Tui River Cruises will expand its fleet in 2028 by adding two new sister ships, Tui Zora and Tui Velara, each with 94 cabins and a capacity of 188 passengers. Tui Zora will debut on the Rhine River on May 7, 2028, and Tui Velara will debut on the Danube on August 14, 2028. Both new vessels will operate on the Rhine, Moselle, and Danube rivers and feature design accommodations for alternative fuels, especially methanol.
From March 2028, Tui River Cruises will introduce new itineraries on the Seine River operated by Tui Elara, an adults-only 138-passenger ship joining the fleet
in March 2027. Tui Elara will offer 4-, 7-, and 10-night sailings calling at Paris, Vernon, Rouen, Le Havre, Issy-les-Moulineaux, Caudebec, Les Andelys, La Roche-Guyon, and Conflans, expanding itinerary choices with stops at underserved French towns. The ship features the a la carte restaurant Vedastro and The Observatory lounge and bar.
The company’s total fleet will grow to 10 ships in 2028, offering 43 itineraries visiting more than 60 ports along the Rhine, Moselle, Danube, and Seine rivers. Summer 2028 capacity will increase by 26% compared to previous years, marking the biggest launch in the company’s history.
Passengers can book
cruises on the new ships with full-board-plus included and may upgrade to an all-inclusive package. Prices start at £1,749 per person for a seven-night Danube Treasures itinerary aboard Tui Velara, including flights from Gatwick Airport. The 2028 program provides expanded options on four rivers with diverse itinerary lengths.
Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruises at Tui River Cruises, said, “Summer 2028 is our biggest launch ever and marks a major step for Tui River Cruises.” She added, “We speak to customers time and time again, and this is the river that has become our most requested one,” referring to the
Seine River. Berzins noted that the new ships were shaped by guest feedback to deliver a modern river cruising experience that brings the culture and character of each destination onboard. The vessels’ designs also address environmental concerns with methanol fuel accommodations.
Berzins acknowledged challenges posed by low water levels in European rivers, stating itineraries are assessed individually and adjusted or canceled if necessary. The new ships feature a shallower draught than existing vessels, providing greater operational flexibility in fluctuating river conditions.
