Tui River Cruises appoints two long-serving employees as godparents of newest ship

Tui River Cruises has appointed two long-serving employees as godparents for its newest ship, Tui Aria.

Retail agent Paula Burgess and Tui River Cruises senior commercial manager for Mark Sage were both surprised as they were given the titles of godparents to the 190-passenger vessel, owing to their contributions to the river cruise operation since its launch five years ago. 
  

Burgess has worked for Tui for 34 years and is a top-selling agent for the operator in one of its highest-performing stores in the southeast, in Hempstead Valley.

Sage has been with the company for 25 years and worked on the launch and development of Tui River Cruises.

Aria’s naming ceremony will take place next week in Frankfurt before offering sailings on the Rhine and Moselle from Amsterdam, Basel and Frankfurt during summer 2026.

Head of Tui River Cruises Katy Berzins said: “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.” 
 


Burgess added: “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.” 

Sage commented: “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 hard work has been recognised by Tui River Cruises with the honour of being a godparent to the largest capacity ship in the fleet.”