TUI River Cruises Launches 37-Sailing Winter 2027 Program
The program goes on sale July 2, 2026; TUI Elara, launching in March 2027 with 70 cabins, is slated to spend Christmas Day in Roermond.
TUI River Cruises has launched a 37-sailing winter 2027 program, which it describes as its largest winter river cruise launch to date, with three-, four-, five- and seven-night itineraries scheduled from October 2027 through April 2028. The season adds first winter deployments for TUI Elara on the Rhine and TUI Luzia on the Douro, alongside Danube and Rhine departures by other ships in the fleet.
The program goes on sale July 2, 2026, with the lowest listed fare at 869 per person for “A Taste of Christmastime on the Rhine.” The rollout adds new Rhine itineraries, Douro sailings, Belgian Christmas market programming, two Rhine solo cruises and additional regional flight options.
“Winter 2027 marks an exciting step forward for TUI River Cruises as we expand both our fleet and our offering,” said Katy Berzins, head of river cruises at TUI River Cruises.
TUI’s river operation enters the expansion with six adults-only ships in 2026 across Europe and Africa. Elara and Luzia are among the 2027 additions to the European program, with the 138-passenger Elara carrying 70 cabins and the 111-guest Luzia carrying 56 cabins.
New ships expand Rhine and Douro winter deployment
TUI Elara will operate its first winter season after launching in March 2027, expanding TUI’s Rhine deployment to three ships. The ship will sail the “An Enchanting Christmas Journey” itinerary, with TUI naming Maastricht, Liège and Roermond as new port calls for the Christmas market program. Roermond is scheduled for Christmas Day during the winter 2027 season.
TUI Luzia will sail its first winter program on the Douro after entering service in summer 2027. The ship is scheduled for four Portuguese departures of the “Douro Discovery” itinerary, beginning Nov. 5, 2027, with a route from Porto to Entre os Rios, Peso de Regua, Vega de Terron and Barca d’Alva before returning via Peso de Regua to Porto.
The Douro sailings will be supported by third-party airline routes from Stansted Airport to Porto and from London Gatwick to Porto for winter 2027. On the Rhine, TUI will add a third TUI Airways departure from Birmingham to Dusseldorf, joining existing London Gatwick and Manchester flights for itineraries operated by TUI Skyla, TUI Aria and TUI Elara.
Danube and solo Rhine departures add variety
TUI Maya and TUI Isla will both sail on the Danube during the season. TUI Maya is scheduled to operate “New Year on the Eastern Danube” from Dec. 30, 2027, with the ship docked in Budapest for New Year’s Eve.
The Rhine program also includes departures such as “Mistletoe & Rhine” on TUI Aria and “A Christmastime on the Rhine” on TUI Skyla.
For the two dedicated solo sailings, TUI Elara will operate the seven-night “Rhine Chateaux & Gateaux” from Oct. 31, 2027, visiting Basel, Mannheim and Koblenz. TUI Aria will follow with the four-night “Northern Rhine Highlights” from Nov. 17, 2027, calling at Amsterdam, Cologne and Mainz.
