With its ships sailing their first itineraries in March 2020, TUI is the debutante of the river cruise world. But there’s no denying that TUI River Cruises is already shaping up to be the belle of the ball. Here’s why…
Its ships are fresh from the packaging
TUI Isla, TUI Maya and TUI Skyla are all freshly refurbished. They’ve been designed with TUI River Cruises passengers in mind. On each of the three sister ships, there are cut-above facilities like wellness areas with saunas and whirlpool baths, an observatory bar with widescreen windows, two restaurants where the menus change regularly, and an upper deck with parasols, sunloungers, daybeds and finishing touches like a herb garden. Then there are the cabins. They’re all on the outside of the ships, so they come with a porthole or window. Some even come with French balconies where passengers can sit and watch the world bob by.
It’s an adults-only cruise line
TUI River Cruises only accepts bookings from adults. That means passengers won’t be disturbed by little ones when they’re taking part in their stretch or yoga class on deck in the mornings. Nor will they find precious space in the bar fridges taken up by fruit juice. Instead, there’s room for more classic cocktail ingredients.
Its prices include extras
The cost of a TUI river cruise includes more than a cabin. Flights, transfers, three meals a day with drinks, and excursion credit are all part of the package. As are little things like complimentary canapes at happy hour in the Observatory lounges and an afternoon tea buffet once every sailing.
Its itineraries will take you to some of the world’s greatest sights
TUI River Cruises takes the oyster that is the world and serves it up on a plate for passengers with a slice of lemon. TUI Isla, TUI Maya and TUI Skyla will trace their way along the Moselle, the Rhine, the Danube, the Main and the waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium.
They’ll call in to nine countries, including Germany, Holland, Belgium, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia and Switzerland.
On itineraries with names like The Moselle Valley Vines & Views and Rhine: Chateaux & Gateaux, passengers will be able to sail into some of the world’s most jaw-dropping cities and towns. Think UNESCO World Heritage Site Vienna with its palaces, opera heritage and coffee-and-cake culture and Budapest with its grand spa and hilltop castle.
TUI River Cruises travellers will also have the opportunity to see some of Europe’s unsung heroes. Such as Piesport in Germany – a town that’s wrapped up in vineyards and meadows – and Novi Sad in Serbia where visitors can try traditional dishes like smoky ćevapi kebabs and the flaky pastry burek.
The excursions go the extra mile
Every passenger sailing with TUI River Cruises gets £120 to spend on excursions. The options available go well beyond the run-of-the-mill walking tours that you get on other river cruise ships. The equator-long list of excursions that TUI offers includes things like visits to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet in Rudesheim, Germany. It’s a museum full of kooky mechanical instruments and automata. Visiting this place is a down-the-rabbit-hole experience. Plus, as you might expect from an adults-only cruise line, there are plenty of excursions penned in to vineyards and wineries – like Hammes in Germany, which has been producing wine since 1846. Here passengers can enjoy a flight of Riesling before sitting down for a bite to eat in the winegrower’s kitchen.
Use code SPRING300 to save £300 per booking on March to May 2020 TUI River Cruise Sailings.
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