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River Cruise Becomes Coach Trip Amid Heatwave Woes
8 Oct
Summary
- Extreme heat caused low water levels on the Danube River.
- Passengers received revised itineraries days before departure.
- Customers were offered coach transfers instead of a full cruise.
Low water levels on the Danube River, caused by extreme summer heat across Europe, have disrupted river cruise operations. Tui River Cruises confirmed that passengers booked on the Tui Isla departures on September 14 and 21 were provided with revised itineraries prior to their travel.
Where sailing became impossible, Tui arranged coach transfers and hotel stays to ensure passengers could still visit planned destinations such as Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava. The company stated these adjustments were made to minimize transfer times and allow customers to continue their holiday under standard booking conditions.
However, some passengers, like David Mallon, expressed extreme dissatisfaction. His group cancelled their trip due to the itinerary changes, describing the alternative as a "glorified coach trip" and opting for a different holiday. They are now seeking a refund, emphasizing their disappointment not with the weather but with Tui's handling of the consequences.
