The TUI Luzia, operated by TUI River Cruises—the first ship built specifically for the brand—has been launched in Kladovo, Serbia, a major milestone in its construction that marks the first time the vessel has come into contact with water. It is scheduled to be delivered in June 2027 and to begin its inaugural season cruising through the Douro Valley in Portugal.
"The launch of the TUI Luzia marks another important milestone for TUI River Cruises and for our long-standing partnership with Concordia Damen", said Katy Berzins, director of river cruises at TUI River Cruises. “As our first ship built specifically for the brand, the TUI Luzia marks an exciting new chapter for TUI River Cruises. Its arrival on the Douro River in the summer of 2027 will not only expand our offerings in one of Europe’s most popular river cruise destinations, but will also allow us to provide new experiences for both our regular customers and first-time travelers.”
The launch took place at the Kladovo Shipyard in Serbia, a partner of Concordia Damen, and represents a key milestone, as it marks the start of the final phase of the vessel's construction.
Like the rest of the TUI River Cruises fleet, the TUI Luzia will offer Full Board Plus as standard, with the option for passengers to upgrade to an All-Inclusive package.
The ship will have a capacity of 111 passengers distributed among 56 staterooms, including Super French Balcony staterooms, balcony staterooms, French Balcony Suites, and one single stateroom.
Guests will have access to four decks, including an upper deck equipped with a shallow pool and lounge chairs. The upper deck will also feature Cinder, a bar and restaurant that will be open daily, serving drinks and a self-service lunch.
Other notable spaces on the ship include Novo, the main lounge and bar; Retreat, a hybrid space that combines a juice bar during the day with a cozy lounge and bar for evening drinks; Sorriso, the main restaurant where breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served; and Vinha, an open-air restaurant inspired by Portuguese cuisine, where passengers can enjoy à la carte dinners and which will become a lounge and relaxation area during the day.
For his part, Chris Kornet, CEO of Concordia Damen, said:“We are proud to partner with TUI River Cruises on the construction of its first river ship designed specifically for the brand. The TUI Luzia reflects our shared ambition to introduce innovative, future-ready ship designs to the European river cruise market. By combining Concordia Damen’s engineering expertise with TUI River Cruises’ clear vision for the growth of its brand, we look forward to delivering a ship that will contribute to the development and expansion of its river cruise offerings.”
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