Latest news with #TUIRiverCruises
Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Telegraph
Five essential things to know before you board a TUI River Cruises ship
River cruises are the newest venture for travel giant TUI, which officially entered the sector in August 2021 with the launch of the 155-passenger TUI Maya following an 18-month delay due to the Covid pandemic. The adult-only ship was soon joined by sisters TUI Skyla and TUI Isla, who collectively sail some of Europe's leading waterways. In winter 2024, TUI River Cruises expanded geographically and launched its first Nile River ship: TUI Al Horeya (Arabic for freedom). This inaugural Nile ship proved so popular that a second, TUI Al Bahareya, is due to debut in Egypt towards the end of 2025. Yet regardless of which TUI River Cruises ship you set sail on, you can be sure they have Brits in mind; kettles and Twinings tea bags can be found in every cabin, while shore experiences can be pre-purchased in sterling. Onboard, a fun and sociable vibe prevails: the amiable and talented entertainment team lead quizzes, trivia contests, and Motown Moves sessions. They also perform West End hits, pop classics, and rock and roll anthems and host silent discos and stargazing sessions. Expect local guest acts, too – on my recent TUI Nile River cruise, energetic belly dancers, Egyptian whirling dervishes and traditional Nubian acts all performed on board. What's even better is how much is included in the cost of your river cruise: all entertainment, drinks, meals, gratuities, unlimited internet access, and even a return flight. All you'll need to put your hand in your pocket for are select shore excursions, spa treatments, and shop purchases. This transparency makes the line a great option for anyone looking to explore Europe and Egypt without breaking the bank. 1. Where does TUI River Cruises sail? In Europe, TUI Isla, Skyla and Maya sail the Rhine, with its billowing vineyards and dramatic cliffs, and the Danube, which strings together some of Europe's most majestic cities and sights such as Budapest's Parliament building and the lavish palaces of Vienna. Stops on a Rhine cruise could include Strasbourg, where you can wander the Roman streets and admire the half-timbered houses, Cologne, to sample the city's signature Kölsch beer, and the quaint town of Rudesheim, home to the quirky Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum with its unique collection of automated musical instruments. In addition, TUI Isla offers itineraries on the Main, which meanders out from the east of the Rhine and through the middle of Germany, the Moselle, a must for wine lovers, and the beautiful Belgian and Dutch waterways. Summer 2025 marks the start of sailings along Portugal's Douro River onboard TUI Alma. The line's first new-build river ship will offer seven-night round-trip sailings from Porto calling at Entre-os-Rios, Peso de Regua, Vega de Terron and Barca d'Alva. Yet another new European ship, TUI Ria, is scheduled to launch in summer 2026 and will also sail on the Rhine and Moselle. Egypt also features on the agenda with an unforgettable cruise along the Nile. The group's first Nile ship, TUI Al Horeya, operates a seven-night Legends of the Nile voyage; a round-trip sailing from Luxor that calls at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Sister ship, Tui Bahareya, is slated to debut on the Nile in November 2025 and will offer two round-trip routes from Luxor: the Legends of the Nile cruise and a seven-night Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs itinerary. Both sailings will take you to Egypt's most famous historic sites, including the Valley of the Kings, Aswan and the Temple of Horus. Two Egyptologists will also be on board to reveal the stories that lie behind the extraordinary temples and tombs. 2. Who does TUI River Cruises appeal to? The line has gone out of its way to attract British passengers with flights (on TUI Airways) offered from a number of UK airports. As TUI River Cruises ships are strictly adults-only, they fit the bill for couples and groups of friends seeking a relaxed and informal sailing. Solo travellers aren't neglected either: each ship has been fitted with a handful of single cabins and those going it alone can meet up with like-minded travellers at mealtimes and social events. All told, you might embark on a river cruise as a single traveller, but you certainly won't end up alone. You'll find plenty of first-time river cruisers on board too. These are typically guests who have travelled with TUI before, be it on a package holiday or an ocean voyage with sister line Marella Cruises, and fancy experimenting on a new type of holiday with a company they feel comfortable with. With absolutely everything included in the fare, TUI River Cruises is also a great option for cost-conscious travellers who want to get away without worrying about extra fees. 3. The fleet TUI Skyla, TUI Isla, TUI Maya (151, 155, and 155 passengers respectively) Sails to: Danube, Rhine. TUI Isla also sails the Dutch & Belgian waterways, Main and Moselle The trio of adult-only vessels share a light and breezy aesthetic, with each ship featuring two restaurants and two bars as well as a wellness area and activity area on the top deck. Cabins span several categories, ranging from singles to suites. TUI Al Horeya (145 passengers) W inter 2024 marked the debut of TUI Al Horeya on the Nile. The freshly refurbished ship features 72 river-facing cabins, the lion's share of which have French balconies. Spacious public spaces include the third-floor Observatory lounge – head here for enlightening lectures and film showings during the day, and cabaret and trivia contests at night – two restaurants, a small gym, and a top deck with an inviting pool, hot tubs, sun loungers and a shaded bar seating area. TUI Alma (123 passengers) Sails to: Douro Meaning 'soul' in Portuguese, TUI Alma – the line's first brand-new ship – will cruise along Portugal's River Douro when it launches in 2025. Expect 62 river-facing staterooms situated across three of the four passenger decks, plus a shallow pool with seating areas, main restaurant and Portuguese-inspired al fresco dining space. TUI Bahareya (136 passengers) Sails to: Nile TUI Bahareya will be the sixth ship to join the fleet when it launches towards the end of 2025. The name means 'belongs to the river' in Arabic and the ship will accommodate 136 passengers in 68 cabins, including standard French balcony cabins and superior cabins. While the real attraction of any Nile cruise lies on dry land, TUI Bahareya will have plenty to keep guests entertained, from an open-air pool to a massage tent and an entertainment area. TUI Ria (190 passengers) Sails to: Rhine, Moselle This will be the largest ship in the fleet when it launches in summer 2026 and the big talking point is the onboard pool that will double as a restaurant: in the evening, the pool floor will rise to close off the water, transforming the space into a secondary dining venue and entertainment area. It will even have a retractable roof, allowing guests to take a dip whatever the weather. In addition, there will be a choice of restaurants, lounges and entertainment spaces. 4. Loyalty scheme None officially, but the line says that it does try to offer repeat guests 'access to things like exclusive offers and events' as a thank you for their loyalty. 5. Access for guests with disabilities Wheelchairs cannot be used on board, so TUI River Cruises says that if you're unable to walk unaided up and down flights of stairs, then a cruise with them may not be suitable for you. It's worth contacting the Assisted Travel Team (0203 451 2688) before booking a cruise if you have specific needs.
Travel Daily News
3 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
TUI River Cruises launches Zerbian and Croatian Danube itineraries
TUI River Cruises will debut new sailings on the River Danube for winter 2026 with new Serbian and Croatian ports of call. The winter itineraries will go on sale from 3 July 2025, offering 33 sailings across the entire fleet from November 2026 – April 2027. For TUI Aria's first winter season, the largest capacity ship amongst the fleet, will be sailing the Rhine offering customers a glimpse of different Germanic festive markets on the 'Mistletoe and Rhine' itinerary featuring Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Koblenz and Cologne as well as the 'North Rhine Noel' itinerary which stops in Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands. In addition, TUI River Cruises is also introducing new Danube sailings on TUI Isla, 'New Year on the Danube' so guests can celebrate the New Year in style and also visit the spectacular Belgrade festive markets. There will be a second TUI flight from London Gatwick to Vienna for both TUI Isla and TUI Maya including a incredible 16 itineraries for customers to sail on. In addition to this, there will be alternative flight options with TUI partner airlines to a range of destinations including Basel and Amsterdam on the newest ship, TUI Aria itineraries including: 'Rhine Explorer', 'Rhine Explorer 2' and 'Southern Rhine Delights'. Furthermore, the river cruise line will introduce new four to seven-night river cruise options, to continue to offer more flexibility and choice for customers. These include 'Yuletide Getaway', a four-night on TUI Isla sailing visiting Vienna, Linz, Bratislava and the seven-night 'East Danube Explorer'. Festive sailings on The Danube and The Rhine will return with 11 sailings for the season with Christmas market-filled itineraries and even more New Year's celebrations across four different ships, TUI Aria, TUI Isla, TUI Maya and TUI Skyla. These include 'East Danube Christmas Charm' on TUI Isla, a five-night sailing through Vienna, Esztergom, Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna and 'Rhine Festive Flavours' on TUI Skyla sailing through Cologne, Boppard, Rüdesheim, Frankfurt, Koblenz, and Dusseldorf. The Nile will see two ships, TUI Al Horeya and TUI Bahareya, return for winter 2026 with direct flights from London Gatwick and Manchester Airport to Luxor, Egypt. Customers seeking the sun can sail on alternating itineraries: 'Legends of the Nile' and 'Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs' for seven-night sailings. The sailings will begin and end in Luxor and will visit Egyptian hotspots of Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. 'We're excited to launch our largest winter programme providing our customers with more choice and flexibility than ever before' said Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruises at TUI River Cruises. 'With the introduction of new Serbian and Croatian ports on the Danube, the debut winter season for TUI Aria, and enhanced flight options, we're making it easier for our guests to explore Europe's most enchanting riverscapes. Whether it's celebrating New Year in Belgrade, discovering the charm of German Christmas markets, or soaking up the sun along the Nile, there's a winter cruise for every traveller.'
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
EasyJet and TUI launch three new UK flights to European hotspots
This week the budget holiday providers have unveiled three new routes which increases their offering of intriguing destinations in Europe, with improved access to Ibiza, Budapest and Rimini Brits now have easy access to three more sun-drenched destinations after TUI and easyJet introduced new routes. This week the budget holiday providers have unveiled three new routes which increases their offering of intriguing destinations in Europe. Birmingham to Budapest, Hungary TUI has announced a new route from the UK's City of a Thousand Trades to the Hungarian capital, which will take-off for the first time next year. It will operate on Mondays during summer. The German travel firm is keen to improve links to Budapest as it will be its first port of call on selected TUI River Cruises holidays. This new route has been added following the growth in demand for river cruises in the Central Europe region. Three TUI River Cruises' ships (Isla, Maya and Skyla) will all be based on the Danube for the full summer season. The route can also be booked as a flight only and will serve holidays to Lake Balaton, part of TUI's Lakes & Mountains collection. The freshwater lake in western Hungary is home to beaches, volcanic hills, hiking trails and a wine-growing region. Chris Logan, commercial director at TUI UK, said: "We're excited to be adding Budapest to our growing portfolio of destinations available from Birmingham Airport. This route is especially important for our popular TUI River Cruises which has seen continued demand in recent years, as well as our Lakes & Mountains holidays, and we're pleased to now offer our customers based in the Midlands even more choice and flexibility when it comes to their holidays.' London Gatwick to Rimini, Italy EasyJet holidays has launched a new route to Rimini, a seaside resort on Italy's Adriatic Coast. Rimini is one of the oldest seaside resorts in the world, having attracted hoards of sunworshippers since 1843 when its first bathing joint opened up. It is far more than just a lovely place for a dip and a bit of sunbathing however. Visitors can check out Italita in Miniatura, a Legoland-like world that allows you to walk over the top of iconic monuments such as the Colosseum as if you were a giant. EasyJet holidays will offer a range of holidays at three to five star properties in the region, with the budget airline also putting on wice weekly flights to the coastal city. Exeter to Ibiza, Spain A second TUI Airways plane has touched down at Exeter Airport, with a new weekly route to Ibiza launched. The Boeing 737-800 took off for its first flight this week. Its arrival means the airline is now operating 50 flights a week from Exeter over the summer to 13 different destinations. Additional weekly routes have also been added from Exeter to Paphos to support Marella Cruises' new itineraries from Limassol. It said two planes mean customers now have the option of booking 10 nights to the likes of Antalya, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Rhodes, Heraklion and Paphos, in addition to 7 and 14 night trips.
Scotsman
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Unlock the hidden gems in Switzerland for Eurovision 2025
Eurovision 2025 is around the corner and this year, the medieval city of Basel in Switzerland will host the competition, following Nemo's triumphant win with "The Code" in 2024. Basel is set to welcome all of Europe to enjoy the spectacular performances at the world's largest music competition. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Aside from the sparkly dresses, emotional ballads and eccentric performances, the vibrant city of Basel provides a range of historical and cultural landmarks including the vibrant Carnival Fountain, historic city gate to Basel's Old Town and the botanical Merian Garten filled with sprawling Swiss flowers. To help Eurovision fanatics this May, TUI River Cruises and First Choice has provided a list of must-do's when exploring the city! Explore the 12th century Medieval city of Basel Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Basel, Switzerland Visit the Medieval old town whilst sailing down the river Rhine. This Gothic 12th century inspired architecture is full of rich history including the tomb of the 16th-century Dutch scholar, Erasmus of Rotterdam. Visitors can view the rich-city views from high viewing points and friendly famers markets filled with local homemade produce a stone's throw away from either their hotel or river cruise ship. TUI River Cruises offers a seven-night Sail the Southern Rhine from Frankfurt, Germany on TUI Isla from £1255 per person. Price based on 2 adults sharing a Deck 1 Superior Cabin on a Full Board Plus* basis. Calling at Frankfurt Germany, Koblenz, Germany, Rudesheim, Germany, Speyer, Germany, Kehl (for Strasbourg), Germany, Breisach, Germany and Basel, Switzerland. Includes BA flights from London Heathrow to Amsterdam on 11th August 2025, 23kg of luggage per person, transfers, tips, and service charges. Eat out at the bustling indoor Markthalle Basel Food fanatics can explore the city's culinary landscape visiting the Markthalle Basel, which is included in First Choice's Self-guided Food Tour excursion, where you can try international cuisines and Swiss dishes including fondue, raclette and iconic Älplermagronen. With a range of samples of different dishes to choose from, visitors can find the right dish for them. Basel, Switzerland Pick a stay at the BandB Hotel Basel, a sleek, modern hotel just a 20 minute walk to the enchanting Basel old town. Prices from £321** per person. Price is based on 2 adults sharing a standard double room, on a room only basis for 3 nights, flights departing from London Gatwick on 6th June 2025. Hand luggage only and transfers not included. For more information visit Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Find the 'covered' bridge in the nearby medieval city of Lucerne Uncover the hidden gem of Lucerne with TUI River Cruises' Lucerne City Tour excursion. The city is known for its magic-filled fairy tale architecture and scenic views. Look out for a lion monument carved into a sheer rock face, before heading towards the shores of Lake Lucerne – right beside the city, at the foot of a peak known as 'Dragon Mountain'. The tour will uncover the unique landmarks, a covered bridge decorated with century-old works of art and much more.
