TUI River Cruises launched the first of its 3 adult-only river ships following the delay due to the COVID crisis.
Originally scheduled to commence voyages last spring, 155-passenger TUI Maya was christened on the Rhine River on Thursday evening, August 12, by godmother Catherine Hawkins who is a college exams officer from Barnsley.
Also present for the christening ceremony was the illustrator from London, TUI Skyla’s godmother Rosie Brooks. The travel giant started its nationwide search for riverboat godmothers in early 2020, with 750+ applications, choosing both Rosie and Catherine due to their love of exploration.
TUI Skyla was scheduled to set sail later this year, but earlier this week TUI posted on its website it had taken the “difficult decision” to temporarily reduce its fleet size and TUI Skyla would no longer be sailing this summer.
The cruise brand has now confirmed that Maya will be the only riverboat sailing in 2021, with TUI Skyla and TUI Isla each to commence European sailings in March 2022.
All 3 TUI riverboats are sisterships and similarly ("contemporary and stylish") designed. TUI Maya has 79 cabins, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, a wellness area. There are 7 cabin types – including 3 solo cabins and several french balcony staterooms. There are no single-use plastic onboard and passengers are encouraged to use the ‘Navigate’ app in order to minimize paper.
As part of TUI’s river cruise package offering, guests are given up to GBP 120 excursion credit per week. TUI also recently announced the ‘Satisfaction Promise’, where if vacationers are not happy with their trip and an issue can not be resolved they can get their money back.
The offer is applicable on new and existing cruises until October 25, 2021.
TUI Maya is setting off on her inaugural 7-night sailing on Sunday, August 15.