Ahoy! Ahoy! Welcome to the first in the series of Michelle’s Travelmarvelous Moments, a monthly column where I recap on updates from the road on the world of river cruising, celebrate all wins big and small and share tales I’ve picked up along the way.
For my first entry I want to focus on bringing one thing to life. Something that we on Team APT Travelmarvel carry with us on a daily basis, whether we’re captain or crew, customer service or commercial, sales or CEO. It is a concept that we strive to embody in everyday life and utilise in all situations. It is what we call the APT Difference. On the wall in our HQ in London there is a sign, defining exactly what the APT Difference is. It reads:
Great experiences don’t happen by chance, they are created by passionate people. With care, innovation and integrity, we deliver on our promises, grow together and celebrate every moment. That is what we call The APT Difference.
From the moment I joined APT Travelmarvel this mission statement of sorts was described to me and I was challenged with making it a part of my day-to-day life. Whether I’m in store with an agent showcasing the latest addition to the fleet, at a consumer show working alongside a partner or onboard experiencing a product first hand. Now, to us very dry humoured and slightly sceptical Irish people this may seem to fall on the poetic side. But today I want to put the spotlight on a few marvellous moments that I experienced this month where it was agents around Ireland who helped bring this credo to life.
My first shout-out goes to the lovely Elaine Massey sitting out by the sea in Dun Laoghaire’s Best4Travel. Back in April she gave me a call about a couple who had simply been passing by when their attention was caught by a window offer showcasing the final call for early summer sailings. Thirty minutes later they strolled out having secured one of the final staterooms onboard our Highlights of the Danube sailing for just a few weeks later. Now, having returned from their sailing they popped back in store last week to not only give glorious feedback on their Travelmarvel experience, but to thank Elaine for introducing them to the product. In their own words her “patience, advice, professionalism and enthusiasm were absolutely central” to them booking and for them now having “just booked another cruise! From a taster on the Danube to a full-on fortnight on the Mekong, you have turned us into committed cruisers.”
From being completely unaware of the brand and having never booked with the agency before they are now complete converts to both. If that doesn’t showcase the APT Difference then I’m not sure what does! It just goes to show how quickly the right customers can be converted to the brand and to rivers in general and how the magical experience will keep them coming back for more. Big thank you to Elaine for her continued support since day one.
Another glowing customer reference came from a meeting with Phoenix Travel recently, whose customer may or may not have been really feeling the love onboard after enjoying a vino over lunch when he wrote home to state “I think I have just died and gone to Heaven.” If that isn’t the divine description you want from your customers then I don’t know what is!
And finally, on a slightly different tack, I want to share some internal feedback from our phenomenal call centre team. They are always on hand to answer queries, quote flights and build relationships with our partners – something I’ve learned they are loving with Irish agents! One of our team actually said that they jump when they see the Irish numbers pop up as their increasing experience in working with Irish agents has shown how polite, patient and just generally good craic we are to work with. So again, the premise of the APT Difference is being shown by those who have taken the time to book, to call through and to showcase our truly marvellous brand to their customers. For that I am so grateful for your support and for putting your trust in us and in me over the last nine months and can just promise that from the team behind the scenes making the magic happen, from me on the ground bringing it to your stores (and hounding you for selfies!) and from our genuinely incredible crew onboard, we’ll continue to uphold these values to help us all grow together.
Travelmarvel Moments of the Year Competition
And now for the science bit – don’t forget to enter our Travelmarvel Moments of the Year competition in association with ITTN. Simply snap a photo with your Travelmarvel mug, capturing a marvellous moment, from iconic landmarks to quiet countryside scenes and send it with a short description of what made it special to [email protected].
Your photo will also be featured on ITTN.ie, but don’t forget to post it on your socials making sure to use #TravelmarvelMoments. It could win you a place at the Irish Travel Trade Awards 2025 AND an incredible 8-day sailing aboard the brand-new vessel the Travelmarvel Rigel! For full details and to get your hands on your mug now visit www.ittn.ie/travelmarvel-moments-of-the-year/.
FIRST WINNERS ANNOUNCED 12TH AUGUST SO GET YOUR ENTRIES IN NOW!
