TUI Luzia

The 2027-built TUI Luzia cruise ship (fka TUI Alma) 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) targeting the UK's passenger market predominantly.

The Portuguese word "luzia" translates as "light" or "light-bringer".

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

When the TUI Alma project was announced, the shipbuilder was WestSEA Shipyard (Viana do Castelo, Portugal). TUI Luzia's shipbuilder (TUI-contracted project manager) is the Dutch shipbuilder Concordia Damen (Netherlands). The vessel's hull was assembled and floated out (on July 29, 2026) at Shipyard Kladovo (Serbia).

TUI Luzia (TUI's 7th riverboat) was officially announced on October 2nd, 2025, with the booking launch/commercial rollout on October 16th (when Luzia's itineraries opened for sale).

Compared to the original Alma design, TUI Luzia features more clearly defined venue segmentation (dedicated dining concepts, wellness zone) and a slightly lower capacity (111 vs 123), allowing for more premium spacing per guest. TUI's Douro ships' designs are innovative and more versatile, allowing public spaces/venues to transform and serve different functions during the day and in the evening.

TUI ALMA-TUI LUZIA

TUI Alma was officially announced (as TUI's 5th riverboat) in December 2023 by Chris Logan (Managing Director of TUI's subsidiary Crystal Ski Holidays). Along with Alma, he 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.

TUI's 2023 ALMA ship announcement was for the fleet's first newbuild and had a set of specifications, including 62 cabins for up to 123 passengers. The Portuguese word "alma" translates as "soul".

TUI's 2025 LUZIA ship announcement was again for "the first newbuild", but with revised capacity (56 cabins for 111 passengers) and accommodation layout, new venues, and a different name (TUI Luzia).

TUI has never publicly explained the change, but there is no evidence that two separate Douro newbuilds (Alma and Luzia) were constructed at WestSEA.

Based on TUI's own historical and latest announcements, LUZIA is the evolved version of the original (ALMA) project - effectively a renamed and redesigned vessel rather than a completely separate boat.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The top deck/sundeck features a shallow pool, a sunbathing area with loungers, and a bar & BBQ area (casual alfresco dining space for self-serve lunches).

Onboard dining is centred around three distinct venues. The main dining room, Sorriso, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with waiter service. A second venue, Vinha, is a Portuguese-inspired alfresco restaurant offering a la carte dinners and serving as a relaxation space during the day. The third, more casual option, Cinder, is on the top deck, providing self-service lunches and light bites. Cinder is an outdoor grill-based dining venue (integrated with the Top-Deck Bar) used for open-air lunches and light bites.

The ship has three bars, including Novo Lounge (the main lounge and entertainment venue), which hosts daytime activities (such as workshops and talks) and evening entertainment, including live music and quizzes. This is complemented by the Top-Deck Bar, the Cinder (barbecue), and The Retreat (a smaller and more intimate lounge space).

The wellness and relaxation area, known as The Retreat (aft on Deck 3), functions as a multi-purpose space. During the day, it offers a juice bar and wellness activities such as yoga or exercise sessions, while in the evening it transforms into a cosy bar lounge for drinks, rather than a dining venue.

Midship, the riverboat features a central Lobby Hall/Atrium area incorporating the Reception Desk, as well as guest services including the Cruise Director and shore excursions support, acting as the operational hub of the vessel.

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 Luzia staterooms (56 total) are mostly doubles (plus some singles, on Deck 1) and in categories French Balcony Suite, Superior French Balcony, Standard French Balcony, and Standard Window Cabin (with non-opening windows at water level).

Deck 1's staterooms (Standard Window) have fixed/non-opening windows positioned near the ceiling. These cabins are designed for solo cruisers (can be booked without a single supplement) and are fitted with a single bed.

French Balcony Suites are sized 24 m2/260 ft2, Superior French Balcony are 15 m2/160 ft2, Standard French Balcony are 12 m2/130 ft2, Standard Window (Deck 1) are 12-15 m2/130-160 ft2 (the single cabins being 12 m2/130 ft2).

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 July 22, 2027, TUI Luzia 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.