Northern France is packed with beautiful towns and cities that often get overlooked, but these underrated gems are often where you can find some of the best food, drinks and beautiful sights. It’s therefore no surprise that the region is the latest on TUI River Cruises’ radar, as the firm has announced it will be offering sailings to northern France for the first time from 2028.
There’s more exciting news for cruise fans too, as the new River Seine itineraries will be taking place from the brand’s new adults-only ship, TUI Elara. The itineraries, which go on sale from October 15, will span a number of ports of call including Paris, Vernon, Rouen, Issy-les-Moulineaux, Le Havre, Caudebec, Les Andelys, La Roche-Guyon and Conflans.
Ad for TUI Elara, she’s set to join the fleet from March 2027, with a capacity of up to 138 passengers, as well as a number of elegant restaurants, lounges and various cabin options for passengers including balcony suites. Highlights include The Observatory lounge and bar, as well as à la carte restaurant Vedastro, which can already be found on other ships within the TUI fleet. (Meanwhile the top deck of course has plenty of sun loungers and a space for the likes of yoga and BBQs).
The River Seine itinerary wasn’t the only new offering from the brand. TUI River Cruises had previously revealed that it would be welcoming two new ships for 2028, and now we’ve been given a series of details of just what to expect. Sister ships TUI Zora and TUI Velara, both of which have been purposfully built for the brand, will offer 94 cabins (including balcony suites), as well as new bars, lounges and restaurants on board. Both ships will also sail across the likes of the Rhine, Danube and Morselle.
Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruises at TUI River Cruises, said that “summer 2028 is our biggest launch ever”, adding that “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”.
For those with Portugal on their radar then ship TUI Luzia, currently set to join the fleet in June 2027, will offer a series of seven-night sailings along the breathtaking Douro in 2028, with ports of call including the likes of Porto, home to the world’s most beautiful bookshop, and one city that is genuinely very walkable if you’ve only got a day of exploring.
Prices start from £1,749pp and can be booked from October 15 on tui.co.uk.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
