TUI River Cruises is including a fourth ship in Europe for the 2026 season and can be increasing operations in Egypt, stated Katy Berzins, head of the model.
“Our gross sales are robust and we’re rising on all of the rivers. The Danube sailings have been actually well-liked,” she added.
The TUI Rhia joins the European fleet in early 2026, including 190 extra berths. The ship will enter operations following a refurbishment to adapt the ship to the TUI model, stated Berzins.
That product providing is a casual premium, she continued, with implausible itineraries and repair, but in addition flexibility. TUI, not like different operators, doesn’t package deal in shore excursions however as an alternative has a number of choices for friends to select from.
“We stand out with our night leisure. We actually listened to visitor suggestions as they needed extra to do on evenings on the ships. We’ve acquired a different program with vocal manufacturing exhibits, bridging the hole between ocean and river cruising,” she stated. As well as are quiz video games and even films below the celebs.
For friends wanting quiet time, there are nonetheless lounges out there and loads of alternative, she stated.
The vast majority of friends do development a bit older, with 40 p.c between 60 and 69, and are available from the UK market, stated Berzins, in an interview with Cruise Trade Information.
One development space has been what the corporate calls energized adventurers, that are culturally assured friends between the ages of 40 to 55. General, a couple of third of friends are new to river cruising clients, she defined.
In Egypt, the corporate welcomed a second ship on the Nile the place demand from the British market is wholesome.
Trying forward, TUI can have 4 European-based river ships in 2026 complimented by a two-ship Nile operations.
Plans are being checked out to increase the European season, and extra development will include extra ships.
“We do have a transparent and ambitions plan. That’s within the first stage and development comes with extra ships,” Berzins stated. “We have to see what these alternatives appear like. We’re at the beginning of what’s an bold development technique for us.”
