Low water levels on the Danube have forced TUI River Cruises to replace substantial sections of September sailings with coach transfers between major European destinations, including Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava. The disruptions have left passengers who paid thousands of pounds for luxury river voyages frustrated. Many travelers have criticized the heavy reliance on land-based travel instead of cruising.
According to reports, affected departures operated with altered itineraries after water levels dropped too low for vessels to navigate specific stretches safely. While ships repositioned or remained docked, passengers were transported overland to keep sightseeing schedules moving. However, many travelers reported that the adjustments fundamentally altered the nature of their holidays.
Passengers Describe Disappointment Over Itinerary Changes
Richard Pearson, a traveler from Lincolnshire who paid £3,300 for a week-long cruise starting September 21 with his partner, detailed his experience to the media. Upon arriving in Budapest, passengers were informed that their vessel, the TUI Isla, was stranded in Vienna and could not reach them. Instead of boarding, they spent a night in an average hotel followed by a four-hour coach journey the next day to meet the ship.
Pearson calculated that he and his partner spent roughly 14 to 15 hours of their holiday on coaches or waiting for transfers. He described the experience not as a river cruise, but rather as staying in a “floating hotel with coach transfers.” Despite praising the onboard food and staff, Pearson noted that the lack of scenic daytime sailing detracted significantly from the vacation.
Similarly, Sue Crosby, who booked a cruise starting September 14 for her 70th birthday at a cost of £3,700, expressed deep dissatisfaction. Although she received a revised itinerary shortly before departure outlining the coach substitutions, requests for a full refund were denied under TUI’s standard booking conditions. Crosby stated that the trip featured only two half-days of actual sailing, leaving her feeling that she did not receive the holiday she purchased.
Other Travelers Opt Out and Seek Compensation
Not all booked passengers chose to go ahead with the modified trips. David Mallon and a group of five others were scheduled to travel on September 21. After reviewing the revised itinerary, which they felt converted the cruise into a glorified coach tour, they decided against traveling. One member of the group needed to avoid prolonged sitting for health reasons, making the extended bus journeys unfeasible.
Having been denied a refund, Mallon’s group booked an alternative last-minute trip to Kos and stated they intend to pursue compensation through the small claims court if necessary.
TUI Responds to Extreme Weather Disruptions
In an official statement addressing the complaints, a TUI River Cruises spokesperson pointed to extreme heat across Europe that triggered low water levels across multiple regional waterways. The company explained that every sailing is reviewed individually with nautical partners, and customers on the affected TUI Isla departures on September 14 and 21 were notified of revised itineraries prior to travel.
The spokesperson noted that coach transfers, hotel stays, and adjusted travel arrangements were organized to minimize transfer times so that guests could still visit key destinations such as Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava. While maintaining that customers traveled under standard booking conditions and were still able to visit their scheduled destinations, TUI acknowledged regret that some passengers did not receive the anticipated river cruise experience.
Broader Impact on European River Cruising
TUI is not the only operator affected by environmental conditions on Europe’s waterways. Unusually low water levels following weeks of heat and limited rainfall have disrupted multiple river cruise lines across the continent. Competitors like Riviera Travel, Scenic, and Emerald have similarly faced route revisions, cancellations, and alternative transport arrangements along major rivers including the Rhine, Danube, Main, and Moselle.
Industry observers recommend that travelers booking European river cruises monitor communications from operators closely in the weeks leading up to departure, as changing weather and water levels can require sudden itinerary adjustments close to launch dates.
