TUI River Cruises has revealed its most extensive winter schedule to date, with 33 sailings planned across its fleet between November 2026 and April 2027. Bookings for the expanded programme will open on July 3, 2025.
The new winter offerings include additional Danube itineraries featuring ports in Serbia and Croatia, broadening the range of available voyages. TUI Aria, the largest vessel in the fleet, will operate its first winter season on the Rhine, providing passengers with access to Germany’s renowned festive markets.
The updated schedule incorporates improved flight connectivity and more flexible cruise durations, ranging from four to seven nights. TUI Aria will run two Rhine routes during its inaugural winter deployment: the Mistletoe and Rhine itinerary, calling at Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Koblenz, and Cologne, and the North Rhine Noel voyage, which extends to Belgium and the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, TUI Isla will host New Year on the Danube sailings, allowing travellers to celebrate the occasion in Belgrade while exploring the city’s seasonal markets. To accommodate demand, the company will operate a second TUI flight from London Gatwick to Vienna, serving both TUI Isla and TUI Maya, with a total of 16 itinerary options available. Partner airlines will also provide additional flights to Basel and Amsterdam for various Rhine departures.
Shorter cruises, spanning four to seven nights, have been introduced for greater flexibility. These include the four-night Yuletide Getaway aboard TUI Isla, visiting Vienna, Linz, and Bratislava, and the 7-night East Danube Explorer.
Festive sailings will feature 11 departures across four vessels: TUI Aria, TUI Isla, TUI Maya, and TUI Skyla. Among the highlights are the five-night East Danube Christmas Charm on TUI Isla, navigating Vienna, Esztergom, Budapest, and Bratislava, and the Rhine Festive Flavours on TUI Skyla, with stops in Cologne, Boppard, Rüdesheim, Frankfurt, Koblenz, and Düsseldorf.
Additionally, TUI Al Horeya and TUI Bahareya will resume Nile operations, offering seven-night sailings on alternating itineraries, supported by direct flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Luxor.
Katy Berzins, Head of River Cruises at TUI River Cruises, remarked that the company was pleased to introduce its largest winter programme yet, delivering increased choice and flexibility for passengers. She noted that the addition of new Danube ports, the debut of TUI Aria’s winter season, and expanded flight options would make it more convenient for travellers to experience Europe’s picturesque rivers.