Operator APT has unveiled details about two new river ships and itineraries, to debut in 2021.

The Contemporary-class ships – Capella and Vega – will operate under the Travelmarvel brand and will cruise along the Rhine, Main and Danube, operating on APT’s Essential European Gems and new Balkans itineraries. Prices for the 15-day European Gems itinerary start from £1,995pp, departing 15 March 2021.

The ships will join the Travelmarvel Polaris, which sails its inaugural in April 2020.

Capella and Vega will feature a more casual dining and social area, McGeary’s Bar, serving pub-style meals. In addition, guests will be able to enjoy a drink at the rooftop bar, unwind at the terrace garden, or experience the heated whirlpool.

The main restaurant and True North Lounge will feature floor to-ceiling panoramic windows, and guests will also be able to make use of on-board gym, putting green, walking track and bicycles.

APT has introduced four more river cruises along the Danube, including one eight-day cruise on AmaMagna and three Essential Best of the Balkans trips. Prices for the 15-day Best of the Balkans Essential cruise start from £2,595pp, departing 12 April 2021, while the eight-day itineraries start from £1,795pp.

In addition, APT is offering two shorter itineraries, with the new Highlights of the Rhine & Main between Amsterdam and Nuremberg, as well as a lower Danube itinerary from Budapest to Nuremberg with the Danube Discovery, which features the exclusive Grand Empress steam train Signature Experience, also seen on the show, Cruising with Jane McDonald.

Prices for the eight-day Highlights of the Rhine & Main start from £1,795pp, twin share, departing 31 March 2021 and for the nine-day Danube Discovery prices start from £1,945pp, twin share, departing 6 April 2021.

APT recently appointed Katie Elson to the newly created role of head of marketing transformation to its UK team.

Elson will be responsible for reviewing, developing and implementing a new marketing strategy, to drive APT’s UK business forward. She will report into APT’s managing director for UK & Europe, Paul Melinis.