TUI River Cruises has announced the signing of two new-build river cruise vessels, marking the next stage in the development of its fleet. The announcement was made during the christening ceremony of the vessel TUI Aria in Frankfurt on the River Rhine.
The new ships form part of the operator’s long-term fleet expansion strategy. According to the company, the additional vessels will increase the fleet from six ships in 2026 to a programme of 10 vessels by 2028. Once delivered, the ships are expected to operate across a range of European and international river itineraries, including routes on the Rhine, the Nile and the Douro.
The two vessels are being designed with provisions for the use of next-generation alternative fuels, with particular consideration given to methanol as a future energy source. Each ship is planned to feature 94 passenger cabins with capacity for 188 guests. The design concept aims to introduce updated interior layouts, contemporary public spaces and expanded onboard facilities while maintaining the service model associated with the TUI river cruise product.
The order represents the company’s first move into constructing purpose-built ships for the next generation of its river cruise fleet. The investment reflects a period of growth for the brand, with the forthcoming vessels intended to support the expansion of its operations across European waterways. The ships are also being designed with the preferences of the United Kingdom market in mind, with an emphasis on flexible travel options and a variety of onboard experiences.
Company representatives indicated that the commissioning of the new vessels represented a significant milestone in the development of the river cruise division and signalled continued investment in the fleet. They also noted that the ships were being developed specifically for the company’s customers and were intended to deliver a modern river-cruising experience while maintaining flexibility and choice in itineraries and onboard services. It was further stated that the announcement coincided with the introduction of TUI Aria into service and that the new ships were expected to enter operation in 2028.
The announcement followed the christening ceremony of TUI Aria, the largest refurbished vessel currently joining the European fleet of TUI River Cruises. The event took place in Frankfurt on the Rhine and included formal speeches by company representatives. As part of maritime tradition, the ceremony featured the breaking of a ceremonial bottle and the official naming of the ship, with designated godparents participating in the proceedings.
Entertainment and celebrations accompanied the ceremony, marking the official welcome of the vessel into the fleet ahead of its scheduled operations.
TUI River Cruises, which forms part of TUI Group’s Expansion Businesses division, currently operates four adult-only ships on European waterways—TUI Isla, TUI Skyla, TUI Maya and TUI Aria—as well as two vessels on the Nile, TUI Al Horeya and TUI Bahareya. The fleet is scheduled to grow further with the introduction of TUI Elara on European rivers in 2027 and TUI Luzia, which will operate on the Douro. The two newly announced vessels are planned to follow in 2028 as part of the company’s next-generation river cruise programme.
The expansion comes amid strong commercial performance for the river cruise division, with the company reporting a significant year-on-year increase in booking volumes during the early months of 2026, reflecting continued demand for river cruise travel experiences.