APT Travel Group is approaching its 100th anniversary in 2027 with a significantly expanded river fleet, following the launch of the Rigel in Europe and the Travelmarvel Sirius on the Nile in 2026.
“The Rigel gives us scale and confidence we did not have before,” Paul Melinis, managing director, U.K. and Europe, for APT Luxury and Travelmarvel, told Cruise Industry News in an interview for the 2027 European River Market Report. “Four ships on the Rhine, Main and Danube means we can react quicker to demand.”
The Rigel, which departed Amsterdam on her inaugural sailing on June 30, 2026, joins her Travelmarvel sisters the Polaris, the Capella and the Vega. Melinis said the expanded fleet gave APT a stronger position in the U.K. and Ireland, now its most important growth market alongside its Australian and New Zealand base.
The APT Luxury brand operates the Solara and the Ostara, which launched in 2025, carry 154 passengers each and feature hydraulic bar lifts between decks and multiple dining venues.
“We are at the top of the deck when it comes to affordable luxury and I’m really proud to say that we have managed to really get that price point right,” Melinis said.
The family-owned company, which began with a single converted truck in Melbourne in 1927, has built its approach around service. APT research among repeat guests found customer service ranked as the most important factor in choosing a river cruise line, followed by food. Nearly 60 percent of repeat guests take at least one river cruise per year.
Beyond Europe, the 124-passenger Travelmarvel Sirius debuted on the Nile in September 2026, marking APT’s return to Nile cruising after more than a decade. The ship sails seven-night round trips from Luxor, with an Abu Simbel visit by private charter flight included.
“It’s not a case of us adding ships just for the sake of it. Egypt is a destination with genuine long-term appeal,” Melinis said.
Demand across the U.K. and Ireland is very strong for 2027, Melinis said, and he is relaxed about new competition.
“When big companies are investing so heavily, it just validates the strength of our market,” he said. “We are a family and we are very disciplined. We don’t need or want to have to chase scale like some because our philosophy has always been that we chase quality.”
He remained watchful on overcapacity, however.
“There are, of course, limits to docking and lock infrastructure,” Melinis said. “But the key is to protect your inventory, protect your value and protect the overall guest experience.”
