TUI River Cruises first! New Danube holidays revealed to Serbia & Croatia

TUI River Cruises is expanding its winter programme in a big way for 2026 and 2027, unveiling 33 new itineraries across Europe and Egypt.

Going on sale from 3 July 2025, the collection features brand-new Danube river cruises to Serbia and Croatia, along with festive sailings on the Rhine and the return of Nile cruises in Egypt.

New TUI River Cruises Danube cruises

One of the headline additions is the launch of new Danube cruise itineraries aboard TUI Isla, calling at Belgrade and other cities in Serbia and Croatia. These are the first TUI river cruises to include the Balkan region and will allow guests to explore lesser-visited parts of the Danube in the cooler months.

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TUI River Cruises Rhine Christmas Market Cruises

TUI Aria, the fleet’s newest and largest river ship, will sail her first winter season with festive cruises along the Rhine. Popular itineraries such as ‘Mistletoe and Rhine’ and ‘North Rhine Noel’ will take guests to some of Europe’s most atmospheric Christmas markets in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Stops include Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Cologne, Koblenz and Boppard – ideal for travellers looking to enjoy mulled wine, festive treats and traditional market stalls against the backdrop of historic cities.

TUI River Cruises New Year cruises in Belgrade

One of the standout itineraries is ‘New Year on the Danube’ aboard TUI Isla. This sailing invites guests to ring in the New Year in Belgrade, Serbia, and visit the city’s impressive Christmas markets and party spots. The itinerary also includes classic Danube cities like Vienna and Budapest, combining culture and celebration in one trip.

– READ MORE: Inside TUI’s newest, largest river cruise ship –

TUI River Cruises flight programme expanded

To support the expanded winter 2026 river cruise schedule, TUI will add a second flight each week from London Gatwick to Vienna. These flights will serve itineraries aboard TUI Isla and TUI Maya. Additional options are available via partner airlines flying into key ports such as Basel and Amsterdam.

TUI Aria itineraries accessible via these new flight routes include ‘Rhine Explorer’, ‘Rhine Explorer 2’ and ‘Southern Rhine Delights’ — perfect for guests after a scenic winter cruise without the crowds.

TUI River Cruises short Winter river cruises

TUI is also introducing new four- to seven-night cruises to offer more flexibility over the festive season. These include the new four-night ‘Yuletide Getaway’ on TUI Isla, visiting Vienna, Linz and Bratislava, and the week-long ‘East Danube Explorer’ featuring highlights of Eastern Europe.

A total of 11 festive sailings will run across TUI Aria, TUI Isla, TUI Maya and TUI Skyla. Itineraries include ‘East Danube Christmas Charm’, visiting Vienna, Esztergom, Budapest and Bratislava, and ‘Rhine Festive Flavours’ on TUI Skyla with stops in Cologne, Frankfurt and Rüdesheim.

– READ MORE: What to pack for a river cruise holiday –