APT Expands River Fleet With New Europe and Nile Ships in 2026

APT Travel Group is approaching its 100th anniversary in 2027 with an expanded river fleet following the 2026 launches of Travelmarvel Rigel in Europe and Travelmarvel Sirius in Egypt. The additions bring Travelmarvel’s Rhine, Main and Danube fleet to four ships and restore the group’s Nile operation after an absence of more than a decade.

The U.K. and Ireland have become APT’s most important growth market alongside its Australian and New Zealand base, according to Paul Melinis, managing director, U.K. and Europe, for APT Luxury and Travelmarvel. He described demand from those markets for 2027 as very strong.

“The Rigel gives us scale and confidence we did not have before,” Melinis told Cruise Industry News in an interview for its 2027 European River Market Report. He said the additional capacity allows the business to respond more quickly to demand.

European fleet expands after AmaWaterways exit

Rigel began its inaugural voyage from Amsterdam on June 30, 2026, joining sister ships Polaris, Capella and Vega. The 135-meter vessel carries up to 178 passengers in 89 outside cabins, ranging from lower-deck window cabins to French-balcony cabins and Owner’s Suites.

APT ended its investment in AmaWaterways at the close of 2024, having become a co-owner and Australian and U.K. sales partner in 2005.

APT Luxury subsequently introduced Solara and Ostara in 2025. Each carries 154 passengers and has several dining venues, along with bars that can be raised hydraulically between decks.

“We have managed to really get that price point right,” Melinis said of the luxury brand.

Nile return and guest priorities

Travelmarvel Sirius entered service in September 2026, accommodating 124 passengers in 62 cabins. It operates seven-night cruises beginning and ending in Luxor, with an excursion to Abu Simbel by private charter flight included.

“It’s not a case of us adding ships just for the sake of it,” Melinis said. “Egypt is a destination with genuine long-term appeal.”

APT’s research among returning guests ranked customer service as the leading consideration when selecting a river cruise company, ahead of food. Almost 60 percent of those repeat guests take one or more river cruises annually.

Growth within limits

The family-owned group traces its origins to Bill McGeary’s conversion of a truck into a bus during a Melbourne tram strike in 1927.

Melinis welcomed investment by competing companies. “When big companies are investing so heavily, it just validates the strength of our market,” he said.

He nevertheless cautioned that docking and lock capacity impose limits on river cruise growth. “But the key is to protect your inventory, protect your value and protect the overall guest experience,” he said.