TUI will enter the river cruise market in summer 2020 after buying three passenger ships.
It has bought the 155-passenger ships from German operator Werner Tours and Swiss operator Reiseburo Mittelthurgau Fluss.
They will continue to sail with these companies until October before switching to TUI, who will then start seven-night itineraries on the Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle next summer.
A total of 19 itineraries will go on sale on April 25 with a lead-in price of £1,099, including tips.
Marella Cruises managing director Chris Hackney will head up the new division, called TUI River Cruises, and becomes UK and Ireland cruise managing director.
