TUI River Cruises Faces Dozens of Complaints Over Broken AC on £4,000 European Trips
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 20
TUI River Cruises Faces Dozens of Complaints Over Broken AC on £4,000 European Trips
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 20
Summary
Dozens of passengers told the BBC that TUI River Cruises kept selling sailings on the Skyla and Isla despite broken air conditioning, plumbing faults and other onboard problems during European trips costing thousands of pounds.
£4,000 paid by one couple for a seven-day June cruise on the Skyla brought stifling cabins, hot-air blowers in corridors and a late hotel transfer; TUI offered them £300 and 72 hours to accept.
2025 and 2026 complaints span both vessels, with passengers describing sewage smells, failed toilets, erratic showers and restaurants so hot that some travelers slept on the roof for relief.
TUI said unexpected technical issues and extreme heat had strained air-conditioning systems, while low Danube water levels also disrupted some itineraries with coach transfers replacing sailing.
This winter, TUI said it will invest in fleetwide air-conditioning upgrades after apologizing to customers whose cruises fell short of its standards.