TUI River Cruises will launch its biggest summer program to date with the launch of its first newly built ship, the TUI Luzia, which will sail down the Douro River in Portugal during the summer of 2027.
In addition, the company will add two new ports of call in Croatia and the Netherlands. Summer itineraries will be available for purchase starting October 16, 2025, offering 35 cruises across the European fleet between March and October 2027.
Marking a new era for the river cruise brand, the first ship designed specifically for TUI River Cruises, the TUI Luzia—which means “light” in Portuguese—will sail the Douro River in its inaugural summer season. This new ship will offer Full Board Plus (enhanced full board) as standard, with the option to upgrade to All Inclusive.
The ship will accommodate 111 passengers across four decks, including an upper deck with a swimming pool, sun loungers, and the Cinder bar and restaurant, open daily for drinks and self-service lunches. It will feature 56 cabins, including Super French Balcony Cabins, Balcony Cabins, French Balcony Suites, and one single cabin.
Other spaces on the ship include Novo, the main lounge and bar; Retreat, a hybrid space that functions as a juice bar and wellness class area (such as yoga) during the day, and transforms into an intimate lounge for enjoying a drink in a relaxed atmosphere at night; Sorriso, the main restaurant serving meals from breakfast to dinner; and Vinha, a Portuguese-inspired open-air restaurant where guests can enjoy à la carte dining, and which is a perfect place to rest and unwind during the day.
The itineraries will offer seven-night cruises along the Douro River, visiting five destinations within the “Douro Discovery” program, departing from and returning to Porto, with stops in Entre-os-Rios, Peso de Régua, Vega de Terrón (for a visit to Salamanca, Spain), and Barca d'Alva, in a UNESCO-recognized region. Travelers can fly to Porto with TUI's partner airlines to embark on the Douro River cruises.
In addition, TUI River Cruises will add two new ports of call in its 2027 summer season:
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On the TUI Aria, with the “Dutch Delta Discovery” itinerary, which will sail through the waterways of Belgium and the Netherlands and stop in Zaandam (Netherlands), known for its traditional green wooden houses.
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On the TUI Maya, with the "East Danube Delights" itinerary, you will visit Aljmaš (Croatia), a picturesque village famous for its modern swan-shaped church, located on the banks of the Danube.
The shipping company will continue to offer variety and flexibility throughout the season, with itineraries of different durations — also designed for those new to cruising — ranging from 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14 to 15 nights along the Danube, Rhine, Moselle rivers, and the waterways of Belgium and the Netherlands during the summer of 2027.
Katy Berzins, Director of TUI River Cruises, stated: “We are delighted to introduce the TUI Luzia, our first newly built ship, which will sail the stunning Douro River in Portugal, a completely new destination for TUI River Cruises. This launch marks a significant milestone as we introduce our biggest summer program to date, with more itineraries, longer durations, and exciting new ports of call across Europe. From the charming villages of Croatia to the Netherlands, we are offering our guests the opportunity to explore Europe’s rivers in a more flexible, immersive, and exciting way than ever before.”
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