TUI River Cruises Reaches Major Milestone as TUI Luzia Touches Water
TUI River Cruises has announced a significant construction milestone for its first purpose-built river cruise vessel, TUI Luzia, after the ship was successfully floated out at a shipyard in Kladovo, Serbia.
The float-out marks the first time the vessel has touched water and signals the beginning of the final phase of construction before delivery, which is scheduled for June 2027. Following delivery, TUI Luzia will begin her inaugural season sailing on Portugal’s Douro River, expanding TUI River Cruises’ presence in one of Europe’s most popular river cruise destinations.
“The float out of TUI Luzia marks another significant milestone for TUI River Cruises and our longstanding partnership with Concordia Damen,” said Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruises at TUI River Cruises.
She added that the vessel represents an exciting new chapter for the brand and will create new opportunities for both existing and new customers while strengthening the company’s river cruise portfolio.
First Purpose-Built Vessel for the Brand
The float-out took place at Concordia Damen’s partner facility, Kladovo Shipyard in Serbia, where the vessel has been under construction. In shipbuilding, a float-out is a key milestone indicating that construction has progressed to the stage where the vessel enters the water for further outfitting, testing, and finishing work.
TUI Luzia is the first vessel specifically designed and built for TUI River Cruises, reflecting the company’s commitment to expanding its river cruise operations with purpose-built tonnage tailored to modern customer expectations.
Designed for the Douro River
Once delivered, TUI Luzia will operate on the Douro River in Portugal, offering guests access to one of Europe’s most scenic wine-producing regions.
The vessel will accommodate 111 passengers across 56 cabins, featuring a range of accommodation categories including Super French Balcony cabins, Balcony cabins, French Balcony Suites, and a dedicated single cabin.
As with the rest of the TUI River Cruises fleet, guests will enjoy Full Board Plus as standard, with the option to upgrade to an all-inclusive package.
Onboard Facilities and Guest Experience
Passengers aboard TUI Luzia will have access to four decks designed to combine comfort, dining, and relaxation.
The top deck will feature a shallow pool and sun loungers, while Cinder, an outdoor bar and dining venue, will serve drinks and self-service lunches throughout the day.
Additional onboard venues include:
- Novo – the ship’s main lounge and bar.
- Retreat – a flexible space featuring a juice bar by day and an intimate lounge setting in the evening.
- Sorriso – the main restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Vinha – a Portuguese-inspired alfresco dining venue offering à la carte dining and daytime relaxation spaces.
The design aims to create a premium river cruise experience while highlighting local Portuguese flavours and culture.
Partnership with Concordia Damen
The vessel is being built in partnership with Concordia Damen, a company with extensive experience in river cruise vessel construction.
Chris Kornet, CEO of Concordia Damen, said the project demonstrates the shared ambition of both companies to bring innovative and future-ready vessel designs to the European river cruise market.
He noted that the partnership combines Concordia Damen’s engineering expertise with TUI River Cruises’ long-term vision for growth within the river cruise sector.
Bookings Already Open
TUI Luzia is already available for booking ahead of her debut season. Prices start from £1,859 per person for the seven-night Douro Discovery itinerary, including flights from London Gatwick or Manchester to Porto via third-party airlines.
With the vessel now afloat and entering the final stages of construction, TUI River Cruises has taken an important step toward expanding its fleet and strengthening its position within the growing European river cruise market.
Source: TUI River Cruises / Concordia Damen.
