Tui river cruise passengers angered by coach transfers due to low water levels

Sue Crosby and her husband, who booked a cruise starting September 14 for her 70th birthday, had a similar experience. They received a revised itinerary a few days before departure detailing multiple coach trips due to low water levels. Despite their reluctance and asking for a refund, they were told none was possible. Crosby stated that there were only two half days of actual river sailing, and she felt the way the situation was handled was frustrating.

David Mallon and a group of five others, due to travel on September 21, decided not to go after receiving a revised itinerary they felt was a "glorified coach trip." One member of the group had health reasons to avoid prolonged sitting, such as coach journeys. Without an offer of a refund, the group booked an alternative holiday and planned to seek compensation.

A Tui spokesperson stated that extreme heat across Europe caused low water levels on the Danube, affecting operators regionally. They reviewed sailings with nautical partners and arranged coach transfers, hotel stays, and adjusted travel to minimize transfer times so customers could still visit key destinations like Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava. The company apologized that "some did not get the river cruise experience they had anticipated," but noted that customers continued their holidays under standard booking conditions.