The 123-passenger vessel will homeport at Porto, to which Tui will operate flights from Gatwick from spring 2025. Packages go on sale tomorrow (14 December).
Tui River Cruises’ fifth ship will have four decks and 62 cabins and is named Tui Alma, meaning ‘soul’ in Portuguese. It is being purpose-built for the Douro, which is smaller than most European rivers and known for its landscape of steep gorges and terraced hills lined with vineyards.
Like other Tui River Cruises ships, Tui Alma will be ’full board plus’ as standard with the option for guests to upgrade to all-inclusive. Rates start at £1,499pp for a deck one standard cabin, flying from Gatwick in October 2025.
Tui Alma will operate seven-night sailings on the Douro with “a heavy focus” on daytime sailing. The ship will make five calls, starting in Porto, before arriving in Entre-os-Rios, then Peso de Regua, Vega de Terron and Barca d’Alva. It then circles back to Peso de Regua before finishing back in Porto.
Tui River Cruises launched in 2021 with Tui Isla, Tui Maya and Tui Skyla and recently announced a new River Nile cruise for Winter 2024 on Tui Al Horeya.
The operator’s managing director specialist business, Chris Logan says: “This is a huge moment for Tui River Cruises and a defining moment in our journey. Given we only launched back in 2021 it’s a testament to the response of our customers that we’re able to deliver a newbuild ship. We’re so excited to create something amazing for our guests.”
Among the 62 cabins, Tui Alma will have six standard balcony cabins and two suites. The top deck will feature a shallow pool with seating areas, sun loungers, a bar and food service. As well as the main restaurant, Alma will offer a Portuguese-inspired alfresco dining space where guests can enjoy a la carte dinner.
The news coincides with Tui River Cruises going on sale for summer 2025, which features 21 itineraries across 12 countries.
There are three new itineraries: a five-night Windmills & Waterways in April 2025 in the Netherlands, for Keukenho Gardens, plus historic Hoorn as a new port of call.
Also new is Sail the Southern Rhine, a six-night trip visiting Germany and Switzerland, and Danube Gems, a seven-night sailing which calls at some smaller ports. Tui Maya and Skyla will sail the Danube, while Isla will operate on the Main, Moselle and the Rhine. All will offer durations from three to 15 nights.
Head of River Cruises Katy Berzins added: “We’re so excited that Tui River Cruises are expanding. We’ve gone from the European waterways of the Rhine, Danube, Main and Moselle to our recently announced sailings on the Nile and now we get to offer our customers the chance to experience the Douro.”
