TUI Luzia Floats Out Ahead of 2027 Douro Debut
The eighty-meter ship will carry one hundred eleven passengers across four decks and fifty-six cabins, with Cinder on the top deck for drinks and self-serve lunches.
TUI River Cruises has floated out TUI Luzia, the river brand’s first purpose-built vessel, at Concordia Damen’s partner yard, Kladovo Shipyard in Serbia. The 111-passenger ship is scheduled for delivery in June 2027 and will spend its inaugural season on Portugal’s Douro Valley itineraries.
The deployment will take TUI River Cruises into the Douro for the first time as the brand expands a river operation that currently lists six ships, four in Europe and two on the Nile. TUI has also announced additional river vessels that would bring the fleet to 10 ships by 2028.
“As our first purpose-built ship, TUI Luzia represents an exciting new chapter for our brand,” said Katy Berzins, head of river cruises at TUI River Cruises. Berzins said the ship’s arrival on the Douro in summer 2027 would extend the brand’s portfolio and add new options for existing and new TUI River Cruises customers.
Final construction phase begins after float out
The float out put TUI Luzia on the water for the first time before final interior and exterior work is completed. The vessel is listed at 80 meters long and 11.4 meters wide, with four decks and 56 cabins.
Chris Kornet, CEO of Concordia Damen, said the shipbuilder was “proud to be partnering with TUI River Cruises on its first purpose-built river ship.” He added: “We look forward to delivering the vessel that will support the river cruise brand’s growth.”
What’s on board
TUI Luzia’s accommodation will include Super French Balcony cabins, Balcony cabins, French Balcony Suites and a single cabin. The top deck will have a shallow pool and sun loungers, along with Cinder, a bar and dining area planned for drinks and self-serve lunches.
Other public spaces will include Novo, the main lounge bar, and Retreat, a hybrid venue operating as a juice bar and as a secondary lounge bar in the evening. Dining will center on Sorriso, the main restaurant serving meals from breakfast through dinner, and Vinha, a Portuguese-inspired alfresco venue with a la carte dinner service.
The ship will be sold with TUI River Cruises’ Full Board Plus product as standard, covering tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine or beer with meals. Other drinks are charged separately unless passengers upgrade to all-inclusive.
Bookings open for Porto-based itinerary
TUI Luzia’s first program is the seven-night “Douro Discovery” cruise from Porto. The itinerary includes Entre-os-Rios, almond and olive groves, and the vineyards of Barca d’Alva.
Bookings are open with flights from London Gatwick or Manchester to Porto on third-party airlines. TUI’s announcement listed prices from £1,219 per person.
