TUI River Cruises announces its godparents for its highest capacity ship, TUI Aria, on the European waters

TUI River Cruises has announced its godparents for its newly refurbished highest capacity ship, TUI Aria. The godparents for the latest ship are TUI agent, Paula Burgess and Mark Sage, Senior Commercial Manager at TUI River Cruises who were both given surprise and delight moments and titles of godparents to TUI Aria due to their contributions to TUI River Cruises since the river cruise line launched five years ago.   

With the Christening of TUI Aria around the corner, Paula has been given the godparent title due to her achievement of being a top selling agent, in one of the topping selling stores in the South East region. Paula has shown her dedication to TUI River Cruises since it launched five years ago and TUI Hempstead Valley with 34 years under her belt working at TUI.

Godparent Mark Sage has also been chosen alongside Paula, to be the godparent of the latest European river cruise ship which will set sail down two rivers the Rhine and Moselle from Amsterdam, Basel and Frankfurt for Summer 2026. Mark has been at TUI for 25 years and has worked on TUI River Cruises since its inception. 

TUI Aria will be the first TUI River Cruise ship in Europe to include a pool with panoramic views in the multi-use venue, Reflections. The onboard pool will double as a versatile area, serving as a pool during the day. In the evening, the pool floor will rise to close off the water, transforming the space into a secondary dining venue and entertainment area with Italian inspired dishes. The pool has a retractable roof, offering year-round, weatherproof enjoyment – another first for the fleet. The ship will also have modern and spacious interiors with a choice of restaurants, lounges and entertainment spaces. 

The 190 passengers will be accommodated across 96 cabins including Superior French Balcony cabins, Superior, Standard and Single cabins, to sail through the European waterways on the river cruise line. 

Katy Berzins, Head of TUI River Cruises, TUI River Cruises: “We’re thrilled to be announcing Paula and Mark as our godparents for TUI Aria. Paula is an exceptional TUI Travel Agent and Mark has been integral to the brand since its inception – both of the godparents work has not been unnoticed and that’s why we’re giving them the godparent role for the latest river ship. As we enter our fifth year of sailing at TUI River Cruises, we cannot wait to launch the latest river cruise ship down the European Waterways early this Summer 2026 season and celebrate the talent we have at TUI and TUI River Cruises alike.” 

Godparent to TUI Aria, TUI’s Travel Agent, Paula Burgess said: “I still can’t believe I have been chosen to be a godparent for TUI Aria - I feel so proud and honoured. I love sharing with customers who come into the TUI Hempstead Valley store on where they can river cruise from the European waterways of the Rhine and Danube to the Egyptian River Nile. It’s brilliant to see how my hardwork has resulted into an honourable title for TUI River Cruises.” 

Godparent to TUI Aria, Senior Commercial Manager, Mark Sage said: “I am really grateful to be given the role as godparent to TUI Aria. I have worked at TUI River Cruises’ since the brand launched five years ago, and I am pleased to see my hardwork has been recognised by TUI River Cruises with the honour of being a godparent to the largest capacity ship in the fleet.” 

Like the rest of the European fleet, TUI Aria will be Full Board Plus, as standard with the option for guests to upgrade to all-inclusive and will include a day and night entertainment programme. The three new itineraries include the Moselle & North Rhine itinerary sailing from Frankfurt, and the North Rhine & Moselle Explorer and Dutch Delta Discovery itineraries from Amsterdam sailing with TUI Aria. 

The Dutch Delta Discovery on TUI Aria from £1498 per person based on two adults sharing a Deck 1 Superior Cabin on a Full Board Plus basis. Price includes flights from London Heathrow Airport on the 1st June 2026, tips and transfers included. To find out more about this holiday or to book go to tui.co.uk/river-cruises, visit your local TUI holiday store or download our app.