A design-led approach sets new standards for the interiors of APT Solara and APT Ostara
Australian Pacific Touring (APT) has partnered with multi-award-winning Australian architects Hecker Guthrie to create a pair of custom-designed vessels that will be deployed on Europe’s most popular rivers.
The tour and river cruise operator says 154-passenger APT Solara and APT Ostara, respectively launching in March and June 2025, will redefine the meaning of luxury on the Rhine, Main, Danube and Dutch waterways.
Head of sales and business development APT and Travelmarvel, Brad Bennetts tells Passenger Ship Interior and Refurbishment Review, “Over the last few years, this evolution has been driven by large-scale investment into APT’s luxury fleet. Following the launch of our newbuild Mekong Serenity in Asia, and the Lady Eleganza yacht in Croatia, we are now focused on our core European river cruise product. The forthcoming launches of APT Solara and APT Ostara mark the next stage of our journey into the ultra-luxury category.”
The ships represent the continued evolution of APT, which is approaching its centenary year. It is a landmark moment for the brand that was born out of a Melbourne city tram strike in 1927 when enterprising Bill McGeary transformed a truck into a means of public transport. He went on to found a bus business that became one of Australia’s most successful travel companies and subsequently grew to become one of the world’s most successful travel businesses. APT remains in the ownership of the McGeary family.
“The ambition for APT’s new European fleet was to set a new gold standard of luxury for our guests,” says Mr Bennetts. “We wanted to create something completely different and elevate the quality of our product beyond anything currently available in the market.”
Hecker Guthrie’s extensive portfolio covers the hotel, hospitality, retail, commercial and residential sectors. Like all European river ships, the 135 m by 12 m APT Solara and APT Ostara will be the standard size to sail beneath low bridges and navigate locks, so it is the interiors that will set them apart from other vessels.
Mr Bennetts continues, “This is the first time we have taken such an interior design-led approach to a ship build. Hecker Guthrie has been at the heart of the project from its inception, allowing their aesthetic to be woven through every part of the build. The result is a pair of vessels to rival the chicest hotels on shore.
“Also headquartered in Australia, Hecker Guthrie stood out as the perfect partner to bring the relaxed, modern and unpretentious style of our brand to life, through elegant design, cutting edge technology and structural optimisation of space and light. We are extremely proud of what we’ve created together. These stunning new ships cement APT’s transformation to ultra-luxury river cruise operator, delivering unprecedented quality and elegance for our guests sailing through Europe from spring 2025 onwards.”
Each ship will feature six all-inclusive dining options; a main restaurant, intimate wine cellar, a relaxing conservatory, a casual dining option, an exclusive aft restaurant, rooftop dining, plus the additional option of in-suite dining.
Mr Bennetts explains, “The level of attention that APT has invested into the ships’ hardware and design is being mirrored by the effort being made to refine the operational, culinary and service offering. From start to finish, every part of the guest experience aboard APT’s new luxury ships will be delivered to a level that goes above and beyond anything seen before on Europe’s most popular rivers.”
He says the ships will resemble floating hotels, with communal spaces designed to optimise space, movement and light, with quieter enclaves for relaxation and more convivial areas to bring guests together, and create connection.
Turning to the 77 staterooms, which comprise 15-m2 lower deck cabins with a pair of fixed windows, 17-m2 balcony suites and eight 25-m2 Owner’s suites, he describes the stateroom design as being worthy of the most discerning interior design magazines.
“Warm, rustic tones and wooden accents combine with earthy linens to evoke a sense of cosiness and calm,” he says. “The Owner’s suite features spacious interiors, large outdoor balconies and panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows that frame sweeping views of the riverside scenery. A separate sitting area is the perfect space in which to enjoy private in-suite dining. Balcony suites feature electric floor-to-ceiling slide-down windows that open with ease to a French balcony, giving fresh air and light-filled interiors.”
Mr Bennetts says the ’wow factors’ of the structural design and use of space will be matched in impact by the more micro-level attention to detail, such as the quality finishes, cutting edge technology, sumptuous materials and personalised service.
“The new luxury river ships will set a new standard in sustainability, with emphasis on saving fuel, energy optimisation and waste reduction,” he adds.
Other public areas on APT Solara and APT Ostara include a generously proportioned lounge, gym, spa and hair salon. The sun decks will have a heated pool, lounge area, bar and faux fire pit.
The ships will sail on itineraries including the eight-night Danube Discovery sailing between Munich and Budapest and the two-week Magnificent Europe cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, or in reverse, which includes an overnight stay in Vienna. The new vessels will join the ships in Europe operated by APT’s four-star premium brand Travelmarvel.
Mr Bennetts concludes, “These ultra-luxury ships are the culmination of APT’s ongoing campaign of fleet elevations and brings together almost 100 years of experience in crafting the perfect holiday.”
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