Published: 1 July 2026
What happened and what you are owed
TUI has cancelled the remainder of the Skyla Danube river cruise after air conditioning failed aboard the 77-cabin ship during extreme heat in Budapest. Passengers from the current sailing were moved to Budapest hotels on Monday and will be flown back to the UK today. A full refund of the holiday cost plus a £100 per person goodwill voucher has been offered. Passengers from the previous sailing impacted by the fault have also been offered compensation.
- Refund: Full refund of holiday cost for all affected passengers.
- Goodwill payment: £100 per person holiday voucher.
- Meals: Reimbursement for evening meals on disruption nights.
- Hotels: TUI moved passengers to Budapest hotels at TUI's cost.
- Flights home: TUI arranging return flights to UK today (1 July).
- Previous sailing: Also impacted and offered compensation.
The TUI Skyla, a 77-cabin adult-only river cruise ship operating on the Danube, developed an air conditioning fault following extreme heat in Budapest. TUI River Cruises confirmed the fault on Tuesday and moved all passengers aboard to hotel accommodation in Budapest with meals and support provided. Despite specialist engineers working to resolve the fault, TUI confirmed on Wednesday that the repairs could not be completed in time and took the decision to cancel the remainder of the cruise.
A TUI River Cruises spokesperson said: "We're aware of a technical issue affecting the air conditioning on TUI Skyla following the extreme heat in Budapest, and we're very sorry for the disruption this has caused to our customers' holidays. Given the ongoing disruption, we have taken the difficult decision to curtail the cruise." The ship remains in Budapest while engineers continue repair work.
Your package holiday rights in this situation
TUI Skyla passengers booked a package holiday, which gives them stronger rights than those who book components separately. Under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (PTRs), TUI as the package organiser is responsible for the performance of all services in the package, including the ship.
| Right | What this means for Skyla passengers |
|---|---|
| Full refund | TUI must refund the full price of the package for the portion not delivered. Confirmed already for all affected passengers. |
| Repatriation | TUI must arrange and pay for return travel to the UK. Confirmed: flights being arranged for today. |
| Accommodation and meals | TUI must provide appropriate accommodation and subsistence during the disruption. Confirmed: hotel and meals covered. |
| Additional compensation | If TUI is at fault (not an unavoidable extraordinary circumstance), you may be entitled to additional compensation for distress and inconvenience beyond the £100 voucher. Extreme heat itself may not exempt TUI if the ship's systems were not fit for purpose. |
| ATOL protection | If TUI fails to repatriate passengers, ATOL protects you. TUI is ATOL-bonded; in practice TUI will fulfil its obligations. |
If you want to claim beyond the £100 voucher
- Write to TUI first. Put your claim in writing specifying what you are claiming and why, referencing the Package Travel Regulations 2018. Keep all receipts.
- If TUI rejects it, you can escalate to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) alternative dispute resolution scheme. TUI is an ABTA member.
- Section 75: If you paid by credit card and the holiday cost more than £100, your credit card provider shares equal liability with TUI for any breach of contract.
- Small claims court is an option for claims up to £10,000 if ABTA ADR fails. Issue fees start at £35 and can be recovered if you win.
Sources: TUI River Cruises statement 1 July 2026; Travel Gossip; Travel Weekly; Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018; ATOL.
