2017 and 2018 Europe and Asia booking made between 8 July and 31 August 2016.

The brochure lands with agents from mid-July 2016 and features the river cruise line’s return to Russia after two years, as well as new itineraries along the Danube and Douro rivers, and a fresh new design.

APT has also simplified the classification of its cruises further to feedback from its agent partners into two categories: Luxury (5 star) cruises and Premium* (4 star) cruises. The simplification will help agents find the best cruise to fit their customer’s needs. Agents will also have the chance to familiarise themselves with the 2017 brochure through an online training course, which will be available from mid-July.

Highlights of the new brochure include:

• A new eight-day Majestic Danube Luxury cruise, which departs from Budapest (Hungary) for an overnight stay and calls at Bratislava (Slovakia), Vienna (Austria) for an overnight stay, Durnstein (Austria), Weissenkirchen (Austria), Melk (Austria), Emmersdorf (Austria), Grein (Austria), Linz (Austria), Passau (Germany) and Vilshofen (Germany) before disembarking and travelling to Munich (Germany) for the flight home. The cruise includes an exclusive evening at Palais Coburg in Vienna (Austria) for a private music recital. Prices from £2,845 per person, twin share.

• A new 11-day Treasures of Russia Premium cruise, which departs from St Petersburg following a three night stay, Mandrogi, Kizhi Island, Goritsy, Yaroslavl and Uglich before arriving in Moscow (all Russia) for a three-night stay before the flight home. The cruise includes a visit to the Hermitage Museum and World-Heritage listed Kizhi Island; plus a Russian lesson onboard, traditional music performances and a vodka tasting. Prices from £1,695 per person, twin share.

• A new eight-day Douro Discovery Premium cruise, which departs from Vila Nova de Gaia (Portugal), Pinhão (Portugal), Régua (Portugal), Vega de Terrón (Spain), Salamanca (Spain), Barca d’Alva (Spain), Régua (Portugal), Lamego (Portugal), Pinhão (Portugal), and Entre-os-Rios (Portugal) before returning to Vila Nova de Gaia (Portugal) where guests will disembark the ship before travelling to Porto (Portugal) for the flight home. The cruise includes a Portuguese lesson onboard, a city tour of Salamanca in Spain, a Portuguese cooking demonstration onboard and a wine tasting at the Quinta do Seixo winery in Cais Espinho (Portugal). Prices from £1,795 per person, twin share.

Angela Waite, UK sales manager APT commented:

“2017 is our most extensive programme thanks to growth from UK trade sales and we are excited to return to Russia and add some new itineraries. We have listened to agent feedback and are making it easier to understand what is included in our Luxury or Premium cruises. We urge agents to work with their clients to book early to take advantage of the savings on offer – and agents will enjoy a booking incentive as a thank you for their support.”

APT is currently offering savings of up to £1,500 per couple with early booking offers on all 2017 and 2018 river cruises if booked before 31st August 2016.

The APT Agent Incentive is valid on all Europe and Asia bookings departing from 1 January 2017 to 30 April 2018, booked before 31 August 2016.  Visit www.aptouring.co.uk/agents or email [email protected] for full details.