TUI River Cruises has unveiled its largest ever river season, set for summer 2028, and it comes with two brand-new ships, a fresh route into northern France, and 43 itineraries to choose from. Bookings open on October 15, 2026.

The headline news is a pair of purpose-built newbuilds, TUI Zora and TUI Velara, designed specifically for the UK market. TUI says the ships were shaped directly by guest feedback. Each carries 94 cabins and 188 passengers, running Full Board Plus as standard with an All Inclusive upgrade available. Zora, whose name means "dawn", launches first on the Rhine on May 7, 2028; Velara, meaning "to shine", follows on the Danube on August 14, 2028. Both are built with the groundwork for future alternative fuels, notably methanol — a nod to where river cruising is heading environmentally.

The bigger deal for many travellers will be the TUI Elara's move to the Seine, a first for the line. From March 20, 2028, the adults-only ship runs four-, seven- and 10-night itineraries through Paris and beyond, sailing past the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Musée d'Orsay, with calls at Vernon and Rouen. Excursions under the TUI River Cruise Collections banner include visits to Normandy's D-Day landing beaches, giving the route a proper mix of city sightseeing and wartime history. Onboard, there's the Verdastro à la carte restaurant, a lounge and bar called The Observatory, and a top deck with sun loungers, a putting green, yoga space and BBQs.

Elsewhere in the programme, the TUI Luzia stays on Portugal's Douro with seven-night sailings through Porto, the Douro Valley and Peso da Régua. Solo travellers get dedicated sailings on the TUI Maya (Danube) and TUI Skyla (Rhine), and the TUI Aria shifts to the Danube. In total, ten ships will operate between March and October 2028 on the Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Seine and Douro, with sailings from three to 14 nights.

Why it matters: river cruising has long skewed towards older couples, and the dedicated solo sailings plus an adults-only Paris ship suggest TUI is chasing a broader crowd. The short three- and four-night options also make river cruising a realistic long-weekend trip rather than a big-commitment holiday. If you've been priced out of ocean cruises or want a slower way into France, Germany or Portugal, this programme is worth a look when it goes on sale on October 15, 2026.