TUI has revealed further details of its newest ship, Aria, which will set sail on its maiden voyage in March next year on the River Rhine.
The adult-only ship will also offer cruises along the Main, Moselle and Dutch and Belgian waterways in summer 2026, offering a range of six- to nine-night sailings.
It will have 96 cabins and accommodate 190 guests, more than any other TUI river ship.
New onboard venues include Reflections, a multi-use space included the fleet’s first onboard pool and sauna, showers, and a retractable roof for year-round use.
During the day, the poolside area will have sunloungers and guests will be offered light breakfasts and lunches.
In the evening, the pool floor rises to create a dining space for up to 36 guests. The à la carte restaurant will serve Italian-inspired dishes such as arancini, caprese salads, charcuterie and pasta dishes. The venue will also host live music and film screenings.
On the top deck, there will be a putting green – a first for TUI River Cruises – and other activities such as shuttleboard and deck games.
The crew will host complimentary yoga sessions, BBQ’s and an ice cream party each sailing.
The main, buffet and live cooking restaurant, Verdastro, a favourite of other TUI River ships, will also be included on Aria. It will seat 190 for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Observatory will host nightly entertainment such as vocal productions, music, quizzes, film showings and silent disco. It will also host afternoon tea.
Head of TUI River Cruises Katy Berzins said: “TUI Aria marks a bold new chapter for TUI River Cruises, reflecting our commitment to innovation and guest experience. As our highest capacity ship to date, it’s been designed to offer more flexibility for our customers – whether they’re seasoned river cruisers or new to river cruise.”
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.
