Tui Skyla River Cruise: our 7 night Danube experience

It's the epic one! In 40 minutes I share with you our WHOLE 7 night experience on a Danube river cruise onboard Tui Skyla so grab a drink and some nibbles, settle down and enjoy! I show you the journey to the boat, the embarkation process, cabin, all venues (including wellness area and crew areas), every meal time (including menus, drinks available, a look at all the dishes we were served), lots of tips for making the most of your river cruise, a look at what we did in Bratislava, Durnstein, Melk, Linz (for Mondsee and Salzburg on the "Sound of Music" excursion), Vienna (including the awesome Prater Amusement Park, a recommendation for lunch, the Big Bus experience and how to use the metro), Esztergom, Budapest and the disembarkation experience. So, what do you think? Drop your comments below!
Don't forget to like and subscribe for weekly travel vlogs and for access to the other vlogs in this river cruise series. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @travelblogjamie, Facebook "jamiewrobins" and my website travelblogjamie.com.
#rivercruise #tuiskyla #danube #tuirivercruise #danuberivercruise #cruise

[@areguapiri]

That is my type of cruise. Pleasant, relaxing, and sophisticated.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

👍👍👍

[@yourbestlife3444]

Hi Jamie. I watched this video this morning and have just booked the same cruise, you presented it so well.. Thank you for your informative and entertaining videos.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh I hope you enjoy as much as we did!

[@wendylafavor6411]

We really enjoy the river cruises!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

They are fab ❤️

[@allthethreestravel]

Really like the idea of river cruising… looks very relaxing and easy to get into the beautiful towns and cities 😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Super easy. A refreshing change for sure!

[@toniquelch646]

Fantastic blog! Thank you. So much info, well presented and edited. Didn't seem like 40 mins as we were enjoying it so much. It's our turn in October, excited!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you so much - that’s really lovely of you! Let me know how you get on next month!

[@emmaludlow8173]

Love this new style of filming Jamie, feels like I'm there with you. Can't wait to try river cruising, so many beautiful places to see xx

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh of course you missed out this year. I think you’ll love river cruising. We are hooked now!

[@emmaludlow8173]

@@TravelBlogJamie we're looking to book for Easter 2024, but nothing's on sale yet x

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@emmaludlow8173 ah we are also waiting for 2024 to be released!!

[@triciabrodie1015]

great vlog Jamie. I was on the Isla earlier on in the year and loved it. You have covered everything and will be of great help for 1st time River cruisers. The amount of people on my River cruise that had no idea how different it is from a sea cruise surprised me. Do people not research the holiday they are going on? The Tui River ship cruises are excellent value for money. Other cruise lines are way more expensive. The Crew and cruise managers and directors are fantastic and are there to get lots of help from or sort problems if any occur.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

I concur with everything you’ve said, Tricia! Glad you had a great time and thanks for posting ❤️

[@shanners079]

This looks an amazing cruise and boat… looking at dates to book up now 😀

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It was a fantastic trip!

[@janettesinclair6279]

Thank you for showing us a wonderful river cruise, and I really like the programme - lots of fascinating cities to visit, great food, everything seemed so easy and relaxed, which is much more my style. Maybe next year?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

You could do a lot worse than a river cruise, Janette! We loved it 🥰

[@janettesinclair6279]

@@TravelBlogJamie I could see that!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@janettesinclair6279 🥰

[@davidmottram7298]

Great blog Jamie. Changed my opinion of taking a river cruise. Will now deffo consider it 😁

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thanks David! We will be definitely taking another!

[@kathywest7205]

Very good, comprehensive vlog! I’ve been lucky enough to have sailed on 2 Viking river cruises but I might have to try Tui! Much less expensive and it looks very similar! I have subscribed 😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Hey Kathy! The price different is very significant isn’t it? I’ve only ever done a Viking ocean cruise so I’m not sure how the river cruise is: no doubt it was great?

[@kathywest7205]

@@TravelBlogJamie Yes, the price difference is significant. They were wonderful cruises, no complaints, just expensive. Saying that, I have my first Viking ocean cruise booked in the Spring, looking forward to comparing the experience of ocean and river with Viking.

[@janerees8990]

Thank you Jamie! Think I could now consider a River Cruise. Surprised how spacious the cabins and facilities were. As a solo would really have to look at pricing.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

River cruises aren’t cheap for solos!

[@sueevans4110]

I love the way Mathew lets you shine ❤ happy days x

[@TravelBlogJamie]

❤️❤️❤️

[@michelemottram5998]

Love your sunglasses 🕶

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you! Blue is my fav colour ❤️❤️❤️

[@cocktailswithlisa]

Thanks so much for the mentions! Cocktails look fab and good prices… I’ll start my champagne diet tomorrow 😉😂

[@TravelBlogJamie]

You always spring to mind when I’m, erm, drinking 😂

[@annfyfe4938]

Love this gonna book X

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Fantastic!

[@malefic_aunt]

I'm looking forward to my first European river cruise on Skyla later this year, excited already. It's going to be quite different to a Nile cruise!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It is indeed

[@garethforster5430]

Yet another awesome video vlog Jamie. Great to have a good look at this ship and so glad that you boys had an amazing river cruise. Im a total cruise addict, and generally do 4 Marella cruises a year, I Love them! While I thought a bout trying a river cruise for many of the same reasons that you talked about, Im just not convinced its for me, think I m much more comfortable with Ocean cruising and love the big style entertainment and of course the free bars. The one thing that struck me as well watching your video was the age range!!! Were you and Matthew the youngest people onboard< it kind of felt like it was an over 60s cruise, think that would just be too much out of my comfort zone. A fab video though, that helped me understand why river cruising would not be the right sort of cruise experience for me. Happy cruising buddy ! x

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you for your comments, Gareth - we, on the other hand, are completely sold and will be doing more! Woohoooo 😂😂😂 Ps the bar isn’t free on Marella - you pay for it in the overall price - just mentioning this in case anyone else thinks alcohol is free onboard 😎😎😎🥂🥂🥂

[@brianmcewan4838]

@@TravelBlogJamiewe’re completely sold on it too Jamie, can’t wait for our first river cruise. 👏🏻

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@brianmcewan4838 enjoy 😊

[@Alanw80]

Absolutely loved this blog Jamie the river cruise looked brilliant. Wasn't too keen on the gala dinner especially if it had been the first waiter who left you with nothing as I'm allergic to all fish and seafood and peanuts and coffee but some of the other food looked delish

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It was brilliant - apart from that gala dinner, you are correct lol 😂

[@paulwilson1492]

Thank you. Just booked this cruise for 11th October.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Hope you enjoy as much as we did!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Here's another epic! You'll want to grab a drink and some nibbles for this one! Here's our 7 nighty experience of a Tui Danube river cruise on board Tui Skyla. I take you through the journey to meet the river boat, our initial issues with the journey (argh...low river levels!), embarkation, a look at the cabin and boat, all our meal times, menus and food quality, entertainment, an authorised peep at the crew area, the wellness area on board, loads of tips to enjoy your river cruise to the max, a look at what you can do in Bratislava, Durnstein, Melk, Linz (and excursion to Mondsee & Salzburg), Vienna (including Prater Park, using the metro and a tip for lunch ashore), Esztergom, Budapest, and the disembarkation process. It is ALL here and fit into 40 minutes for you! So, what do you think? Drop your comments below! Don't forget to like and subscribe for weekly travel vlogs and access to my other river cruising vlogs, and follow on Instagram / Twitter @travelblogjamie, on Facebook "jamiewrobins" and my website travelblogjamie.com. #tuiskyla #tuirivercruise #rivercruise #danuberivercruise #cruise #danube

[@imnotbeingfunnybut9448]

Drink ready

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@imnotbeingfunnybut9448 good decision!

[@JaJa-qt5sf]

Ama Waterways is amazing. We done cruise this year.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Fantastic

[@scotiajinker8392]

I really enjoyed the video, so much so you have sold that cruise to me. What was the actual name of the cruise? Was it Danube treasures? What time of year was the cruise (month)?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

No idea of the name but it was August

[@wendyriggi4834]

Such a great video! What time of year did you sail?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

This was mid august ❤️

[@rsyrsy8543]

Oh my god, the foot &leg! 😂😂

[@TravelBlogJamie]

🫡

[@jenniferparry8709]

I want to do the Rhine and Moselle but this looks great. Can't believe how empty the restaurants are though. I will be going as a solo with a solo cruise company. Wouldn't like to sit in almost empty reataurants on my own

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Remember this was not long after tui river cruising resumed so was quieter then

[@kevhippo]

Another great vlog Jamie. Have to ask, my other half is veggie and won’t eat cheese containing animal rennet. Was that an issue onboard? Seemed like Parmesan cropped up a lot which is never vegetarian. Oh, apologies I thought you were vegetarian.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Sorry, not vegetarian as you say - maybe someone else can answer?

[@user-fs6ou3fk9p]

Do they have e bike excursions? I also need a diabetic diet with no carbs, no juice and all sugar-free.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

No idea about e-bikes. You need to make them aware of dietary needs.

[@dionisia5755]

You don't mind if I ask ,how much this 7 days cruise ?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

These cruises vary massively - this one was £1600 for flights / transfers / the actual cruise / half Board plus

[@dionisia5755]

Thank you very much! Love your videos

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@dionisia5755 thank you so much 😊

[@sktoh4469]

Good price.

[@jsmith1071]

Was that price per person or for both? I am guessing per person…

[@sophuzzy]

What?! Amazon?! I thought this was about the Danube.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

😐

[@GH_UK]

Great video. We were thinking of changing our three seas cruise to this river cruise instead and I think we will. The sights look amazing and it looks so much more relaxing than a cruise ship.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It was a fantastic experience and we will definitely do this again!

[@angelahorton5745]

Great video! You explained everything so well. I'm sure we'll do a river cruise eventually, it does appeal. I'm hoping to have a city break in Budapest early next year.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh Budapest - still so much more for us to explore. Such a stunning city!

[@angelahorton5745]

Thanks again, your video has been so helpful and we've actually booked 🎉🎉🎉 TUI Maya East Danube Explorer June 2024. To get over the problem of not having long enough in Budapest we're going for a 5 night city break this September.

[@cwoodsy72]

Thank you for such a great review. Did a river cruise years ago and it's great to see other companies that do these. So want to do another one now!!!!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@tedg4171]

Very nice video and it has me thinking it would be a better way to see parts of Europe rather than a motor coach bus tour. Here in USA they seem to push Viking, AMA, Avalon or Emerald but this TUI looks more budget friendly but not that easy to book from USA but I’ll have to look into it.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It’s excellent value, Ted! If you book through a TA they should be able to arrange everything

[@jonathansmith8691]

Just stumbled (is that an internet term?!) your channel and was hooked from the 1st minute of this blog. I am looking at a river cruise to go on with my father, sadly we lost my mother last year, and he wants to do some more travel and we discussed a river cruise, hence the reason for looking. This was a brilliant vlog with so much information so thank you for this. As my father is quite old now and not as mobile as he used to be (not a stick just slow), do they offer different levels of guides for the cities? ie snail pace ones if you know what I mean! Thanks.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Hi there! Thanks for your kind words and sorry about your mum. The complimentary walking tours - just the one for the group (since there are so few passengers) but I believe they go at the pace of the group. The clientele tends to be a bit older so they are used to this. We didn’t do one as we like being Independent but I’m sure your dad would be fine

[@juliepemberton9298]

Hi Both, Would you say that a river cruise is for a solo lady traveller ? Thx

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Any holiday is for a solo traveller in our view! River cruising lends itself very well, however

[@sharonoconnor2996]

wow, thank you, fab video and review. Just discovered your channel today and recently booked with Tui for a danube cruise for my mum and i in June, so excited now and great to have a sneak peak as haven't been on this type of trip before. We're currently looking into the excursions, do you mind my asking did you do a mix of booked and exploring yourselves using the maps they provide? My mum is in 70's so trying to decide how easy it is to do our own thing.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Yes we explored nearly every port independently and with ease. We did the sound of music excursion from Linz, however. Really enjoyed it. I hope you have a great time! I have other vlogs of the experience in case you want some more insights

[@sharonoconnor2996]

@@TravelBlogJamie Amazing, that's great to know you could explore on your own, thanks!

[@slloo7692]

Omg they have Indonesian food. Soto Ayam etc. I am so going to book Tui next time.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Nom nom

[@sktoh4469]

Enak sekali!

[@michael-ME]

You should have highlighted in capital letters ayam soto, beef rendang and sayur lodeh are INDONESIAN DISHES as Jamie wrongly referred to them as Thai menu. Then again, Jamie is not the brightest .. LOL

[@emmaludlow8173]

Were drinks with meals included Jamie or did you need to buy a drinks package?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Yes included - beers, wines, soft drinks. You can have as much as you want with meals and I always had a top up and took one with me to the lounge. You can do all inc for £17pp per day from memory

[@emmaludlow8173]

@@TravelBlogJamie that's amazing value, thanks x

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@emmaludlow8173 no problem 😌

[@will-lloyd]

Thank you, you answered all our questions 👍

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Mind reading 😂

[@herenow6953]

Well, I sat down with a glass of wine and what a wonderful trip! I have been to Bratislava many times on business (flying Heathrow to Vienna, then a mad taxi ride to Bratislava) - it's a beautiful and compact Old City - seeing the iconic 'Thunderbirds' Bridge took me right back! (that's my name for it, I like it :) - I thought the trip looked amazing - very scenic and relaxing. You do make me laught Jamie - a great watch and Budapest now on my list too - heres' to the next vlog!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh budapest is just faaaabulous! You must visit!

[@annfyfe4938]

Love all your videos X

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you 🙏

[@Mrs.S-uk]

Absolutely wonderful. We have been researching ship cruises for a while now for an upcoming big birthday & Anniversary celebration. After watching this we have made our decision. Sold! Can I ask what time of year did you travel? Also, do you need to reserve a table for two or just see what's available at meal times? Thanks for a great vlog Jamie & Maffoo xx

[@TravelBlogJamie]

We went mid-August and no, didn’t need to reserve tables ❤️ Hope you get something booked and enjoy!!

[@clairepapadatos1116]

Hello my darlings! What a wonderful vlog! Thanks so much for sharing! Could you, however, please give us some sort of idea as to what it cost? ❤❤

[@TravelBlogJamie]

£1600pp for the week (bearing in mind this was summer holidays l)

[@lizdyson3627]

Looks beautiful but i'm advised river cruising isn't any good for Wheelchair users.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

👍

[@julieknight3195]

Fab video, you have sold it to us. We usually cruise the big ships but fancied a change and to see the the places you went to instead of doing city breaks. Thankyou x

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh it’s great and we’ve booked again!

[@yvette-7073]

amazing, enjoyable video! I was just wondering how long you get in each port before the cruise continues sailing? 😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

As you saw, it varies, some overnight, multiple ports in a day = a few hours each

[@royalrecordings4307]

Not seen this before......( river boats) where the flights included 🤔......not sure about the long transfers as not keen on coach journeys......

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It’s not a long transfer normally - this was because of low river levels mid-august and having to meet the river boat elsewhere. Should have been 30 mins

[@royalrecordings4307]

@TravelBlogJamie ahhhh OK.......God I thought its a bloody long way......the wife ain't great on coaches......motion sickness 😒

[@peppikirk8737]

Just come back from this cruise Monday worst experience of our life the river was to high so couldn’t go to any port spent our week watching grain lorry’s an hour from the nearest town never risk it again

[@TravelBlogJamie]

👍

[@moderick]

Well done guys. This was a great video.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you 😊

[@suebowie9284]

Loved this x

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you 🙏

[@GlobetrotterGranny]

Not port, but dock. :-) Enjoyed your video! Been looking into TUI ever since I learned about it from Emma Cruises.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

👍👍👍

[@breadyegg]

18:12 If ever I say "Excellent" like that guy... I know I've lost my smile ("City Slickers" reference)

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Soz, I wish I knew what this meant

[@emmab3180]

Looks amazing, we want to do this , much better value than others we've looked at

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Tui River cruises are great value imo

[@michaelhutchinson1713]

I really liked this. I have seen other videos that only focus on the negative.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh really? I’ve only seen positives about this river cruise!

[@Jhamblen]

Hi Jamie I know you are on holiday right now so no rush but can you please let me know if you did a drinks package comparison on the Skyla? I have booked Maya for next August and can’t find one on utube for love nor money Hope you and Mafoo are having a great holiday 😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh we didn’t because the drinks were very reasonable and we were ashore so much!

[@Jhamblen]

@@TravelBlogJamie thank you so much for your help ! I reckon at £17 a day I’ll have 2 cocktails and the content of the soft drinks in the minibar and I’ll have broke even . Enjoy your holiday love to magic starfish 😘 🤣

[@richardmaynard1400]

Oooh we are liking the look of this one ! 😎

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It was fantastic!!

[@lindasmith6355]

Mathew looked boted

[@TravelBlogJamie]

What’s boted mean?

[@lindasmith6355]

​@@TravelBlogJamiesorry bored

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@lindasmith6355 erm no he loved it

[@stephenmoss2554]

I'm not a massive foodie so felt too much emphasis on the menus. Would have preferred more info about the destinations.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Can’t please everyone!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@mtek334 I’m exactly the same!

[@stephenmoss2554]

Ok, try looking at it this way: if you want a good meal, get a menu from a restaurant. Isn't the point of any cruise to go to different places and experience different things? People find it difficult to believe there are some people who eat to live rather than live to eat.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@stephenmoss2554 the point of any cruise is to experience it the way you want to, not how others expect you to or want you to

[@og1689]

Did you talk about COST??????

[@TravelBlogJamie]

NO because the prices vary massively depending on when you sail!!!!!!!