There’s a new accent on the Rhine and Danube, and it isn’t German. Australian-founded APT and its sister brand Travelmarvel have been slipping into Europe’s river scene with a calm, confident swagger: design-forward ships, clear pricing that actually includes the bits you use, and crews who treat hospitality as a craft rather than a script. If the names feel unfamiliar in the UK, that’s because they’ve built their reputations in Australia for decades and are now doubling down on Europe with new hardware and a sharpened offer.
APT Luxury: design pedigree and proper inclusions
APT has gone big on “quiet luxury.” Its new river ships, Solara and Ostara, were conceived with Melbourne studio Hecker Guthrie, so the look is more boutique hotel than floating conference suite: think pale timber, tasteful artwork, and dining rooms that easily rival some of the best you'd find on land. The ships sail the classic Amsterdam to Budapest axis on the Rhine, Main and Danube, with six dining spots, a heated pool and the sort of details that make long days ashore feel very well earned indeed.
Crucially, APT’s European packages tend to bundle the logistical parts of travel. Return UK flights, home to airport transfers by private car, drinks, tipping and signature excursions are part of the promise, which means fewer decisions (and fewer surprises on your bill). If you like the idea of one price that includes absolutely everything, this is very much your lane.
APT doesn’t stop at rivers. Its 34–36 guest yachts along Croatia’s coast are a reminder that “small ship” can still mean proper comfort. Lady Eleganza handles the APT Luxury crowd while Travelmarvel charters Princess Eleganza for a value-first take on the same dreamy route of stone towns and island anchorages.
Travelmarvel Premium: contemporary ships, clear value
Travelmarvel is APT’s more affordable sibling, but “value” here should be read as modern, not cut-corner. On the big European rivers you’ll see the brand’s contemporary-class trio, Polaris, Capella and Vega, built specifically for Europe’s locks and city moorings. Expect clean interiors, sensible cabins and carefully planned social spaces. Drinks with meals come included, excursions are thoughtfully curated, and the price point leaves room for the odd splurge ashore.
The Douro gets a purpose-built Travelmarvel ship too. MS Estrela launched for the valley’s tight curves and sun-baked terraces, with early reviews praising the fit for the river and the easy onboard rhythm between tastings and village strolls.
If you want receipts beyond brochure speak, recent Trustpilot write-ups for Travelmarvel skew very high: staff called out by name, tours described as “spoiling,” and the kind of gentle grumbles that only appear when people are otherwise very happy. It is a useful temperature check for a brand still introducing itself to British travellers.
Who they suit, in plain English
If you are the “just make it easy” planner, APT Luxury is a relief. The flights, transfers, drinks and tips are taken care of, the excursions are thoughtfully paced, and the new ships look like somewhere you’d be glad to come home to after a castle, a vineyard and a heroic slice of Viennese cake.
If you are the “smart value, nice hardware” planner, Travelmarvel is your friend. You get contemporary ships, drinks with lunch and dinner, a curated programme that leaves free time in the right places and a price that won’t make you ration gelato. The brand also opens doors to good-weather yacht weeks on the Adriatic and wine-scented Douro loops on a ship built for that river’s personality.
Why you’re hearing more about them now
Beyond the new builds, the group is clearly investing in Europe-facing product for UK guests. The itineraries hit the big hitters you expect, but the experience has an Aussie ease that reads well in a (sometimes) quite buttoned-up category. It is hard to fake good hospitality, and both brands do it fabulously well.
If your mental shortlist has always been the usual river names, make room for two more. APT Luxury brings the all-in polish and design credibility; Travelmarvel brings the modern kit and the kind of value that feels considered, not compromised. Either way, your Europe looks a little better from a sun deck where the hardest choice is Grüner on the rooftop or another espresso downstairs.
Good to know: Our in-depth pages for both brands sit below when you are ready to dive deeper.