TUI River Cruises Launches Seine Sailings in 2028

TUI River Cruises will add two purpose-built ships and begin sailing on the Seine for the first time in summer 2028. Its largest programme to date will cover 43 itineraries across a planned fleet of 10 ships.

Capacity will increase by 26%. Voyages will run from three to 14 nights between March and October. Bookings open on October 15, 2026.

“We're continuing to perform well year on year, growing occupancy and strong demand for new rivers like the Douro,” said Katy Berzins, head of river cruises at TUI River Cruises.

Elara heads for Paris and Normandy

TUI Elara will begin its Seine programme on March 20, 2028, offering four-, seven- and 10-night itineraries. The adults-only vessel, scheduled to join the fleet in March 2027, measures 110 metres, compared with the 135-metre length of most of TUI’s river ships; the operator said its smaller size suits the river.

The programme includes Paris, Vernon, Rouen and Le Havre, with sailings passing the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Musée d’Orsay. Excursions to Normandy’s D-Day landing beaches will be available through TUI River Cruise Collections.

TUI’s research among existing customers and people new to river cruising placed the Seine among the five rivers they most wanted to sail. Berzins said the programme would give customers access to destinations ranging from the French capital and Monet’s gardens to the Normandy coast.

The launch also introduces flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle with Air France from Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh, and with easyJet from London Gatwick, Bristol, Glasgow and Newcastle.

Elara will accommodate 138 passengers in 70 cabins. Its accommodation includes the brand’s first French Balcony Junior Suites, measuring 19.5 square metres. Dining and social spaces include the Verdastro restaurant and Observatory lounge and bar, while the top deck will have sun loungers, a putting green and areas for activities and barbecues.

Two newbuilds for the Rhine and Danube

TUI Zora is scheduled to enter service on the Rhine on May 7, 2028, followed by TUI Velara on the Danube on August 14. Designed specifically for the UK market, each ship will have 94 cabins accommodating 188 passengers.

Both will operate with Full Board Plus as standard and an optional All Inclusive upgrade. Accommodation will include Balcony Suites of up to 25 square metres, the largest suites in TUI River Cruises’ European fleet, alongside a choice of bars and restaurants.

Customer focus groups helped shape the ships’ interiors. Existing and prospective passengers identified destinations as their main reason for choosing a river cruise, leading to a design concept called Cultural Mosaic that draws on the food, wine, architecture and folklore of the Rhine, Moselle and Danube.

The vessels are being designed to accommodate the future use of alternative fuels, particularly methanol. Detailed engine specifications have not been disclosed.

Lead-in pricing for the seven-night Danube Treasures itinerary aboard Velara is £1,749 per person. The fare is based on two adults sharing a Deck 1 Standard Cabin on Full Board Plus terms and includes flights from London Gatwick with TUI Airways.

Elsewhere in the fleet

The planned expansion follows the brand’s 2021 launch with three European vessels after an 18-month pandemic interruption. Nile operations began with TUI Al Horeya in November 2024, followed by TUI Bahareya a year later, and the wider fleet reached six ships in 2026.

TUI Luzia, the operator’s first purpose-built river ship, is scheduled to enter service on the Douro in 2027. Its following summer programme will consist of seven-night voyages visiting Porto, the Douro Valley and Peso da Régua.

TUI Aria, currently the fleet’s largest vessel at about 190 passengers, will move to the Danube for summer 2028. Dedicated solo departures are also scheduled aboard TUI Maya on the Danube and TUI Skyla on the Rhine.