TUI River Cruises has announced its largest summer schedule to date for 2028, introducing two newbuild boats, TUI Zora and TUI Velara, and expanding its operations to the Seine in France with TUI Elara.
The programme, running between March and October 2028, comprises 10 ships and 43 itineraries ranging from 3 to 14 nights. Bookings opened on October 15th.
TUI's newbuilds Zora and Velara are designed specifically for the UK source market. Each boat will accommodate up to 188 passengers in 94 cabins, with Full Board Plus package included as standard and an optional All Inclusive upgrade.
TUI Zora is scheduled to enter service on the Rhine on May 7th, 2028, while TUI Velara debuts on the Danube on August 14th.
Both riverboats have been designed with provision for the adoption of next-generation alternative fuels, particularly methanol. Their interiors and onboard facilities have also been developed using feedback from existing customers and prospective river cruise passengers, whose research identified destinations as the primary motivation for booking.
This approach has informed the ships’ Cultural Mosaic design concept, which draws inspiration from the food, wine, architecture and folklore of the Rhine, Moselle and Danube regions. The vessels will feature a wider selection of bars and restaurants, alongside several cabin categories. These include Balcony Suites measuring up to 25 m2, the largest accommodations in TUI’s European river fleet.
The programme will also mark the company’s expansion onto the Seine, one of the rivers identified as a popular choice in its customer research. The 110-metre TUI Elara, which is scheduled to join the fleet in March 2027, will begin operating Seine itineraries on March 20th, 2028. Its shorter length compared with most of the fleet’s 135-metre vessels makes it suitable for the new deployment.
The adults-only ship will offer 4-, 7- and 10-night cruises through northern France. The itineraries are based on homeporting in Paris, where passengers can view landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Musée d’Orsay. Call ports include Vernon, known for its association with Claude Monet, and Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy. Voyages will also call at Le Havre, near the mouth of the Seine on the English Channel. Shore excursions will provide opportunities to explore Normandy’s history, including the D-Day landing beaches.
TUI Elara will accommodate 138 passengers in 70 cabins, including the brand’s first French Balcony Junior Suites. Each suite will measure 20 m2 and include nightly turndown service and continental breakfast served in the cabin. Dining will be centred on Verdastro, the main à la carte restaurant, while The Observatory will serve as the ship’s lounge and bar. The top deck will feature sun loungers, a putting green and space for yoga, deck games and barbecues.
The new programme will also introduce additional flight options for UK passengers travelling to Paris Charles de Gaulle. Air France services will be available from Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh, while easyJet will offer flights from London Gatwick, Bristol, Glasgow and Newcastle.
Elsewhere in the fleet, TUI Luzia will continue operating 7-night cruises on Portugal’s Douro River, visiting Porto, the Douro Valley and Peso da Régua. The programme will also include dedicated solo departures aboard TUI Maya on the Danube and TUI Skyla on the Rhine. TUI Aria, the fleet’s largest ship, will be redeployed to the Danube.
Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruises at TUI River Cruises, said the 2028 programme represented a significant stage in the company’s expansion. She cited year-on-year performance, occupancy growth and demand for destinations such as the Douro as contributing factors, while noting that capacity for summer 2028 would increase by 26%. The expanded network will offer cruises on the Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Dutch and Belgian waterways, Douro, Nile and, for the first time, the Seine.
Prices for the 2028 season start at GBP 1,749 per person for the 7-night Danube Treasures itinerary aboard TUI Velara. The advertised fare is based on two adults sharing a Standard Cabin on Deck 1, on a Full Board Plus basis, with flights from London Gatwick operated by TUI Airways.