TUI River Cruises launches its biggest season ever with two new ships and a new river, the Seine

October 14, 2026

TUI River Cruises

TUI River Cruises has announced its biggest season launch ever for summer 2028. The programme introduces two next generation new build ships, TUI Zora and TUI Velara, on the Rhine, Moselle and the Danube and takes TUI Elara to a brand-new river, the Seine. The summer 2028 programme will include TUI River Cruises fleet of 10 river cruise ships, 43 itineraries, sailings from three to 14 nights from March to October 2028, which goes on sale from 15 October 2026.

Two next generation ships

TUI Zora, meaning “dawn” or “new beginnings” and TUI Velara, meaning “to shine”, are purpose built for TUI River Cruises and designed specifically for the UK market. Each will have 94 cabins and space for 188 customers and will operate as Full Board Plus* as standard, with the option to upgrade to All Inclusive**.

TUI Zora makes her debut on the Rhine on 7 May 2028 and TUI Velara follows on the Danube on 14 August 2028. These two new build ships have been designed and built from the outset with the foundations in place for the next generation of alternative fuels, particularly methanol.

TUI Zora and TUI Velara have been shaped by customer insight, bringing to life a more contemporary vision of river cruising that is closely connected to the destinations. TUI River Cruises ran focus groups with existing customers and potential future river cruisers, with both groups identifying that destination is the main reason they book.

This insight shaped Cultural Mosaic, a design concept inspired by the food, wine, architecture and folklore of the Rhine, Moselle and Danube. It brings the destinations onboard through interiors, venues and design details, creating an experience that feels intrinsically connected to the rivers and places guests visit.

Onboard, customers will find a wider choice of bars and restaurants and a range of cabin types. These include Balcony Suites of up to 25m², the largest suites in the TUI River Cruises European fleet. With fresh, innovative features, high-quality interiors and spacious venues, the ships will set new standards for modern river cruising, combined with the flexibility, choice and TUI's trusted service at the heart of the experience.

A new river: the Seine

The Seine is one of the rivers holidaymakers most want to sail, ranking in the top five in TUI River Cruises' own research among existing customers and people new to river cruising[1] and demand is only set to grow, with river cruising showing the strongest growth potential of any holiday type[2].

With TUI Elara joining the fleet in March 2027 being a 110 metres long ship, compared with 135 metres for most of the fleet, she's the right size for the Seine.

From 20 March 2028, the adults only TUI Elara river ship will offer four, seven and 10 night itineraries flowing through the heart of northern France. The ship will sail through the capital of Paris past landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Musée d'Orsay; Vernon, a riverside town known for Claude Monet's famous house; Rouen, Normandy's historic capital famous for its Gothic cathedral and links to Joan of Arc and Le Havre, where the Seine meets the English Channel. Customers can also discover Normandy's rich history, including the D Day landing beaches, as part of a TUI River Cruise Collections excursion.

With just 138 customers, TUI Elara is one of the most intimate ships in the European fleet. She has 70 cabins, including the brand's first French Balcony Junior Suites. Each suite measures 19.5m² and includes nightly turndown and continental breakfast in bed. Verdastro is the ship’s main à la carte restaurant, while The Observatory is the lounge and bar, both of which are already popular guest favourites across the TUI River Cruises’ European fleet. The Top Deck has sun loungers, a putting green and space for yoga, deck games and BBQs.

For the first time, TUI River Cruises customers can fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle with Air France from a choice of UK airports, including Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh and easyJet flights from London Gatwick, Bristol, Glasgow and Newcastle.

More across the fleet

TUI Luzia, the brand's first purpose built ship, continues on the Douro in 2028 with seven-night sailings taking in Porto, the scenic Douro Valley and Peso da Régua. The summer 2028 programme also includes dedicated solo sailings on TUI Maya on the Danube and TUI Skyla on the Rhine. TUI Aria, the largest ship in the fleet, moves to the Danube.

Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruises at TUI River Cruises, said: "Summer 2028 is our biggest launch ever and marks a major step for TUI River Cruises. We're continuing to perform well year on year, growing occupancy and strong demand for new rivers like the Douro. With capacity up 26% for summer 2028, we're in a clear phase of growth. Our guests can now sail the Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Dutch and Belgian waterways, the Douro, the Nile and now the Seine.

TUI Zora and TUI Velara were shaped by what our guests told us they wanted, delivering an elevated, modern river cruising experience that brings the culture and character of each destination onboard. And with the Seine, we're offering more choice for customers on one of the most requested rivers in our research, from Paris to Monet's gardens to the Normandy coast.”

Prices start from £1749*** per person for the "Danube Treasures" seven-night sailing on TUI Velara. Price based on two adults sharing a Deck 1 Standard Cabin on a Full Board Plus* basis with flying from London Gatwick with TUI Airways. Summer 2028 itineraries are available to book from Thursday 15 October 2026.

[1] Kokoro Research conducted by TUI River Cruises, April 2025

[2] Mintel Report 2026

TUI River Cruises is a part of TUI Group. There are currently four adult only ships in the TUI River Cruises European fleet: TUI Isla, TUI Skyla, TUI Maya and TUI Aria and TUI River Cruises Egyptian fleet: TUI Al Horeya and TUI Bahareya. There will be one new ship to sail the European Waterways, TUI Elara, which will operate in March 2027. The first-new build ship, TUI Luzia will be sailing exclusively on the River Douro in Summer 2027. The river cruise line is expanding its fleet with the Next Generation of two new build river cruise ships, TUI Zora on the Rhine in May 2028 and TUI Velera on the Danube in August 2028.

October 14, 2026