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TUI Cruises Fleet

The list of tui cruise line’s ships.

Currently, the TUI cruise line’s fleet consists of 10 ships . The newest cruise ship is Mein Schiff 9 , whereas the oldest one is represented by Mein Schiff Herz . She was built in 1997

Mein Schiff 9

Gross Tonnage 161,000 gt

Mein Schiff 7

Gross Tonnage 111,500 gt

Mein Schiff 8

Class: Mein Schiff

Mein Schiff 2

Mein Schiff 1

Mein Schiff 6

Gross Tonnage 99,800 gt

Mein Schiff 5

Gross Tonnage 98,785 gt

Mein Schiff 4

Gross Tonnage 99,526 gt

Mein Schiff 3

Class: Century

Mein Schiff Herz

Gross Tonnage 77,713 gt

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TUI Cruises

All information about tui cruises. 2024, 2025 and 2026 itinerary of company's ships. technical data, rating and reviews of tourists. the actual location of the vessels..

TUI Cruises is a cruise line based in Germany. It was formed in 2007 as a joint venture between the German tourism company TUI AG and the American cruise line operator Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., both of whom hold a 50% stake in the company. The company started operations in 2009 and competes with AIDA Cruises for the German market. It targets German-speaking customers who opt for a premium cruise experience. The onboard product, including food, entertainment and amenities, is custom-tailored for German tastes and German is the main language used onboard its ships. In February 2020 TUI announced the purchase of Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten. The take over was completed in July 2020. Due to lack of new-building capacity, TUI Cruises started by acquiring the cruise ship Celebrity Galaxy, which was built by Meyer Werft and was owned by another RCCL subsidiary, Celebrity Cruises. She left the Celebrity fleet on 16 March 2009.[4] After acquiring Celebrity Galaxy, the ship headed to Lloyd Werft shipyards in Bremerhaven, Germany. She arrived on 27 March 2009, and received a €50 million, 38-day conversion to upgrade her facilities to suit a German-speaking market. After the conversion, she was re-christened on 15 May 2009 in Hamburg, Germany bearing her new name, Mein Schiff (My Ship). TUI planned to build two 2,500-passenger, 100,000-GT cruise ships in 2011 and 2012. On May 27, 2010, it was announced that another Century-class ship, Celebrity Mercury, would become the latest addition to TUI's fleet, renamed Mein Schiff 2. Due to this Mein Schiff was immediately renamed Mein Schiff 1. Mein Schiff 2 entered service with TUI in February 2011 after its extensive refurbishment, with the addition of more verandas, an expanded fitness area and design elements which are also found on Mein Schiff 1. TUI and STX Finland announced a contract on 27 September 2011 to build a 97,000-GT vessel named Mein Schiff 3, which was delivered in 2014. The vessel is approximately 295 metres (968 ft) long and approximately 36 metres (118 ft) wide.[9] The ship has 1,250 staterooms, most of which have balconies, with a capacity of 2,500 passengers and a crew of 1,000. The ship includes several restaurants, a theatre, spa and nightclub. The contract included an option to build a second ship, dependent on the approval of TUI Cruises shareholders. It was announced on November 5, 2012 that TUI had taken up the second option for the sister ship to the Mein Schiff 3, to be named Mein Schiff 4. On April 22, 2014, Mein Schiff 3 entered service. In March 2015, Royal Caribbean International announced that they had agreed to sell Splendour of the Seas to TUI Cruises in the second quarter of 2016, and that TUI would lease the ship to Thomson Cruises to replace the Island Escape. In May 2015, TUI Group announced that as part of their modernization strategy, Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 would be transferred to Thomson Cruises over the next few years, as a result, 2 replacement ships neue Mein Schiff 1 and neue Mein Schiff 2 were ordered. On January 15, Mein Schiff 5 was launched. On April 28, Mein Schiff 6's was laid down.

TUI Cruises ships

Year built: 1997

Length: 866 ft / 264 m

Passengers: 1912

Overall Rating: 2.49 (place: #249)

Year built: 2018

Length: 1037 ft / 316 m

Passengers: 2534

Overall Rating: 3.59 (place: #89)

Year built: 2019

Overall Rating: 3.65 (place: #79)

Year built: 2014

Length: 961 ft / 293 m

Passengers: 2506

Overall Rating: 3.57 (place: #92)

Year built: 2015

Overall Rating: 3.26 (place: #135)

Year built: 2016

Overall Rating: 3.36 (place: #120)

Year built: 2017

Length: 968 ft / 295 m

Overall Rating: 3.49 (place: #104)

Year built: 2024

Overall Rating: 4.35 (place: #10)

TUI Cruises in the News

• May 21, 2024 TUI's Mein Schiff 7 embarks on inaugural sea trials ahead of June debut TUI Cruises' newest vessel, Mein Schiff 7, reached a significant milestone this week as she embar...
• Apr 18, 2024 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...
• Mar 15, 2024 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 itinerari...
• Mar 10, 2024 Emirates renews partnership with TUI Cruises to boost Dubai's cruise tourism hub status Emirates has reaffirmed Dubai's position as a premier hub for cruise tourism by extending its col...
• Jan 30, 2024 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 f...
• Jan 19, 2024 TUI Cruises reveals plans for 3 new ships TUI Cruises, a collaboration between Royal Caribbean and TUI AG, has unveiled plans for the const...
• Dec 30, 2023 Fincantieri secures $461M 'Green' Loan for construction of innovative Mein Schiff Relax cruise ship Fincantieri has entered into a 'green' construction loan agreement, securing up to US$461 million...
• Dec 23, 2023 Hamburg Port concludes 2023 cruise season with record-breaking visits from AIDAnova Hamburg Port is concluding its 2023 cruise season with a notable finale featuring two visits from...
• Dec 3, 2023 TUI's Mein Schiff 7 launched at Meyer Turku shipyard marks milestone in Green Transition The construction of Mein Schiff 7, underway at the Meyer Turku shipyard, reached a milestone as t...
• Nov 29, 2023 First InTUItion class ship Mein Schiff Relax launched at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard The launch event for Mein Schiff Relax, the inaugural vessel of the InTUItion class - a series of...
• Nov 1, 2023 Port Funchal (Madeira) receives 3 cruise ships on a single day Port Funchal (Madeira Island Portugal) accommodated 3 cruise ships on Monday, October 30. This ar...
• Oct 18, 2023 TUI's first InTUItion Class ship to be named Mein Schiff Relax/fka Schiff 8 TUI Cruises has revealed that its 8th vessel (Schiff 8) in the Mein Schiff fleet - a newbuild fro...
• Sep 14, 2023 TUI's cruise ship Mein Schiff 4 enters restricted area in the Baltic Sea German authorities have initiated an investigation into an incident involving TUI Cruises' ship M...
• Sep 3, 2023 VIKAND partners with TUI Cruises to provide biomedical services for 11 ships VIKAND Solutions (Dania Beach Florida-based medical group specializing in maritime healthcare) ha...
• Jul 26, 2023 TUI Cruises' ship Mein Schiff 4 integrates sustainable biofuel into operations In a notable step towards achieving carbon-neutral cruising, TUI Cruises' vessel, Mein Schiff 4, ...

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TUI Marella Cruises

• Mein Schiff 1
• Mein Schiff 2
• Mein Schiff 3
• Mein Schiff 4
• Mein Schiff 5
• Mein Schiff 6
• Thomson Celebration / Marella Celebration
• TUI Discovery / Marella Discovery
• TUI Discovery 2 / Marella Discovery 2
• TUI Explorer / Marella Explorer
• TUI Explorer 2 / Marella Explorer 2

Marella Cruises, Ships by Size – Photo Guide and Reviews

There are currently five cruise ships in the Marella Cruises fleet.

I’ve cruised many times with Marella and during this post, we’re going to look at the positives and negatives of each ship.

We will be looking at the ships by size, starting with the smallest and working our way up to the largest.

Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2

Marella Discovery and her sister Marella Discovery 2 are the smallest ships in the fleet.

The ships were both built for Royal Caribbean and were built to the same design.

For the purpose of this article, I will be talking about the two ships together – since there is very little that differentiates the two.

Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 – History

The Marella Discovery was built in 1996 as “Splendour of the Seas” for Royal Caribbean. The Marella Discovery 2 was built in 1995 as “Legend of the Seas.”

At the time of launch, the cruise ships were some of the biggest and most exciting cruise ships at sea.

They were over twice the size of any other Royal Caribbean cruise ship sailing in Europe at the time – but by today’s standards the ships are mid-sized.

There are some features onboard which are very “Royal Caribbean-like” and will be evident to anybody who has cruised with Royal Caribbean before. The bar around the funnel is a great example of this.

The below commercial from the 1990s shows the cruise ship as she originally was designed. I love the outfits and hairstyles in this video!

Marella Discovery Cruise Ship Stats:

• Passengers: 1830
• Tonnage: 69,130GT

Marella Discovery and Discovery 2 – Onboard Experience:

Even though the cruise ships are from the 1990s the experience onboard is like that of any other modern cruise ship.

Marella has an ‘all-inclusive’ pricing structure which means that gratuities and drinks are included in the price.

The approach to cruising is generally pretty relaxed and Marella is popular with families, young cruisers, and older passengers too!

The cabins are the only area where I felt the age of the cruise ship.

They just felt a little smaller to me than other cruise ships. That said, the cabins had been refurbished to a really high standard and I had a great time onboard.

Ship Amenities

The ship has an outside pool, inside pool, golf course, and all other amenities which you’d expect to find on a cruise ship.

I spent 2 weeks on the Marella Discovery cruising the Baltics and I was incredibly impressed with the ship.

It felt remarkably spacious, the food and service were brilliant and I loved the laid-back approach to dining and dress codes.

To learn more about what to expect from a Baltic cruise, including what to make sure you pack, check out this post:

  Baltic Cruise Tips: Your Biggest Questions Answered

Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2

Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2 are the next biggest ships in the Marella fleet- both are still ‘mid-sized’ by today’s cruise ship standards.

The two ships are sister ships – meaning that they were built to the same design.

For the purpose of this post, I will be talking about them both in this section since there is very little difference between them.

Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2 History

The Marella Explorer was built in 1996 as “Celebrity Galaxy” for Celebrity Cruises. The Marella Explorer 2 was built in 1995 as “Celebrity Century” for Celebrity Cruises. 

The Marella Explorer was also owned by the German TUI cruise line between the years 2009-2018.

Fun Fact: In 1998,  Galaxy  was the setting of BBC television’s docusoap “ The Cruise ” which made Jane McDonald famous. – source.

Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2 Onboard Experience:

The experience onboard Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2 is very similar to that of any modern cruise ship.

Despite being from the mid-90s there are no telltale signs of the ship’s age.

I’ve been on cruise ships which are only a few years old that look and feel much older than the Marella Explorer.

Cruise Ship Stats

• Passengers: 1924
• Tonnage: 76,998 GT

I took a 90s cruise on the Marella Explorer last year. Although this wasn’t a typical Marella cruise I did manage to film a full ship tour, which you will find below:

The ship has multiple big restaurants, a multi-level atrium, a huge theatre, and a promenade deck which I love.

The ship has been refurbished multiple times since she was originally built and it is evident onboard.

Marella Voyager

Marella Voyager is Marella’s newest ship and largest ship, she joined the fleet in 2023.

Marella Voyager History

She was originally built in 1997 for Celebrity Cruises as “MV Mercury” and later renamed “Celebrity Mercury” in 2008.

In 2011 she joined TUI Cruises, as they are owned by the same parent company as Celebrity – Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited.

She was renamed Mein Schiff 2, and later in January 2019 was renamed again, Mein Schiff Herz, before becoming the Marella Voyager in 2023.

Cruise Ship Stats:

• Passengers: 1912
• Tonnage: 77,303GT

Marella Say:

It set sail for the first time in June 2023 with a bar and restaurant offering that counts up to 10, as well as an indoor cinema, a pool deck – complete with a swimming pool and whirlpools – and a big show lounge. There are plenty of places where you can take in the sea views, too, from the mini golf course at the top of the ship to The Veranda, where cosy Balinese beds point towards the big blue. Marella Cruises

Online Reviews of this ship are good, and most people seem to be impressed by the ship and the staff. The only complaints i could find were some reviewers complaining that the food was repetitive.

I always take reviews with “A pinch of salt” as it is impossible to please everyone!

Which ship should I choose?

I personally have loved all of the ships in the Marella fleet that I have tried – but I have yet to try the Marella Voyager.

I prefer cruising on bigger newer cruise ships, and she is their largest by gross tonnage, so I am keen to give her a go!

If you are sailing with children, you won’t be able to sail on Marella Explorer 2, as it is an adult-only ship.

Why choose Marella?

I am a big fan of the relaxed atmosphere on board, the included drinks, and the budget-friendly prices.

When booking from the UK all flights and transfers are included in the cruise fare, so it makes cruising with Marella a very easy, enjoyable option.

Before You Go

If you are considering a Marella cruise you may be wondering which drinks are included as standard. Find out what is included here:

Marella Cruises All Inclusive Drinks List (and Menus)

Find out about the food served onboard, including real photos, read this article next:

Marella Cruises Food – PHOTOS, Menus and Honest Review

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Rising water levels force tui river cruises to evacuate ship.

Tui River Cruises was forced to evacuate more than 140 passengers on its Tui Isla ship after the vessel ran into difficulties on the Danube where rising water levels have caused issues for several operators. 

In a statement, shared with TTG , the line confirmed there was no damage to the 155-passenger ship and customers were flown home the same day as they were evacuated.  It added that it was continuing to monitor water levels in Deggendorf, Germany, where passengers were evacuated. Maritime tracking site CruiseMapper shows Tui Isla remains docked in Deggendorf.  Local media reported Tui River Cruises passengers were evacuated in groups of between 25 and 30 people using a repurposed work boat. 

Since the incident on Monday (3 June), the line decided to pull the next Rhine Gems sailing on Tui Isla that had been due to depart on Friday (7 June). A Tui River Cruises spokesperson said: “Due to the increased water levels across several areas of the Danube, we’re currently unable to safely sail in these areas. 

“The safety of our customers and crew is our number one priority so we have made the decision to cancel this week’s upcoming Tui Isla itinerary.  

  “We’re continuing to assess the water levels and will be in direct contact with our customers if needed.”

The spokesperson added: “We appreciate how disappointing this news is to our customers and we have given them options to rebook their cruise in the near future or receive a full refund.” 

Avalon Waterways has also reportedly cancelled two sailings on the Danube. A spokesperson for the line told TTG : "Avalon has a history of making every effort to keep cruise itineraries intact. When Mother Nature makes other plans, we present guests with alternate experiences and opportunities to determine how they’d like to navigate their next steps and journey. The majority of our cruises are operating normally." Uniworld confirmed it was monitoring the situation in central Europe and stressed that every cruise line operating in the region was affected. 

"We are actively monitoring the situation and communicating with impacted Uniworld guests and their travel advisors as soon as changes to the embarkation point, sailing schedule, and/or tours are known and confirmed; with solutions being determined on a case-by-case basis," the luxury line said. 

"Due to the changing nature of the situation, we are not always able to provide specific details in advance. Guests can be assured that the operations team is working diligently to provide them with alternatives that meet Uniworld’s strict standards for quality and service, delivering the 5-star experience that they know and expect." 

Viking, meanwhile, shared a statement on its website this week, warning passengers and travel agents that imminent departures on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers could be impacted. 

It said: “Currently, sections of the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers are experiencing high water levels. 

“To varying degrees, these conditions may affect select itineraries. Our Switzerland-based nautical team is continually monitoring the situation and will make any necessary adjustments to accommodate the conditions.” 

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The 3 types of Viking cruise ships, explained

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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Viking is unusual among major cruise lines in that it operates both ocean ships and river ships. Despite this, it has one of the easiest-to-understand fleets.

The vast majority of Viking’s river ships — at last count, there were 80 — feature the same design. If you’ve seen one of them, you’ve seen them all.

Ditto for the line’s ocean ships. Nine of Viking’s 11 ocean ships are nearly identical. The two exceptions are the recently unveiled Viking ocean vessels specifically designed for expedition cruising — a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

As a result, the bulk of Viking’s vessels falls into one of just three groups; all the ships in each group sport nearly identical designs.

An introduction to Viking cruise ships

Viking has expanded enormously in recent years with the addition of dozens of new river and ocean ships.

Founded in 1997 with four river vessels, the company operated just 29 ships as recently as 2012. Now, there are more than 90 ships in its fleet.

The vast majority of these ships are river ships — the company’s sole focus for its first 18 years in business. The company dominates the market for river cruises aimed at North Americans, accounting for about 50% of all such trips.

Starting in 2015, Viking began rolling out ocean cruise ships, too.

In early 2023, as noted above, Viking had 80 river ships in its fleet — almost all of which have the same basic design. The exceptions are a few vessels that Viking operates on rivers in Egypt and Asia (more on these ships below). The line also recently began offering cruises on the Mississippi River and its tributaries using a new type of vessel.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries

Viking’s ocean ships fall into two distinct groups: a series of 930-passenger traditional ocean ships that began debuting in 2015, and a series of 378-passenger expedition ships that began debuting in 2022.

Unlike most cruise lines, Viking doesn’t use the term “classes” to define different sets of ships in its fleet. Instead, it refers to its series of traditional ocean ships as the “Viking ocean ships” and its series of expedition ships as the “Viking expedition ships.” We’ve followed the same breakdown of the line’s ocean and river fleet below.

Viking ocean ships

Ships: Viking Saturn (2023), Viking Neptune (2022), Viking Mars (2022), Viking Venus (2021), Viking Jupiter (2019), Viking Orion (2018), Zhao Shang Yi Dun (2017), Viking Sky (2017), Viking Sea (2016) and Viking Star (2015).

Size: 47,800 tons.

For years, Viking only operated river ships, and some cruisers still think of the brand primarily as a river cruise company. However, since 2015, Viking has been rapidly rolling out a series of upscale ocean vessels; these new additions are increasingly dominating the world of higher-end ocean cruising.

As of June 2023, Viking has nine ships sailing the world’s oceans, each with a capacity for 930 passengers. That gives Viking 8,370 berths in the upscale ocean cruise market — more than competitors Oceania Cruises and Azamara combined.

The series is far from finished. Six more of the vessels are on order from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for delivery between 2024 and 2028, and the company also has options with Fincantieri for four more of the ships to debut in 2029 and 2030. Assuming they are all built, Viking’s ocean division will soon be bigger than Oceania, Azamara, Seabourn and Silversea Cruises  combined.

The first thing to know about the ships in this series is that they all are pretty much identical. When sailing on any one of them, you will be hard-pressed to tell what is different.

They’re also quite upscale. While Viking doesn’t market itself as a luxury line, some still consider it so. The vessels are full of luxury touches, from sumptuous bedding in cabins to heated floors in cabin bathrooms.

Related: The complete guide to Viking cabins and suites

Each of the ships in this series has a stylish, Scandinavian-influenced design that is a Viking trademark, and the cabins are large by cruise ship standards. Even the smallest cabins on each of the vessels have 270 square feet of space — a generous amount. Many cabins are significantly bigger than that, with 14 two-room suites on each of the vessels ranging in size from 757 to 1,448 square feet. Many of these bigger suites offer sweeping views from wrap-around private balconies.

Each of the ships’ interior spaces is built around an elegant, three-deck-high atrium filled with comfortable seating areas that have a living room-like feel. Each also has a bar and guest relations desk. At the top of the ships, you’ll find two-deck-high, glass-walled lounges that offer stunning views over the bow. Other interior spaces include a fitness center and a stylish spa with a thermal suite area that is open to all passengers at no extra charge (something that is not common on cruise vessels).

Multiple restaurants on board each of the vessels include Italian eatery Manfredi’s (named after former Silversea owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, a friend of Viking founder Torstein Hagen) and The Chef’s Table. The latter features rotating themed menus.

The centerpiece of the top deck of each of the ships is the main pool area, which features a glass magrodome that can close during inclement weather. The main pool area on each of the ships sits next to a lovely, glass-topped lounge with comfortable seating called the Wintergarden, which is home to afternoon tea. A den of serenity, it’s one of our favorite places on these vessels.

A secondary pool area with an infinity pool is at the back of each of the ships.

While all of the ships in this series are essentially identical, you will find small differences on a few of them. Most notably, two of the vessels in the series — Viking Orion and Viking Jupiter — have a small planetarium built into the top level of the two-level lounge at their fronts (known as the Explorers’ Lounge). Some of the later ships in the series have slightly larger fitness centers and slightly smaller hair salons.

Note that in addition to the nine Viking ocean ships officially in the Viking fleet, a 10th ship from the same series, Zhao Shang Yi Dun, caters exclusively to the China market as part of a joint venture between Viking and a Chinese company. When it debuted in 2017, the ship originally catered to the North American market and was called Viking Sun.

Viking river ships

Ships: Viking Fjorgyn (2022), Viking Kari (2022), Viking Radgrid (2022), Viking Skaga (2022) and more than 60 other Longships built since 2012, as well as additional river vessels.

Size: 4,000 to 5,000 tons.

River ships originally put Viking on the map, and they’re still at the core of the brand.

As noted above, the line has 80 river ships in its fleet. The vast majority of them have the same basic design and are known as Longships — a reference to the historic vessels used by Vikings in the Middle Ages.

Unveiled in 2012 and designed specifically to fit into the locks used across many of Europe’s rivers, the Longships broke new ground in river ship design in multiple ways.

For starters, they have a configuration that includes some of the largest suites ever for river ships in Europe. They also have a significant number of cabins with balconies — which is made possible by an innovative cabin area layout that offsets main corridors. (In other words, the corridors don’t run down the middle of the ship, creating a wider side with space for balconies and a narrower side with cabins turned sideways to also create room for verandas.)

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s cruise loyalty program

Other innovations include a squared-off bow that allows for eight more cabins than similarly sized ships operated by competitors. Also, quieter engines allow for more cabins at the rear. An enormous amount of groundbreaking engineering went into redesigning the bow areas of the ships, in particular, to enable extra cabins while still leaving room for needed machinery.

As a result of such innovations, the Viking Longships can carry more passengers than similarly sized ships operated by competitors. This has allowed Viking to offer lower prices than other river cruise lines and still bring in a similar amount of revenue per ship — a fact that has contributed greatly to the company’s rapid growth.

Like many river ships, each of the Viking Longships has one main restaurant where most passengers eat their meals as well as one main interior lounge with a bar. There’s also a secondary, casual dining area at the front of each vessel with indoor and outdoor seating. (The outdoor portion, called the Aquavit Terrace, also serves as a forward-facing outdoor lounge during off hours.) Unlike many river ships, the vessels have no spas or fitness centers.

As is typical for river ships, the top of every Viking Longship is covered with an expansive lounge area. There’s also a walking track and an herb garden — the latter used by the kitchen staff to grow herbs used during the preparation of onboard meals.

Most Viking Longships are 443 feet long — the perfect length to fit into the locks on many of Europe’s rivers. Viking also built slightly smaller versions of the Longships, measuring 361 feet or 410 feet in length, specifically to sail on rivers where lock sizes or other navigational factors require smaller vessels. The 410-foot-long versions of the vessels, for instance, were specifically built to sail into the heart of Paris on the Seine River.

Related: Fast-growing Viking unveils four new ships for the Seine

While the Longships come in several different lengths, they are essentially identical in their offerings and decor. The only notable difference is that the smaller versions of the ships have fewer cabins and thus hold fewer people. The 443-foot-long versions of the ship are designed for 190 passengers, for example, whereas the 410-foot-long versions of the vessels hold 168 passengers (since they have 11 fewer cabins).

While most Viking river ships are Longships, there are a few exceptions in the Viking river fleet. Viking operates several smaller, purpose-built vessels on the Nile River in Egypt. It also has several older river vessels that predate the Longships and traditionally have operated on rivers in Russia and Ukraine. (For now, river cruise itineraries in both countries are on hold due to the war in Ukraine.)

Viking also recently began sailings on the Mississippi River with a new ship specifically designed for the river and its tributaries.

As of May 2023, Viking had another 14 river ships either under construction or on order via provisional contracts.

Related: First look at Viking’s stylish new Nile River ship

Viking expedition ships

Ships: Viking Polaris (2022) and Viking Octantis (2022).

Size: 30,150 tons.

Designed to hold just 378 passengers, the Viking expedition ships are specifically designed to take travelers to the most off-the-beaten-path parts of the world, including Antarctica and the Arctic.

As of now, Viking operates just two ships in the series, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, both of which debuted in 2022 . No more are currently on order.

As is typical for expedition ships, these are tough vessels with reinforced bows that let them bump through ice in polar regions; the ships also have extra tanks for fuel and food.

Each of these vessels has its own landing craft on board to bring people ashore in remote locations, as well as kayaks and even submarines for exploring. (The latter is the hot new thing for expedition ships — upscale cruise brands Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Seabourn have been adding submarines to expedition ships , too.)

Like other expedition ships, both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are designed to operate with a large and seasoned “expedition team” that includes biologists, botanists, geologists, glaciologists and ornithologists who lecture regularly.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking ship

Each of the vessels has several new and unusual features, too. Most notable is The Hangar: an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to a 12-seat excursion craft while still in the protected interior of the ship. It’s a first for an expedition cruise ship.

In another first for a polar expedition cruise vessel, every cabin has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel.

Both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are designed to be upscale. Like all Viking’s vessels, they boast elegant Scandinavian designs. The restaurants on both vessels include a version of Viking’s signature Italian spot, Manfredi’s and the Scandinavian-inspired Mamsen’s outlet.

Another feature of both ships that will be familiar to regular Viking customers is a top-of-the-ship, glass-walled Explorers’ Lounge offering stunning views of passing scenery.

In case you’re curious, Viking Octantis is named after Sigma Octantis, the current “south star” that hovers over the South Pole (also known as Polaris Australis). Polaris is named after the current “north star” that hovers over the North Pole. The names are a nod to the polar regions where these expedition ships will likely spend much of their time.

Bottom line

Viking operates more cruise vessels than any other major cruise company catering to North Americans. This is in part because it’s involved in both the ocean cruise and river cruise businesses. Despite its large size, its fleet of vessels is relatively easy to understand. The vast majority of both its ocean ships and river ships are almost identical in their designs.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

• CruiseMapper
• TUI Cruises

Former names: TUI Allegra (2011), Excellence Allegra

Cruise line TUI River Cruises (TUI Cruises)

TUI Isla current position

TUI Isla current location is at Europe Inland (coordinates 48.83128 N / 12.94293 E) cruising en route to FRANKFURT. The AIS position was reported 1 minute ago.

Specifications of TUI Isla

•   Review
•   Wiki

TUI Isla Review

Review of tui isla.

The 2020-built/2022-inaugurated TUI Isla cruise ship, like the sisterships Maya and Skyla , is a riverboat owned by TUI AG and operated by its subsidiary company "TUI UK and Ireland". The new brand "TUI River Cruises" (tui.co.uk/river-cruises) was established in 2019 and targets predominantly the UK's passenger sourcing. The 3 TUI boats were officially launched in 2020 following extensive drydock refit (and complete refurbishment) projects. However, due to the Coronavirus crisis, the brand's inauguration was postponed for ~1,5 years (August 2021 instead of the planned March 2020).

The vessel (ENI number 4809190) was launched in 2011 (originally named "TUI Allegra") being built by P+S WERFTEN GmbH (shipyard in Stralsund Germany ) and with original passenger capacity 188. Its initial owner was Premicon Flussreisen GmbH ( Limassol Cyprus -based river shipowner). When chartered by Excellence River Cruises, the ship was named "Excellence Allegra". TUI Allegra's sisterships were TUI Sonata (now TUI SKYLA) and TUI Melodia (fka Excellence Melodia, now TUI MAYA).

The boat TUI Isla is currently Malta- flagged (MMSI 215441000) and registered in Valletta .

TUI River Cruises (company/brand history and ownership)

TUI River Cruises ( fleet ) is a separate company part (fully-owned subsidiary) of TUI AG (British-German travel and tourism corporation). Part of TUI Group is also TUI Cruises - a UK-based joint venture cruise company (50-50) of TUI AG and RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (USA-based passenger shipping company). TUI started cruise shipping operations in 2009, targeting predominantly the German-speaking market with a premium travel vacation product. German and English are the main onboard languages on all TUI Schiffs (ships). TUI's sister-brands are Marella Cruises UK and Hapag-Lloyd-Cruises .

TUI's newest travel brand offers adults-only riverboat travel experiences with the ultimate flexibility to create luxury sailing vacations with a choice of optional packages. TUI UK's customers are able to add to the shipboard basis shore excursions (land tours), beverages (beer, wine, soft drinks with all meals) or premium drinks package. TUI's new cruise company also provides some of the industry's most spacious staterooms (including Suites with step-out balconies) and the most extravagant Sundeck areas currently available on the European market.

The German corporation TUI AG (shipowner) announced in April 2019 that it had acquired 3 riverboats for its new UK-focused brand "TUI River Cruises". The new company was due to start operations in 2020-Q2 (summer), complementing TUI's UK brand Marella.

Bookings on TUI's riverboats were opened on April 25, 2019.

In December 2019, TUI signed an exclusive partnership with Live Business UK (one of Europe's largest entertainment program developers and suppliers) for TUI River Cruises. 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.

TUI Isla ship was officially christened on March 28, 2022, by godmother Courtney Smith (retail homeworker, with TUI Cruises since 2017).

Decks and Cabins

TUI Isla staterooms (79 total, on 3 decks out of 4 ) are in 2 types and 9 categories, contemporary decorated, with King-size double beds (convertible to two twins / lower single beds), mirrored vanity tables (writing desks) armchairs, low tables with lounge chairs, modern large slide-opening wardrobes, electronic safe box (in the closet), smart HDTV (satellite reception, ship info channel with daily scheduled activities, real-time camera views), 220 V power sockets, en-suite bathroom (single-sink vanity, WC-toilet, glass shower, hairdryer, slippers, bathrobes), individually controlled air-conditioning.

Most staterooms are double-occupancy. Suites are triple-occupancy (fitted with corner sofabeds) and additionally have mini-bar (fridge) and two French Balconies. All Lower Deck cabins are with porthole windows (two non-opening, round-shaped windows per cabin) located near the ceiling (riverside, at water level). All staterooms on Main-Middle and Upper decks are French Balcony cabins with floor-ceiling (wall-to-wall) windows slide-opening to a railing (false balcony).

• French Balcony Suite (Decks 2-3) are sized 24 m2 (260 ft2) and feature King-size bed (convertible), bigger bathroom, sofabed, separate dressing area.
• Superior French Balcony Cabin (Decks 2-3) are sized 15 m2 (160 ft2) and each fitted with King-size bed (convertible to twins).
• French Balcony Cabin (Decks 2-3) are sized 12 m2 (130 ft2) and have a fixed double bed (non-convertible).
• Superior Cabin (Deck 1) is sized 15 m2 (160 ft2) and has King-size bed (convertible to 2 single beds).
• Standard Cabin (Deck 2) is sized 12 m2 (130 ft2) and has a full-sized window (non-opening) and fixed double bed (non-convertible).
• Standard Cabin (Deck 1) is sized 12 m2 (130 ft2) and has a fixed double bed and two Porthole windows.
• Single Cabin (Deck 1) and French Balcony Single Cabin (Deck 2) are sized 12 m2 (130 ft2) and fitted with a single bed, desk and lounge chair.

Shipboard facilities

Isla Atrium is the ship's main hub. The Lobby area houses the Reception (24-hour Guest Services Desk/assistance, luggage, cashier) and the Cruise Manager's/Director's Office (itinerary information, excursion bookings, future cruise booking). At the Library Lounge can be played popular board games. The Boutique Shop sells TUI-logoed merchandise, handmade souvenirs and premium brand gifts.

Ship's Sun Deck (top deck) is zoned, with dedicated areas for activities, sunbathing and relaxation. This large-sized open-air deck features BBQ (space for barbecues), Herb Garden, premium garden sofas, sunbathing area (with deckchairs, sunbeds and daybeds). The activities' area is dedicated to outdoor group classes, including stretching, pilates, yoga. Also on Sun Deck are ship's Navigation Bridge (called "Wheelhouse" on riverboats and smaller ships) and awnings. All structures are retractable and lowered when passing under low bridges.

TUI Isla boat's deckplan as facilities shows:

• Lower Deck 1: Cruise Cabins, staff and crew cabins
• Main Deck 2: Cruise Cabins, Lobby (Reception), Health and Wellbeing Zone (fore-located, with large whirlpool, Sauna, Gym, treatment rooms for massages)
• Upper Deck 3: Bistro, Verdastro, Club Lounge, Observatory, Terrace
• Sun Deck 4: BBQ, Lounge, Relax, Herb Garden

The Isla ship has two main restaurants - Verdastro (for seasonal dishes and with daily changing menu) and Bistro (casual dining venue) both located aft on Upper Deck.

• Verdastro (Main Dining Room/MDR) has a stylish green-and-gold color scheme. The venue offers buffet-style breakfast and lunch, while dinner is an a la carte, waiter-served affair. All meals are prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers. Tables are available for two, four or six guests.
• The Bistro (adjacent to Verdastro) is more casual and provides an alternative dining option. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Passengers can choose from a la carte menu or sample the daily buffet food offerings.
• Alfresco dining is available on Sun Deck's BBQ area. Weather permitting, there the crew organizes outdoor dining events, such as light lunches and barbecues. Passengers can get drinks up there, too.

Full Board Plus is standard which means that 3 meals and drinks at mealtimes are part of the cruise package. Premium coffee and cocktails are not included as part of the line's standard dining package. Passengers have to upgrade to a premium drinks package or pay extra.

The Club Lounge is specialized in coffee by day, cocktails by night, and boasts with its digital fireplace, brass fittings, plush navy chairs, and mirrored tables. Alternatively, the Observatory offers a pretty terrace to the table and nightly entertainment ranging from musicians to guest acts, such as comedians. The Observatory lounge features widescreen windows, an outdoor terrace, comfy sofas and heaters.

Itineraries

TUI Isla operates on river cruisetour itineraries in Germany, Holland and also cruises on the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Year-round departures are offered from homeports in Germany ( Passau and Frankfurt ) and The Netherlands ( Amsterdam) .

TUI River Cruises itineraries are themed as:

• 7-day "Bavarian Discovery" cruise (March-June 2020), from Passau to Frankfurt, visiting Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Marktbreit, Wurzburg, Miltenberg, Wertheim. Prices started from GBP 1240 per person.
• 7-day "Bavarian Discovery 2" cruise (March-May 2020) from Frankfurt to Passau visits Wertheim, Wurzburg, Marktbreit, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg. Prices started from GBP 1640 per person.
• 7-day "Rhine Gems" cruise (April-May 2020) roundtrip from Frankfurt visits Koblenz, Mainz, Mannheim, Kehl, Rastatt, Rudesheim. Prices started from GBP 1340 per person.
• 7-day "The Moselle Valley: Vines and Views" cruise (April-May 2020) roundtrip from Frankfurt visits Koblenz, Bernkastel-Kues, Trier, Piesport, Traben-Trarbach, Cochem, Boppard, Oberwesel. Prices started from GBP 1440 per person.
• 7-day "Marvels of the Main" cruise (April 2020) roundtrip from Frankfurt visits Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Marktbreit, Wertheim. Prices started from GBP 1390 per person.

Shore excursions range from active tours for adventurers, sightseeing city tours (led by local expert guides) to bicycle tours (with complimentary premium bikes carried on the ship). TUI offers GBP 120 OBC (credit) to any tour bookings, allowing customers the opportunity to tailor their holidays to dates/times and their personal preferences. All gratuities (onboard and ashore tips) and service charges are included in the river cruise fares.

TUI Isla - user reviews and comments

Photos of tui isla.

TUI Isla ship related cruise news

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Other TUI River Cruises cruise ships

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TUI Isla Wiki

TUI Isla (ENI number 4809190) belongs to the TwinCruiser boat type, in which passenger sections are structurally separated from the drive unit. TwinCruiser-class riverboats have two separate hulls linked to each other by clutches. The advantage of such separation is that the transmission of vibrations and noises can be mostly avoided.

The vessel TUI Isla is powered by two MTU marine diesel engines (model 12V-4000 M60) with total power output 1,6 MW. The engine builder MTU Friedrichshafen is a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Power Systems and among the world's largest manufacturers of diesel engines and propulsion systems. MTU produces diesel engines for ships (passenger and cargo vessels), heavy vehicles, military vehicles and trains in the power range 20 kW to 10 MW (up to 13410 HP output) and also sells Mercedes-Benz engines for industrial applications and gas turbines.

The riverboat's propulsion system is based on two 4-wing Veth rudder propellers plus one bow thruster (Jastram Azimuth Jet). Onboard energy supply is provided by three diesel generator sets (310 kVA, model Cummins KT-1150-G).

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.