TUI River Cruises has been left scrambling to resolve an air conditioning crisis that's stranded 146 passengers aboard the Skyla in Budapest. The issue emerged as temperatures soared above 35C, forcing elderly holidaymakers to endure 'stifling' conditions on board with limited information from the tour operator.
Temperatures in the Hungarian capital are expected to reach 39C in the coming days, exacerbating the distress of passengers who've had their plans disrupted. Judith Dunn, 83, described the experience as a 'nightmare', having paid £2,000 for the trip as a special occasion. She expressed concern that TUI may have been aware of the air conditioning issues before departure.
TUI has acknowledged a 'technical issue affecting the air conditioning on TUI Skyla' and apologised for the disruption caused. Initially, engineers were attempting to fix the problem, but further repairs are now needed, leading to the cancellation of the cruise.
The tour operator has committed to flying all affected passengers home tomorrow and providing a full refund for their trip. Each passenger will also receive a £100 voucher as a gesture of goodwill.
Online reports suggest that air conditioning problems may have plagued previous sailings of the TUI Skyla, with some passengers receiving compensation in recent weeks.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by tour operators during periods of extreme weather, particularly concerning older vessels or those operating in regions experiencing unseasonably high temperatures. For many, a river cruise represents a significant investment and a long-anticipated holiday, making such disruptions profoundly impactful.