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TUI River Cruise Review - You Need to Know this Before you Book!

We have just returned from our first river cruise. We knew it would be different from our previous ocean cruising experiences and thought we were prepared for that. However, there were some differences that did surprise us.

In this post we explain these differences between Ocean and River cruises. We cover ships design, size, privacy, food, entertainment, destinations, accessibility and show you that you don’t have to spend a fortune to go river cruising!

We cruised on TUI Isla River Cruise Ship in April 2022. The reason we chose TUI was due to price, they do offer some excellent itineraries at affordable prices and you can find out more about their TUI river cruise prices and itineraries here (affiliate link)

We have also filmed a video discussing these differences and a vlog series showcasing the ship and the Diamonds on the Danube Itinerary .

View more video blogs on YouTube > > >

tui river cruises reviews 2023

Ship Size and Passenger Capacity - How this Impacts your Experience

Our river cruise ship TUI Isla can hold a maximum of 158 passengers, on our cruise there were 100 passengers and 38 crew.

In terms of size a river cruise ship is about the tenth of the size of an average ocean cruise ship with most river cruise ships we came across being 135 metres long and 11.45 metres wide, there are exceptions which we will discuss later in this post.

On an ocean cruise you could go all week without bumping in to the same person twice but it’s quite the opposite on a river cruise where you will bump into the same people multiple times per day so if  you are the sort of person who likes to keep to yourself to yourself you will find it a lot more difficult on a river cruise.

The upside to this is that if you do like to socialise and make new friends this is definitely the place to do it and it seemed particularly good for solo cruisers too!

The downside though is if there are any annoying passengers it would be quite hard to distance yourself from them, but we are glad to say that on our cruise everybody seem to be really nice, so maybe it was us who were the annoying ones!

Most River Cruise Ships are very Similar in Design

River cruise ships

Most of the river cruise ships we came across seem to be of a similar size and follow the same basic design but as with most things in life the more expensive the cruise the more amenities and luxury the ship will have.

Our ship which is at the lower end of the budget spectrum had two lounges, the main entertainment lounge and a small quieter club lounge. It has two restaurants and an atrium which had reception on the lower level and a small area containing glass cabinets full of jewellery and handbags for purchase. There was also a complimentary tea/coffee station on the upper level, and a small wellness area containing a sauna and a whirlpool bath.

The top deck had plenty of seats and sun loungers and at the back of the ship was an area reserved for the crew allowing them to have some outside space which was great to see too. The upper deck was also used for mini golf, exercise and yoga classes.

Some ships do have plunge or swimming pools, and pools that convert to a cinema at night which can be found on Emerald Waterways. It really is all down to your budget.

The exception to the size rule is Amawaterways Amamagna which is double the width of a normal European river cruise ship, it can carry 250 passengers and has 4 bars but can only visit certain parts of the Danube as it is to big to fit through some locks.

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TUI Isla food, sausage and pea soup

Food and Service - River Cruise Review

Ocean cruise ships are famous for their all you can eat buffets, speciality dining and room service in fact it’s harder to find a time when you can’t eat on an ocean cruise than when you can.  However, things couldn’t be more different on a river cruise.

Meal times are structured to breakfast, lunch and dinner with times fixed according to what your port schedules are. On our river cruise there was only one afternoon tea per sailing and only sweet items were served, no sandwiches or any other savoury items were available.

At breakfast you will find a buffet area that offers breads, pastries, different meats, fish and cheeses and cereals. There is also a choice of eggs cooked to your requirements, boiled, poached, fried and omelettes.

Lunch and dinner have a menu with two or three starters and mains so there isn’t lots of choice but everything we did have we thoroughly enjoyed and if you did want two starters or two mains or even two desserts the lovely waiting staff were more than happy to oblige. There is also a few jars of cookies placed in the coffee port during the afternoon and some pre dinner horderves served in the lounge but other than that is it.

The good thing about this is that it’s virtually impossible to overeat but make no mistake the food is excellent and we particularly like the fact that they would always try to have a local dish on the menu whenever possible.

As we said earlier about seeing passengers multiple times a day this is also the case with the staff and by about day 3 we felt like we were part of the family. From the captain all the way down to the cabin stewards everyone we encountered was extremely friendly and good at there jobs with special mentions going to Simon the cruise director, Alina on reception and Ionut the bar manager.

Seasickness

We always have a lot of people who say they do not want to take a cruise as they get seasick. Well you won’t on a river cruise. You may feel some vibration lower down (the ship not on you LOL!) but certainly no movement. In fact we have felt more movement while travelling on our local buses.

So for those of you that wont take a cruise for fear of seasickness and we have a few friends who fall into that category you have no need to worry.

Embarkation and Disembarkation

Atrium reception Tui Isla river cruise ship

The embarkation process on an ocean cruise ship can be quite laborious with hundreds or even thousands of people turning up to board the ship, add to that the relevant paperwork that is now required since covid and it could be hours before you actually make it onto the ship.

Even at full capacity the most that could of turned up at one time on our river cruise would have been 158. This is very unlikely as passengers usually fly in from multiple locations. In fact there was around 50 passengers who joined the ship at the same time as us so even with our paperwork being checked it took less than 10 minutes from arriving at the ship to being seated in the lounge. In fact it took less time than checking in to most hotels.

Getting on and off in ports is also very simple. You are given a cruise pass which you hand in when you return to the ship and on embarkation you simply drop your cabin key off at reception and head off to your transfer back to the airport. All times for each airport are placed in your room on the penultimate night and unlike ocean cruises you don’t have to put your cases out on the last night either.

tui river cruises reviews 2023

French Balcony Views

TUi Isla Balcony views

We chose a french balcony suite which is the most expensive category of cabin on the ship but before you think we are showing off it was actually only just over £300 per person more expensive than the lowest standard of cabin, so definitely worth considering if you wanted a treat.

Unfortunately where you dock is no respecter of what grade of cabin you are in as we quickly found out when we boarded in Budapest. Our view for the first two days was in fact the the atrium of the ship next door and obviously if you can see them they can see you as Carole found out when she opened the curtains on our first morning to see a man waving at her.

When we docked in Bratislava the first thing we woke up to was a man cleaning are windows quickly followed by virtually every passenger on the ship walking past our window to go into town, so checking before you open the curtains is definitely a priority. The final docking treat was when we opened the curtains to a concrete wall.

So in summary there is no guarantee of what the view from your cabin will actually be but we do have to say that when they are good, the views are very good.

The other thing to consider is that there is a limited amount of space on some parts of the river for ships to dock, so you may be docked along side another ship. This means that when you want to get on board or leave your ship, you will have to do so by walking over or through the other ship.

Port intensive and excursions

TUi Isla Budapest Parliament Building Paul and Carole

If you love city breaks then river cruising should be right up your street. In essence it is a series of city breaks joined together by a relaxing cruise.

The river cruise ship normally docks centrally so it is very easy to do your own thing or if you preferred you could go on one of the many excursions on offer. On our cruise TUI also gave us £120 per person towards excursions, which proved to be generous as their excursions were excellent value for money. The downside to most of the organised excursions is that the majority start before 9am and if you’ve seen our vlogs you will know that one of us is not a morning person!

We did two of the excursions on offer a Vienna walking tour and the Sound of Music Experience in Salzburg which were both superb but as with any cruise you need to book excursions as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.

River cruising is also a great way to exercise as we managed just under 100000 steps during the seven days with 22000 of those walking around Budapest and that was without crossing the river!

Accessibility

From our experience it seems that If you have accessibility issues then unfortunately river cruising may not be an option. On TUI Isla there are no lifts/elevators only stairs, and as we said at the start of this blog the first thing we had to do on this cruise was to go over the top of a neighbouring ship to board ours.

We often cruise with my Dad John who has a mobility scooter who sadly would not of been able to do this cruise. However if you are aware of any companies that accommodate accessible passengers we would love to know.

Time actually spent river cruising in day light, locks and river water heights

TUI Isla sunset river views Paul and Carole

Another surprise for us was the amount of time you actually spend cruising during daylight hours which turned out to be very little and the same goes for negotiating locks. During our cruise we passed through 11 locks but only two were in daylight although we did wake up at 5am one morning to some strange gurgling noises, that did turned out to be a lock. It was quite strange opening the curtains to a cold wet wall that was close enough to touch and yes I did have to touch it (apparently it’s a man thing!).

The only day we did some daytime cruising was when we had two port visits on the same day, Weissenkirchen and Melk and it was everything we hoped it would be, the weather wasn’t great but sitting outside watching the spectacular scenery unfold was really special and brought back memories of canal boat holidays we had taken with friends many years ago. Even though the daytime sailing was very limited the night time sail away from Budapest was almost worth the price of the cruise on its own, it really is a must see. ( Episode 2 TUI Cruise Vlogs )

River cruises can also be affected by river heights, to high and the ship can’t pass under bridges, to low and the ship can bottom out. Everything on the top of the ship is designed to fold down flat, even the captain’s bridge is on hydraulics allowing it to lowered down if required. So it is worth doing your research and seeing what rivers and time of year that this is most likely to happen.

Entertainment - River Cruise Review

TUi Isla Simon,quiz storm

If you are expecting big production shows, orchestras or Cirque du Soleil type shows you are definitely on the wrong cruise.

What you will get instead, as in our case, Simon the very talented cruise director who will give you daily port talk, quizzes, and also belt out some great songs two or three times a week. There was also a resident duo Phil and Zuzi and a guest comedian Steve Walls, we also got treated to a traditional night of Hungarian dancing by a six piece dance troupe that came on board when we were docked in Budapest.

During the day weather permitting there is also mini golf and yoga but other than that it’s all pretty low key.

Dress Codes - TUI River Cruise

One of the questions we get asked a lot about cruising is ‘what is the dress code’ and on a TUI river cruise the answer is very casual.

As with most cruises there is a gala night and you are encouraged to dress up and some passengers did dress in black tie. We packed some smart chinos and short sleeve shirts and some smart blouses and black trousers which were acceptable. Some passengers were very casual and that was ok too!

Our Verdict - TUI River Cruise Review

So what’s our verdict? River cruising is the perfect way to visit lots of new places in a relaxing and comfortable environment. Vienna and Budapest have been on our to do list for a long time, however Bratislava would never been on our radar, but after visiting there we would definitely go back as a stand alone long weekend. We really enjoyed the contrast of city one day then small town on another.

Even though food and entertainment was limited it fits in well. A river cruise is more about time spent in port rather than on the ship and the level of service we received was definitely on a par with an ocean cruise, we didn’t have any complaints.

As far as value for money goes a TUI river cruise in our opinion is excellent value, we paid just over £1200 for the best cabin on the ship and this also included an upgrade to all inclusive with unlimited drinks, flights and transfers. This is virtually the same price as we paid for 4 nights on RCCL Anthem of the Seas , and that sailed from Southampton .

So would we do another river cruise, absolutely, would we do another river cruise with TUI definitely. We already are planning to do a Christmas Markets River Cruise so do watch this space!

Useful links –

If you are new to Marella and TUI Cruises we have lots of Marella Ocean Cruise Information on our Marella/TUI Page here and we have over 50 videos on our Marella/TUI You Tube Channel Playlist which include vlogs, cruise ship reviews and cabin tours.

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  • World's Best

Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite River Cruise Lines of 2023

Readers had high praise for the incredible service and interesting itineraries on these river cruise lines in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2023.

Paul Brady is the news director at Travel + Leisure and the brand's expert on cruise travel. He has been covering the travel industry for more than 15 years for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler , Skift , and The Huffington Post .

tui river cruises reviews 2023

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

Courtesy of Avalon Waterways

A river cruise might just be the best way to see the world. Though many well-traveled readers have yet to hop aboard a river ship, those that have return home with high praise for this unique style of exploring. It makes sense: river cruises allow for slow and thoughtful enjoyment of a destination, while onboard amenities offer the kind of luxury found in five-star hotels. And it’s not just Europe: this year’s award winners have a global outlook, with operations on the Continent, yes, but also in Egypt, Southeast Asia, South America, and even closer to home in the U.S.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, Travel + Leisure asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

For the cruise category, respondents were asked to rate individual ships; the results were separated by ocean cruises and river cruises. 

Ships were specifically rated on the criteria below:

  • Cabins/facilities
  • Itineraries/destinations
  • Excursions/activities

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. 

No. 2 Tauck held steady compared to last year, as voters praised the line for its faultless service and interesting itineraries. Its newest ship, Andorinha, launched in 2021 on the Douro River of Portugal, which is in huge demand among travelers these days. Another line that’s making waves is No. 4 Viking, which added a couple of intriguing river ships in 2022: one, Viking Osiris, sails Egypt’s Nile River; another, Viking Mississippi, travels between St. Paul, Minnesota, and New Orleans. “We loved our trip with Viking,” one voter wrote. “My husband had resisted going on a cruise for years, but now, after our sail on the Danube River, he’s hooked.”

Moving up several spots from its 2022 ranking was No. 3 Grand Circle Cruise Line, which offers value-minded itineraries across Europe. “My wife and I have been on seven of their ships on 10 different trips since 2004,” said one devotee. “Like all of those ships, River Aria is comfortable, clean, serves fantastic food, and has a great staff.”

Another surprise was this year’s top river cruise line: Aqua Expeditions rose from the fourth spot in 2022 to take the crown as the world’s best river cruise line this year. Read on for more on why it impressed.

Aqua Expeditions

Stevie Mann/Courtesy of Aqua Expeditions

The brand’s three river ships are anything but ordinary: Aqua Mekong takes travelers on epic adventures in Cambodia and Vietnam, with temple touring and more recent history both on the agenda. Meanwhile Aqua Nera and Aria Amazon navigate the Peruvian stretch of this legendary river. All three vessels, none with more than 20 suites, offer a sense of privacy and exclusivity that’s nearly impossible to find short of chartering one’s own yacht . “It was just amazing,” marveled one guest, who traveled aboard the Aqua Nera , which entered service in 2021. Food is another focus for the line, which has partnered with the Peruvian chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, an expert on Amazonian ingredients, for culinary-minded voyages this year. 

1. Aqua Expeditions

Reader Score: 99.09

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 95.69

3. Grand Circle Cruise Line

Reader Score: 94.97

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 94.75

5. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 94.36

Reader Score: 92.37

7. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Reader Score: 90.15

8. AmaWaterways

Reader Score: 90.14

9. Avalon Waterways

Reader Score: 89.20

10. Emerald Cruises

Reader Score: 86.21

Emma Cruises

TUI River Cruise Cabin Review – (Photos, Deck 1 & 2 Superior Cabins)

If you are considering a river cruise with TUI onboard the TUI Maya, TUI Skyla, or TUI Isla you may be wondering which cabin to pick.

There are a range of cabins available from those below the waterline to much larger cabins on higher decks.

I recently took a cruise onboard the TUI Skyla and spent a lot of time in both Deck 1 and Deck 2 cabins. We will cover if it’s worth upgrading from deck 1 within this post.

Superior Cabin Deck 1

The superior cabins on deck 1 are identical to the superior cabins on higher decks, apart from the fact that because they are lower down, there are porthole windows instead of large sliding doors.

Although these cabins are called superior, they are the most common size on the ship and there are only 4 cabins on deck 1 which are smaller than the ‘superior’ cabins. These are called standard cabins.

I didn’t get a chance to see the ‘standard’ deck 1 cabins during my cruise but deck plans look like these are just slightly thinner cabins with a fixed double bed.

I Had to Change Cabin, Pre Cruise

I originally booked a deck 2 ‘standard’ cabin without realising that the bed didn’t split into twins. As I was cruising with my brother, I had to call TUI to upgrade to a higher category and ended up in a deck 2 superior cabin. The cost of the upgrade was only £59 in total and TUI were very helpful on the phone.

I usually book through an agent but I booked directly this time in order to get 10% cashback.

To learn more about how to use the cashback to get money back when you cruise, check out chapter 2 of the How to Cruise For Less cruise course here .

Initial Impressions of the Superior Cabin Deck 1

Our initial impressions were that the cabin was a good size and that the bed was very large. Although high up, the portholes did provide a lot of natural light and we were surprised how low down in the water we were.

If you’re somebody who likes to watch ducks swim by, this is the perfect cabin!

I liked the decor in the cabin and it felt very clean and modern.

tui river cruise deck 1 superior cabin

There Weren’t Many Plug Sockets (2 Per Cabin)

It wasn’t a big problem for us during our cruise but it is worth noting that the cabin only has 2 plug sockets and one is taken up by the kettle/excursion boxes (an audio device that lets you listen to your guide) that often need charging.

I did unplug this to charge my phone but the cabin definitely could have done with a few more plug sockets.

There was one plug socket on the right-hand side of the bed and the other was on the desk. There is also a USB in the TV that you could use in theory but this is an extremely slow charge.

Both plug sockets are European sockets, so require adapters if you are from the UK or US.

I’d recommend purchasing an adapter that provides extra USB sockets. The one I currently use goes from European to UK and also has 2 USB sockets. Effectively turning 1 socket into 3. You’ll find my recommendations here: Cruise Essentials .

tui river cruise deck 1 superior cabin

In the cabin there was also a wall mounted TV, a small desk area, a chair, table and bin.

Storage Wasn’t a Problem

The cabin does have less storage than it first appears to, thanks to the air conditioning unit which is taking up the two cupboards on the right, seen behind the chair in the above photo, and the fridge that’s in the cupboard on the left.

Despite this though, we had plenty of storage.

tui river cruise deck 1 superior cabin

There is a closet with hanging space and another with shelves. This is where the majority of our clothes went.

Our suitcases fit under our beds without any problems.

The far left cupboard is a mini-fridge with a mini-bar which left us with 2 small drawers with 2 bigger cupboards below. There was also a bedside table on both sides of the bed with shelves.

The Cabin Was Noisey When Sailing

I had been on river cruises before this cruise but I had never been in a cabin on the lowest deck.

I was surprised by how noisey the cabin was when moving.

We didn’t hear specific loud noises like bangs or crashes but there was a constant hum of the engines and the sound of the water outside was much louder than I expected.

tui river cruise deck 1 superior cabin

For many people (me included) this hum is actually very relaxing and can help you to sleep, if you are somebody who can’t sleep unless it is quiet though, I wouldn’t recommend this cabin for you.

Superior Cabin Deck 2 and 3

The superior cabins on deck 2 and 3 were almost identical to those on deck 1.

The only difference was that the cabins on deck 2/3 had large sliding windows. We loved being able to lay in bed while looking out at the scenery passing by.

It was amazing how peaceful the water was when sailing, if we had the doors open we would hear the noise of the water passing by and it was very relaxing.

tui river cruise deck 2 superior cabin

As I was cruising with my brother, we had the beds split into two.

Both beds were very comfortable and we slept well here.

The ‘Balcony’ Isn’t Really a Balcony

On most river cruise ships, if a cabin says that it has a balcony what it means is that it has a large sliding door and a balcony type railing outside.

Viking are the excepiton to this as they often have balconies in the more traditional sense.

We sailed through Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia in March so it was quite nice that we could be ‘on the balcony’ while still sat in bed. It was quite cold and rainy during a lot of our cruise.

tui river cruise deck 2 superior cabin

We did have an issue with our air conditioning not cooling the room. We spoke to reception about it and they were very helpful but unable to make the air conditioning work any better. We usually just had to have the doors open while in the cabin.

Fortunately because the weather on our cruise got colder and colder as the week went on we didn’t need the air conditioning but this would have been an issue if sailing in warmer weather.

We were on the first sailing of the season so thought it was important we reported these things to reception ahead of the summer season.

The Bathroom Wasn’t Exactly Private

By far my least favourite things about the cabin was the glass doors to the bathroom. I don’t know who thought it was a good idea to have glass doors on a bathroom…

During the day you are able to see who who’s in the bathroom and what they are doing (are they showering, on the toilet etc) from the main cabin, it isn’t a big problem during the day but we found that it was far worse at night.

When it was dark in the room and the bathroom light was on you could see what a person in the bathroom was wearing and exactly what they were doing.

The below is a photo of me pretending to use the toilet (I was posing for the photo, taken from the main cabin).

tui river cruises reviews 2023

As I was cruising with my brother we both decided that we would just shower in the dark for the duration of the cruise, not ideal but it was better than us being able to see each other in the shower.

This probably isn’t a big problem for couples but if you’re cruising with friends it’s definitely something to think about.

The larger suites don’t have this bathroom design so it may be worth upgrading.

tui river cruise deck 2 superior cabin

The Bathroom Was Well Designed

The bathroom is a standard cabin size but well designed. Theres a couple of shelves for storage, a sink, toilet and large shower.

T he shower was powerful and able to get very hot. There is a shower door instead of a shower curtain.

There were two large and two smaller towels. To have your towels changed you should leave them on the floor, if you’re happy to use them again leave them on the rack behind the toilet.

tui river cruise deck 2 superior cabin bathroom and shower

Toiletries are provided in the bathroom and include shampoo, conditioner and body wash. These are Molton Brown toiletries and come in a dispenser on the wall.

A bar of soap is also provided for hand washing.

tui river cruise deck 2 superior cabin bathroom and shower

There is no lock on the bathroom door, but it is easy to see who’s in there thanks to the glass doors…

All Cabins Have Tea and Coffee Making Facilities

Each cabin has a kettle and coffee/tea. This is regularly replenished when your room is made up by housekeeping.

tui river cruise kettle

TUI have twinings tea and also provide hot chocolate sachets.

To learn more about what is included in a TUI river cruise, check out this post next: Are TUI River Cruises All-Inclusive?  Your Guide to What is Included.

Would I Recommend Upgrading to a Deck 2 Superior Cabin from a Deck 1 Superior Cabin?

If you are somebody who is able to sleep despite noise, and doesn’t mind sitting in a lounge or on the top deck while sailing to watch the view, a deck 1 cabin can be a great option.

If you would like to spend time in your room watching the scenery go by and would prefer a quieter cabin, I’d recommend upgrading.

It’s worth remembering that all superior cabins, regardless of deck have the same ammenities and space.

To learn more about river cruising, and why river cruises usually cost a premium, check out this post next: Why Are River Cruises EXPENSIVE? – The Truth Behind The Price

Marella have a £300 discount running at the moment for next year and theres no minimum spend, check them out:  Marella Discount . (Affiliate link).

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tui river cruises reviews 2023

TUI Danube River Cruise Review

We completed our 7 Day Tui ‘East Danube Explorer’ river cruise in July 2022. In this article we will look to give you a better idea on what to expect if you were to book a TUI river cruise or similar. We will provide you with insight into both the good and bad.

We booked our cruise only a few weeks before the cruise itself. As a result, we got ourselves a great deal. This appears to be usually the case with Tui packages. As you get closer to the time and if there is available space, the price will dramatically decrease. In our case it was around a 50% price reduction. At the time of writing, if you were to book the same river cruise 1 year out, you would expect to pay £1449 per person (excluding any sort of room upgrade). We paid £798 per person, and paid an additional £364 as a room upgrade. We did not opt to have the all inclusive drinks package which was £20pp per night (£280 for a couple for the week).

The price includes:

  • Full Board  – breakfast, lunch and dinner at two restaurants and a range of drinks are included; standard tea, coffee and juices with breakfast, as well as soft drinks, beer and wine with lunch and dinner.
  • £120 per person as credit towards daily excursions (eg: tours)
  • Transfers to and from the airport

tui river cruises reviews 2023

2. The Ship

Our tour was on the TUI Skyla. This ship features:

  • 2 Restaurants (one formal, one buffet)
  • Spa (spa pool, loungers, sauna)

We found the ship to be great and challenge the other cruise companies that target a more luxury market. All rooms and facilities appeared to be new and modern. Most importnatly when travelling it is quiet, and all you could hear when moving was the sound of the water.

Free WiFI is onboard but we found it to be fairly patchy and non-existent in our room. As a result, we had to rely on mobile data.

see here for more specifics

tui river cruises reviews 2023

We paid an additional £364 for the room (cabin) upgrade and we are thankful we did. If you do not opt for an upgrade you will be placed in a standard room at the deck 1 level.. Whilst the room itself is much like the others available, what you lose is the view. You’re effectively below the water level and have two port windows to peak out of at the top.

We selected the ‘Deck 2 French Balcony Cabin’ the great benefit of this option is the sliding doors that open up. You can relax in the comfort of your own room looking out at an unencumbered view as the world passes by.

tui river cruises reviews 2023

The room featured a large double bed that was very comfortable along with equally high grade pillows. A TV with a few English channels (BBC, Euronews, Comedy Central – some shows in english and some not). Unfortunately the casting feature on the TV did not work in our room, I think because of the poor WiFi. Mini fridge was a great feature that allowed you to pickup your own drinks/foods from the towns and store these away. We purchased beer, coca-cola and a bottle of bourbon on day one which allowed us to sit nicely with a drink at our french balcony.

tui river cruises reviews 2023

Plenty of storage spaces to unpack you’re personal items and clothes. The bathroom was fairly standard with a sink, toilet (like on an airplane), and comfortable sized shower. Pressure on the shower was not a problem at all. All tap water on the boat was filtered which allowed you to drink from the tap without buying any sort of plastic bottle alternatives.

tui river cruises reviews 2023

All three meals are inclusive every day and in many occasions have the opportunity to decide whether to eat at the port location or onboard. Spotted around the ship were also Coffee machines with treats such as biscuits.

Breakfast time is between 7am-9am. There is a buffet option where standard breakfast foods are available. This includes full english breakfast items (beans, bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms, hashbrown etc), cereals, yoghurt, continental breakfast, and pastries. In addition to the buffet you have the option to order from the Chef. Through the Chef you can order eggs cooked to your preference, eggs benedict, and omelettes. For drinks you will be served standard coffee, tea or you can grab yourself a juice. We aren’t the biggest breakfast eaters and usually don’t bother eating breakfast, however on the cruise we did every single day in order to fill up before the activities shortly following. One downside we found with the breakfast was there was a lack of fruit options. We are fairly healthy eaters and between the meals we felt we were missing some of the standard nutrients we expect in our daily diets. Therefore when the option for fruit was there, we stocked up when we ordered. For snacks, we also grabbed a couple pastries at breakfast to take with us in our bags during the excursions.

Lunch/Dinner

Both Lunch and Dinner and three course meals with an appetiser, main, and desert. For each part of the meal you were usually presented with 3-4 various options including at least one vegetarian option. In terms of taste we were pleasantly surprised for most of the options we selected. There was always a standard chicken or salmon option but we tried our best to try the more unique options when they were available.

One of the nights had a special ‘Indonesian’ menu that was considered experimental. This was by far the best meal we had aboard the ship. So much so that we ordered two mains each (staff were more than happy to oblige!). This makes sense as much of the cooks are Indonesian or from other Southern Asian countries, allowing them to flex their traditional dishes. What we were disappointed to see was the turnout for this option from the other passengers. What we noted was that a majority of passengers aren’t the most adventurous when it comes to their meals. We certainly hope this continues in the future and hope TUI really push this option to passengers as I think they could have done a better job to recommend it.

tui river cruises reviews 2023

For drinks the Beer and Wine was flowing. It was unlimited and in most cases your waitress/waiter could not wait to supply you with an more drinks (very handy when you didn’t pay for the unlimited drinks package). There were a few different Beer options with a light and dark beer variation. For Wine you had both White and Red with each night having a different bottle from a new region. The quality was very good, and much better than what we expected (we expected the cheap stuff – it was not).

During the long cruise day where we were moving from Belgrade to Budapest, we had to be onboard for more than 24horus. As a result, they planned a gala night to make things a bit more interesting. This included a 6 course meal where you only had to make one decision regarding the main. This felt quite fancy with the little beautifully presented dishes. Bon appetite (I think staff are told they have to say this, and you will hear it so often it will become quite funny).

tui river cruises reviews 2023

Our criticisms of the food are limited to a few different areas. The meat options usually didn’t hit the spot in portion size and the vegetarian options (like pasta) sometimes felt like it was a bit bland and missing ingredients. We would have also hoped for a bit more international flavour to mix things up. However, you can still eat off ship when you’re at the ports if you’re a very picky eater.

5. Port Time and Excursions

One thing that this cruise does is organise optional excursions for you to pick. Included in your ticket price we were given £120 each to use towards excursions. This paid for around 4 excursions. If you wanted more, then it was pretty reasonable priced at around £10-40 depending on how much is involved. There was usually 1 or 2 different excursion options available each day, one in the morning and then one afternoon/evening based excursion.

In all ports a historical walking tour was an option. The guided were local and would provide a wealth of knowledge and answer any questions that you may have. In our rooms we were provided with ‘Vox boxes’ which were little frequency radios with earpieces which allows you to hear the guide from a good distance away.

Each excursion had a rating on how hard the physical activity was (ie Walking). This allowed an individual to decide what they could and could not do. We are young (30) and fit so none of the walking was difficult for us, but for some of the older folk, they did struggle. So it’s best to fully understand the amount of walking that is involved.

If you’re not wanting to do an excursion and instead want to do your own thing that you can do that. That’s what we did in a number of ports. Maps are provided at the front desk which does highlight some key sights which was helpful, but in most cases we just opted for google maps and trip advisory to plan our day. When leaving the boat pay attention to the time you must be back onboard, otherwise you might be left behind.

We did 3 TUI excursions on our cruise:

Wine & History In And Around Novi Sad – Novi Sad, Serbia

Overview: Fortresses, ancient cities and wine houses are all part and parcel of a sightseeing tour in Serbia. This four-hour tour starts in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second largest city. Follow your guide on foot to the mighty Petrovaradin Fortress, perched right on the banks of the Danube. You’ll have an hour to explore and find out how this stronghold became a centre for art and music. Then you’ll hop on a coach and drive to the ancient city of Sremski Karlovci. Take a 30-minute guided walk through its pretty streets before arriving at a wine house – a winery. This city has a rich history of wine production, and you’ll have an hour-long tasting session to find out more about it before heading back to your ship at Novi Sad.

tui river cruises reviews 2023

Bohemian Belgrade – Belgrade Serbia

Overview: You can see Belgrade’s bohemian side on this tour. For starters, you’ll be taken to one of the city’s music halls for a folklore performance. This hour-long show gives you a taste of Serbia’s mish-mash past, with songs played using traditional Slavic instruments and dancers kitted out in authentic outfits. After, you’ll be dropped in Skadarlija, AKA the Bohemian Quarter. This place is more of a street than a quarter, but its cobblestone lane is brimming with some of the city’s oldest restaurants and bars. There’s the option of snapping up a traditional snack at one of the eateries – like grilled Serbian sausages or meat skewers, washed down with wine. Then you’ll hop on the bus back to the ship.

Lepenski Vir Archaeological Site and Golubac Fortress – Donji Milanovac, Serbia

Overview: This tour ticks off a pair of Serbia’s must-see antique attractions. After a 15-minute drive from the port, you’ll arrive at Lepenski Vir – an 8,000-year-old archaeological site that’s been dubbed ‘the first city of Europe’. In the museum here, you’ll watch a video presentation about the history of the area. Then you’ll head into the main hall to see what’s left of the old settlement. These remains were discovered in 1960, and historians believe they date as far back as 6500 BC. You’ll see where the old huts used to stand, as well as artefacts like carved stone heads and tools. When you’re finished, you’ll travel to the town of Golubac’s waterfront fortress. This giant stronghold was built in the 14th century, and sits on the shore of the Danube. During a riverside stroll, your guide will tell you about the battles that took place here between Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. And before you start the journey back to the port, you’ll have some free time to explore the castle on your own.

tui river cruises reviews 2023

6. Onboard Entertainment

An itinerary is set for each day with a number of different hosted and self hosted events throughout the day. Generally each evening the onboard musicians will provide a few hours of music whether it be a DJ set of 80’s classic hits or cranking out a ballad. On the first night in Budapest there was traditional dancers who put on a show for the guests in the main function room. During the day there was the odd Yoga session and some small games on the top deck (shuffleboard and a homemade mini golf course). Throughout the ship there was various board games, card games, and chess/checkers boards. We honestly didn’t do much of this, and rather entertained ourselves on top deck or in our own room, however people certainly did enjoy all of these.

What we did enjoy was the first night when we left Budapest, the tour manager Tony gave a fact session as we first left the port along the Danube river in front of the beautiful lit up buildings including the parliamentary building. The same was also done when we were passing through the ‘Iron Gates’ which was absolutely stunning first thing after breakfast.

tui river cruises reviews 2023

7. Demographics

If I asked you to imagine the type of people on a river cruise what do you imagine?…. well you’re probably spot on. River cruises in general do market and attract an older crowd and because TUI is British company you will end up with 95% of White British people above the age of 60. We are a 30 year old couple and we did stand out as a very strange sight to the rest of the passengers. Some other passengers would jokingly ask what us young people are doing and were very interested to get our thoughts on the trip, as we were an anomaly. Honestly we did expect to be much younger than the others but did expect to see maybe one or two couples of similar age (or below 45) but that certainly was not the case. It did not ruin the trip, but it did detract from the social side of things as it was always going to be a bit harder to fit in. Whilst we do live in the UK we are also still not British so that did add another component to feeling a bit like outsiders. Regardless we did not go into this trip expecting to meet a bunch of new friends or party it up. It was planned to be relaxing and fairly calm which it most certainly was. The crowd are fairly calm and level headed, so if you are used to a trip to Benidorm where you drink and party yourself into a coma, then look elsewhere, you won’t get what you’re looking for here. Same with if you’re under 55 and looking to make a bunch of mates on the trip, it’s going to be unlikely unless you do get along with much older people (eg: there was a lovely deaf couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary onboard). We must say though, that everyone we did talk to were really nice and certainly went out of their way to say hello. Our boat only had about 70 people onboard (max ~150) so you will see the same people and you will be on excursions with them (which has some forced mingling). Because of this, if you’re used to a normal big ocean cruiser where you can hide in the crowd, you won’t get that here. Many passengers are elderly and have mobility issues, so when on excursions or doing anything as a group just be prepared that it will be slower than what you’re used to.

8. Conclusion

Overall, the river cruise was a great value for money. It also ticked off a number of new places we had never been to before. There are a lot of different river cruise options, so definitely pick one where you prioritise the ports that sound interesting to you. TUI has done a fantastic job to have a more entry level cost to river cruising. In comparison to other companies running, TUI has undercut them by a hefty margin and I can’t see how others could really rationalise the extra cost. Would we do it again?…. at this stage probably not. It does feel like a one time thing for now (a once and done). However, that is not TUI’s fault, i think that’s more to do with the target demographic that this industry caters to. So until a river cruise company goes after working age people, we will give it a miss for now….. unless financially it makes more sense to do a river cruise to see new spots we want to get to. Are we glad we did it? certainly, definitely a novelty experience.

tui river cruises reviews 2023

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Top four river cruises with TUI for 2023 – from the Rhine to the Danube

Author: Lucy Abbott

Published on: 07 November 2022

Updated on: 10 November 2022

TUI’s river cruises are known for sailing to a wide range of enthralling destinations in Europe. The Danube and Rhine are ready and waiting for you to discover.

Let’s face it, the days are getting greyer, it’s getting darker earlier, and the weather isn’t looking too good – how about booking a cultural river cruise for 2023 with TUI River Cruises to look forward to? Sounds good right?

What’s more, there are four itineraries to choose from and don’t say we don’t look after you, use the code ‘Save5RC’ save up to an extra 5% per booking in summer 2023 as well as August 2023 - get it while it’s hot.

The itineraries ‘Legends of the Rhine’ and ‘Rhine Gems’ offer you the chance to discover the full beauty of the Rhine whereas the ‘Three Grand Capitals’ and ‘Danube Flavours’ whisk you away to the stunning river Danube.

So, the choice is yours – all that’s left to do is pack your bags and look forward to an adventure.

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Sail away with Marella Cruises. Credit: Marella Cruises

Sailings from £899 per person*: spring is in the air with Marella Cruises

Tui river cruises reveals special summer deals – but you’ll have to be quick, tui reveals boxing day sale for marella cruises & tui river cruises - save up to £300, what is a fly cruise your guide to tui holidays from the caribbean to the canary islands - marella cruises, tui river cruises and marella cruises launch winter holiday 2022 sale, marella cruises extends cruise cancellations until mid-november, tui river cruises reveals exclusive images of new river ships as 100-day countdown begins, update: marella cruises cancels sailings until 30 september, legends of the rhine.

If the Rhine has always been on your bucket list, or even if you have already visited the river before – the ‘Legends of the Rhine’ itinerary is perfect for you.

Visiting big cities like Dusseldorf and Cologne, this itinerary hits all the hotspots as well as the smaller, quaint towns such as Boppard and Rudesheim in Germany to give you a new perspective of the river.

You’ll set sail from Frankfurt, so make sure you don’t miss exploring both the financial district and historical hotspots – be sure to snap a picture of The Romberg area, which was rebuilt to original Medieval plans.

Other highlights of the itinerary include visiting Koblenz’s Ehrenbreitstein Fort, sipping local Riesling in Rudesheim as well as visiting the birthplace of Beethoven in Bonn.

If this sounds like your ideal cruise, then you can get onboard TUI Maya on 4 August 2023 for seven nights, flying from Manchester. Prices start from £1469pp.

Find your ideal cruise

Search for the best cruises down the Rhine and the Danube

Like the name of the itinerary alludes to, this sailing down the Rhine is the perfect combination of the gems of the Rhine across seven nights.

In fact, the stretch of the Rhine you’ll be sailing down is a UNESCO site – lucky you. This all-inclusive ship departs 9 July 2023, with prices starting from £1439p onboard TUI Isla and sweeps you to Frankfurt, Koblenz, Mannheim, Strasbourg, Basel, Breisach, Speyer and back to Frankfurt.

Mannheim brings you an intriguing fusion of modern and medieval with an intense historical background – did you know that Karl Drais introduced the first bike here in 1817?

To get a full taste of the area, embark on the ‘Mannheim Walking Tour with Bertha Benz’ excursion with TUI.

Another standout port of call is Basel, Switzerland, where you can wander around Basel’s 12-century Gothic cathedral as well as the rest of the Medieval old town – a must-do excursion is the Lucerne City Tour, where you can visit an impressive lion carving in a rock face as well as a walking tour of the beautiful Reuss River before crossing a decorated unique bridge.

Three Grand Capitals

If it’s a short break that you are craving, then hop onboard TUI Skyla for three glorious nights sailing the Danube, hitting three glorious cities.

You’ll fly from Manchester on 23 October 2023 with the first port of Budapest – and what a place to start your river cruise. You can explore both sides of this eclectic city – the east brings you Pest, where you can admire the sizeable parliament buildings and the west offers a staggering 18 th -century castle and an abundance of towers.

Your next port of call is Bratislava in Slovakia and observe the change in architectural style as you are welcomed with a fusion of Medieval, Gothic and modern – awaiting your exploration.

A must-see is Bratislava castle, as it is not only impressive in stature, but it also boasts stunning views of rolling hills and the river.

Why not embark on TUI’s ‘Bratislava City Train Tour’ to absorb the culture from one comfy seat?

The last port of call is Vienna, Austria. Baroque architecture, small coffee houses and beautiful palaces sum up this impressive city. Music lovers must embark on the ‘Sound of Vienna: An Evening In Concert’ excursion, where you will learn exactly why Vienna is known as the city of music.

This cruise costs £719pp and sees you whiz through the capitals and take a deep dive into culture and history – a worthy cost in our opinion.

A photo of the TUI Al Horeya cruise ship

TUI Al Horeya

A photo of the TUI Alma cruise ship

Danube Flavours

Another way to explore the Danube, this itinerary offers an extra night of discovery. Embark on this four-night cruise on 26 October 2023, from £859pp, to appreciate the Danube in greater depth.

Beginning in Vienna, you won’t know where to start when exploring this stunning city – and luckily for you, you’re here for the evening too. Must-see sights include the 13 th -century Hofburg Palace and the abundance of local goods you can pick up such as the indulgent sachertorte chocolate cake.

Like the ‘Three Grand Capitals’ itinerary, you will then call at Bratislava in Slovakia before heading over to Esztergom, Hungary in the morning, where Hungary’s first king was born, and then exploring Budapest in the afternoon.

We know you want to escape on holiday – so what’s holding you back? Go for it with TUI river cruises.

Cunard reveals daytime activities onboard Queen Anne

Cruise radar: everything you need to know about the cruise industry right now, death knell prepared for famed ss united states, star onboard: jason donovan, regent seven seas cruises partners with aston martin aramco formula one® team, saga announces new river cruise ship for 2025, carnival cruise line to add fourth excel-class ship, riviera travel to launch two new ships in 2025, avalon waterways to make garonne and dordogne debuts in 2025, gwen stefani named godmother of carnival jubilee, about lucy abbott.

Lucy is a cruise journalist who has sailed on a variety of ships, from expedition to river – with her favourite being expedition cruising.

Lucy is interested in new sustainable ways to cruise as well as how cruising is becoming accessible for all.

She works together with Kaye Holland to keep the World of Cruising website up to date with all the latest cruise news.

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tui river cruises reviews 2023

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17 of the best Nile cruises for 2024

Pyramids, desert tombs and secrets that span millennia – a voyage along the world’s longest river reveals the best of egypt past and present. but which is the best nile cruise for you.

tui river cruises reviews 2023

S ailing through timeless landscapes on a cruise is the best way to see the River Nile. It’s one of the richest destinations on earth and has long enticed and seduced travellers, from pharaohs and prophets to modern-day adventurers, to say nothing of fictional Agatha Christie characters. Sailing on the world’s longest river, which flows through 11 African countries for 4,100 miles before spilling out into the Mediterranean, is a breathtaking experience, and there are more cruise lines plying the Nile than ever.

So which one to take? The majority of itineraries cover the Upper Nile — a section of the river in southern Egypt known for the country’s most impressive and important ruins and archaeological discoveries, such as the Valley of the Kings in Luxor — and end some 150 miles downstream in Aswan. The trick is to find the right way to explore this amazing river, whether that’s aboard a brand new riverboat, a restored paddle steamer or a luxury dahabiya modelled on a traditional sailing boat. Here are the best Nile cruises.

Main photo: traditional felucca boats on the Nile at Luxor (Getty Images)

A cabin on the MS Darakum

1. MS Darakum, book via Riviera Travel

Best for watching the world go by Those who like to take the long route and stay on a boat for the duration of their Egyptian adventure in Egypt will enjoy a cruise on the 52-cabin MS Darakum. Thanks to its very low draft, it is one of the very few vessels that can sail from Cairo to Luxor. After an intoxicating few days in the capital, exploring its markets, mosques and ancient wonders, it’s time to travel south. The beauty of covering a much longer distance than a traditional Nile cruise is the extra time it allows to simply sit and watch the world go by. Riviera Travel’s Wonders of the Nile itinerary is sprinkled with long and leisurely sailing days where there’s little to do except relax on the sun deck and gaze out at the small farms and date plantations, before retreating inside to attend the fascinating onboard lectures.

Passengers 104 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price £££

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Relax in comfort on an Exodus premium Nile cruise

2. MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus, book via Exodus

Best for ticking off the sights All of Egypt’s most significant sites are given adequate attention on Exodus’ nine-day premium Nile cruise. After time in Cairo and a short flight to Luxor, it’s time to board for a voyage through 7,000 years of history. The traditional-style ships include large royal suites and very high levels of service and comfort throughout. As well as all the usual big hitters, there are plenty of offbeat options that make this an eye-opening choice for the curiously minded traveller. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the impressive seventh-century St Simeon Monastery, the nearby traditional Nubian village and the chance to see Cleopatra’s unfinished obelisk.

Passengers 126 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome N Price ££

Inside the Tomb of Queen Tyti in the Valley of the Queens (Alamy)

3. MS Nile Plaza, book via Titan Travel

Best for cruising in style The MS Nile Plaza first took to the water in 1990 but was refurbished a few years ago to modernise the onboard amenities and bring a new lease of life to the decor. The interiors, including the 55 spacious cabins, are tasteful, with rich wooden panels and neutral tones broken up by art deco-inspired light fixtures and calming house plants. Titan Travel’s eight-day Egypt’s Timeless Riches trip includes a voyage on the four-star MS Nile Plaza, starting and ending in Luxor. It begins in spectacular style with visits to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens before setting sail to Edfu and onwards to Aswan.

Passengers 110 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome N Price ££

Oberoi Zahra

4. Oberoi Zahra, book via Hotels.com

Best for maxed-out luxury Devotees of the namesake hotel chain can enjoy the brand’s luxury on the water aboard the plushest boat on the Nile. The modern and minimalist Oberoi Zahra enjoys prime position at its private mooring spot on the banks of the corniche in Aswan. Its elevated approach doesn’t end there. As well as offering trips to the temples of Edfu and the island of El Nabatat on itineraries that include a four-day trip from Luxor, the boat has plenty to keep guests entertained, from a library and games room to a gym and open-air pool. At night, astrology lectures reveal how the night sky influenced life in Egypt in the past. The 27 cabins are tasteful, and decorated in a natural colour palette; both of the suites have a private terrace and a hot tub.

Passengers 54 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome N (minimum age is 12) Price £££

The Farouk Suite on Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau (Sanctuary Retreats)

5. Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau, book via Sanctuary Retreats

Best for families and groups of friends This 164ft-long traditional dahabiya sailing boat may be small but it is perfectly packaged. The first of its kind on the Nile, it is available through Sanctuary Retreats for private charter with personalised week-long itineraries to suit specific interests. This cruise is a great option for families or groups of friends looking for privacy and flexibility. On board there is a heated plunge pool and six individually designed cabins influenced by the country’s culture, geography and heritage, including the white Farouk Suite on the upper deck, where the decor is inspired by Egyptian royalty. Guides can be arranged according to guests’ interests — from food to history.

Passengers 12 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y (aged over ten) Price £££

sanctuaryretreats.com

SS Sudan (Nathalie Belloir/Original Travel)

6. SS Sudan, book via Original Travel

Best for Agatha Christie lovers One of the most historic and atmospheric vessels to ply the Nile’s waters, this celebrated 19th-century steamer once welcomed Agatha Christie aboard. It is widely believed that it was that trip in 1933, accompanying her husband on an archaeological mission, which paved the way for one of her most accomplished murder mysteries. Following Kenneth Branagh’s 2022 adaptation of Death on the Nile , the SS Sudan is the perfect ship for fans of the Queen of Crime; there are cabins named after Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot. The boat exudes opulent period charm, from the teak decks and parquet flooring to the brass bed frames in many of the rooms. Guests also have exclusive access to a network of expert archaeologists who will help bring the historical ruins to life.

Passengers 46 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites Y Children welcome Y Price £££

originaltravel.co.uk

7. SS Sphinx, book via Uniworld

Best for first-timers The SS Sphinx showcases the very best of Egypt, both old and new, in the utmost comfort. Uniworld’s 11-night Splendours of Egypt & The Nile itinerary provides the perfect introduction to Egypt. The Cairo-to-Cairo trip begins with highlights that include the Pyramids of Giza, as well as tea with a Nubian family and even a spot of fishing and birdwatching. The onboard experience is no less delightful, with 42 suites decked out with Egyptian art, hand-carved furniture, a massage room, swimming pool and two gourmet dining rooms. Trips include guided tours of the Egyptian Museum and sailing on a felucca.

Passengers 84 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price £££

uniworld.com

SS Misr

8. SS Misr, book via Noble Caledonia

Best for traditionalists Misr, which means “Egypt” in Arabic, is a propeller steamer that has long enjoyed a romance with this country. Built in Preston in 1918 by the Royal Navy, in 1938 it was converted into a luxury yacht that played host to King Farouk, the country’s penultimate monarch. The vessel has now been fully restored to its former glory, and its three, four and seven-night trips are known for celebrating local food — and there’s a rather regal feeling inside the main Marasem restaurant, with framed photos of past royalty dotted about and waiters smartly dressed in attire that takes its inspiration from the glory days of Farouk. The food is largely international but local flavours are celebrated in dishes such as bessara, a local dip made from fava beans.

Passengers 45 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites Y Children welcome Y Price ££

noble-caledonia.co.uk

MS Esplanade

9. MS Esplanade, book via Mayfair Cruises

Best for R&R A sophisticated option, focusing on the Upper Nile, the MS Esplanade offers cruises of up to seven nights (minimum three nights) that take in both the east and west banks of Luxor, the Horus temple at Edfu and even the mummified crocodiles of Kom Ombo. When it comes to relaxation, guests can spend time in the hushed spa on the lower deck or relax on one of the shady poolside cabanas on the breezy top deck.

Passengers 150 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price ££

mayfaircruises.com

La Flaneuse du Nil

10. La Flaneuse du Nil, book via Authentic Hotels

Best for return visitors For those who have already sailed the Nile and may be looking for something different, La Flaneuse du Nil is a tempting alternative. While most boats travel north from Aswan towards Luxor, this intimate five-day cruise heads south into Lake Nasser bound for the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel. Powered by sails and tugs, just like the original dahabiyas that were once a regular sight on the waterway, this cosy vessel showcases the subtle beauty of the vast man-made reservoir that straddles Egypt’s border with Sudan. The boat sails at a leisurely pace, with stops for lake swims, sunset hikes and solitary mornings on quiet beaches, as well as guided trips to some of the most impressive ancient wonders Egypt has to explore.

Passengers 14 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y (aged over six) Price ££

authentichotels.com

Sanctuary Sun Boat III (Sanctuary Retreats)

11. Sanctuary Sun Boat III, book via Sanctuary Retreats

Best for fun on the river An extremely attractive boat, and one of the few vessels to (occasionally) cruise from Cairo to Aswan, the Sanctuary Sun Boat III takes its inspiration from the glamour of the 1920s and 1930s. Think ecru tones, four-poster beds draped in the finest Egyptian linen and entertainment in the form of belly dancers and whirling dervishes. There are modern touches, too, with air conditioning and a swimming pool on the Cleopatra Oasis sundeck: the perfect spot on which to sip a hibiscus juice and watch the world go by.

Passengers 36 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y (aged over ten) Price £££

12. RV Da Vinci, book via CroisiEurope

Best for value With its understated style, the RV Da Vinci is a good choice for passengers who want to travel in more contemporary surroundings. Built in 1993 and fully refurbished since, it offers a comfortable base to travel on the classic route from Luxor or add on a few days in Cairo. CroisiEurope’s eight-day Land of the Pharaohs cruise includes excursions to all the headline sights, such as the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Kom Ombo, and options to book others such as a breathtaking balloon ride over the Nile Valley or the evocative sound and light show at Karnak. At the end of the day, enjoy a final cocktail as the sun goes down — all drinks are included in the fare.

Passengers 108 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price £

croisieurope.travel/en

The lounge on the River Tosca (Uniworld Boutique River Cruises)

13. River Tosca, book via Uniworld

Best for children Luxury line Uniworld has expanded its family-friendly Generations programme with an all-new multigenerational itinerary in Egypt. The adapted version of its 11-night Splendours of Egypt and the Nile holiday is aboard the River Tosca and includes child-friendly menus and two dedicated family hosts to oversee activities for junior cruisers aged four to 12 and teen cruisers. Alongside famous sights such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak, activities include a football match with local children and some of the ship’s crew, sand dune boarding, swimming in the Nile, exploring the river by bike and traditional felucca, and a behind-the-scenes visit to the captain’s wheelhouse. While youngsters are having fun with the onboard hosts, adults can relax on the sun deck with its shaded cabanas and swimming pool.

Passengers 82 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price £££

14. MS Radamis II, book via Travel Department

Best for solo travellers If you’re fed up with being stung by single supplements, don’t want to set sail with loved-up couples, or simply just enjoy travelling alone then check out the Travel Department’s dedicated single sailings. The company charters this comfortable ship which has 75 cabins, and for solo travellers it makes for an exclusive and intimate holiday. The sun deck bar is a top spot to mingle over cocktails with newfound friends and enjoy barbecues. The supplement-free solo itineraries take in a seven-night Nile cruise, with included shore trips to the Temple of Horus, the Valley of the Kings, the High Dam and the temples of Karnak and Luxor. At the end of the cruise you’ll fly and flop with a couple of days of relaxation in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada. The tour operator also uses the vessel for its escorted group tours on the Nile.

traveldepartment.co.uk

Sonesta Dahabeya Amirat

15. Sonesta Dahabeya Amirat, book via Sonesta

Best for groups You can sail the Nile in style on this twin-masted dahabiya, which harks back to the graceful travel of bygone times. Inspired by the 19th-century vessels used by royalty and aristocrats, this intimate and sophisticated 14-passenger ship is the smallest in the fleet owned by the international Sonesta hotel group. It’s a wonderful choice for extended families or groups of friends who want to book an entire ship for an exclusive holiday. Sumptuous cabins are decked out in blue, gold and cream and guests can wallow in baths after a busy day sightseeing. The ship goes back and forth on week-long trips between Luxor and Aswan and wherever possible sails under wind power.

Passengers 14 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price £££

sonesta.com/sonesta-dahabeya-amirat

Two ships to look out for in 2024

16. tui al horeya, book via tui.

Best for home comforts Tui River Cruises is launching its first Nile ship in November 2024. Charter flights from Gatwick and Manchester are being laid on to dovetail with the sailings, which are aimed squarely at the British market. The five-deck ship is being fully refurbished for Tui and seven-night round-trip sailings from Luxor will include two excursions to the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo. Other optional shore tours will be available to purchase, such as the atmospheric sound and light show at Karnak and a visit to a Nubian village. Tui Al Horeya will have a top-deck pool and an area for alfresco dining on warm Egyptian nights.

Passengers 145 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome N Price £

17. AmaLilia, book via AmaWaterways

Best for being pampered AmaLilia, set to sail on the Nile in 2024, would impress even the most discerning pharaoh with its marble bathrooms, heated pool, massage treatments — and even a nail bar. Its suites are stylish and contemporary, and the decor throughout the ship has an understated elegance, showcasing Egyptian ornaments and artwork. Thoughtful itineraries will take guests on excursions to often-overlooked places, including the sacred city of Abydos — a necropolis for the earliest Egyptian kings, where the mortuaries include the Temple of Seti I, completed in 1279BC — and the Abdeen presidential palace for lunch. AmaLilia is an almost identical ship to AmaWaterways’ first Nile ship AmaDahlia, with the addition of more plush suites.

Passengers 72 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites Y Children welcome Y (aged over four) Price £££

amawaterways.co.uk

Additional reporting by Jeannine Williamson

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TUI River Cruises

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TUI River Cruises

TUI RIVER CRUISES

2024 & 2025 river cruises.

Explore Europe’s quintessential waterways with one of TUI's memory-making new cruises. Tick off tucked-away towns and iconic cities along the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle and Dutch & Belgian Waterways. And relax knowing the attentive onboard staff and team of dedicated experts are there to make your trip unforgettable.

SPECIAL OFFERS

Limited Time Offer: Receive up to  £200 off per couple  on Summer 2024 Departures!

Book by 3rd April 2024.

Travel With Confidence – TUI River Cruises Promise

Fee-free changes - Flexibility to make fee-free changes to your holiday if you can’t travel due to COVID-19. Vaccination policy - All guests will need to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before travelling. Package refund guarantee - Booking a package holiday means money back within 14 days if TUI have to cancel. Safe and enjoyable cruises - Extra measures in line with the latest advice to protect against COVID-19.

TUI River Cruise Offers

Think of their ships as floating hotels that will transport you from world-famous cities to under-the-radar-towns – sometimes stopping in more than one destination in a day. Each ship flaunts modern interiors, plus multiple restaurants and lounges for wining and dining. You won’t find any inside cabins, so waterfront views are guaranteed. There’s a maximum of 155 guests onboard at any time, which means you can get to know your fellow passengers, while still having your own space. And, with one crew member to every four guests, you’ll be on first-name terms with your friendly team in no time.

All their ships are adults only, so you can expect a grown-up atmosphere. TUI river cruises strike the perfect balance between onboard and ashore. Because the ships are smaller than ocean liners, you can look forward to a more relaxed pace, with plenty of time to take in a new destination. On board, meanwhile you can practice Pilates on deck, visit the wellbeing area, tuck into an à la carte meal, or sip cocktails to live music in one of the lounges.

Each itinerary has been tailor-made to offer a different experience. You can also pay for extra excursions, or explore on your own, from sightseeing with a local expert to tasting exceptional regional wines. Either way you’ll be immersed in the local culture, getting under the skin of Europe’s cities and squirrelled-away villages.

Just Some of the Perks of Cruising with TUI River Cruises

Find your perfect TUI River Cruise by using our search facility below! Our team of UK based river cruise experts are available from 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week, to help plan your river cruise holiday! Recently awarded the UK & Ireland's NUMBER ONE River Cruise Agency, you can trust our 4th generation, family business to look after you! All of our holidays are protected by ABTA & ATOL for financial protection and 100% peace of mind. We are also proud to boast the 5* Platinum Feefo Trusted Service Award for our customer care, both before and after booking! Read more about our award-winning company here and we look forward to speaking with you soon!

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  1. TUI River Cruises 2023 : Cruise Breaks

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  3. TUI River Cruises unveils dedicated festive sailings among winter 2023

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  4. Sailawaze UK

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  5. TUI River Cruises adds three new itineraries for summer 2023

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COMMENTS

  1. TUI River Cruises Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of TUI River

    Sail Date: September 2023. Helpful. Great food and crew. Cabins very good. Review for a Europe - River Cruise Cruise on TUI Maya. Koicustody. 6-10 Cruises • Age 70s. Read More. Sail Date: August ...

  2. TUI River Cruise Review

    Like most river ships, the TUI Skyla is made up of 4 main decks, a top deck with lots of seating, deck 3 with the main restaurant and lounges on it and decks 2 and 1 which are mostly cabins. The little atrium area in the middle spans decks 2 and 3. There wasn't a swimming pool on board but there was a little wellness area that could be booked.

  3. TUI River Cruise Review

    Travel, Cruise, Hotel Reviews and Motorhome Adventures. Our river cruise ship TUI Isla can hold a maximum of 158 passengers, on our cruise there were 100 passengers and 38 crew.. In terms of size a river cruise ship is about the tenth of the size of an average ocean cruise ship with most river cruise ships we came across being 135 metres long and 11.45 metres wide, there are exceptions which ...

  4. TUI River Cruises

    TUI River Cruises has won multiple awards in recent years for its outstanding service and the value for money that it offers. In the 2023 Cruise Critic Editor's Picks Awards, the cruise line won twice - once for Best Value for Money and also the Best for First Timers award, showing that TUI is a great cruise line if you've never tried a ...

  5. Expert Review of TUI Skyla River Cruise Ship

    Very Good. Overall. Adam Coulter. U.K. Executive Editor. TUI Skyla is one of a trio of vessels that marked TUI UK's debut into the world of river cruising. The 151-passenger ship launched in ...

  6. Our Readers' Favorite River Cruise Lines of 2023

    Another line that's making waves is No. 4 Viking, which added a couple of intriguing river ships in 2022: one, Viking Osiris, sails Egypt's Nile River; another, Viking Mississippi, travels ...

  7. Expert Review of TUI Skyla River Cruise Ship

    Sail Date: Jul 2023. We've done river cruises in the past on the Nile (in Egypt) and on Yangtze (in China) however never got the chance to do one in Europe due to the extortionate prices charged ...

  8. TUI River Cruise Cabin Review

    As I was cruising with my brother, I had to call TUI to upgrade to a higher category and ended up in a deck 2 superior cabin. The cost of the upgrade was only £59 in total and TUI were very helpful on the phone. I usually book through an agent but I booked directly this time in order to get 10% cashback. To learn more about how to use the ...

  9. Expert Review of TUI Maya river Cruise Ship

    Check out Cruise Critic's expert review of the TUI Maya river cruise ship for the best insider tips on deck plans, cabins, food, entertainment and more. ... For 2023, the TUI Maya was "all ...

  10. TUI River Cruises Europe Reviews

    Read More. Sail Date: September 2023. Helpful. Great food and crew. Cabins very good. Review for a Europe - River Cruise Cruise on TUI Maya. Koicustody. 6-10 Cruises • Age 60s. Read More.

  11. Expert Review of TUI Isla River Cruise Ship

    TUI Isla Review. Launched in 2022, TUI Isla is operated by TUI River Cruises. Along with sister ships TUI Skyla and TUI Maya, the 155-passenger TUI Isla offers value-for-money cruises with a large ...

  12. World of Cruising

    TUI River Cruises was due to launch its first river cruise ship in 2020 but its delay proves good things come to those who wait. Christened TUI Maya, she was expected to sail in March 2020, together with her sister ship TUI Skyla, but Covid put a stop to that. So when she finally made her debut in mid-August in 2021 with an inaugural cruise ...

  13. TUI River Cruise

    Reviewed 26 July 2023. Fay W, Chelmsford, United Kingdom. Read all 636 reviews Alistair M. Northampton, United Kingdom. 202 110. TUI River Cruise. Review of Mosel Valley. Reviewed 13 August 2022 . An outstanding holiday, our first river cruise and won't be our last. But it seems quite possible that we have started our river cruising experiences ...

  14. Tui Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of TUI Cruises

    Nice ship but everything else is bad. Review for a Caribbean - Eastern Cruise on Mein Schiff. Happydays2023. 10+ Cruises • Age 40s. Read More. Sail Date: February 2023. Helpful. Very good Corona ...

  15. River Cruise Holidays 2024 / 2025

    When it comes to destinations, our European river cruises tick off everything from big-name cities like Budapest and Vienna, to hidden gems like Cochem and Durnstein. River-wise, our itineraries sail on the Rhine, the Main, the Moselle, the Danube, and the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Set sail with TUI and explore some of the best waterways ...

  16. TUI Danube River Cruise Review

    TUI Danube River Cruise Review. By Freckle & Curl July 17, 2022. We completed our 7 Day Tui 'East Danube Explorer' river cruise in July 2022. In this article we will look to give you a better idea on what to expect if you were to book a TUI river cruise or similar. We will provide you with insight into both the good and bad.

  17. TUI River Cruises: How to see more and do more on a river cruise

    Published on: 23 July 2023. Save up to £400 per couple on sailings this October.*. Sail for less, explore more - it's a winning combo, trust us. A warm October is arguably the best time to explore Europe by river and TUI River Cruises has a selection of all-inclusive itineraries that are just the ticket. Choose October, when the harsh heat ...

  18. Best and worst river cruise lines

    Viking: the best luxury river cruises. The world's largest river cruise line has a fleet of 75 ships plying Europe's great waterways as well as the Mississippi, Mekong and the Nile. Its light-filled, 190-capacity 'longships' are thoughtfully designed with plenty of balcony cabins (a rarity on river vessels) and space to dine al fresco.

  19. Discover TUI River Cruises by TUI

    Get inspired and find out where our TUI River Cruises sailings go and what the ships are really like. ... Rhine River cruise review. TUI River Cruises celebrated its maiden voyage in summer 2021, to resounding success. These adults-only sailings. Best river cruises for next summer

  20. Top four river cruises with TUI

    14 nights, departs on the 22 Mar 2024. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seven Seas Navigator. Benoa, Bali, Celukan Bawang, Bali, Surabaya, + 12 more. 21 nights, departs on the 24 Mar 2024. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seven Seas Splendor. San Juan (Puerto Rico), Gustavia, Saint John's, + 19 more. The Danube and Rhine are ready and waiting for you to ...

  21. Best Nile cruises

    Tui Al Horeya, book via Tui. Best for home comforts Tui River Cruises is launching its first Nile ship in November 2024. Charter flights from Gatwick and Manchester are being laid on to dovetail ...

  22. Marella Explorer

    Marella standards dropped. We have travelled with Marella on many cruises. This was by far the worst. On arrival no one to show you where to go. Found reception staff very unhelpful. Staff not very friendly overall. Standards have definitely dropped. Not enough entertainment on the pool deck during the…. Read more.

  23. TUI River cruise destinations 2024 / 2025

    France, Germany, Switzerland. BOOK NOW! Call us on: 0203 451 2688. To top. Our top deals tailored to you, straight to your inbox Sign up for offers.

  24. TUI River Cruises

    2024 & 2025 RIVER CRUISES. Explore Europe's quintessential waterways with one of TUI's memory-making new cruises. Tick off tucked-away towns and iconic cities along the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle and Dutch & Belgian Waterways. And relax knowing the attentive onboard staff and team of dedicated experts are there to make your trip unforgettable.