PL ANNER PERSPECTI VE Sailing to the heart of the destination TUI River Cruises’ Katy Berzins tells Rebecca Gibson about the unique challenges of planning river-based itineraries and shares how the brand is curating unforgettable experiences Traditionally regarded as the preserve of the older generation, river cruising is rapidly gaining popularity with a wider demographic of guests – and it’s easy to see why. Although small and intimate, the ships are brimming with fine dining venues, high-quality interiors and amenities, comfortable accommodation, and more. They can also sail through the heart of multiple countries to dock in the centre of destinations, allowing guests to enjoy continually changing scenery and immediately immerse themselves in the local culture the moment they step onshore. Recognising the growing appeal of the formerly niche cruising product, TUI debuted its first-ever river vessel, TUI Maya, on the Rhine in August 2021, and swiftly introduced TUI Skyla in November 2021 and TUI Isla in April 2022. All three sail adults-only voyages on Europe’s most popular rivers. Planning the itineraries has been an exercise in overcoming unique logistical challenges, according to Katy Berzins, head of TUI River Cruises. “We must consider whether we’re travelling upstream or downstream as this can greatly impact sailing times between ports – and in some cases it can even affect whether a ship is allowed to dock,” says Berzins. “Some locks and rivers close at certain times of the year – for example, the Main-Danube canal is inaccessible in March and April. Meanwhile, some rivers, such as the Main and Moselle, have low bridges, so we must shut the top deck of our ships for what can be several days at a time if we want to pass underneath.” In addition, TUI must carefully coordinate departures to ensure its ships pass through scenic areas at the optimal time. “We prefer to sail through places with outstanding scenery – such as the Rhine Gorge or Wachau Valley – during the day so that passengers can enjoy the views,” explains Berzins. Careful consideration is given to choosing the right ports and destinations too. First and foremost, TUI prioritises places that are desirable for customers. “Big cities like Amsterdam are always popular as there is so much to see and do, but it’s also important to incorporate lesser-known destinations for variety,” says Berzins. “For example, on some of our cruises 5 8
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