TUI River Cruises Announces Its First New Build Ship
Homeporting out of Porto, the 123-passenger ship will sail the Douro River from Spring* 2025, with the option of new TUI flying from London Gatwick to Porto.
TUI River Cruises announced they are expanding their portfolio with their first new build ship as part of its summer 2025 programme. The intimate ship will have four decks, 62 cabins and house 123 guests, and will be designed with flexibility in mind to cater for customer’s needs.
TUI Alma, meaning Soul in Portuguese, will be purpose-built for Portugal’s River Douro, which is smaller than most European rivers and known for its dramatic countryside of steep gorges and terraced hills lined with vineyards.
TUI River Cruises launched in 2021 with TUI Isla, TUI Maya and TUI Skyla and recently announced a brand-new River Nile cruise set to commence in Winter 2024 on TUI Al Horeya.
Managing Director, Specialist Business, Chris Logan says: “This is a huge moment for TUI River Cruises and a defining moment in our journey. Given we only launched back in 2021 it’s a testament to the response of our customers that we’re able to deliver a newbuild ship. We’re so excited to create something amazing for our guests.”
On sale from 14th December along with the rest of the summer 2025 programme, there will be seven-night sailings on the famous Portuguese river with relaxed daytime sailing and shore experiences available. Sailings will be based around Porto with a heavy focus on daytime sailing, this unique sailing allows customers to experience the beautiful Portuguese summer weather and amazing scenery. The ship will sail a five-location itinerary, starting in Porto, before arriving in Entre-os-Rios, then Peso de Regua, Vega de Terron and Barca d’Alva. The itinerary then circles back to Peso de Regua before finishing back in Porto.
“We’re designing the ship with true flexibility and choice in mind by making spaces different from day to night to allow the customer a choice of how to spend their day/evening onboard.”
Like the other TUI River Cruise ships, TUI Alma will be full board plus* as standard with the option for guests to upgrade to all-inclusive. The top deck will feature a shallow pool with seating areas, sun loungers, a bar and food service. There are also other choices for dining onboard that customers can enjoy, there’s the main restaurant serving breakfast through to dinner and a Portuguese inspired alfresco dining space where guests can enjoy a la carte dinner, and by day, will be a place for relaxation and unwinding.
Of the 62 cabins, TUI Alma will feature six standard balcony cabins and two suites.
The news also coincides with TUI River Cruises going on sale with its summer 2025 programme which features 21 itineraries across 12 countries. There are three new itineraries: a five-night sailing, Windmills & Waterways, in April 2025 in the Netherlands for Keukenho Gardens, with the addition of historic Hoorn as a new port of call.
Sail the Southern Rhine is a six-night sailing visiting Germany & Switzerland, and finally Danube Gems, a seven-night sailing which calls at some smaller ports of call along the Danube, perfect for customers who have already ticked off the bigger cities. TUI Maya and TUI Skyla will sail on the Danube whilst TUI Isla will operate on the Main, Moselle and the Rhine, all offering various durations from three night to 15-night sailings.
Head of River Cruises Katy Berzins says: “We’re so excited that TUI River Cruises are expanding. We’ve gone from the European waterways of the Rhine, Danube, Main and Moselle to our recently announced sailings on the Nile and now we get to offer our customers the chance to experience the Douro. Coupled with the option of TUI Flying means that we can truly own the end-to-end Customer Experience.”
*m£1499 based on two people sharing a deck one standard cabin on a full board basis, flying from London Gatwick airport on 24th October 2025 flying including 23kg luggage and transfers.
*Full Board Plus comes as standard, which means you get tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine or beer with meals. There’s the option of house white, red, or rose wine at lunch and dinner, or you can try the specially selected wine from the region at dinnertime. Any other drinks need to be paid for, or you can upgrade to All Inclusive.
(TUI River Cruises Announces Its First New Build Ship)
