Save big on Nile sailings
This legendary travel experience might be more wallet-friendly than you think | Credit: TUI River Cruises
How much can I save?
How do I get money off?
Use the code RIVERSALE before the 6th of October to save on select TUI River Cruises departing between the 4th of November 2025 and the 21st of April 2026.*
Why a Nile cruise belongs on your wish list
If you’re lucky enough to set sail on the Nile aboard TUI Al Horeya or the new TUI Bahareya, you’re in for a bucket-list-worthy experience.For many, it ranks among seeing the Northern Lights or travelling on the Orient Express as one of the most coveted travel experiences. After all, you’re sailing routes once traversed by ancient pharaohs, not to mention cultural titans like Agatha Christie.
What are the itineraries like?
The Temple of Horus is remarkably well-preserved
The Nile might be the longest river in the world (depending on who you ask), but that doesn’t mean you have to use up all your annual leave to experience it. TUI River Cruises provides itineraries such as the Legends of the Nile and Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, each lasting just seven nights.Within that time, you’ll find yourself sailing through thousands of years of history, past sacred temples, storied tombs and monuments that have stood for millennia.One particularly fascinating site is the Theban Necropolis, including the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. This is where Ancient Egyptian royalty, such as King Tut and Queen Hatshepsut, were laid to rest in richly decorated rock-cut tombs.The Temple of Horus is another showstopper. This monument of antiquity was almost completely lost to the sands of time – and that’s not poetic licence. It was gradually buried by wind-blown desert sands and Nile silt. It wasn’t until the 1860s that it was excavated and reintroduced to the world as one of the best-preserved sites in Egypt.Beyond the archaeological wonders along the river, a not-to-be-missed experience is riding a felucca, a type of traditional wooden boat that has been used to sail the Nile for centuries.
What are the top ports?
- Luxor
- Edfu
- Kom Ombo
- Aswan
What’s included in a Nile TUI River Cruise?
TUI River Cruises takes an all-inclusive approach to Nile sailings. That starts the moment you arrive at the airport, with direct flights from London or Manchester included, plus both hand luggage and 25 kilos of checked luggage per guest.On board the ship, you’ll enjoy an eminently comfortable cabin along with access to the wellness area, pool and a programme of activities and entertainment. Best of all, a resident Egyptologist is on hand to provide extra insight and context to your voyage.All your food and drink at the bars, restaurant and al fresco dining area are also part of the package. That includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks such as draught beer, local spirits, cocktails and local coffee.On shore, two excursions are included, to destinations like Kom Ombo Temple and the Temple of Horus. A wider choice of optional tours is also available for an extra cost. One much-talked-about example is a hot air balloon ride over the ancient city of Luxor.
When is a good time to go?
The Nile is a great choice for winter sun | Credit: TUI River Cruises
Late autumn, winter and early spring are generally considered the best times to sail the Nile. That’s because the weather is milder than the summer months, when blistering heatwaves are common and the mercury frequently pushes 40C. Instead, balmy daytime highs hover in the 20s, complemented by ample sunshine. In other words, it’s a welcome contrast to the grey skies of a British winter, but it’s cool enough that you can explore ancient wonders without feeling like you’re about to melt.
Explore Europe from the water
You can have your pick of six different TUI ships sailing European waterways | Credit: TUI River Cruises
How much can I save?
How do I get money off?
Use the code RIVERSALE before the 6th of October to save on select TUI River Cruises departing between the 22nd of March and the 3rd of November 2026.*
Why a European river cruise belongs on your wish list
A river cruise is an excellent way to explore Europe. Firstly, you can experience a whole range of ports in as little as a week. For example, on the Danube, you can visit three different old-world capitals, on top of scenic sailing through lush valleys and storybook villages.Secondly, there’s an extraordinary variety of waterways to choose from, so you can tailor your voyage to what excites you most. Wine aficionados are frequently drawn to the Moselle, while sailing the Dutch and Belgian waterways stands out for art lovers, thanks to museums dedicated to the likes of Van Gogh and Rembrandt.
What are the itineraries like?
Fairytale-esque scenes await along the Danube
Expect an impressive range of seven-night sailings on a variety of European rivers, including the Danube, Rhine, Moselle and Dutch and Belgian waterways, as well as a selection of extended sailings that combine multiple waterways.What you experience along the way depends on which river you choose, but generally, there’s plenty to appeal to gourmets, nature lovers, history buffs and more.Capitals like Amsterdam, Vienna, Budapest and more promise labyrinthine cobbled streets, gilded cafés, opera houses and world-class museums. Meanwhile, medieval towns like Cochem and Melk reveal fairytale-esque castles, abbeys and squares.
What are the top ports?
- Danube: Passau in Germany; Linz, Krems and Vienna in Austria; Bratislava in Slovakia; Budapest in Hungary; and Belgrade in Serbia.
- Rhine: Basel in Switzerland; Koblenz and Cologne in Germany; and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
- Moselle: Cochem, Trier and Boppard in Germany.
- Dutch and Belgian waterways: Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands; Ghent and Antwerp in Belgium.
What’s included in a European TUI River Cruise?
Itineraries include flights from a wide selection of UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle. Hand luggage and 23-kilo checked bags are also covered, which means you have space for any treasures that catch your eye on your voyage.Once aboard your ship, Full Board Plus is included. That means breakfast with tea, coffee and juice, plus lunch and dinner served with house wine, beer and soft drinks.There’s also the option to upgrade to all-inclusive, which covers extras such as speciality coffees, branded spirits and cocktails.
When is the best time to go?
Tulips in every imaginable shade bloom in Amsterdam in spring
The best time to go depends on the river you choose and what you want from the experience. The warmer months have an undeniable appeal.Spring on the Dutch and Belgian waterways means witnessing a tapestry of multi-coloured tulips. Summer on the Danube means bustling beer gardens and open-air festivals. Early autumn is when grapes are harvested from the golden vineyards on the banks of the Moselle.TUI River Cruises has a broad range of dates on offer, so you can pick the voyage that suits you best. If you want something really special, look to summer 2026 sailings on TUI Aria. You’ll be among the first to travel on the newest ship in the fleet and enjoy its enviable pool.
*T&Cs: Click here for full terms and conditions.
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Appeared first on: Worldofcruising.co.uk
