Tui River Cruises will expand its fleet to 10 ships in 2028 by introducing two new vessels and launching sailings on the River Seine for the first time, raising summer cruising capacity by 26%.
New Ships Joining the Fleet
The new ships, named Tui Zora and Tui Velara, will enter service in 2028 with capacities of 188 passengers each across 94 cabins. Tui Zora is scheduled to debut on the Rhine River on May 7, 2028, followed by Tui Velara’s debut on the Danube River on August 14, 2028. Both sister ships are engineered to operate on alternative fuels, primarily methanol, and feature shallower draughts
to enhance navigation in rivers prone to low water levels.
Tui Elara Moves to the Seine
The 138-passenger ship Tui Elara will reposition to the River Seine starting March 2028, marking Tui’s initial offering of Seine itineraries. Joining the fleet in 2027, Tui Elara will provide four, seven, and 10-night cruises calling at Paris, Vernon, Rouen, Le Havre, Issy-les-Moulineaux, Caudebec, Les Andelys, La Roche-Guyon, and Conflans.
Fleet Expansion and Market Response
The 2028 programme will feature 43 itineraries visiting more than 60 ports. Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruises at Tui River Cruises, described the launch as the company’s largest ever, emphasizing a 26% increase in capacity for summer 2028. Berzins
highlighted that the Seine River had become the most requested by Tui’s customers. She noted ongoing growth despite a competitive market and said the new ships respond directly to guest feedback, aiming to deliver an elevated and modern river cruising experience.
Berzins acknowledged operational challenges posed by low water levels in European rivers, stating that itineraries are individually managed to reorder ports or, rarely, cancel sailings. Both new builds incorporate design innovations to handle these conditions more effectively.
The summer 2028 programme will be available for booking from October 15, 2026. Pricing for a seven-night Danube Treasures cruise on Tui
Velara begins at £1,749 per person, including flights from Gatwick.
