The TUI Luzia TUI River Cruisesfirst purpose-built ship, has been launched in Kladovo, Serbia, a significant milestone in its construction and the first time the vessel has touched the water. It is scheduled for delivery in June 2027 and will begin its inaugural season cruising the Douro Valley in Portugal.
“The launching of TUI Luzia marks another important milestone for TUI River Cruises and our long-standing partnership with Concordia Damen,” said Katy Berzins, Director of River Cruises at TUI River Cruises. “As our first purpose-built ship, TUI Luzia represents an exciting new chapter for TUI River Cruises. Its arrival on the Douro River in the summer of 2027 will not only expand our offering on one of Europe’s most popular river cruise destinations, but will also allow us to offer new experiences to both our existing customers and those traveling with us for the first time.”
The launch took place at the Kladovo Shipyard in Serbia, a partner of Concordia Damen, and represents a key step, as it marks the beginning of the final phase of the ship's construction.
Like the rest of the TUI River Cruises ships, the TUI Luzia will offer the Full Board Plus meal plan as standard, with the option for passengers to upgrade to the All Inclusive plan.
The ship will have capacity for 111 passengers distributed in 56 cabins, including Super French Balcony cabins, balcony cabins, French Balcony Suites and a single cabin.
Guests will have access to four decks, including a top deck equipped with a shallow pool and sun loungers. This deck will also house Cinder, a bar and restaurant open daily, offering self-service drinks and lunches.
Other highlights of 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 enjoying a drink at night; 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 during the day will become a rest and relaxation area.
Chris Kornet, CEO of Concordia Damen, stated: “We are proud to collaborate with TUI River Cruises on the construction of its first purpose-built river cruise ship. The TUI Luzia reflects our shared ambition to introduce innovative, future-proof ship designs to the European river cruise market. By combining Concordia Damen’s engineering expertise with TUI River Cruises’ clear vision for brand growth, we look forward to delivering a ship that will contribute to the development and expansion of its river cruise offering.”
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