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TUI Cruises GmbH (tuicruises.com) is a 50-50 Joint venture company between TUI AG (Germany) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (US corporation). The Hamburg -based company was founded in 2008 and operational since 2009. On April 22, 2018, the cruise line celebrated its 10th anniversary. In 2018, TUI fleet's capacity was 14,784 berths, serving 0,5+ million passengers annually. By year 2024, TUI will have annual capacity ~800,000 passengers - compared to 2017 (500,000), 2018 (550,000) and 2019 (650,000, berths 17,500),

TUI Group fully owns three England-registered subsidiary companies (TUI UK Ltd, TUI Airways Ltd, TUI Ireland Ltd) plus one Ireland-registered (Adehy Ltd).

On February 7, 2020, TUI AG announced that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (valued ~EUR 1,2 billion) becomes part of TUI Cruises. The contract with RCCL was signed in Hamburg (Feb 7), the cash transaction from RCCL (~EUR 700 million) was closed on July 6, 2020.

The Hanover Germany-based TUI Group (British-German multinational) is currently ranked the world's largest leisure and travel company. It was founded in 1923 and until 2002 was named "Preussag AG". TUI Group's companies specialize in hospitality and tourism services worldwide, with a portfolio including passenger airlines, cruise shipping (shipowner), package vacations, hotels and resorts, travel agencies, retail shops. TUI Group's current CEO is Sebastian Ebel, who (in October 2022) succeeded Fritz Joussen (2013-2022).

TUI Cruises GmbH's current CEO is Wybcke Meier (since 2014). In March 2023 was created the "Mein Schiff Destinations Department". Other executives include Marcus Puttich (director of destinations), Dennis Tetzlaff (VP of fleet operations and newbuilds), Denis Wiechert (VP of product management and guest experiences).

For 2021-Q1, TUI Group reported 2,8 million bookings (all brands/subsidiaries), or 56% of 2019's, with 20% higher average prices and overall loss EUR 698,6 million (EUR 146,7 M loss in 2019). Cruise shipping revenue was EUR 0,6 million (EUR 238,4 M in 2019). TUI Group secured 3x financing packages (with its major shareholders, banks and Germany's Economic Stabilization Fund). The 3rd package (EUR 1,8 billion) was completed in late January.

For FY2021 (fiscal year), TUI Group reported EUR 27 million (~USD 30,6M) in cruise revenues (~EUR 445,6M less than FY2020), EBIT loss EUR 277,5M (~USD 314M), avrg ship occupancy rates ~40%. By brand, the number of passenger days was 1,227M (TUI), 0,114M (Hapag-Lloyd), 0,153M (Marella). Average daily rates by brand were EUR 132 (TUI), EUR 514 (Hapag-Lloyd), GBP 124 / EUR 145 (Marella).

In September 2023 TUI signed with VIKAND Solutions (Dania Beach Florida-based medical group specializing in maritime healthcare) to deliver fleetwide biomedical equipment and provide support (lifecycle asset management, preventative maintenance, repairs, support).

In January 2024, TUI signed a partnership with Marquard & Bahls (1947-founded, Hamburg-based company specializing in energy and chemicals) to supply with methanol Mein Schiff 7 (fleet's first methanol-powered vessel vessel). The deal was signed by Wybcke Meier (TUI's CEO) and Volker Ebeling (Mabanaft's Senior VP of New Energy, Supply & Infrastructure).

(new brand) TUI River Cruises UK

In April 2019, the shipowner TUI AG terminated the charters of its 3 riverboats and established the UK-focused brand "TUI River Cruises" (tui.co.uk/river-cruises). The new brand was scheduled to start operations in summer 2020 but due to the global health crisis, its inauguration was postponed for August 2021 (delayed ~1,5 years).

The sisterships are named TUI Isla , TUI Maya , TUI Skyla .

In 2024-2025, TUI expands the river fleet with two more boats - TUI Al Horeya (2024/Egypt's Nile River) and TUI Alma (2025/Portugal's Douro River).

TUI River Cruises is a separate company part (fully-owned subsidiary) of TUI AG (British-German travel and tourism corporation). TUI Group also owns the companies Marella Cruises UK and Hapag-Lloyd-Cruises .

River travel aficionados can choose from various itineraries and optional shipboard and land packages. Standard (basic) TUI river cruise pricing is inclusive of alcohol (beers and wines by the glass) and soft drinks with all meals, as well as of gratuities (onboard tips), service charges and bicycles (offered complimentary to all passengers in call ports of the current cruisetour itinerary). Premium drinks packages are optional (offered at extra cost). All TUI riverboats have balcony suites. Shore excursions range from sightseeing tours (guided by local experts) to bike tours.

The new river cruise company offers GBP 120 (~EUR 140 / USD 155) per person in OBC (onboard credit) towards all land tour bookings. TUI river ships are named TUI Maya , TUI Skyla and TUI Isla , each with capacity 155 passengers plus 40 crew, LOA length 135 m (445 ft), 4 decks (3 with cabins). Standard cabins are sized 12 m2 (130 ft2) and with fixed double beds.

TUI riverboats' venues include:

• (Deck 2) cabins, Lobby (Reception Desk, Tour Desk, Library), wellness facilities (Spa, Gym, Hair Parlor)
• (Deck 3) cabins, Observatory Lounge, Bar Lounge, Bow Terrace, 2 restaurants (Bistro Buffet, Verdastro Dining Room). Verdastro Restaurant serves buffet-type breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner (with waiter service). Bistro Restaurant is for buffet-style dining only (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Observatory is the show lounge with live entertainment in the evenings (musical performances, stand-up comedy acts, crew show, themed dance parties).
• (Deck 4) Sundeck with games area (shuffleboard), shaded seating (Sundeck Lounge), sunbathing area with padded loungers, sunbeds, daybeds.

In December 2019, TUI signed an exclusive partnership with Live Business UK (one of Europe's largest entertainment program developers and suppliers) for the TUI River Cruises company. By this deal, Live Business UK prepared the onboard entertainment programming for the boats and is also responsible for recruiting cruise directors, hosts, ship musicians, guest performers, local tour guides and other experts.

Company history

During the company's 10 years of service (2008-2018), the six Mein Schiffs handled around 2,2 million passengers, visited over 200 seaports and covered around 2,9 million km (1,8 million ml). TUI's sister-brand is Marella Cruises (UK source market).

For FY2018 (fiscal year), TUI Group's earnings (from the 3 cruise brands - TUI, Marella, and Hapag-Lloyd) increased by 10,7% - to EUR 901,9 million. Company's turnover was EUR 324 million (26,8% increase over 2017). Group's average daily rates increased to EUR 178 euro (TUI, up from EUR 173), EUR 141 (Marella, up from EUR 131) and EUR 615 (Hapag-Lloyd, up from EUR 594).

In 2015-2016, TUI Group had a turnover of EUR 17,8 billion (company's record) and operating result of EUR 1B. Corporation's portfolio consisted of 14 vessels (TUI, Thomson-Marella, and Hapag-Lloyd brands), several large tour operators, around 1600 travel agencies (including online portals), over 300 hotels (around 214,000 beds) and 6 airlines (over 150 aircraft).

The list of TUI-owned airlines includes Corsair International (France), TUI Airways (UK), TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, TUI fly Netherlands, and TUI fly Nordic (departures from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway).

In FY2016 (the fiscal year 2016), TUI Cruises had 60% growth (over FY2015) in earnings, with EBITA of EUR 130 million (EUR 81 million in FY2015). The reported growth came from the corporation's two main markets - Germany and UK.

TUI Cruises started operations by acquiring Celebrity Galaxy (owned by Celebrity Cruises - another RCCL subsidiary). The ship left Celebrity's fleet on March 16, 2009. After buying Celebrity Galaxy, the vessel was refitted at Lloyd Werft shipyard ( Bremerhaven, Germany ) arriving on March 27 for 38-day, EUR 50 million conversions. Galaxy was re-christened on May 15 in Hamburg and renamed "Mein Schiff" (meaning "My Ship" in Deutsch). TUI planned to build two 100,000 GT, 2500-passenger ships in 2011 and 2012.

• On May 27, 2010, was revealed that Celebrity Mercury joins TUI fleet as "Mein Schiff 2"(renamed in 2018 to Mein Schiff Herz/now Marella Voyager ). Before the refit, "MS Mein Schiff" was renamed to Mein Schiff 1 (now Marella Explorer ). Schiff 2 entered service in February 2011 after an extensive drydock reconstruction .
• On September 27, 2011, TUI and STX Finland announced shipbuilding contract for a 97,000 GT vessel ( Schiff 3 ) with delivery in 2014. The vessel is 968 ft (295 m) long, with 1250 staterooms (most of which are balconied) and capacity 2500 passengers and 1000 crew. The contract included an optional second ship, that was ordered on November 5, 2012 ( Schiff 4 ). Schiff 3 entered service on April 22, 2014.
• In March 2015, RCI ( Royal Caribbean International ) announced selling Splendour of the Seas to TUI Cruises in 2016-Q2. TUI leased the vessel to Thomson UK (now Marella) replacing MS Island Escape (now Ocean Gala ).
• In May 2015 TUI Group announced that as part of fleet modernization strategy, Schiff 1 and 2 will be transferred to Thomson/Marella over the next few years to upgrade TUI's UK fleet.
• In 2018, TUI signed a partnership deal with "Merkur Casino Mare" (part of Gauselmann Group) for the onboard gambling on Schiff 1 (since 2018), Schiff 2 (since 2019) and Schiff 3 (since 2021). The ship Casino features 6x electronic roulettes plus 14x other Merkur gaming machines, and a separate gambling lounge with 4x M-Box Buzzer (multi-gaming machines) and a blackjack table for live gaming. For 2020, Gauselmann AG reported revenue EUR 2,56 billion (~USD 3B / ~GBP 2,2B). Since 2012, Gauselmann owns the British company Praesepe Ltd (now Merkur Casino UK) which owns the Cashino brand (street gambling arcade chain).
• In mid-October 2021, TUI announced that Schiff Herz will be transferred in 2023 to Marella Cruises UK . Following a drydock, the boat will be renamed "Marella Voyager", starting operations for Marella on June 3, 2023.

The Hannover travel group TUI AG (listed at London Stock Exchange) keeps an upbeat outlook of cruise shipping activities. The company owns 100% of Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten and 50% of TUI Kreuzfahrten.

In August 2015, TUI announced EBITA growth (Q3) by EUR 11 million, which reflected the full-year profit of Schiff 3 (operated since June 2014) and the launch of Schiff 4 (June 2015). In addition, Hapag-Lloyd's remarkable turnaround and EUR 4 million benefits from refinancing ms Europa 2 meant that TUI had EUR 21 million increase in underlying EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization).

In May 2015, TUI AG Supervisory Board and RCCL-Royal Caribbean confirmed the purchase options for Schiff 7 and Schiff 8 (later renamed "Schiff 1" and "Schiff 2", delivered respectively in 2018 and 2019), as the German market reported further growth. The new liners are slightly larger (2860 lower berths each), built by Meyer Turku Finland . The deal was fully financed within TUI Cruises (joint venture) - without further contribution from TUI AG and RCCL.

Schiff 5 was launched on January 15, 2016, following the 14-month construction period. Around 1500 employees are involved in the building of each TUI vessel.

In mid-July 2018, TUI ordered two new ships (161,000 GT-ton, 4000-passenger) - this time from the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Their scheduled deliveries are in 2025-Q1 ( Schiff Relax ) and 2026-Q2 ( Schiff 9 ). TUI's "Italian" liners are LNG-powered and from the company's new InTUItion-Class (fka TUI XL-Schiff).

In October 2018, TUI announced the "Wasteless" initiative aimed to eliminate disposable plastic products fleetwide (and also in land-based operations - provision suppliers and office staff) by the year 2020. Plastics will be replaced by alternative products made from renewable resources. The eco-initiative started with the newbuilds, on which in all cabin bathrooms, shower gel and shampoo dispensers are refillable, terry slippers are bathrobe's pockets (not packed in plastic), laundry bags are from bio-based plastic, coffee-to-go cups for crew are from bio-based plastic, drink stirrers are wooden. In November 2019, TUI reported ~30 million single-use plastic items replaced with renewable/sustainable materials-made alternatives.

In 2018, the German travel market reached ~2,2 million cruisers, of whom ~26% were served by TUI.

TUI Schiff Restaurants and Bars

TUI Schiff sonnenbereiche und poolbereiche (sundeck and Lido-deck pool areas)

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, TUI River Cruises suspended passenger shipping operations by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures March 15, 2020, through August 15, 2021. TUI Cruises Germany ("Mein Schiff" fleet) suspended operations on March 23 and restarted on August 21 with Schiff 1 (7-day Norwegian Fjords roundtrip from Kiel) and Schiff 2 (7-day Norway from Hamburg). Schiff 6 started on September 13 (through November 7) with 7-day roundtrips from Heraklion (Crete) to Piraeus-Athens and Kerkyra (Corfu Island).

TUI River Cruises were planned to resume on November 26, 2020 ( Christmas and New Year itineraries ) but were eventually canceled through August 2021 (the brand was inaugurated on August 15, with TUI Maya from Frankfurt).

All affected bookings were automatically canceled and fully refunded in FCC (future cruise credit) notes for the full cost of the cruise. The FCCs can be used for paying a new voyage (with rebooking) or fully refunded (100%) in cash after 12 months.

Next are listed all TUI liners and their first departure dates/homeports/regions in 2021 - Schiff 3 (May 10/Norway from Bremerhaven), Schiff 4 (Apr 23/UK-Baltic from Hamburg), Schiff 5 (May 13/Mediterranean from Heraklion Crete), Schiff 6 (May 9/Mediterranean from Palma de Mallorca), Schiff Herz (Sept 3/Mediterranean from Palma de Mallorca). Schiff 1 and Schiff 2 started Canary Islands cruises in January, with 7-day and 14-day roundtrips from Gran Canaria.

The latest cancellations affected Schiff 5's Asian program (Hong Kong) and Schiff 6's Arabian Gulf program (from Dubai).

Itinerary of TUI Cruises

The next table provides a concise review of the TUI fleet's deployments (as homeports and destinations/regions). For detailed itineraries (call ports, port dates-times, and cruise prices) just follow the ship links.

TUI River Cruises

"TUI River Cruises" is a 2019-founded (operational since 2021) brand and a subsidiary of TUI AG. The new company specializes in passenger river shipping in Europe and is generally UK-focused (as source market).

TUI's riverboat fleet consists of three fully refurbished ships - TUI Maya , TUI Skyla , TUI Isla . The boats usually operate roundtrips from the homeports Passau and Frankfurt (Germany), Amsterdam Holland and Budapest Hungary .

In January 2022, TUI announced the restart dates of the riverboats after winter 2021 season was suspended due to Europe's increasing COVID Omicron cases. TUI's Rhine program was first halted before Christmas 2021 when Germany's government imposed travel restrictions on UK tourists.

TUI's river operations were planned to resume with TUI Skyla on March 28th. The "Magic of the Danube" itinerary (7-night roundtrip from Budapest ) visited ports in Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. Prices started at GBP 1120 per person with double occupancy.

TUI's first 14-night voyage started on April 8 ( TUI Isla ). The "European Icons" itinerary started in Amsterdam and visited ports in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary, ending in Budapest. Prices started at GBP 2010 pp.

TUI's Rhine voyages started on April 8 with the "Rhine Germs" itinerary visiting Koblenz and Speyer (Germany Rhineland-Palatinate) along with Basel Switzerland . The 7-day roundtrip is from Frankfurt am Main (Germany Hesse) , fares started at GBP 1170 pp.

Themed voyages started on April 1st ( TUI Maya ) with the "Vines and Valleys" Moselle River itinerary.

In December 2023, TUI River Cruises announced a fleet expansion with two new vessels - TUI Al Horeya (Nile River boat/inauguration in 2024) and TUI Alma (Douro River boat/inauguration in 2025).

TUI Cruises related cruise news

TUI's newest ship Mein Schiff 7 starts Baltic Sea trials ahead of June debut

TUI's newest vessel - Mein Schiff 7, reached a significant milestone this week as she started sea trials in the Baltic Sea (Bothnian Sea and...

TUI Cruises appoints environmental officer as Godmother for Mein Schiff 7

As the construction of Mein Schiff 7 nears completion at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, TUI Cruises has disclosed insights into the vessel's...

Marella UK's Asia & Middle East cruises (ship Discovery 2) canceled due to Red Sea crisis

TUI has made the decision to cancel Marella Cruises UK's Asia and Middle East program from November 2024 to the end of April 2025. In a...

TUI Cruises deploys two ships (Schiff 7 and Schiff Relax) to Canary Islands in winter 2025-2026

TUI Cruises, a TUI Group-Royal Caribbean Group joint venture, has announced its planned itineraries for the winter season of 2025-2026, revealing a...

UAE renews partnership with TUI Cruises to boost Dubai's cruise tourism hub status

The UAE/Emirates has reaffirmed Dubai's position as a premier hub for cruise ship tourism by extending its collaboration with TUI Cruises for the...

Marella (TUI UK) cancels Red Sea repositioning cruises due to safety concerns

Marella Cruises has made the decision to cancel a series of repositioning sailings on Discovery 2 ship due to concerns regarding the Red Sea area...

TUI Cruises' ship Mein Schiff 7 to run on green methanol supplied by Mabanaft

Mabanaft has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TUI Cruises, outlining plans for the supply of green methanol in the future. The...

Scaffolding collapse during Mein Schiff Relax construction leads to worker injury

On Friday morning, January 19, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone (Italy), a serious accident occurred during the construction of the cruise...

TUI Cruises reveals plans for 3 new ships

TUI Cruises (a joint venture between RCG/Royal Caribbean Group and TUI AG) has unveiled plans for the construction of three new vessels in the...

TUI River Cruises starts Douro voyages in 2025 with newbuild ship TUI Alma

TUI River Cruises unveiled its first newbuild boat. The custom-built vessel will be deployed on Portugal's Douro River, marking TUI's river fleet...

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4 best Caribbean family cruise holidays with TUI this December

A TUI Caribbean cruise holiday with the family is a glorious way to escape to sun, sea and sand and ensure everyone, big and small, gets the break they deserve. Even better, there are plenty of great deals to snap up this winter.

Escape to sun, sea and sand with Marella Cruises’ Caribbean offerings this winter.

Caribbean cruises take in a wealth of exotic shorelines, ancient cities and fantastic cuisine without you ever needing to unpack more than once.

Come the winter, such holidays are longed for by many a sun-starved Briton – but help is at hand.

TUI cruise line Marella Cruises has a brilliant selection of voyages this December to help you recharge for the year ahead.

Whether you want to visit lesser-visited spots such as Belize or Guatemala, or you prefer to call at Caribbean classics such as Jamaica and St Lucia, there’s a TUI family cruise for you in winter 2022.

What’s more, every Marella Cruises holiday is all-inclusive so the little ones can hoover up as many pizza slices, lemonades and ice creams as they like and you can hit the cocktails without worrying about the bill.

Flights, transfers and tips are also included to help take the stress out, so you really can just lie in the sun and relax!

We’ve rounded up four of the best Caribbean cruises for the family this December to help you get inspired. Total prices are based on a family of four.

Roatan, Honduras is an exciting Central American port of call on Marella’s Caribbean cruises.

Exotic Explorer

This TUI Caribbean cruise includes a £374 discount and calls at an exciting selection of Central American ports such as Honduras and Guatemala for a Caribbean cruise with a difference.

When: December 6, 2022 Duration: 7 nights Where: Montego Bay, Jamaica | Roatan, Honduras | Santo Tomas De Castilla, Guatemala | Belize City, Belize | Costa Maya, Mexico | Montego Bay, Jamaica Ship: Marella Discovery 2 Flights from: London Gatwick Price: From £1,032pp | Total Price £4,127

Book this cruise here

Flavours of the Caribbean

This sailing has an even bigger discount – £459 – so you know you’re bagging a great deal with this Jamaica, Mexico, Cuba and Cayman Islands cruise.

When: December 13, 2022 Duration: 7 nights Where: Montego Bay, Jamaica | Cozumel, Mexico | Havana, Cuba | Georgetown, Cayman Islands | Montego Bay, Jamaica Ship: Marella Discovery 2 Flights from: Manchester Price: £1,118pp | Total Price £4,472

Cartagena, Colombia is a lesser-visited Caribbean hotspot on Marella’s itineraries.

Pride of Panama

Thought the savings couldn’t get any greater? Wrong! This TUI Caribbean cruise holiday includes an amazing £1,501 total discount and packs in some more unusual Caribbean hotspots such as Costa Rica and Panama.

When: December 20, 2022 Duration: 7 nights Where: Montego Bay, Jamaica | Port Royal, Jamaica | Cartagena, Colombia | Colon, Panama | Puerto Limon, Costa Rica | Montego Bay, Jamaica Ship: Marella Discovery 2 Flights from: Manchester Price: From £1,402pp | Total Price £5,608

A Taste of Paradise

It’s Christmas but not how you know it on this December cruise. You’ll celebrate the prime festive week in the sun ticking off a wealth of classic Caribbean destinations from Barbados to Grenada. Oh, and it includes a mind-boggling total discount of £2,093! Talk about happy holidays.

When: December 22, 2022 Duration: 7 nights Where: Bridgetown, Barbados | St George’s, Grenada | Castries, St Lucia | St John’s, Antigua | Roseau, Dominica | Fort De France, Martinique | Bridgetown, Barbados Ship: Marella Discovery Flights from: Birmingham Price: From £2,063pp | Total Price £8,253

Want to find out more about Marella Cruises Caribbean cruise holidays or explore other exciting voyages? Head to the TUI website for inspiration.

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We have a fantastic range of high quality hotels worldwide that you can stay in before or after your cruise. We work with independent and well-known hotel brands in different locations to suit your requirements so you’re guaranteed a great night’s sleep, whether you’re gearing up or winding down!

Why not book your flights with us so you can just sit back and enjoy the journey! We can also arrange flights if you want to fly out a couple of days before your Royal Caribbean cruise, you also have the option to upgrade to Premium Economy or even Business Class*. And best of all, it’s all financially protected.

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If you require transfers included in your travel plans—either from airport to port or to a hotel during your holiday—we’ll take care of the arrangements for you. Choose from a range of transport options including a shared coach, private sedan and luxury limousine.

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Holiday Extras offers airport parking, hotels and lounges at all UK’s major airports. Visit their site to view the range of products on offer.

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Eavesway Cruiselink is the premier coach travel service for sailings out of Southampton. Join your cruise at Southampton from various locations across the UK.

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If you’re driving to Southampton, you can book secure parking facilities at the port, so you can leave your car in a safe place for the duration of your cruise.

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New horizons - and waking up to them - fresh vistas every time you pull back those curtains, and relaxing on some of the most exciting ships ever to sail the seven seas. We know what makes a cruise, and know every ship from top to bottom, stem to stern. We know the best ports to call at, and the best ways to combine a cruise trip with the perfect destination whether it's one, two or three! With two-thirds of this big, beautiful world covered in ocean, luxury, adventure, and even water slides aren’t limited to just dry land anymore.

Cruise Types

Whether this is your first cruise trip or your 21st, there’s a lot of open water out there to explore, and a lot of choice when it comes to destinations, resorts and the cruises themselves. We wouldn’t want you to feel overwhelmed when it comes to planning your time sailing the ocean blue, so we’re here to break down our cruise types for you.

Cruise and stay

Cruise & Stay holidays merge everything that rocks about cruise holidays with a fun-filled stay in an extraordinary place. Whether you want a blissful beach break or to stick around to explore a city, you can easily pair it with an epic cruise experience to keep your journey constantly fresh and vibrant. Party, relax and treat yourself onboard before getting up close and personal with a fantastic destination, all in one holiday.

Fly and cruise

Booking a fly and cruise option gets you to your holiday destination quicker than setting sail from a UK port, so you can reach those gorgeous Caribbean islands in a shorter space of time. Or maybe combine a cheeky stay on land (Florida, perhaps?) before hopping on board one of our favourite cruise lines. There's so many options we can help with to make your cruise holiday perfectly tailored to you.

Since we're part of the Virgin family, it's a no brainer we'll fly you with Virgin Atlantic to start your cruise.

Cruise from the UK

Don’t feel like flying? Want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the airport? We’ve got you covered with plenty of departures from ports in the UK, and you’ll still have the world at your fingertips. Sail around Europe for a taster (perfect for those who are new to cruising), or take the scenic route over the ocean as far as the Caribbean for cruise holidays that start as soon as you’re onboard.

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Virgin Voyages

Cruise into the Caribbean or head to the Med on a unique Virgin Voyage, where the glamour of a boutique hotel on the ocean is blended with unmistakable Virgin style and service. Sophisticated, adults-only, and offering an unbelievable choice of dining, you'll enjoy a voyage that's unlike any other.

Virgin Atlantic Holidays is the only place where you can book the full cruise package – Virgin Atlantic flights, hotels and your Virgin Voyage – all in one place. Find out more about what Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady have in store...

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8 best river cruises in Europe, from the Douro to the Danube

E urope is a continent built on its rivers, with many having played a vital role in the formation and development of its most important cities. From the Thames to the Tiber, they are a ever-flowing reminder of the continent’s long and varied history.

The opportunity to sail along these rivers, among the world’s most beautiful and peaceful waterways, is a temptation that’s easily given in to. Of course, a river cruise is about more than just spending time floating on the water (although that option is available, should you wish). It’s about the towns, cities and landmarks along the way.

These trips will take you on a relaxing and slow-paced journey to vineyards and valleys, tours and excursions, returning each night to your own floating hotel. Each day offers quick stops to discover some of the continent’s most important culture at your own pace.

The Independent has rounded up eight of the best Europe river cruise packages, from epic continental crossing and to the finest Christmas markets to explore.

Capitals of Eastern Europe, Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises’ Capitals of Eastern Europe itinerary is a 16-night trip covering the main cities on the Danube. It sets sail from Vienna, the elegant and sophisticated Austrian capital, and it finishes in Constanta, Romania, before a quick final journey over land to Bucharest to end your trip with a two-night stay.

Read more on Europe travel :

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On the way you’ll visit a host of towns in Hungary, Serbia and even Bulgaria, but on this trip the bigger cities are the main attraction. Vienna is followed by Bratislava – where Baroque palaces meet a typically Eastern European Old Town – and then Budapest . The Hungarian capital is a highlight: from festooned “ruin bars” and thermal baths to a spectacular neo-Gothic parliament building, the city has a wide variety of architecture, activities and things to do.

How to book

The tour lasts for 17 days, starting from £3,795pp. This price includes return flights, one excursion in each port of call and all meals. vikingrivercruises.co.uk

North Rhine & The Netherlands, TUI

Alongside the Danube, the Rhine is one of Europe’s main cruise rivers. Many operators have several Rhine packages; TUI’s offering covers a stellar range of cities for a very affordable price. It’s ships have two dining options (a bistro and a more formal restaurant) with al fresco seating, as well as a wellness and activity area on the top deck. No excursions are included, but this does give you free rein to choose whatever activities you like.

The first two days are spent in Amsterdam , where you’ll have ample time to wander its canals and green spaces, such as the Vondelpark, or visit attractions such as the Anne Frank museum, Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum.

Days three and four bring you to Rotterdam and Dusseldorf. You can enjoy the port area in Netherlands ’ second city or simply marvel at its dramatically different modern architecure, while Dusseldorf provides a variety of museums and concerts alongside a lively Old Town. On days five to seven, you’ll visit four picturesque riverside cities and towns: Bonn, Koblenz, Boppard and Oberwesel. There are waterfront bars and restaurants galore, and each has its own slice of history (think of a Beethoven museum in Bonn and a memorial to the ruler who united Germany in Koblenz).

From £1,219pp for this seven-night trip, including three meals per day (you can add coffees, alcohol and other drinks on an all-inclusive basis for an extra £20 per night) and return flights. tui.co.uk

The Douro, Riviera Travel

A trip along the northern Douro river can offer views to rival even the most idyllic of Algarve beaches. This trip starts in Porto , where bars and restaurants line the banks in the Ribeira (Riverside) district, but it is worth climbing the various hills to see other areas and sites, such as the cathedral and Dom Luis I Bridge.

After setting off along the Douro, your first two stops are Pinhao – a picturesque wine town, famous for being at the heart of the Port-producing region of the country – and Castelo Rodrigo, a 12th-century walled village located in the highlands. Day four will see you visit Salamanca, the Spanish sandstone city famous for its cathedrals and university.

The next two days are spent in Peso da Régua and Lamego – two small hillside towns – before returning to Porto on day seven. The cruises ends here but the holiday isn’t; this package also contains a three-night stay in Lisbon . After travelling to the capital by coach, you’ll visit the nearby towns of Coimbra (day eight) and Sintra (day 10), while you’ll have a day in the capital sandwiched in between; while in Lisbon, take in the city’s unique Manueline and Pombaline architecture while wandering through its grand squares, and visit Sao Jorge castle or the city’s famous Time Out Market.

This 11-day cruise is priced from £2,128pp, including all meals on board, excursions, airport transfers and coach travel where necessary.  rivieratravel.co.uk

The Rhone, Scenic Cruises

Scenic Cruises’ luxury Rhone sailing takes you through some of the best sections of southern France , starting in Lyon . The regional capital has 2,000 years of history, so it’s blessed with a Roman amphitheatre right through to a Renaissance Old Town. Your first trip will take you north along the Saone river to Macon, a famous wine region in Burgundy.

The next two towns, Vienne and Viviers, offer spectacular views of the Rhone before you arrive in Avignon for two nights. You can enjoy a private concert at the Palais des Papes – once a Papal residence – as well as a cooking class onboard, but a visit to the city itself is worth it to wander its narrow streets and charming squares, starting with the Place de l’Horloge. Your final day takes you to Arles, at the mouth of the Rhone – from here, you can travel home, stay in the city or carry on towards Marseille .

Prices start at £1,863pp for the eight-day cruise. The package includes 20 meals, the premium concert experience, cooking lessons and 19 shore activities, ranging from walking tours to wine tastings. scenic.co.uk

Holland & Belgium, Avalon Waterways

Avalon’s eight-day cruise of the Low Countries is an excellent way to experience some of the region’s best cities in a relaxing way. It starts and ends in Amsterdam , where you’ll have a number of nights to wander its scenic network of canals lined with beautiful 17th-century buildings.

When you move onto Belgium, you’ll visit Ghent , Brussels and Antwerp on consecutive days. More tranquil canals await you in Ghent, and those who enjoy being by the water can continue this in Antwerp’s waterfront area. Brussels has more than its fair share of landmarks and museums (all centred around Grand Place, main square and Unesco Heritage Site), but the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Antwerp) and St Bavo’s Cathedral (Ghent) are definitely places to visit during the other stops. Day six will take you to Rotterdam before you head back to the Dutch capital.

From £1,635pp. Meals and some activities are included; there are additional excursions in each destination that can be purchased. avalonwaterways.co.uk

Danube Delights, Emerald Cruises

This trip from Emerald Cruises takes you along the famous river to Regensburg. It starts with two nights in Budapest , with a traditional Hungarian folklore show and tour of Buda Hill on offer, along with any solo sightseeing you’d like to do. Days three and four take you to Bratislava and Vienna, where you can enjoy cycling tours and hikes.

Krems and Durnstein are the last two stops in Austria before you head to Passau, the German “City of Three Rivers”. At the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, the city is home to an impressive cathedral and Old Town. After disembarking at Regensburg, you make your way to Munich , where a good plan is to spend time exploring the Bavarian capital before you fly home.

From £1,995pp for this eight-day cruise, which includes five guided tours, 20 meals and complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board. emeraldcruises.co.uk

Christmas Markets on the Rhine, Ama Waterways

There’s something quite special about experienceing Christmas celebrations on a river cruise through Europe. On this AmaWaterways voyage, you sail the Rhine, boarding in Amsterdam and with a first stop in Cologne. The Gothic cathedral provides the backdrop for one of the country’s best Christmas markets, where you’ll find dozens of stalls selling festive items, many of it handmade. Other markets include the more elaborate Heinzels Wintermärchen in the Old Town and the Markt der Engel (a more rustic affair in the city’s Neumarkt square). For those who want to mix in a bit of sightseeing, the Museum Ludwig and Roman-Germanic Museum can give you a taste of arts and history.

Next on the itinerary you’ll visit the German towns of Heidelberg and Speyer, where more markets await, before arriving in Strasbourg, France. Here you’ll find an eclectic mix of French and German culture, a warm festive spirit and plenty of opportunities to wander the markets that are spread throughout the town. Wander further afield and you’ll find Petite France, a pretty district known for cobblestone streets and canals. Holidaymarkers return to Germany for the penultimate stop in Breisach, before disembarking in Basel (though you can always stay in Switzerland for a taste of Swiss Christmas markets).

From £2,254, including meals and some activitie; flights and airport transfer not included. amawaterways.co.uk

European Sojourn, Viking River Cruises

This ultimate itinerary bisects Europe to take passengers from Amsterdam to Bucharest, via sections of the Rhine, Main and Danube among other European rivers. Along the way, passngers will visit some of Europe’s principal cities – think Budapest, Amsterdam and Vienna – smaller (but just as beautiful) riverside settlements such as Passau and Bamberg, and lesser-known towns including Vidin and Kolocsa.

Hidden gems range from Melk, an Austrian town in the underrated Wachau Valley wine-making region, Osijek, the fourth-largest city in Croatia, and Kinderdijk, a Dutch village famous for its set of 19 windmills. With 23 days, eight countries, 20 towns and cities, and at least 10 Unesco World Heritage Sites, there’ll be plenty to see as you traverse the length of central Europe.

From £5,395pp, including flights, 19 guided tours, all meals, transfers and amenities. vikingrivercruises.co.uk

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Couple sell up to live on an ‘endless’ cruise that’s cheaper than buying a new home

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What if you could save money and spend your days basking under the sunshine as you travel around the world? You’d jump at the chance, right?

That’s exactly the opportunity that presented itself to Grace and Jerry Grady, who are among the roughly 800 passengers on the Villa Vie Odyssey, one of just two residential cruise liners in operation once it sets sail from Belfast today.

The couple in their 70s sold ‘everything’ to live aboard the ship, which will visit 425 ports in 147 countries and all seven continents over the next three-and-a-half years.

But although it’s the kind of trip that seems reserved for your wildest fantasies, it’s surprisingly affordable.

Jerry and Grace, who previously lived in the US, paid an annual rental fee of €40,038 (£34,064) each for their cabin, with prices on the Villa Via Odyssey ranging from just under €30,000 (£25,524) for an indoor cabin to around €67,000 (£57,003) a year for one with a balcony.

Alongside their room, this covers unlimited food and soft drinks for guests, alcoholic beverages at dinner, free WiFi and medical checks (excluding medicines and procedures), 24/7 room service, weekly housekeeping and a bi-weekly laundry service.

It may seem like a lot to stump up in one go, but when you consider the estimated cost of living in London which sits at £4,245 a month (£50,940 a year) for a single person, it doesn’t seem too bad at all.

It is also possible to buy a cabin outright instead of renting, with prices starting at €91,270 (£77,652) for an inside cabin. If you choose this option, you’ll also have to pay a monthly fees of €1,613 (£1,372) – rising to €3,680 (£3,131) if you go for a balcony cabin – per person to cover your board.

Meanwhile, a mere deposit on a house in the UK comes in at £53,414 on average, and in the capital this figure skyrockets to an eye-watering £108,848. Given that’s before you’ve factored in mortgage repayments, bills, and everyday expenses like food and transport, it’s understandable some people would rather give cruise living a go.

These schemes are growing in popularity, but the only residential ship that has currently hit the seas is The World, where prices are far higher than on the Villa Vie Odyssey and range from €1.84 million (£1.57 million) to €13.8 million (£11.7 million) annually.

As for the Gradys, they put their home on the market to fund their voyage, and have been living off the bare minimum out of a rental property in Silicy while they wait to set off.

‘In the end, we sold most of our belongings to friends,’ Grace explained to Euronews . ‘I’ve been wearing the same clothes everyday and washing them by hand each night.’

The pair initially booked to join the three-year Life at Sea Cruises trip which was cancelled in November 2023 , so it’s been a long time coming.

‘It has always been a dream of mine to see the world,’ said Jerry. ‘I want to get this thing going. We are vagabonds, we’ve travelled a lot. I’m not worried about anything.’

Like all guests on the Villa Vie Odyssey, they can choose to go back to dry land with at least six months notice, as the itinerary is split into 16 segments of between 35 and 120 days and works on a pay-as-you go basis.

Jerry and Grace do plan on staying for the full three-and-a-half years, though, and may continue to do so afterwards if they get their sea legs. That’s because operator Villa Vie Residences bills its offering as an ‘endless’ cruise, starting all over again once this trip finishes in November 2027.

The ship will be replaced every 15 years, but passengers can effectively become full-time cruisers for the rest of their lives.

This time around, the journey will kick off with a tour of Northern Europe, before heading on to the Caribbean, North and South America, East Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and back round to Europe again.

The itinerary of the cruise has even been meticulously timed so that it stays nice and sunny throughout the entirety of the voyage.

Inside, the Villa Vie Odyssey – which was built in 1993 but has spent the last eight weeks undergoing a swanky makeover – features eight decks with three restaurants, five bars and lounges, and a wraparound promenade where you can watch the world go by.

There’s also a pool with two Jacuzzis, a spa and fitness centre, an entertainment schedule, pickleball court, an ‘interactive culinary centre’ and a library. But if that’s not enough to keep you busy, hopefully visiting 13 out of the 14 Wonders of the World will do the trick.

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‘It is the adventure of a lifetime,’ Jerry added.

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