TUI Alma

The 2026-built TUI Alma cruise ship is specifically designed to operate voyages on the Douro River in Portugal. Like the fleetmates, the vessel is owned by TUI AG and operated by its subsidiary company "TUI UK and Ireland". "TUI River Cruises" (tui.co.uk/river-cruises) is a new travel brand (2019-established/2021-inaugurated) that targets the UK's passenger market predominantly.

The Portuguese word "alma" translates as "soul". Alma's Douro-based fleetmate is TUI Luzia (2027).

The boat TUI Alma will be Portugal-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Porto.

The shipbuilder is WestSEA Shipyard (Viana do Castelo, Portugal).

TUI Alma (TUI's 5th riverboat) was officially announced in December 2023 by Chris Logan (Managing Director of TUI's subsidiary Crystal Ski Holidays). Along with TUI's Douro-deployed boat (Alma), Chris Logan also announced the brand's expansion to offer Nile River voyages in Egypt, starting in November 2024 with the fully refurbished hotel ship TUI Al Horeya.

Unlike the fleetmates, TUI Alma's design is more versatile, allowing public spaces/venues to transform and serve different functions during the day and in the evening.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The ship’s top deck/sundeck features a shallow pool, sunbathing areas, and shaded seating furnished with premium tables, deckchairs, and padded sun loungers. It also houses the open-air Top-Deck Bar, integrated with Cinder, which offers casual dining, including light bites and occasional barbecue-style lunches.

Onboard dining comprises two primary venues. The Main Dining Room accommodates all guests and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with both buffet-style and à la carte options. The second venue is a Portuguese-inspired alfresco dining area, offering full dinner service and functioning as a relaxation space throughout the day. Both venues are complimentary, featuring menus that highlight traditional Portuguese and regional cuisine.

The ship offers three bars: the Main Show Lounge (Novo Lounge), which hosts evening entertainment including live music, crew performances, trivia, and quizzes; the Top-Deck Bar; and the smaller, more intimate Vinha’s Lounge & Bar.

The wellness area includes a gym equipped with modern fitness equipment, a dedicated studio for group classes such as yoga and exercise sessions, and a juice bar available during the day. In the evenings, this area transforms into Vinha’s Lounge, an intimate bar lounge and dinner-only venue.

Midship, the atrium lobby houses the Reception Desk, the Cruise Director’s Desk, and the Shore Excursions/Tour Desk, serving as the ship’s central guest services hub.

On Deck 4 (forward, midship and aft), there are SkyLight (glass roof) structures. They allow natural light into the ship's interior, specifically, into the Novo Lounge (forward), the Atrium (midship), and The Retreat (aft).

Decks and Cabins

TUI Alma staterooms (62 total) include 2x French Balcony Suites (deck 3), 6x Balcony Cabins (deck 3/each fitted with a step-out veranda) in addition to the industry's standard French Balcony Cabins (decks 2 and 3) as well as Standard Cabins (double and single, located on deck 1).

Deck 1's staterooms have fixed/non-opening windows positioned near the ceiling. These cabins are designed for solo cruisers (can be booked with no single supplement) and are fitted with a single bed.

Standard/complimentary cabin amenities include TV, individually controlled air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom (WC, single-sink vanity, shower, LED mirror, hairdryer), lounge/sleeping are (mirrored desk, chairs, double bed, electronic safe box/in the closet, intercom/phone, tea and coffee-making facility).

The boat has 4 decks, of which 3 have cabins.

TUI Douro River cruise itineraries

TUI's Douro cruise schedule lists 7-night roundtrip itineraries (out of Porto City) with prices inclusive of flights between the UK and Portugal via TUI Group's airline subsidiary TUI fly.

Starting with the Maiden Voyage on December 14, 2024, TUI Alma offers 7-day Douro River itineraries leaving roundtrip from Oporto.

The voyages are heavily focused on daytime cruising and combine four call ports/destinations - Entre-os-Rios, Regua/Lamego, Vega de Terron/to Salamanca, and Barca d'Alva/to Castelo Rodrigo. Then the route loops back to Regua and ends in Oporto.

Pricing is also inclusive of "TUI Full Board Plus" package (three meals a day plus complimentary beverages at mealtimes (tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine/beer by the glass). The complimentary alcoholic drinks include house wines (white, red, or rose) served at all lunches and dinners, plus a special selection of regional Portuguese wines at dinner. All other drinks cost extra unless you upgrade to "TUI All-Inclusive".

While Full Board Plus is TUI's standard/complimentary package, travelers can always upgrade their vacation with TUI's all-inclusive package deals.

All gratuities (onboard and ashore tips) and service charges are included in TUI's standard river cruise fares.