TUI recently announced the exciting news that they will be launching river cruises in April 2020. This is no real surprise, as cruises have gained a lot more popularity over the recent years and they of course already offer ocean cruises with Marella. We have written this piece to get you up to date on the latest news about the river cruises.
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When are TUI River Cruises launching?
The first TUI River Cruises will depart early April 2020. This still gives you some time to decide which route you would like to take, but bookings are already open and the ships are expected to fill up quickly!
What amenities do the ships have?
TUI will be launching three new ships for the river cruises: the Isla, Maya and Skyla. The ships will never have more than 155 passengers on board to keep a relaxed atmosphere, and are adult-only. The amenities on all three ships are similar, they just vary in routes which you can read about a bit further on.
The ships have four decks which all have different facilities.
1: cabins
2: cabins, reception and health & wellbeing zone with library and board games
3: cabins, observatory, terrace, Club Lounge, Verdastro and Bistro
4: BBQ, lounge, relax, sun deck and herb garden
- Restaurants
The ships have two on-board restaurants, Verdastro and Bistro. The first is an elegant restaurant that serves from breakfast through to dinner. Freshly sourced ingredients served as a buffet for breakfast and lunch, and à la carte with waiter service for dinner. Looking for something a bit more casual? Bistro serves all meals as a buffet so you can sample a bit of all the food.
Additionally to the restaurants, there are multiple bars on board. Club Lounge is there for you from coffee to cocktails, with its sophisticated interior and roaring fireplace. The Observatory boasts panoramic views and hosts the evening entertainment, ranging from music to comedy. Furthermore, there is the top deck on which you can get drinks to enjoy al fresco, there is also a BBQ area which the crew will try to make the most of – weather permitting.
- Cabins
There is a large range of cabin options available on the TUI ships. All the cabins come with air-conditioning, a hairdryer, a flatscreen TV and a safe.
 | Deck 1 Standard Cabin The standard cabins measure up at 12m² and come with a desk and a fixed double bed. |
 | Deck 2 Standard Cabin On Deck 2, the standard cabins come with a full-sized window, instead of a porthole. They’re still 12m² and come with a desk and a fixed double bed. |
 | Deck 1 Superior Cabin You’ll get a little bit of extra space with a 15m² superior cabin, which lines up a king-size bed – which can be converted into two singles – along with a desk and a lounge chair. |
 | Deck 2 French Balcony Cabin These cabins are the same size as all the standard cabins, at 12m2, but they come with the added bonus of a French balcony. Floor-to-ceiling doors also make the views unmissable. There’s a desk and a fixed double bed. |
 | Deck 3 French Balcony Cabin These cabins are the same size as all the standard cabins, at 12m2, but they come with the added bonus of a French balcony. Floor-to-ceiling doors also make the views unmissable. There’s a desk and a fixed double bed. |
 | Deck 2 Superior French Balcony Cabin Just like the superior cabins on Deck 1, these ones line up a king-size bed, which can be made into two singles, plus a desk and a lounge chair. They’re still 15m², but floor-to-ceiling glass doors lead out onto a French balcony. |
 | Deck 3 Superior French Balcony Cabin Just like the superior cabins on Deck 1, these ones line up a king-size bed, which can be made into two singles, plus a desk and a lounge chair. They’re still 15m2, but floor-to-ceiling glass doors lead out onto a French balcony. |
 | Deck 2 French Balcony Suite Cabin Treat yourself to a French balcony suite, so you can make the most of the views. At 24m², they pack in a king-size bed, which can be converted into two singles. Plus, you’ll also get the added luxury of a bigger bathroom, a dressing area, a sofa, a coffee table and a desk. |
 | Deck 3 French Balcony Suite Cabin Treat yourself to a French balcony suite, so you can make the most of the views. At 24m², they pack in a king-size bed, which can be converted into two singles. Plus, you’ll also get the added luxury of a bigger bathroom, a dressing area, a sofa, a coffee table and a desk. |
 | Deck 1 Single Cabin These single cabins are the same size as the standard cabins at 12m². Instead of a double bed, you’ll get a single, as well as a desk and lounge chair. |
 | Deck 2 French Balcony Single Cabin These are like the standard single cabins, but instead of a porthole, you can take in the view from your own French balcony, which is complemented by floor-to-ceiling glass doors. That’s on top of a single bed, a desk and a lounge chair. |
What routes are available?
The Isla and Maya sail in the following areas:
– Main (Germany)
– Northern Europe and UK (Germany, The Netherlands, Ireland, United Kingdom)
– Danube (Hungary, Germany, Serbia, Slovakia, Croatia, Austria)
– Dutch & Belgian Waterways (Belgium, The Netherlands)
– Moselle (Germany)
– Rhine (Germany and Switzerland).
The Skyla only sails the Danube (Hungary, Germany, Serbia, Slovakia, Croatia, Austria).
The team at TUI have worked very hard to create routes optimal for cruising and sightseeing, so there are numerous options of itineraries available. Routes down the romantic Rhine, a cruise to see the Dutch delights, explore German and Belgian castles or go even further and see what sights and scenery the eastern European Danube has to offer. In any case, there should be plenty of choice to make your next cruise suit your preferences. Our recommendations are the 7-night East Danube Explorer route or the 14-night European Icons tour.
What deals can I get on my TUI River Cruise?
See below coupons for the TUI river cruises voucher codes that currently are on offer.
How can I book my TUI River Cruise?
The easiest way to book your TUI River Cruise is by on their website. It gives you a handy overview of all the itineraries available, with information on the dates, price, ship, route and lots more. You can also sort the cruises available by departure date or price (low-high and high-low). There are plenty of options available so there should be something to suit all tastes!
How can I contact TUI about a River Cruise?
The phone number dedicated to TUI River Cruises is 0800 975 4477
If you require special assistance, or want to discuss accessibility or welfare requirements, call: 0203 451 2585
Please note TUI’s opening times are:
| Monday – Friday | 09.00 – 19.00 |
| Saturday | 09.00 – 18.00 |
| Sunday | 10.00 – 17.00 |
If you need to contact TUI while you’re away, you can pop along reception on board or call their HolidayLine, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
- Call +4433 33 365 147 (calls from abroad will be charged at international rates)
- Text 80247 (text messages are charged at your standard network rate)
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