TUI River Cruises has commissioned the construction of two new-generation river cruise ships during the christening ceremony of the TUI Aria in Frankfurt. This announcement reflects TUI's strong commitment to the growth of its river cruise division.
With these two new additions, the TUI River Cruises fleet will grow from six ships in 2026 to a total of ten in 2028, operating itineraries around Europe, the Rhine, the Nile and the Douro.
The two new ships have been designed from the outset with the necessary infrastructure to adapt to the next generation of alternative fuels, especially methanol.
Each ship will feature 94 cabins and capacity for 188 passengers, and will continue to set new standards in the river cruise industry thanks to innovative design, high-quality interiors and a wide variety of common areas, while maintaining TUI's signature service as a central element of the onboard experience.
The investment represents a significant step forward for TUI River Cruises, which is thus beginning a new phase with newly built ships for the next generation of its river fleet.
The company believes this commitment represents a clear expansion strategy, which will allow it to increase its fleet from the six ships planned in 2026 to a program of ten ships in 2028, with operations in Europe, the Rhine, the Nile and the Douro.
The new ships will be designed specifically for the British market, maintaining flexibility and choice for their customers as priorities.
TUI River Cruises continues to post strong year-on-year results, with high levels of customer satisfaction and increasing occupancy.
In response to the increasing demand for cultural experiences and river travel, TUI Group has decided to strengthen its commitment to the river cruise business.
Katy Berzins, Director of River Cruises at TUI River Cruises, said: “The announcement of these new ships represents a significant milestone for TUI River Cruises and demonstrates our continued investment in the future of our fleet. These new vessels, designed specifically for our customers, reflect our ambition for growth and our commitment to providing a modern and enhanced river cruising experience.”
“The new ships will represent the flexibility and choice that characterize TUI River Cruises, allowing our customers to enjoy deeply immersive cultural holidays while sailing along European rivers.”
Berzins added that the announcement coincides with another key moment for the company: “It has also been a pleasure to share this news at the same time as we welcome the TUI Aria to our fleet, another important step in the evolution of our brand. We look forward to welcoming our customers aboard these new ships when they enter service in 2028, as well as the TUI Aria from summer 2026.”
The announcement came during the christening ceremony of the TUI Aria, the largest capacity refurbished ship to join the European fleet of TUI River Cruises.
The event took place on the Rhine River in Frankfurt and was attended by Katy Berzins, Director of River Cruises at TUI River Cruises, and Mircea Tudose, the group's Managing Director of Business Expansion.
The ceremony included the traditional breaking of the bottle, the official christening of the TUI Aria and the recognition of its godparents: Paula Burgess, TUI agent, and Mark Sage, senior commercial director of TUI River Cruises.
The celebration concluded with a performance by Frankfurt DJ DJ Duka, accompanied by the seven-piece band B*Spoke and saxophonist Dima.
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