TUI River Cruises Orders Two Methanol-Ready Ships for 2028

TUI River Cruises has signed contracts for two new 188-guest river ships during christening celebrations for its newest vessel, TUI Aria, on the River Rhine in Frankfurt. The order is set to expand the brand’s river fleet to 10 ships by 2028, with the newbuilds planned to be designed with provisions for next-generation alternative fuels, including methanol.

Order for two newbuilds lifts fleet target to 10 ships by 2028

The two additional ships are each planned with 94 cabins and capacity for 188 guests, with deliveries scheduled for 2028. TUI River Cruises said the order supports a broader expansion that takes the brand from a six-ship fleet planned for 2026 to a 10-ship program by 2028.

Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruises at TUI River Cruises, described the announcement as “a major milestone” and said the ships are intended to be “purpose-built” for TUI guests as the brand invests in a more modern style of river cruising.

Methanol-ready design provisions highlighted as part of expansion

TUI River Cruises said the two ships are being designed and built “from the outset” with foundations intended for the next generation of alternative fuels, particularly methanol. The company framed the approach as part of its effort to address sustainable operations as it adds capacity.

TUI Aria christened in Frankfurt with employees named as godparents

The ship order was announced as TUI held the christening of TUI Aria in Frankfurt. The event on the Rhine included speeches from Berzins and Mircea Tudose, Managing Director, Expansion Businesses, as well as an official bottle-breaking ceremony to name the ship.

TUI River Cruises selected two employees as godparents for TUI Aria: Paula Burgess, a TUI travel agent, and Mark Sage, Senior Commercial Manager at TUI River Cruises. Burgess has worked at TUI for 34 years, while Sage has been with TUI for 25 years and has worked on TUI River Cruises since it launched.

Berzins said, “Paula is an exceptional TUI Travel Agent, and Mark has been integral to the brand since its inception,” linking the christening to the company entering its fifth year of sailing.

Entertainment at the event included a DJ set from Frankfurt’s DJ Duka, along with a seven-piece band, B\*Spoke, and saxophonist Dima.

TUI Aria joins the fleet after refurbishment, with Rhine debut this month

TUI Aria joined the TUI River Cruises fleet following a refurbishment. The ship was originally built in 2018 as VistaStar before being updated and added to TUI’s program as its largest-capacity refurbished ship in the European fleet.

The vessel carries 190 passengers, which TUI River Cruises has described as the company’s highest-capacity river ship, and is scheduled to sail its maiden voyage on the Rhine this month.

New itineraries from Frankfurt and Amsterdam

TUI Aria is launching with three itineraries across the Rhine, Moselle, and Dutch waterways, combining departures from Frankfurt and Amsterdam:

• Moselle & North Rhine, sailing from Frankfurt.
• North Rhine & Moselle Explorer, sailing from Amsterdam.
• Dutch Delta Discovery, sailing from Amsterdam.

Looking ahead, TUI said its next ship, TUI Elara, is scheduled to join next year, sailing itineraries that include Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Basel, spanning the Rhine, Moselle, and Dutch and Belgian waterways.

How the order fits TUI’s wider river-cruise growth plan

TUI announced plans to enter river cruising in 2019, with the start of operations delayed until 2021. The program is focused on the UK market and has been built around fly-cruise packages to European river destinations.

TUI has reported 50% year-on-year growth in sales for 2026 as it scales up its river offering and adds ships through a mix of refurbished tonnage and newbuilds.

Fleet milestones outlined through 2028

• 2026: TUI River Cruises’ fleet is planned at six ships as the brand continues to expand its river program.
• 2027: TUI Lizia is set to become the brand’s first newbuild, with entry planned for summer 2027.
• 2028: The fleet program is planned to reach 10 ships, operating across Europe and on the Rhine, Nile, and Douro.

River cruising continues to attract new capacity across the sector

River cruising remains a growth area within the broader cruise industry, particularly in Europe. More than 380 river cruise ships are currently sailing globally, and about 10% more are under construction.

Against that backdrop, TUI’s expansion comes as competitors including Viking, AmaWaterways, and Scenic also add ships. Newer entrants are exploring niche approaches as well, with Transcend Cruises targeting the group and charter market with customizable ships featuring identical staterooms that can convert into suites, along with fitness centers and spas.

With TUI Aria now christened and entering service, TUI River Cruises’ next steps include bringing TUI Elara into the fleet next year and progressing toward additional deliveries through 2027 and 2028, including the newly signed methanol-ready newbuilds due in 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will TUI River Cruises’ two newly signed ships be delivered?

TUI River Cruises said the two newbuild ships are scheduled for delivery in 2028 as part of a fleet plan that targets 10 ships by that year.

What alternative-fuel capability did TUI highlight for the newbuilds?

TUI River Cruises said the ships are being designed and built “from the outset” with foundations intended for next-generation alternative fuels, particularly methanol.

Where does TUI River Cruises plan to operate as it expands toward 2028?

TUI said its 2028 program is planned to operate across Europe as well as on the Rhine, Nile, and Douro.

How has TUI River Cruises grown since it launched?

TUI announced plans to enter river cruising in 2019, with operations beginning in 2021 after delays. The company has reported 50% year-on-year growth in sales for 2026, and executives have linked the christening of TUI Aria to the brand entering its fifth year of sailing.