TUI River Cruises presents its biggest summer program ever for 2028. The new offering includes two newly built, state-of-the-art ships, the TUI Zora and TUI Velara, which will sail the Rhine, Moselle and Danube rivers, and expands the TUI Elara's operations to a new destination, the Seine River.
The summer 2028 program will include all ten ships in the TUI River Cruises fleet, with 43 itineraries and cruises ranging from three to 14 nights between March and October 2028. Bookings opened on October 15, 2026.
Two new generation ships
TUI Zora, whose name means "dawn" or "new beginnings," and TUI Velara, which means "to shine," have been built specifically for TUI River Cruises and designed for the British market. Each ship will have 94 cabins and a capacity for 188 passengers. The standard fare will include the Full Board Plus package (full board with additional services), with the option to upgrade to the all-inclusive package.
TUI Zora will debut on the Rhine on May 7, 2028, while TUI Velara will begin operations on the Danube on August 14 of the same year. Both ships have been designed and built from the ground up with the necessary infrastructure to incorporate next-generation alternative fuels, especially methanol.
The design of the TUI Zora and TUI Velara responds to customer feedback and embraces a more contemporary vision of river cruises, closely linked to the destinations they visit. To develop the concept, TUI River Cruises organized focus groups with current and potential customers, who all agreed that the destination was the primary reason for booking a cruise.
This information led to the Cultural Mosaic design concept, inspired by the gastronomy, wines, architecture, and folklore of the Rhine, Moselle, and Danube regions. The concept brings the identity of these destinations into the ships' interiors through décor, spaces, and design details, creating an experience connected to the rivers and the towns visited.
On board, passengers will find a wider variety of bars and restaurants, as well as different categories of accommodation.
Among them are the balcony suites, up to 25 m², the largest in TUI River Cruises' European fleet. With innovative facilities, high-quality interiors, and spacious interiors, the new ships aim to set new standards for contemporary river cruises, combining design and comfort with TUI's signature flexibility, variety of options, and service.
The Seine, a new river of programming
The Seine is one of the rivers that generates the most interest among travelers. According to a study commissioned by TUI River Cruises among current customers and people who have not yet taken a river cruise, it ranks among the five most desired river destinations. The company anticipates that this demand will continue to grow, in a context where river cruises present high growth potential compared to other types of vacations.
The TUI Elara, which will join the fleet in March 2027, has a length of 110 meters, compared to the 135 meters of most of the company's ships. Its dimensions make it a suitable option for sailing on the Seine.
Starting March 20, 2028, this adults-only ship will offer four, seven, and ten-night itineraries around northern France.
The route will travel through the heart of the region and pass through Paris, where passengers can admire iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Musée d'Orsay. The itinerary will also include Vernon, a riverside town known for Claude Monet's house; Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy, famous for its Gothic cathedral and its connection to Joan of Arc; and Le Havre, where the Seine flows into the English Channel.
Passengers will also be able to discover Normandy's rich historical heritage, including the D-Day landing beaches, through excursions included in the TUI River Cruises collection of experiences.
With a capacity for only 138 passengers, TUI Elara will be one of the most intimate ships in the European fleet. It will feature 70 cabins, including the brand's first Junior Suites with French balconies.
Each suite will have an area of 19.5 m² and will include cabin preparation service for the night and continental breakfast served in bed.
The culinary offerings will include Verdastro, the main à la carte restaurant, and The Observatory, the ship's lounge and bar. Both are already popular with passengers on other ships in TUI River Cruises' European fleet.
The upper deck will feature sun loungers, a small golf driving range, and spaces for practicing yoga, playing deck games, and having barbecues.
For the first time, TUI River Cruises customers will be able to fly to Paris-Charles de Gaulle with Air France from several British airports, including Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. EasyJet flights will also be available from London-Gatwick, Bristol, Glasgow, and Newcastle.
New features in the rest of the fleet
TUI Luzia, the first ship built specifically for the brand, will continue sailing the Douro in 2028 with seven-night cruises that will include Porto, the picturesque Douro Valley and Peso da Régua.
The summer schedule will also include specific departures for individual travelers aboard TUI Maya on the Danube and TUI Skyla on the Rhine. Meanwhile, TUI Aria, the largest ship in the fleet, will begin operating on the Danube.
Katy Berzins, head of river cruises at TUI River Cruises, said:
"Summer 2028 represents our biggest launch to date and marks a significant step for TUI River Cruises. We continue to deliver strong results year after year, with increased occupancy and robust demand for new river destinations, such as the Douro.".
"With a 26% increase in capacity by summer 2028, we are clearly in a growth phase. Our passengers can already cruise the Rhine, the Moselle, the Danube, the waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium, the Douro and the Nile, and now also the Seine.".
"TUI Zora and TUI Velara have been designed with our customers' preferences in mind, with the aim of offering a more modern and higher quality river cruise experience, incorporating the culture and personality of each destination on board.".
"With the addition of the Seine, we are expanding the options for our clients on one of the most requested rivers in our studios, with itineraries that allow you to discover everything from Paris to Monet's gardens and the Normandy coast.".
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