A ceremony took place in Rotterdam on Monday, prior to Solara’s first sailing, and was attended by APT Travel Group CEO David Cox, co-owners Robert McGeary and Lou Tandy, VIP guests and friends of the cruise line.
The christening marks a new chapter for the 98-year-old Australian brand, following the sale last year of its stake in AmaWaterways. APT Solara is the river cruise line’s second new wholly owned vessel.
Solara will sail on the Rhine/Main and Danube rivers in Europe, and is the second ship in the company’s burgeoning new fleet to enter service, following the christening last week of Estrela, which sails on the Douro in Portugal.
Tandy served as the godmother to Solara, cutting the ribbon to break the champagne across the ship’s bow, as part of a long-standing maritime tradition.
“The Solara celebrates where we’ve come from and marks the exciting future ahead,” she said.
“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.”
Carrying 154 passengers, APT’s new ship features Gruner Bar & Dining, a levitating restaurant which offers 360-degree views and moves between the centre deck and sun deck.
Five other dining venues, each focusing on a different European cuisine, are available for passengers to enjoy each evening.
“The Solara is everything APT stands for – timeless travel, trusted service, and ongoing innovation,” Cox said at the ceremony.
“She’s more than just a new ship; she sets a new benchmark for how we deliver exceptional experiences on Europe’s rivers.”
A third ship – APT Ostara – will be christened in Jun in the German city of Nuremberg.
Ostara will be a twin ship to Solara and will also operate the company’s river itineraries on the Rhine/Main/Danube stretch. Solara will set sail on her maiden departure of APT’s flagship ‘Magnificent Europe’ itinerary on Fri.
