Travelmarvel Polaris

The 2021-built Travelmarvel Polaris cruise ship is a newbuild riverboat operated by the APT Travel-owned subsidiary company Travelmarvel (sisterbrand to AmaWaterways). The vessel's sisterships and fleetmates are Travelmarvel Vega and Travelmarvel Capella. All these riverboats are operated under charter (via APT's subsidiary ATG Tour Europe Ltd).

The vessel Travelmarvel Polaris (ENI number 2338263/hull) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057758, registered in Basel) and Holland-built (by Scheepswerf Den Breejen Shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam). The riverboat's namesakes are Havila Polaris (2022-built cruiseferry), Viking Polaris (2022-built expedition cruise ship) and Polaris icebreaker (2016-built).

The riverboat is powered by two Caterpillar marine diesel engines (model C32 Acert) with total power output 1,5 MW. The propulsion system is based on two Veth propellers plus one bow thruster (Veth-Jet). Onboard energy supply is provided by three diesel generator sets (310 kVA, model Cummins KT-1150-G) and solar panels.

The shipowner PCE River Cruiser AG is a Basel-based subsidiary of the Hamburg-based PCE Fondsmanagement GmbH (PCE Premium Capital Emissionshaus GmbH & Co KG). The 2015-founded company specializes in business management (mainly in river cruise shipping) and property investments. The subsidiary PCE Fondsverwaltung GmbH (fund management company) is also responsible for the passenger shipping business supervision.

The riverboat's namesakes are the icebreaker Polaris (2016-built), the cruiseferry Havila Polaris (2022) and the expedition ship Viking Polaris (2022).

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The APT-Travelmarvel ship Polaris has 4 passenger decks (3 with cabins). Panorama Restaurant is a full-capacity complimentary dining room with buffet stations. In the Foyer (lobby area midship on Upper Deck) are the 2 ship entrances, 24-hour Reception Desk, Tour Office, Gift Shop, Library (reading corner with books and board games).

True North Lounge (forward on Upper Deck) is a Salon Bar with floor-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows, dance floor, electronic piano, media equipment and direct access to the Verandah (bow-located Lido Terrace with outdoor seating, also accessed from Sundeck's Garden Terrace).

McGeary's Bar (Pub) is an aft-located on Upper Deck casual restaurant served by its own Bar. Here are served light Lunch and Dinner (from a pub-style menu). At the Pub, passengers can relax and enjoy the riverside scenery whilst watching Sky Sports (satellite British sports channels) and the evening music entertainment.

On Sun Deck are the Garden Terrace (fore-located Alfresco Lounge with outdoor seating), sunbathing areas (with garden loungers and deckchairs), midship-located shaded seating area (with retractable awnings) surrounded by Walking Track, aft Pool Deck (Jacuzzi / outdoor Whirlpool tub, sunbathing area, small seating area). The sundeck has no deck games (like Giant Chess Set, Shuffleboard or Mini-Golf Putting Green).

On Lower Deck is the ship's only wellness facility - the Fitness Center (a small Gym Room fitted with modern equipment). The boat has no Hair Salon (hairdresser/barber) or Spa (treatment rooms for massages or indoor Jacuzzi/whirlpool hot tub).

One Lift (passenger elevator) connects all cabin decks. All decks are interconnected via stairs (forward, midship and aft), including a grand staircase in the Atrium.

Smoking is permitted only at the Lido Terrace (Verandah) and at Sundeck's Alfresco Lounge (Garden Terrace).

APT-Travelmarvel cruise passengers are mostly from the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The company offers good value-for-money vacation packages with plenty of inclusions. Cruisetour fares are inclusive of flights, port charges and fees, tipping (onboard gratuities), Internet/W-LAN (wireless), bicycles (carried on the ship). Tea and coffee are available 24 hours, and free of charge. Refillable water tap is also available. Lunches and dinners come with complimentary local beers, house wines (by the glass) and soft drinks. Shore excursions (sightseeing guided tours) are optional and included in the package.

Decks and Cabins

The large (135-m long) APT riverboat Travelmarvel Polaris has a total of 91 staterooms (all outside) and 4 decks (3 with cabins). All double cabins are equally sized (16 m2 / 170 ft2). Main Deck cabins are smaller (15 m2 / 160 ft2) and available for single occupancy booking (without single supplement, subject to availability). Most staterooms are with French Balcony (floor-ceiling sliding electric windows opening halfway down). Only Main Deck cabins are with two non-opening windows located at water level (near the ceiling). Suites are larger sized (24 m2 / 260 ft2).

All Travelmarvel Polaris cabins offer as standard (cruise price-inclusive) amenities en-suite bathroom (single-sink vanity, WC-toilet, shower, under-sink storage, magnifying mirror, hairdryer, shaver socket), hotel beds (Queen-size bed convertible to twins, with premium bedding sets and pillows), bedside cabinets, wall-mounted reading lamps, LED ceiling lights, wall-mounted HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system, movies, Internet, ship info channel, real-time bow camera views), phone (onboard calls only - Reception Desk, passenger cabins, wake-up service), mirrored vanity table (writing desk), round table with 2 armchairs, mirrored wardrobe, minibar (refrigerator), electronic safe box (in the closet), 220V power sockets, individually controlled air-conditioning.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.