The Travelmarvel Vega, a popular river ship operated by APT Travel Group, sustained damage in a shipping incident outside Amsterdam on March 30, 2023. While no crew members were injured and no guests were on board at the time of the incident, the damage has resulted in the cancellation of several scheduled cruises.
The ship was enroute to Amsterdam to begin the European river cruising season on March 31 when it was hit by a cargo ship. As a result of the damage, guests already in Amsterdam scheduled to sail on the Vega could not embark as planned. However, APT Travel Group has worked tirelessly to make alternate arrangements for affected guests.
According to the company, personnel from their Australia, UK, and Europe offices are on the ground in Amsterdam to coordinate arrangements for affected guests. The Customer Relations team and supplier partners have been working around the clock to assist with all possible alternatives, including alternate cruises, alternate departure points for other cruises, on-travel to their next destination, or repatriation flights home.
The well-being and experiences of their guests are the highest priority, and the company is doing everything possible to ensure that this unexpected situation is handled smoothly and swiftly. APT Travel Group CEO David Cox expressed disappointment over the disruption to the scheduled season due to an accident outside of their control. However, he remains optimistic that the next departures will go as expected.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of travel insurance, particularly when booking cruises. Travel insurance can help protect against unexpected situations, such as trip cancellations or interruptions, medical emergencies, and lost or damaged luggage.
Overall, the APT Travel Group’s swift response and dedication to ensuring the well-being of their guests in the wake of this incident is commendable. As they continue to manage the situation and keep stakeholders informed, affected guests can rest assured that they are in good hands.
