TUI dip their toe in the RIVERS market

The exciting news revealed this week is that TUI is dipping their toe in the lucrative River Cruise Market.

Due to start in Summer 2020, TUI is launching three ships, Tui Maya, Tui Isla and Tui Skyla, named after their close association with water and rivers. Each ship will offer between 75 & 80 cabins, ranging from standard, superior and suite class, featuring a private balcony. The ships will also have single cabins for any solo travellers.

TUI River Cruises will take delivery of the three 155-passenger vessels in October this year. They will offer seven-night adult-only itineraries along the Main, Moselle, Danube and the Rhine.

Going on sale on April 25th, passengers will be offered a choice of 19 itineraries, with a seven-night sailing starting from only £1099 per person. As with Marella Cruises, passengers will not be expected to pay Gratuities, only tipping who & when they choose to.

These sailings will be exclusively sold to the British market and depending on how successful they are, more ships may be added.

Every guest will receive a £120 credit for excursions including bike tours, cookery classes and sightseeing tours.

Each of the 3 ships will undergo a facelift before going live with TUI. Highlights include the addition of a 2nd bar, serving coffee by day & cocktails by night. Also three restaurants including the main dining room, a lighter dining area and an alfresco bbq restaurant. All ships will also offer an outdoor area for relaxing through the day but becoming a light entertainment venue in the evening. They will also feature Spa facilities & a whirlpool.

Have you ever done a River Cruise? If not, these could offer an ideal starting point.

My wife and I caught our “Cruising Bug” on a river cruise in 2008. We spent our honeymoon sailing down the Nile, visiting all the fantastic temples in Egypt. This is still my favourite holiday ever, and I would love to do it again. Unfortunately, Egypt is a bit unpredictable at the moment so not sure if we will do it anytime soon.