APT has officially christened its brand-new luxury river ship, the APT Solara, in a ceremony in Rotterdam marking a major milestone in the company’s history and signalling a new chapter in European river cruising.
The ceremony featured speeches from APT Travel Group CEO David Cox, and co-owners Robert McGeary and Lou Tandy. Guests raised their glasses to toast the next generation of APT’s luxury fleet before Lou Tandy, the ship’s Godmother, performed the traditional breaking of the champagne bottle on the bow, officially naming the APT Solara in front of an intimate audience of VIPs, partners, and friends of the brand.
“It’s a true honour to serve as Godmother for a ship that means so much to our team, our guests, and my family,” Tandy said. “The Solara celebrates where we’ve come from and marks the exciting future ahead. It’s a tribute to our legacy, but more importantly, it’s a bold step forward in how we design, deliver, and share extraordinary travel experiences. I couldn’t be prouder to christen her today.”
“The Solara is everything APT stands for – timeless travel, trusted service, and ongoing innovation,” Cox added. “She’s more than just a new ship; she sets a new benchmark for how we deliver exceptional experiences on Europe’s rivers.”
Following the christening, guests enjoyed champagne and canapes during the ceremony, before a special christening dinner at Gruner Bar & Dining. The dinner showcased the ship’s commitment to elevated, immersive cuisine, with small plates showcasing hyper-local produce served in the world-first hydraulically lifted venue.
The celebration also included contributions from Paul Hecker, one half of the visionary Melbourne-based design duo behind the ship’s architecture, and Monique Lane, Director of Fellow Hospitality, who led the culinary vision across the Solara‘s seven unique dining experiences.
“Solara is the result of a true collaboration between world-class Australian creatives and the APT team,” McGeary said.
“As a family-owned Australian company, we’ve designed this ship with the Antipodean traveller in mind as it brings together the comforts our guests value most, from elegant lounges and genuinely quality coffee to regionally sourced produce – all in a ship that feels tailored, not templated. That’s what sets APT apart.”
With a capacity for just 154 guests, APT Solara sets a new standard for luxury river cruising. Every detail has been carefully crafted, from the expansive Balcony and Owner’s Suites to The Gruner Bar & Dining. Dining is at the heart of the experience, with six distinctive venues plus in-suite dining, each offering unique regional flavours that evolve with the seasons to present the very best of Europe’s culinary offerings.
