The river cruise line will launch its biggest-ever programme for summer 2028, adding the Seine to its portfolio and introducing two next-generation ships across European waterways
More than 40 itineraries across six European rivers will be included in the collection, with over 60 ports of call, representing a 26% increase in capacity as the operator continues to target growth in the river cruise market.
The programme, which goes on sale tomorrow (October 15th), will see the brand expand its fleet to 10 ships, up from the initial launch trio five years ago, along with with the addition of a new river, two new vessels, and a wider range of holiday options for customers.
Announcing the launch, Katy Berzins, Head of TUI River Cruises, said the expansion reflected growing customer demand for more immersive and culturally rich travel experiences.
“2028 will be our biggest launch yet, and hopefully our best one as well,” she said, “Customers are wanting that stronger relationship with the destinations that they are going to, and that has been the foundation of how we're designing and building these ships.”
The programme will offer itineraries ranging from three to 14 nights, with further developments planned around solo cruising, cruise-and-stay holidays and themed sailings.
Among the headline announcements is the introduction of the Seine, which TUI River Cruises said has become its most requested river among both new and returning customers.
The new itineraries will combine Paris with destinations including Vernon, Rouen, Issy-Les-Moulineaux, Le Havre, Caudebec, Les Andelys, La Roche-Guyon, and Conflans, offering a mix of cultural attractions, history, food and more authentic experiences beyond the French capital.
The new TUI Elara, which will make her debut in the TUI fleet in March 2027, will be repositioned to operate the new Seine programme from March 2028, following a refurbishment this winter.
With capacity for 138 guests, the ship will offer a more intimate cruising experience alongside the brand’s signature menus and new dining options, as well as the introduction of TUI River Cruises' first Junior and French Balcony suites.
The addition also reflects the operator’s wider ambition to make river cruising appeal to a broader UK audience, including those taking their first river cruise.
The river cruise line has also revealed the names of two previously announced new-build ships that will join its Rhine and Danube programmes in 2028.
TUI Zora and TUI Velara, will each accommodate 188 passengers across 94 cabins and have been designed specifically with UK customers in mind.
The new-builds will feature a contemporary design centred on connecting guests more closely with the destinations they visit, incorporating landscapes and cultural influences from the surrounding regions into their interiors.
The new ships will represent the next stage in the brand’s development, building on its goal of positioning the vessel as an integral part of the holiday rather than a means of transportation between destinations.
“The announcements today are more than just about new ships and new destinations. It's really showing our confidence in the future of river cruising and our confidence from TUI to step forward into this segment further.
“Our commitment is to our customers, most importantly, to give them more choice, to give them more flexibility, and more meaningful ways to really explore these destinations. So, from our new rivers to those purpose-built ships and some next-generation onward experiences that we are also working on, we are really shaping a future that feels more immersive, more authentic, more contemporary, and more connected to the rivers than what we have ever been before.”
The 2028 programme builds on TUI River Cruises’ investment in new ships and destinations, including its expansion onto the Douro and Nile. As the company marks its fifth anniversary, the programme highlights TUI River Cruises’ ambition to continue growing while broadening the appeal of river cruising to a wider demographic.
