You’ll be in good hands when you step aboard one of the trio of TUI’s river cruise ships - TUI Isla, TUI Maya, and TUI Skyla. Not only do they each combine standout service and culture-packed experiences with nightly entertainment and a choice of restaurants and lounges; but they sail Europe’s major rivers – Rhine, Main, Moselle, Dutch and Belgian Waterways, and Danube – and usually dock right in the heart of a destination to make getting out and about a breeze!
These sophisticated adult-only ships are akin to floating, modern hotels that occasionally drop anchor at more than one destination each day. Enjoy the intimate feel with a maximum of 155 guests onboard at any one time; so not only will you soon get to know your fellow passengers, but you’ll have your own space and, with one crew member for every four guests, you’ll quickly be on first-name terms with the crew and be well looked after too.
What’s included?
It’s not just the cruise that’s included with your package, either – your flights with up to 23kg luggage, a TUI River Cruises Representative at the airport, transfers to/from the ship, three meals with drinks per day, complimentary tea/coffee station, a gala dinner (sailings of five nights or more), tips, Wi-Fi throughout the ship, personal audio guide and headset for use on walking tours and shore experiences, wellness area with whirlpool and sauna, day to night entertainment, and a dedicated cruise director all come as standard.
What can I expect onboard and ashore?
Each cruise strikes the perfect balance between time onboard and adventures ashore. The ships’ compact size creates a more relaxed pace; with plenty of time in port to really get under the skin of Europe’s towns and cities by exploring the sights, food, and wine on a choice of immersive shore experiences led by an expert local guide or independently at your own pace. While onboard you can look forward to a range of daytime activities and events, mouth-watering a la carte dining, and sipping cocktails to live music.
Why’s the Danube the perfect river cruise destination?
Our two featured itineraries turn the spotlight on one of TUI’s most popular river destinations – the Danube – which flows from the Black Forest in the west to the Black Sea in the east and passes through ten countries – including Austria, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia. Along its banks, you’ll see some of the grand dames of European architecture - from the Hungarian Parliament Building to Regensburg Cathedral - and modern-day marvels like Linz’s Ars Electronica Center and the Lentos Art Museum.
East Danube Explorer – aboard TUI Skyla in 2023 and TUI Maya in 2024
From Hungary’s Paprika Capital to Serbia’s first city, this cruise navigates east to explore some of Europe’s less-trodden destinations. Budapest’s iconic Parliament Building, the Iron Gates Gorge, Belgrade’s Church of Saint Sava, and an overnight onboard stay in Budapest are just some highlights.
A late evening sail-away from Budapest is time enough to visit the neo-Gothic Parliament Building, Art Nouveau bathhouses, and Baroque opera house. Explore Kalocsa with its canary-yellow palace, gilded cathedral, and Paprika Museum; before the sleepy town with lots of history – Mohacs – beckons.
Novi Sad boasts a wealth of museums and historical buildings; take a stroll across the river to see Petrovaradin Fortress. The next morning, cruise the Iron Gates and capture a photo of Decebal’s Head; before the ship pulls up in Donji Milanovac so you can set foot on Serbian soil for a second time.
Experience the Art Nouveau masterpieces, socialist blocks, Ottoman relics, and famous fort and seek out the Orthodox-style Church of St Sava during a full day in Belgrade. Croatia’s Vukovar’s turbulent past and 1991-siege are brought to life at the palace-turned-museum and damaged water tower.
Sailing back into Budapest late afternoon; you’ll have the rest of the day and overnight to see the city’s top sights. Head up to Fisherman’s Bastion and walk across to Buda Castle. Before your flight, if you have time, perhaps watch the locals barter for fruit and veg at the Central Market Hall, or sip coffee at the grand New York Café.
Danube Capitals – aboard TUI Maya in 2024
This eight-day Danube cruise on TUI Maya showcases three of Europe’s most impressive cities – Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna. Highlights include the chance to soak in a spa in Budapest, visit the Fisherman’s Bastion, and take in a classical concert in Vienna.
Before you unpack, go and explore Budapest! The ship anchors here overnight (tomorrow and days seven and eight), so make a list of the city’s must-sees. Divided by the river, the east side – Pest – has the Parliament Building and Jewish Quarter; Buda to the west has Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion.
Witness the butternut-squash-coloured rooftops, gold splashes along the Medieval streets, turquoise-tinted Art Nouveau Church of St Elizabeth, and Bratislava Castle's snow-white stone and terracotta turrets in Slovakia’s capital Bratislava. You’ll return here on day six, so there’s no rush to see everything!
Two nights in Vienna lets you explore at your own pace. Indulge in a touch of luxury with a horse-drawn carriage ride and marvel at the opulent 13th-century Hofburg Palace. Maybe travel on the U-Bahn train between landmarks and to the waterfront’s parks, libraries, churches, and opera houses.
Return to Bratislava for the day; get a bird’s-eye view from the UFO Observation Deck (part of the futuristic New Bridge). Uber-cool Budapest is perfect for your final night; experience the quirky bars and tick off the final landmarks on your wish list, before you bid farewell to the crew and fly home.
