Guests will be able to sail on the Seine with Tui River Cruises for the first time after the brand unveiled plans to make its debut in the region.
The cruise line said the Seine has been identified as a favourite among passengers and its new TUI Elara ship, launching in March 2027, will offer four, seven and 10 night itineraries from March 2028.
The 138-passenger river cruise ship will sail through Paris past landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Musée d’Orsay.
Port stops include Vernon, a riverside town known for Claude Monet's famous house; Normandy’s historic capital Rouen, famous for its links to Joan of Arc; and Le Havre, where the Seine meets the English Channel.
Guests can also explore Normandy's rich history, including the D-Day landing beaches, as part of a Tui River Cruise Collections excursion.
Passengers will be able to fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle with Air France from a choice of UK airports as part of the overall price.
TUI Elara has 70 cabins, including the brand's first French Balcony Junior Suites. Each suite includes a nightly turndown and continental breakfast in bed.
Tui has also revealed plans for two next generation new-build ships, TUI Zora and TUI Velara.
TUI Zora, meaning “dawn” or “new beginnings,” will sail on the Rhine from May 2028. TUI Velara, meaning “to shine”, will focus on the Danube from August 2028.
Both ships will have 94 cabins and space for 188 guests. They have been purpose-built for the UK market based on guest feedback, with the largest suite balconies in the fleet.
Guests will be able to sail on the Duoro aboard TUI Luzia. The summer 2028 programme also includes dedicated solo sailings on TUI Maya on the Danube and TUI Skyla on the Rhine. TUI Aria, the largest ship in the fleet, will sail on the Danube.
Katy Berzins, head of river cruises at Tui River Cruises, said: "Summer 2028 is our biggest launch ever and marks a major step for TUI River Cruises. We're continuing to perform well year on year, growing occupancy and strong demand for new rivers like the Douro.
“With capacity up 26 per cent for summer 2028, we're in a clear phase of growth. Our guests can now sail the Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Dutch and Belgian waterways, the Douro, the Nile and now the Seine.
“TUI Zora and TUI Velara were shaped by what our guests told us they wanted, delivering an elevated, modern river cruising experience that brings the culture and character of each destination onboard.
“With the Seine, we're offering more choice for customers on one of the most requested rivers in our research, from Paris to Monet's gardens to the Normandy coast.”
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