01/07/2026
Yes, we’ve been the group caught up in all the publicity surrounding the TUI Danube Eastern Explorer river cruise. If you’ve seen it on the BBC or elsewhere, that’s us.
Sadly, our cruise has officially been cancelled and we’re heading home to the UK this evening.
The one thing I want to say is that TUI have looked after us throughout. Everyone is receiving a full refund, we’ve been accommodated in a lovely hotel in Budapest and we’ve been given a daily allowance for food and drinks while everything has been sorted. The onboard TUI team have been absolutely fantastic, working incredibly hard in very difficult circumstances, and they deserve a huge thank you.
The real challenge has been the heat. It’s been 39°C, and unless you’ve experienced temperatures like that, it’s hard to explain just how exhausting it is.
I’ve had 24 Footsteppers with me, and I honestly couldn’t be prouder of them. They’ve been patient, positive, resilient and have made the very best of what has effectively become an unexpected three-day city break in Budapest. Moments like this are when having a tour manager travelling with the group really comes into its own and I’m so grateful for how they’ve all pulled together.
Of course, there is one question that many of us have asked: if the air conditioning issue was known before we left the UK, why did we travel? I genuinely believe TUI expected the fault to be repaired in time. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, and the decision was ultimately made that the cruise couldn’t go ahead.
Disappointing? Absolutely.
But sometimes travel throws you the unexpected, and it’s how everyone responds that matters. The kindness, patience and good humour of my Footsteppers has made me incredibly proud this week.
We’re now looking forward to getting home, and it’s good to know that Poynter’s Coaches have already confirmed, even at such short notice, they’ll be waiting for us at Birmingham Airport to take everyone safely home.
Thank you to everyone who’s checked in on us over the last few days. Hopefully the next update will be from home… somewhere a little cooler!