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See the Best Cruises in 2019 as rated by Australians on ProductReview.com.au.
Travel Marvel is a joke
The tour leader was arrogant and asked us to leave the initial meeting because we didn't wear name tags despite 90% of the room not wearing them. I suspect cause most people attending are white Englishmen and we were not which led to a poor start to the tour.
She seemed largely misinformed and unable to share any real knowledge on the tour and relied completely on the local guide. Not sure why she was even there if she couldn't add anything to the tour.
Also lacked information to provide to australian tourists around transfers etc and was purely focused on her UK consumers.
I'd highly reccomend a different tour company. You can't do worse.
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RicPeel, WA
Tour spoilt by.....
Considering the length & breadth of the tour we were satisfied with the amenities, accommodation & dining options. A few more dinners/lunches need to be included, especially within Sri Lanka. Maiden Hotel in Old Delhi is too isolated...indeed looking at the local map this appeared to be the only hotel listed which created its own problems. Majority of tours were well received. Unfortunately we did not have a Travel Marvel tour director for the Indian leg of the tour which created issues. Many on tour felt that the GRJ (Great Rail Journey) tour ...Read more
director was on an extended holiday...really contributed little to the tour. Travel Marvel perhaps need to review their association with this company. The rail components of the tour were very ordinary: the seat in front of me was broken: no attempt to fix the issue. The Indian guide spent too much time speaking about India's history...refusing to discuss issues facing the local people on a daily basis. Indeed we missed a tour due to the garrulous nature of the guide; a further tour was curtailed for no apparent reason. My wife purchased a carpet in Jaipur. I was led to believe that the guide would submit our passport details as part of the requirements. This he did not do. Several days later we received emails requesting passport & visa details! The tour director departed before tour's conclusion in Delhi with unfortunate implications at the Pride Plaza Aerocity Hotel in Delhi. When people in our group went to reclaim their passport the assistant behind the desk simply handed over all remaining passports for people to identify & reclaim their own passport. One passport could not be located which created a nightmare situation for the person involved. Eventually located but not before people in possession of their own passports had to return to their rooms & identify their passport. An appalling situation which should never have arisen if correct protocols had been followed. This would not have occurred if there had been a Travel Marvel director on tour. A number of people on tour also felt that the guide had run out of steam well before journey's end. He spent a great deal of time on his mobile device & talking to the driver. Unfortunately we had two people aboard who spoilt the journey for many people. They were rude, aggressive, pushy, demanding...displaying no respect for their fellow travellers. The great majority avoided them like the plague. Sri Lanka was an entirely different story. Ignoring, as best we could the ignorant couple, our guide, Osca, was superb. He did the job of a tour director & guide. Always cheerful & supportive he maintained a running commentary where ever we travelled. His attention to administrative details was extremely good. Nothing was too much bother...even setting himself up as a bank to exchange currency when required! One of the many highlights of this tour was visiting Yala National Park. A far better option in my opinion than Rambanthore National park in India. Rambanthore represented a real risk of repeatedly being whip lashed by overhanging branches & vines. Plus, the driver we had in the morning exposed the clients to real risk parking way too close to a canyon's ledge. One of our tour group was prepared to leap out of the 'cantor' so concerned was he at the perilous parking.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
John G.
- 2 reviews
Agree with "Ripped Off"
15 day cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. After having 5 days on the boat, told our cruise is over due to low water levels on the river. We were offered a 50% refund or continue on and receive a refund of 20% as compensation. We continued the tour by bus! For 10 days staying in hotels, eating sub standard food, not a happy traveler.
This would have been our third cruise....this one was a very expensive experience I would like to forget.
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ValerieGreater Melbourne (Metropolitan), VIC
Ripped Off
We arrived in Budapest for a 15 day cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. Five days into the cruise we were told we could either leave the boat next day and receive a 50% refund or continue on and receive a refund of 20% as compensation as the boat was unable to continue on due to low water, a fact which would have been known by the tour operator as highly likely when we left Budapest. We felt obliged to continue on as was difficult to make alternative arrangements at such short notice. We then went around in circles in a gravel bowl of a river...Read more
for three days whilst they decided what to do with us. Eventually we were sent by bus to Frankfurt Airport a trip of 4.5 hours where we were accommodated in a depressing airport hotel for two days and then taken on long bus trips to the towns we should have visited on our cruise. Because of the long distances travelled we were then only able to spend two hour in the places we visited, a hastily put together one hour walking tour with one hour for lunch. We then travelled a further 4.5 hours to Amsterdam by bus. For 10 days there were no on shore excursions to choose from, we were given money to buy our own lunch and generally left to sort things out for ourselves. it was uncomfortable, boring and mediocre. A . Would I recommend this company? never. We should have been told before we left Budapest that the chance of completing the cruise was slim and been given the opportunity to receive a full refund.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
- Travelmarvel Jewel
- Verified customer
Very Good - but with a couple of exceptions
We cruised from Amsterdam to Budapest, September 2019, in an Owners Suite.
Overall this was a very good trip, but there were a couple of not so good features which could potentially stop us using the Jewel again.
First, the positives. The Cruise director Emese was truly excellent, very approachable and hands-on throughout. We can't praise her enough, and the organisation of just about everything was also excellent. The cabin met our expectations, well fitted out and styled, with plenty of storage space for two, and the room attendant was very...Read more
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APPGreater Melbourne (Metropolitan), VIC
- Travelmarvel Diamond
- Verified customer
Great time with great people
We travelled from Amsterdam to Budapest + Prague extension. We couldn’t fault any member of the crew. Without exception, they all did their utmost to make the trip enjoyable. The food was amazing - plenty of it and always many choices. Our tour guide, Cherie, was extremely knowledgeable and very professional. When we left the ship and transferred to a bus for Prague, Marketa, our new tour leader, was equally professional and a real mother hen who did everything she could to ensure we were well looked after. Just wish we’d had more time in Bu...Read more
dapest before leaving for Prague, and at least one more day in Prague before having to leave there! Our only disappointment was not being able to do some of the alternative excursions as well as the ones we did, and that we did not have more time in some places.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
GetReal CaloundraSouth East Queensland, QLD
- 4 reviews
Excellent in every way
We cruised from Dubrovnik to Opatjia, 7 days, on Princess Eleganza. 37 people. Fantastic trip. Very relaxing. Tour director, Dave, was great. Stopped somewhere each day with tour laid on or you could just do your own thing. Small but really good staff. Food excellent and plentiful plus wine, beer or soft drink included at lunch and dinner. Tea and coffee available all the time. We had the cheapest cabin and it was fine. Lots of storage space and small but good bathroom. We had a really great holiday.
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Davosnr
- 4 reviews
Not value for money
The trip was fairly full on with something to see every day, I especially liked the small villages that we tied up in for a few hours to walk around at our own leisure. We enjoyed having a room with a view where you could relax on your bed and watch the countryside glide by if you desired. The icing on the cake was the night cruise along the river in Budapest seeing the bridges and buildings lit up with lights along with music amplified up on the Sun Deck. It was spectacular.
There were abundant amounts of beer wine and soft drinks at lunch an...Read more
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HankMetropolitan Adelaide, SA
Perfect in all ways
We just returned from 21 day Paris to Prague trip with Travel Marvel. What a magnificent holiday . Not One problem the whole way Tour guides, cruise Director just perfect. Why spend thousands of dollars more when all you want is with Travel Marvel.Food and accommodation perfect and with 3 new ships coming what more could you want
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Caroline CottleSydney, NSW
Not up to the usual standard. The ship and room is fine but the food, rushed day tours ,and check in process are not.
My diet allergies were notified in advance but there is minimal options at meal times, and the general wait staff do not understand the requirement. Plain buffet with meats and salads would be better
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Keith MSouth East Queensland, QLD
- Verified customer
Not up to Standard
I have travelled with Travelmarvel twice Budapest to Amsterdam, once to Rockies and Alaska, Cambodia and Vietnam also Myanmar. All of which I enjoyed very much with the standard of the ship as well as the food. On 19/8/18 I did the Vilnius to Moscow trip, I was happy with the coach through the three Baltic states and the tours. I was also happy with the day tours in Russia. What I was not happy with was the ship, recycled food and beverages which were well below my previous trips standard. My advice is if you want to see the country and put up ...Read more
with substandard ship, food and beverages, then go. DO NOT GO IF YOU EXPECT THE USUAL TRAVELMARVEL STANDARD. I am now considering whether I will tour with them again as I was not advised of this problem when I booked.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
Not Happy
Our time on the boat was great but as water level drop and boat trip became a bus trip it slowly deteriorated into a bad holiday —we were given 25euris each day for lunches and expenses lunches were generally at truck stops so food was not to standards set by the ship —at night mostly a buffet not good —secondly we were given free tour concert meal ect but the tour we wanted to do were cancelled these were not on water so why couldn’t we do them —was it because we had to spend so much time on buses that we didn’t get to do tours that we had booked but biggest disappointment was not having night time cruise and meal in budapest we even had to book own tour with local guide and pay for it ourselves very disappointing.
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MickyGreater Melbourne (Inner), VIC
- 2 reviews
Industrial Overcrowding Spoilt the Tour
Three of us did a total 6 weeks tour of North, East, West Canada, and cruise Alaska. 5* to Churchill and East Canada. Everything beautifully organised, excellent accomodation, and in Eastern Canada, BRAVO Christine for her expert guiding and terrific personality. The Western portion of the tour was not on the same par. Of course the scenary was fabulous and again, excellent accomodation.HOWEVER, 50 FIFTY passangers on the bus was simply INDUSTRIAL. Actually, the bus was not that comfortable, and the guide on this segment of the tour tended to r...Read more
udeness. Typically, the Western part of the tour began with a get together. It was terribly handed. I stormed back to my room asking why I was doing this stupid tour. It was like a lecture on what not to expect from the tour ..,,animals, good weather or accomodation. One of my companions had lost his name badge and was coldly treated when he asked fir a new one. The guide was ludicriusly opinionated, rarely stopped talking, and basicaly drove us crazy. It was a sheer relief to board the Volendam and this provided a 5* Alaskan experience.However, non of my party of 3 will ever do another Travelmarvel Tour. We have travelled APT and brilliant. In fact doing China next year. But Travelmarvel, tread with care.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
MelbourneLaura
- 5 reviews
- 6 likes
Fabulous cruise!
My husband and I did the 15 day river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. We absolutely loved it! The staff were great - very efficient and helpful, and some were very funny, giving us lots of laughs. The food was amazing! Excursions were excellent. All so well organised. Definitely recommend it. Not sure why you would pay extra for the dearer cruises. We decided we didn't want to pay for what we would not use - butler, 24/7 grog, all excursions... Would definitely go with TM again.
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KathleenWingham NSW
Bad practices where your money is concerned.
Everything about our trip was fantastic. Did a 15 day European trip, on the river ship, Budapest to Amsterdam, with extra 3 extra nights in Praque & 6 extra nights in Paris.Guides, ships crew, & attention to detail was just perfect. But I booked single supplement, & of course paid full for my air fare. When my brother -in-law pulled out I was able to share, hotels & ship accommodation with my sister, that was fine. But when Travelmarvel adjusted everything moneywise they had me subsidizing my sisters fare instead of giving me a refund. This be...Read more
ing the case, it has taken me 8 full months to get the money back from my sister. Travelmarvel should think about this seriously because we paid separately all the way through! In future I will not travel with them again! Also I have told all my friends of the unfairness of Travelmavel's actions. This was my planned trip of a lifetime which was spoilt by their lazy business practice!Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
MariaPerth
Iconic Wonders Of Peru
We have just returned from the most perfectly organised and run 12 day tour visiting lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. The tour leader Oscar, was a walking 'Google 'and was brilliant at imparting his knowledge.
The local guides were wonderful., particularly Ruben. Accommodation was tops. Meals were very good. Care and concern for the well being of everyone in the group was highly commendable. And it really was value for money.
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nannyfSouth East Queensland, QLD
- 3 reviews
- 2 likes
Value for money
We did the 15 day European trip and this was a great way to see and experience Europe from Amsterdam to Budapest. My husband and I chose Travelmarvel because it was the best price tour at the time and we were not disappointed. The inclusions were more than adequate compared to the more expensive tours and the weather in April was good, some very cold days from Amsterdam but this turned to fairly mild, for a Queenslander, for the rest of the way. The locks and abbeys were an experience on their own. All of the staff on board were great, especia...Read more
lly our waiter Russell and the food was was excellent and there was plenty of it. Complimentary drinks at meal times were more than adequate. Our only negative would be that because of the size of the river ship there was really no where to walk around for exercise unless you wanted to use the gym which is small. There could also be more on board activities whilst cruising, ie bingo, trivia or even talks on the various ports. great service with friendly staff not enough on board activitySimilar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
Questions & Answers
John hollisasked
is it easy to find the boat we are going from Budapest to Amsterdam also the
cost of drinks on board like the cost of scotch red wine
2 answers
If the boat is moored in Budapest in the same location as we were, its a 10 minute walk to the Chain Bridge. We were very close to the Central Market on the Pest side. Easy to locate.
A glass of wine in the lounge is about 4 Euro, and they are generous portions - guessing about 200cl, close to one third of a standard bottle. Not sure if there are premium bottles available or at what cost.
Hope this helps
Thanks for your help we are staying at the Sofitel I imagine it would be close to the boat ?
John hollisasked
Does any know the cost of wine on Board boat can can you pick up wine on shore on bring back on ship
2 answers
Yes we did. We took spirits and mixers on board. Then went to the bar and asked for large glass plus buckets of ice
CAN YOU remember the cost of the spirits ?
Jenny Dasked
We have booked the Rockies and Alaskan Adventure with Travel Marvel in 2020 - its a bucket list trip. For those who have done this - what are your don't miss moments?
Details
Travelmarvel Jewel3.5(2) | Travelmarvel Diamond4.8(4) | Travelmarvel Sapphire2.5(6) | |
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| Category | Cruises | Cruises | Cruises |
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