Tui River Cruises is set to expand its fleet by adding two new ships, Tui Zora and Tui Velara, in 2028, and will start cruising the Seine River for the first time that same year. This expansion will raise the operator’s capacity by 26%, with the new vessels operating across the Rhine, Moselle, and Danube rivers.
New Ships and Design Features
Tui Zora and Tui Velara will each carry 188 passengers in 94 cabins. Both ships are designed to utilize alternative fuels, mainly methanol, reflecting Tui’s commitment to environmental innovation. Amenities on board include an increased selection of bars and restaurants, with guests offered full-board-plus
options as standard and the possibility to upgrade to all-inclusive.
Deployment and Itineraries
Tui Zora will commence operations on the Rhine River on May 7, 2028, while Tui Velara will launch on the Danube River on August 14, 2028. Tui Elara, a ship with 138-passenger capacity, will reposition from March 2028 to the Seine River to support new itinerary launches. The Seine itineraries will feature four, seven, and 10-night cruises calling at ports such as Paris, Vernon, Rouen, and Le Havre.
Fleet Expansion and Market Demand
Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruises at Tui River Cruises, confirmed the Seine River had become the most requested destination among customers.
She noted, “We speak to customers time and time again, and this is the river that has become our most requested one.” Berzins described the summer 2028 program as the company’s largest launch yet, with fleet size growing to 10 ships and 43 itineraries visiting over 60 ports.
She added that with a 26% capacity increase for summer 2028, Tui River Cruises is experiencing clear growth, stating, “There’s space for all of us,” in response to questions about competition in the market.
Traveler Impact and Operational Challenges
The expansion offers travelers new river cruise options across multiple European rivers, particularly introducing routes in France along
the Seine. Booking for the 2028 itineraries will open on October 15, 2026. The new ships’ shallower draughts will provide greater flexibility navigating rivers affected by historically low water levels, a challenge the company acknowledged and addressed in recent seasons.
