TUI Isla (fka TUI Allegra) - the 3rd and final riverboat to join TUI River Cruises' fleet, began her Maiden Voyage (Rhine Explorer 2 itinerary) after an official christening event last week.
Departing from homeport Basel Switzerland, the ship headed to Strasbourg France and then on to the German Rhine River port cities Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cologne/Koln prior to finishing the 7-night itinerary in Amsterdam Netherlands.
The official naming ceremony took place last Monday (March 28), as part of a special cruise for TUI's retail staff, ahead of the first customer voyage.
TUI retail homeworker Courtney Smith, who served as the godmother of TUI Isla, pushed the button for the traditional bottle smash. Smith has been with the company for 5 years and was appointed godmother in 2020. However, because of the COVID crisis, she has only now been able to carry out her duties.
TUI's river brand expanded its summer 2022 offering with 2 new itineraries and a new call port.
The new "Treasures of the Main" itinerary includes the new port of call, Aschaffenburg (Germany Bavaria).
The new "Legends of the Rhine" itinerary (7-night roundtrip from Frankfurt) visits Cologne/Koln, Koblenz, and Bonn. Passengers sailing on this itinerary departing on August 12, 2022, will be able to see the Rhine in Flames festival – the oldest and largest fireworks display in Germany.