APT Ostara brings a new kind of quiet glamour to Europe’s rivers

On a seven-night Main and Rhine river cruise, APT Ostara pairs Australian design, thoughtful art and six distinct dining venues with a sense of theatre that feels quietly original

“I give you my house,” says Heide von Hohenzollern. “For as long as you’re here, it’s your home.” These heartfelt words of welcome are even more impactful considering the ‘house’ is actually a castle – and Heide is a princess. We’re seated in the ballroom of Namedy Castle where stories spanning 700 years are embedded in the burnished wooden doors and reflected in the mirrored panels. The scent of old-fashioned roses wafts through the air; a pianist plays European classics on a Steinway, and there’s a game of chasey going on between Bella and Olla, the Princess’ beloved dogs.

The morning exploring Namedy Castle with Princess Heide is an exclusive signature experience on our seven-night cruise from Nuremberg, Germany, to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, along the Main and Rhine rivers onboard APT’s recently launched Ostara. And while the sleek 135-metre, 154-guest, 60-crew river cruise ship may not be a castle, it’s certainly palatial.

A new chapter for APT

In 2027, APT Luxury Travel will clock up 100 years as an Australian family-owned and -operated travel company, and what better way for an early celebration than with not one, but two new ships. Ostara (meaning ‘new beginning’), and identical twin Solara (‘sunlight’) – sharing the same design, layout and dining concept – bring a ray of sunshine into the European river cruise scene. Designed by the team at Hecker Guthrie in Melbourne – together with APT co-owners, brother and sister duo Lou Tandy and Rob McGeary – the concept is simply summed up by Paul Hecker: “Creating spaces that people want to be in.”

Whenever we’re ashore, the sleek, minimalist exterior of Ostara turns heads and piques curiosity. “What’s it like inside?” locals ask as we mingle over a Silvaner white wine on the pedestrian-only Alte Mainbrücke (old main bridge) in the German town of Würzburg. “Schick” and “kreativ”, plucked from my limited German vocabulary, is a start. However, Ostara is more than words – it’s a vibe. A set of scales perfectly balanced; a jigsaw where each piece creates the whole picture.

Art in Motion

The wow-factor of the central atrium sets the scene. A circular skylight soars above the white wood-panelled walls; underfoot, the tiled floor incorporates a compass and marble is used for an elegant table and water station (handy for filling bottles before excursions). A curved staircase linking the three decks features a beautiful beech handrail cleverly framing a dramatic rope sculpture by Australian artist Sarah Parkes, suspended from the ceiling. The installation was commissioned specifically to pay homage to the ropes used on river boats. “There’s a quiet power in Parke’s work. It doesn’t shout – it invites you to look closer,” says Stacey van Harn, director at Hecker Guthrie.

Connection to place is sprinkled across the entire on-board art collection. Framed photographs captured by Australian artist Nicholas Wilkins mirror the itinerary, giving a sense of journey. In my suite, I gaze at the stunning shot of the Imperial Hall at Würzburg Residence for inspiration before our guided visit, and afterwards as a memory.

Suite details

A colour palette inspired by the seasons is a subtle focus of the three types of suites – Owners, French Balcony and Twin Window. Strokes of summer with mustardy yellow carpet and bed throws in our Balcony suite add to the ‘outside-in’ feel, featuring a full-scale panoramic window that opens from the top to the halfway mark with the push of a button. Pure genius.

The swanky bathroom – with its marble basin, floor-to-ceiling tiles, glass-doored shower and Dutch-brand Marie-Stella-Maris toiletries – is a showstopper. I also love design details like the full-length mirror in the bedroom with a power point ready to plug in the hairdryer, lights that go on and off without needing a degree to operate the switches, and soundproof walls – the ship is near maximum capacity and we never hear a peep.

Ostara is more than words – it’s a vibe. A set of scales perfectly balanced; a jigsaw where each piece creates the whole picture.

A village of restaurants

The innovative thread winding through Ostara reaches its pinnacle with the range of dining experiences. Through the collaboration between Hecker Guthrie, the McGeary family and hospitality specialist Monique Lane, the goal was “to create something unique – like nothing else on the water”. And with six restaurants on board – when the average for a ship Ostara’s size is two – it’s an amazing achievement.

Wondering how it’s possible to juggle booking a table at each restaurant over a seven-night cruise, I needn’t have worried. In true APT style, the booking guru has a formula that shuffles names around and invitations for the smaller spaces are sent out to suites, with everyone who wants to able to experience the different eateries.

Don’t Miss

Watching the Ostara crew navigate through a lock is a fascinating experience. Centuries old, these watery elevators are an ingenious way for river traffic to climb or descend hills within the landscape. Between Nuremberg and Amsterdam there are more than 40 locks, so there is plenty of opportunity to learn the ropes.

Grazing our way around the ship over the week is like living in a European village. From popping into Bistro Saison for the daily lunch special, meeting friends for pre-dinner cocktails and canapes in the salon, to dining like royalty on a degustation menu with wine pairings in the grand Owner’s Cellar for 16 guests – each restaurant has its own culinary story. We even manage a barbecue on the Daystar Deck before it rains on our parade while cruising through the dramatic Rhine Gorge dotted with fairytale castles.

Then there’s the world-first innovation in river cruising – the Grüner Bar & Dining. Quirky, fun and just plain clever, the box-shaped structure sits innocently on the back of deck three while the ship is sailing. However, when in port it can be lifted up via hydraulics and voila, there you have it – a bar and dining room complete with 360-degree views, creative cocktails and sharing plates inspired by Grüner Markt, fresh-food markets that are a feature in Bamberg.

Our final dinner is at Annie’s Table, a nook created in the front of the salon where we dine on a superb three-course, French-inspired menu with matching wines. It’s named in honour of the wife of APT’s founder, Geoff McGeary, and we raise a toast to a family with remarkable vision and innovation.

Voyage Notes

APT Ostara and Solara sail Europe’s rivers from April to December 2026. Rates for the seven-night Highlights of the Rhine and Main start from AU$3,895. aptouring.com