Why a TUI River Cruise Should Be on Your Holiday Bucket List
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated: 21 October 2026
Enjoying scenic European waterways from the sun deck aboard TUI River Cruises
Sponsored by TUI River Cruises
Never been on a river cruise? You might be surprised by what you're missing.
We’ve now experienced several river cruises ourselves, and there’s something about river cruising that keeps drawing us back. Maybe it’s the scenery, maybe it’s the destinations, or maybe it’s the fact that you can unpack your suitcase once and wake up somewhere completely different the next morning. Or perhaps it’s simply the wonderfully relaxed pace.
Whatever it is, we’re big fans of river cruising. But if you’ve never tried one before, we completely understand why you might be wondering what all the fuss is about.
To celebrate Cruise Month, we’ve been looking at what TUI River Cruises offers for 2027, and there are some very tempting ships and itineraries that we think could be perfect for anyone considering their first river cruise.
So, Why Try a River Cruise?
If you’ve only ever experienced ocean cruising, river cruising can seem like a completely different world. In many ways, it is, and for the better.
The ships are smaller, the pace is more relaxed and the destinations are often right on your doorstep. One minute you’re enjoying breakfast onboard; the next, you’re stepping ashore to explore a historic city, beautiful towns or fascinating landmarks. Then, you return to the ship and sail on to somewhere new.
That’s the beauty of river cruising. Having sailed iconic European waterways such as the Rhine and Danube, we’ve discovered that one of our favourite things is simply watching the world go by. There’s something rather special about sitting on deck with a drink, watching vineyards, villages, castles and countryside drift past.
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Cruising along the scenic Rhine, where castles and historic towns sit right on the doorstep
Is a River Cruise Difficult to Organise?
This is probably one of the biggest questions for anyone thinking about their first river cruise, and it’s one reason TUI River Cruises is well worth considering.
A TUI River Cruises package takes the logistical stress out of planning. You book through the TUI website just like any other TUI holiday or Marella cruise.
Return flights from UK regional airports, overseas airport-to-port transfers, generous checked luggage allowance, the cruise itself, meals, selected drinks and onboard tips/service charges are included as standard. TUI’s European river cruises operate on a Full Board Plus basis as a minimum, meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, along with selected drinks at mealtimes.
You simply book the holiday, pack your suitcase and let TUI take care of the details. For a first-time cruiser, we think that’s an exceptionally convenient proposition.
TUI River Cruises visits multiple destinations (many crossing borders along the way), and because most docking locations are located centrally or close to the heart of town, you can frequently step straight off the ship and start exploring.
Fancy exploring independently? You can. Prefer someone to show you around? TUI offers shore experiences with expert local guides. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, which makes river cruising refreshingly easy for first-timers.
TUI Al Horeya cruising the historic River Nile on an All-Inclusive itinerary in Egypt
Where Can You Go with TUI River Cruises?
This is where things get really interesting. You might not realise just how varied the programme is.
TUI currently sails the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Dutch and Belgian waterways and Nile, with the Douro joining the programme in 2027. From that fantastic list of rivers, several standout destinations catch our eye:
The River Nile: A True Bucket-List Voyage
Let’s start with the one that really has our attention: Egypt.
The Nile has been on our cruise bucket list for a long time, and a Nile River cruise is one of the most rewarding ways to experience Egypt. Rather than staying in one resort and travelling out on long day trips, the river becomes your direct route through thousands of years of history.
TUI’s Nile cruises start and finish in Luxor, with stops including Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. There are also opportunities to visit incredible sights including the Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel.
Just imagine waking up in Egypt, enjoying breakfast onboard, then heading ashore to explore an ancient temple you've spent a lifetime seeing in photographs.
That’s not just a cruise, that’s a new adventure every single day.
TUI Bahareya: Dedicated exclusively to the River Nile, this ship has been designed with the destination at its heart. TUI offers an Egyptian-inspired experience onboard, including Arabic-inspired décor, local guest acts and regional dishes. If you are cruising the Nile, having an immersive atmosphere from the moment you step onboard makes all the difference.
TUI Al Horeya: TUI’s first Nile ship, launched in 2024, features 2 restaurants, 2 bars, a wellness area and a top deck boasting a pool, 2 hot tubs and an al fresco dining area. Best of all, Nile cruises operate on an All-Inclusive basis as standard (rather than Full Board Plus), making this fantastic value for a comprehensive holiday package.
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TUI Luzia sailing the scenic Douro River, launching in 2027
TUI Luzia: A Brand-New Custom Ship on the Douro
If Egypt isn’t calling your name, how about Portugal?
TUI Luzia is TUI’s first-ever purpose-built new river ship, launching in 2027 and heading straight to one of Europe’s most picturesque waterways: the Douro.
The Douro Discovery: From June 2027, TUI Luzia will sail 7-night Douro Discovery cruises from Porto. Calling at Entre-os-Rios, Régua, Barca d’Alva and Vega de Terrón, she takes travellers deep into Portugal’s spectacular UNESCO World Heritage wine country.
Onboard Features: TUI Luzia offers 3 dining venues, 3 bars, a shallow pool and a top-deck wellness area. Highlights include an al fresco dining venue inspired by the Douro Valley and an open-grill top-deck lunch spot. For those who love watching the scenery drift past from their cabin, there are dedicated Balcony Cabins and French Balcony Suites available.
TUI Elara: Boutique Cruising Across Classic European Rivers
Launching in 2027 as the eighth ship in the fleet, TUI Elara is an adults-only vessel carrying a maximum of 138 guests, giving the ship an intimate onboard feel.
Her itineraries cover the Rhine, Moselle and Dutch and Belgian waterways with 5, 7 and 14-night options. Excitingly, TUI Elara introduces Brussels to TUI’s river cruise programme for the very first time, alongside destinations such as Amsterdam, Cologne, Frankfurt and Boppard.
TUI Aria: Innovative Design with an Indoor Pool
Then there’s TUI Aria, which features an innovative highlight for European river cruising: an indoor pool venue named Reflections, complete with a retractable roof. Sailing the Rhine, Moselle and Dutch and Belgian waterways, she provides a wonderful blend of iconic European towns and all-weather relaxation onboard.
Sail with Us! Our First Ever Group Cruise 🚢
After years of sharing our adventures on YouTube, we’re hosting our very first group cruise, and we want you there!
Join us aboard Cunard’s stunning new ship, Queen Anne, for a 7-night Spain & Portugal voyage sailing roundtrip from Southampton on 24 October 2027.
Expect exclusive Tom & Dom Travel events, beautiful ports, and the chance to cruise with fellow channel fans.
Tom and Dom at Lisbon's iconic Portas do Sol viewpoint, with Queen Anne anchored on the glittering Tagus
Boutique cruising aboard the adults-only TUI Elara, launching across classic European rivers in 2027
What Does a First-Time TUI River Cruise Feel Like?
If you’ve never cruised a river before, don't worry about feeling rushed between destinations.
A dedicated onboard Cruise Director is on hand to help with advice and excursion support, entertainment runs gently from day into evening, and because the fleet is adults-only, the ambience is designed around grown-up relaxation.
If you are tempted to try river cruising but still have a few hesitations, there really is no need to worry. The entire experience is remarkably straightforward, and TUI’s package approach makes the whole process effortless.
Which TUI River Cruise Fits Your Style?
For ancient wonders and included All-Inclusive drinks: The Nile on TUI Bahareya or TUI Al Horeya
For vineyard slopes and Portuguese sunshine: The Douro on TUI Luzia
For romantic castles and scenic gorges: The Rhine and Moselle on TUI Aria or TUI Elara
For iconic European cities and historic canals: The Dutch and Belgian Waterways
For imperial capitals and fairy-tale castles: The Danube
Ready to explore historic waterways from Europe to the Nile? Take a look at the latest itineraries, dates, and sailing offers directly on the official TUI River Cruises website to find your perfect voyage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a TUI River Cruise?
TUI River Cruises packages include return flights from UK regional airports, overseas airport-to-port transfers, a checked luggage allowance (typically up to 25kg on TUI Airways flights, or at least 20kg with partner airlines), all onboard meals, selected drinks with lunch and dinner (Full Board Plus), Wi-Fi onboard (signal permitting) and all port taxes and onboard tips. Nile sailings operate on an All-Inclusive basis as standard.
Are children allowed on TUI River Cruises?
No. All ships across the TUI River Cruises fleet are exclusively adults-only (18+), ensuring a peaceful, grown-up atmosphere onboard throughout the voyage.
What is the difference between Full Board Plus and All Inclusive on TUI?
Full Board Plus includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, alongside tea, coffee and juices at breakfast, plus selected beer, wine and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner. All Inclusive covers all meals plus a wider selection of draught beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and hot drinks available from the bars throughout the day.
Is there a formal dress code on TUI River Cruises?
The dress code onboard is smart-casual and relaxed. There are no formal black-tie nights. Comfortable casual wear is standard for daytime sightseeing, while smart-casual attire is customary for dinner in the evening. However, there is a gala dinner on sailings of five nights or more giving you the opportunity to dress up if you wish, but it is optional.
Can I book shore excursions in advance with TUI?
Yes. Shore experiences can be booked prior to departure via the TUI shore experience website (https://rivercruises.gotui.com/) or arranged directly onboard with your Cruise Director. Guests can choose between organised guided excursions or explore independently at their own pace.
About the Authors
We’re Tom and Dom, the creators behind Tom and Dom Travel. Through our ship reviews, cabin tours, port guides, and cruise tips, we share honest, experience-led advice from our travels around the world. Everything we publish is designed to help you cruise with confidence.
Thanks for reading, and happy cruising.
