TUI River Cruises has signed contracts for two new methanol-ready river cruise vessels, set to enter service in 2028. The move reflects the company’s continued investment in sustainable operations and fleet expansion across Europe.
Each newbuild will accommodate 188 passengers in 94 cabins and is designed with alternative fuel technology, particularly for methanol propulsion. The vessels will operate on the Rhine, Moselle, Douro, and Nile rivers, targeting the UK market and expanding TUI’s river cruise fleet from six ships in 2026 to ten by 2028.
The announcement coincided with the christening of TUI Aria in Frankfurt, Germany, the largest-capacity refurbished ship in the company’s fleet. TUI executives highlighted that the new vessels will combine environmentally conscious technology with enhanced passenger experience, reflecting growing demand for culturally immersive river cruising.
TUI River Cruises first entered the market in 2019, though operations were delayed until 2021 due to the pandemic. Since then, the brand has experienced strong growth, reporting a 50 percent year-on-year increase in sales for 2026. The new methanol-ready ships will support further expansion while aligning with broader European cruise trends emphasizing alternative fuels and sustainability.
