TUI River Cruises has unveiled its Winter 2027 programme, introducing the first winter season for TUI Elara and expanding its Rhine operations to three vessels while adding new Belgian ports to its itineraries.
The programme also marks the river cruise line's largest winter deployment to date, with bookings opening on July 2nd, for 37 departures operating between October 2027 and April 2028.
The schedule includes 3-, 4-, 5- and 7-night voyages across the fleet. TUI Elara, the company's smallest vessel, will spend the inaugural winter season on the Rhine, operating the An Enchanting Christmas Journey itinerary. The programme introduces calls at Maastricht, Liège and Roermond, with the vessel scheduled to berth at Roermond on Christmas Day.
TUI Luzia, the first purpose-built ship in the fleet, will undertake her first winter season on Portugal's Douro River, offering four departures of the Douro Discovery itinerary. Sailing from Porto, the voyages include calls at Entre-os-Rios, Peso da Régua, Vega de Terrón and Barca d'Alva before returning to Porto. These departures will be supported by third-party flights linking London Gatwick and London Stansted with Porto.
On the Danube, TUI Maya and TUI Isla will continue winter operations, including festive departures. Among these is the New Year on the Eastern Danube itinerary, departing on December 30th, 2027, with TUI Maya scheduled to remain alongside in Budapest for New Year's Eve.
The company is also expanding its regional flight programme by introducing a third TUI Airways service from Birmingham to Düsseldorf, complementing existing departures from London Gatwick and Manchester. These flights will support Rhine itineraries aboard TUI Skyla, TUI Aria and TUI Elara, including Mistletoe & Rhine and A Christmastime on the Rhine.
Solo travellers will have two dedicated departures on the Rhine. TUI Elara will operate the 7-night Rhine Châteaux & Gateaux itinerary from October 31st, 2027, visiting Basel, Mannheim and Koblenz, while TUI Aria will sail the 4-night Northern Rhine Highlights voyage from November 17th, 2027, calling at Amsterdam, Cologne and Mainz.
Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruises at TUI River Cruises, stated that the expanded programme represented a significant step in the company's winter operations, with the addition of TUI Elara, new Rhine itineraries, Douro winter sailings, Belgian ports and a broader range of regional flights providing guests with greater choice, including Christmas market cruises and dedicated solo departures.
Fares for the Winter 2027 programme start from GBP 869 per person for the A Taste of Christmastime on the Rhine itinerary. Bookings open on July 2nd, 2026.