Grand European Cruise

A 24-Day Tauck Tours tour starting from $8,390

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Starting Price: $8,390 Printer Friendly Page
Tour Length: 24 Days
Countries Visited: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Romania, Serbia , Slovakia
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Tour Type: Escorted Tour
Tour Category: NULL
Tour Operator: Tauck Tours
Tour Code: Tauck-RXW2010
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Travel like the royals of old on our Grand European Cruise, combining The Black Sea to Budapest with Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat to create an unforgettable 24-day journey through the heart of Europe including a 21-day cruise aboard one of Tauck's state-of-the-art riverboats, ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel. This remarkable Danube, Main and Rhine river tour takes you through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Glide past grand cathedrals, medieval monasteries, and historic citadels – as well as through the Main-Danube Canal and the Iron Gate of the Danube. Tauck’s private, inclusive shore excursions take in many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in-depth exploration of cities including Amsterdam, Köln, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade and Bucharest. It's the ultimate European river cruise... with the Tauck Difference!

 
Westbound Itinerary • = cruise day 1. Arrive Bucharest Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest. A transfer is included from the Bucharest Airport to the Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest in the heart of the city; a living piece of Bucharest history since 1914, it was recently named Romania’s Leading Hotel. Please join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner. Meals D 2. Peles Castle / Snagov Monastery You have a choice of sightseeing today. Take a full-day excursion to Sinaia, Transylvania and a tour of fairy-tale Peles Castle (subject to weekly closures), built for the Romanian royal family in the 1880s; or choose a morning visit to isolated Snagov Monastery, reputed to be the burial place of the historical model for Dracula. Meals BL • 3. Discover Bucharest / Embark Ship More sightseeing choices await you prior to embarking on your cruise later today. You can choose to explore historic Bucharest on a sightseeing tour including visits to the massive People’s Palace – the world’s second-largest building after the Pentagon – and the Romanian Athenaeum. Or drive to the popular seaside resort of Mamaia on Romania’s Black Sea coast, home to Europe’s only pure-white sand beaches, before boarding your riverboat at Cernavoda to begin your Danube River cruise. Meals BLD • 4. Welcome to Bulgaria Cruise to Ruse, Bulgaria, today for cultural excursions into nearby Bulgarian towns. Sample local cuisine at a memorable home-hosted private lunch in Arbanassi, where you’ll have a unique opportunity to meet and dine with your Bulgarian contemporaries. Travel to neighboring medieval Veliko Turnovo, with its ancient walled fortress and castle nestled atop three hills on the Yantra River. After rejoining your riverboat in Svishtov to continue your cruise this evening, you’ll be entertained by local Bulgarian performers aboard ship. Meals BLD • 5. Cruising the Blue Danube / Vidin There’s something special about just “kicking back” and watching the scenic heartland of Eastern Europe unfold during a leisurely morning cruising the Danube, enjoying picture-perfect views of the passing landscapes. Attend an on-board lecture and demonstration on Iconography before joining us for a walking tour in Vidin on cobblestone streets, including a visit to the fort. Meals BLD • 6. Full Day Cruising / Iron Gate Enjoy a full day’s cruise along Bulgaria’s border with Romania, gliding through the Kazan Narrows and the Iron Gate of the Danube, where the river courses through a series of spectacular gorges. Savor great views of the Transylvanian Alps, and look for a monument to the 2nd-century Dacian King Decebalus carved into the Danube’s rocky bank; it is Europe’s tallest rock sculpture. Your riverboat crosses into Serbia this afternoon. Meals BLD • 7. Belgrade, Serbia’s Capital Awaken dockside in Belgrade, the cosmopolitan capital of modern Serbia at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. The city’s roots date back to a Celtic settlement in the 3rd century BC. Today’s sightseeing in Belgrade includes visits to Tito’s Memorial, St. Sava Church, and Kalemegdan Fortress. You’ll also see Slavija Square, Parliament, City Hall and Republic Square. Listen to the music of Serbia when a folkloric group comes on board to entertain you. Meals BLD • 8. Cruise to Croatia Arrive in Croatia for several excursions revealing historic and cultural influences that have shaped the country over the centuries. Witness the lasting effects of the 1990s war poignantly illustrated in the 10th-century city of Vukovar, once renowned for its elegant Baroque mansions. Meals BLD • 9. Kalocsa and Solt, Hungary Kalocsa, Hungary, is celebrated both for its paprika and its folk art; see the magnificent Library in the Baroque Bishop’s Palace, one of the finest in Europe. At the Equestrian Center, watch traditional Puszta horsemen demonstrate time-honored skills and traditions, and enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride. Meals BLD • 10. Buda + Pest + Budapest Upon arrival in Budapest, spend time exploring this architecturally rich city on a guided tour of landmark sights in Pest or relaxing on a spa visit. Meals BLD • 11. Hungary’s Capital, Budapest Following a morning at leisure in one of Europe’s most fashionable cities, a guided walking tour of Buda includes Castle Hill, featuring Fishermen’s Bastion overlooking the Danube, and 700-year-old Matthias Church (may be closed on some days due to services). Meals BLD • 12. Historic Bratislava / Danube Cruise Arrive in Bratislava, Slovakia’s charming capital; gain insights on centuries of history on a walking tour. Visit Old Town Hall and see the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall, and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Enjoy Slovakian entertainment aboard the riverboat tonight. Meals BLD • 13. Experience Imperial Vienna-- Welcome to Vienna – one of Europe’s greatest cities, and formerly the capital of the Habsburg empire. Today’s sightseeing includes your choice of a visit to Schönbrunn Palace or a tour of the Imperial Silver Room in the Hofburg. Receive the royal treatment tonight at a private Imperial Evening in a traditional palace, with a grand dinner accompanied by fine Viennese musicians. Meals BLD • 14. Dürnstein / Picturesque Melk Explore the twisting medieval lanes of Dürnstein and see the hilltop ruins of Kuenringerburg, the castle where Richard the Lionhearted was once held for ransom during the Crusades. Cruise the Wachau Valley to lovely Melk, where you’ll visit the town’s impressive 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey and its Baroque buildings. A wine tasting and local entertainment enhance your night aboard the riverboat. Meals BLD • 15. Discover Passau / Danube Cruise Cruise from Austria into Germany today. Renowned for its stained glass, Passau claims a rich historic legacy dating back to Roman times, and boasts a wealth of churches and beautiful Baroque buildings. Explore this ancient Bavarian town on a guided walking tour and go inside St. Stephen’s Cathedral to see the world’s largest church organ. Continue cruising the Danube to Regensburg. Meals BLD • 16. Ancient Regensburg Arrive in Regensburg on the Danube, once a campsite of the Roman legions. A guided walking tour reveals its medieval heritage; see Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge), the 15th-century Altes Rathaus (Town Hall), and Dom St. Peter, towering high above this riverside town. Meals BLD • 17. Main-Danube Canal / Nürnberg Today your riverboat cruises the Main-Danube Canal, which fulfilled an age-old dream of linking the North Sea with the Black Sea; learn about the canal’s history during your transit of its 16 locks. Arrive in the historic city of Nürnberg, which played a key role in World War II and its aftermath. Discover the city’s medieval heart on a walking tour prior to dinner tonight. Sample traditional Nürnberg sausage during tonight’s meal for a true taste of local cuisine. Meals BLD • 18. Explore Medieval Bamberg Wake up this morning in Bamberg on the River Main. Situated atop seven hills, this charming medieval Bavarian town is home to a magnificent 13th-century cathedral; see it, along with unique architecture and colorful gardens, during a walking tour of Old Town and time at leisure to explore Bamberg as you please. Meals BLD • 19. Rothenburg / Würzburg Rothenburg, on the beautiful “Romantic Road,” awaits you today, living up to its reputation as Europe’s “most perfect fairy-tale town with gingerbread houses and ancient walls.” View the Gothic cathedral, towered walls, and gabled houses along the cobbled lanes of this 13th-century town. On a visit to Würzburg, see the 18th-century Residenz and the Alte Mainbrücke. Tonight, an oompah-pah band! Meals BLD • 20. Cruise the Main / Miltenberg A glassblowing demonstration entertains as you cruise the Main to the walled town of Miltenberg. See its hilltop castle, half-timbered houses, and charming marketplace. Meals BLD • 21. Morning Cruise / Rüdesheim Spend the morning cruising the Main and Rhine rivers to Rüdesheim. Visit Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett, a unique museum displaying one of the world’s largest collections of mechanical musical instruments. Enjoy dinner in an old-world German restaurant. Meals BLD • 22. Koblenz / Köln In Koblenz, choose a walking tour of Old Town or a visit to 13th-century Marksburg Castle for a true taste of medieval life. Cruise the Rhine’s Lorelei Valley to Köln (Cologne), oldest city in Germany. A guided tour visits Kölner Dom, one of Europe’s greatest Gothic cathedrals. Please join us this evening for the Captain’s farewell dinner. Meals BLD • 23. Discover Amsterdam After arriving in remarkable Amsterdam, view a host of acclaimed works, including Rembrandt’s famous The Night Watch, at the Rijksmuseum. Get a unique view of the city on a luncheon cruise along its 17th-century canals. Meals BLD 24. Journey Home Tour ends: Amsterdam, Netherlands. Disembark the riverboat this morning; a transfer is included from the ship to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. You should allow a minimum of 2 ½ hours for flight check-in. Meals B

 

•   Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director
 
Day 1: Begin your Danube, Main and Rhine River tour in Bucharest
A transfer is included from Bucharest Airport to the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel in the heart of the city. Meet your fellow travelers and Tauck Directors at tonight's welcome reception and dinner at your elegant city-center hotel near Bucharest's stunning People's Palace.
Overnight: JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, Bucharest, Romania
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Castles and monasteries in Romania
On a choice of sightseeing in Romania today, you may opt for a full day's excursion to tour Peles Castle in Sinaia, built for Romania's royal family in the 1880s. Or take off on a morning visit to isolated Snagov Monastery – set on a tiny island in the middle of a lake, and said to be the final resting place of Vlad Tepes, the historical model for the character of Dracula. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Overnight: JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, Bucharest, Romania
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3: • Bucharest or the Black Sea before boarding
More choices in sightseeing await you today. Before embarking your riverboat, you can choose to explore Bucharest and tour the massive People's Palace – home to the Romanian Parliament, and the world's second-largest building after the Pentagon – as well as visit the Romanian Athenaeum. Or drive to the resort town of Mamaia, set at the edge of the Black Sea, and stroll along Europe's only pure-white sand beaches. Then travel to Cernavoda and board ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel to launch the cruise portion of your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: • Big day in Bulgaria
Arrive in Ruse, Bulgaria, for excursions to nearby towns. In Arbanassi, known for its richly ornamented architecture, you'll have an opportunity to meet and share local specialties with your Bulgarian contemporaries at a private, home-hosted lunch. Continue on to Bulgaria's medieval capital of Veliko Turnovo, whose ancient walled fortress and castle are set atop three hills overlooking the Yantra River. Rejoin the riverboat in Svishtov, and enjoy a Bulgarian cultural performance aboard ship this evening.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: • Danube cruising and Iconography Demonstration
Kick back and enjoy the views of fields and vineyards studded with medieval towns as your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour cruises through the scenic heartland of Eastern Europe today. Learn all about Iconography during an on-board lecture and demonstration prior to arriving in Vidin, where you can join us for a walking tour through its cobblestone streets.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: • King Decebalus and the Iron Gate of the Danube
On another relaxing day on your Danube cruise, sail along the Bulgarian / Romanian border, enjoying great views of the Transylvanian Alps. As you glide along, keep an eye out for a kingly face carved into the Danube's rocky bank on the Romanian side; it's a monument to the 2nd-century Dacian King Decebalus, who defended his kingdom from the invading Romans – and it's the tallest rock sculpture in Europe. Glide through Romania’s Kazan Narrows and the Iron Gate of the Danube, a spectacular two-mile-long series of gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains, en route to Serbia.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: • Serbia's cosmopolitan capital, Belgrade
Dock in Belgrade, Serbia's modern capital at the juncture of the Danube and Sava rivers. Sightseeing includes visits to Tito's Memorial, St. Sava Church, and the formidable Kalemegdan Fortress. Also view busy Slavija Square (now one of the city's major squares, but once a large pool where residents hunted wild ducks!), Parliament, Republic Square and City Hall. Return to the riverboat, where a Serbian folkloric group entertains you this evening.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: • Discover Croatia's historic cities
Your lower Danube cruise crosses the border from Serbia to Croatia and arrives in historic Vukovar. A mix of old and new, this venerable 10th-century city once showcased opulent 18th-century Baroque mansions, and now poignantly symbolizes the effects of the 1990s war as it rebuilds. Continue this extraordinary Danube, Main and Rhine river tour to Hungary tonight.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: • Baroque treasures, horses and folkways in Hungary
Sail along the Danube to Kalocsa, Hungary – known for its folk art and its paprika – where you'll visit the beautiful Baroque Bishop’s Palace Library, housing one of the finest early collections in Europe. Then visit the Equestrian Center in Solt to see colorfully garbed Puszta horsemen demonstrating traditional skills; ride a horse-drawn wagon back to the riverboat, and enjoy a cocktail reception and dinner aboard ship tonight.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: • Indulge at a spa or explore Budapest
Cruise to Budapest, Hungary’s capital city divided into two sections by the Danube; you can spend a relaxing day on a visit to one of the city's famous spa, or join us for some guided sightseeing among the landmark sites of this fascinating city as your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour sails on.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: • Discover Budapest on the Danube up close
Explore both sections of Budapest – Buda and Pest – on a sightseeing tour today. Sites include Heroes’ Square, bounded by some of the finest architectural works in Hungary; the Parliament building, a neo-Gothic masterpiece; Fishermen’s Bastion; and 700-year-old Matthias Church, with its famous stained-glass windows. Note: Matthias Church may be closed on some departures due to services.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12: • Baroque in Bratislava
Today's port of call is Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, where 17 centuries of history are chronicled on a walking tour. Highlights are Baroque palaces from the Habsburg era, St. Martin's Cathedral, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall, and a visit to the Old Town Hall. Back on board the riverboat, Slovakian performers entertain you after dinner; continue your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour to Vienna this evening.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13: • Music and more in Imperial Vienna
Get an overview of grand old Vienna, Austria, with a morning sightseeing tour of this historic city, once the center of Europe's Habsburg empire. Then take your choice of a tour of grandiose Schönbrunn Palace, built to rival Versailles, or a visit to the Imperial Silver Room inside the Hofburg – the former Imperial Palace and today the residence of Austria's president. Tonight, you'll receive the royal treatment with a private Imperial Evening at a traditional palace in Vienna featuring a sumptuous dinner and live Viennese music.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14: • Medieval Austrian abbeys and castles
Your riverboat continues along the Danube to Dürnstein, whose twisting medieval lanes you'll explore on a walking tour. High above the town lie the ruins of Kuenringerburg, the castle where English King Richard the Lionhearted was held prisoner during the Crusades; an invigorating walk up the hill to the ruins leads to beautiful vistas of the river, town and surrounding countryside. Enjoy more great views of castles and lush vineyards from the top deck or through the panoramic windows of your riverboat while cruising through the wine-growing Wachau Valley. Stop in Melk for a guided tour of its 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey, perched on a rocky outcrop above the river. Inside this Baroque masterpiece are fine frescoes, early manuscripts, and a high altar. Your evening aboard the riverboat includes a wine tasting and a performance by local entertainers.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 15: • Explore Baroque Passau and cruise the Danube
After crossing the border from Austria to Germany, dock in the Bavarian town of Passau, set on the Danube and Inn rivers, whose history dates back to the days of the Roman empire. A walking tour reveals the Baroque treasures of this lovely riverside town, known for its stained glass, its many churches and its unique architecture. Your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour continues as the riverboat sails to Regensburg.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16: • Along the Danube to ancient Regensburg
It's on to the well-preserved medieval town of Regensburg, once a campsite for the Roman legions, today. Our local guide leads you on a delightful walking tour of Old Town including the Steinerne Brücke over the Danube, the oldest stone bridge in Germany; massive Dom St. Peter, the town's 14th-century Gothic cathedral; and Altes Rathaus, the 15th-century town hall that was once the seat of the Imperial Diet.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 17: • Main-Danube Canal & Nürnberg
Today your riverboat negotiates the Main-Danube Canal, which makes your Danube, Main and Rhine river tour possible, ultimately linking the North Sea with the Black Sea; learn about the canal's history from a local expert during your transit. The idea goes back as far as Charlemagne, but wasn't realized until the canal's completion in the 1990s; pass through 16 locks as the waterway traverses the mountains. Arrive in historic Nürnberg; see the city's sites associated with World War II and its aftermath, followed by a walking tour of the walled medieval Old Town. Sample Nürnberg's traditional sausage at dinner aboard the riverboat tonight.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 18: • Bound for Bamberg
Awaken in Bavaria's charming town of Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated atop seven hills. See the town’s magnificent 13th-century cathedral with four imposing towers, its lovely gardens, and its unique medieval architecture during a walking tour and time to explore as you please.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 19: • Treasures of Rothenburg and Würzburg
Today's travels take you to medieval Rothenburg, on Germany's "Romantic Road," to see its Gothic cathedrals and gabled houses. In charming Würzburg, discover the town's 18th-century Residenz and the ornate Alte Mainbrücke, a historic bridge over the River Main. And you'll know you're cruising through Bavaria when an oompa band plays for you aboard the riverboat this evening!
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 20: • Cruising the Main to Miltenberg
Meander along the River Main, through through scenic valleys studded with castles, cathedrals, and fortified towns, to the ancient town of Miltenberg; en route, enjoy an on-board glassblowing demonstration by practitioners of this time-honored craft. Enclosed by a wall with gate towers under a steep hill crowned by a castle, Miltenberg boasts many half-timbered houses and a charming Marktplatz.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 21: • From the Main to the Rhine & Rüdesheim
Leave the Main River behind you today as your riverboat – and your Rhine River tour – continues on to Rüdesheim. A visit to Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett – an eclectic collection of mechanical musical instruments housed in a 15th-century castle in Rüdesheim – precedes tonight's entertaining dinner in a local German restaurant with an old-world ambiance.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 22: • Koblenz or castles & Köln, a.k.a. Cologne
Arrive in Koblenz, where you can choose a walking tour of its Old Town or a visit to Marksburg Castle; set high above the Rhine, it dates back to the 13th century and offers a taste of medieval life. Your Rhine River tour continues through the scenic Lorelei Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Köln (Cologne). A guided walking tour includes the lofty Kölner Dom, elaborately decorated with pinnacles and buttresses; the tallest Gothic structure in the world, it took over 600 years to complete. Have a great time celebrating a remarkable three-week cruise at the Captain's farewell dinner aboard the riverboat tonight.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 23: • Art and more in Amsterdam
Dock in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, where you'll take a close-up look at acclaimed works by the Dutch Masters – including Rembrandt's The Night Watch and many others – at the world-renowned Rijksmuseum. Then enjoy views of medieval architecture on a sightseeing cruise along Amsterdam’s 17th-century canals, and spend time exploring this fascinating city as you please.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 24: Homeward bound
Your Danube, Main, and Rhine river tour ends in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Disembark your riverboat in Amsterdam; a transfer is included from ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Allow 2 1/2 hours for departure flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

 

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Touring Date
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10/12/2010 - 11/5/2010
$8,390
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Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

ms Swiss Emerald,ms Swiss Sapphire,ms Swiss Jewel,

Tauck’s European Riverboat Fleet, comprised of sister ships ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire, and ms Swiss Jewel, represents the state of the art in modern river cruising. Operating exclusively for Tauck, each ship features three passenger decks custom-designed to comfortably accommodate 118 Tauck guests in gracious style; most similar-sized riverboats average about 140 guests.

Guests enjoy exceptional vantage points throughout each ship; panoramic windows provide spectacular views of the passing shore. Culinary pleasures are many, from a spacious restaurant offering menus designed for a variety of tastes to alternative bistro dining featuring lighter fare in the teak-lined Lido Bar; limited outdoor dining is also available. Sporting a fully opening 180º glass wall, the Lido Bar also offers coffee & tea, cappuccino, and snacks throughout the day. Each ship has a fitness center and a sun deck with 24-hour Jacuzzi, as well as a lounge, library and boutique.

ms Swiss Emerald,ms Swiss Sapphire,ms Swiss Jewel,

Staterooms (Click thumbnails to see full size image

cabin
cabin

cabin

All Tauck riverboats boast four times more suites than most other European riverboats – 14 lush 300-square-foot suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, brocade upholstery, walk-in closets and marble baths with full-size tubs, along with 7 junior suites. Well-appointed, outside-facing cabins and junior suites, ranging from 150 to 183 square feet, offer plush interiors with plasma TV, mini-bar, radio, safe, hair dryer, adjustable air conditioning and private bathroom with shower, pampering l’Occitane toiletries and terry cloth robes and slippers; power is 220 volt. Floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies grace 85% of our cabins.


Ship Facts:

  • Inagurated: Newly Built for 2006, 2008 and 2009
  • Length: 361 ft. (110 meters)
  • Width: 37 ft. (11 meters)
  • Decks: 3 plus a sun deck
  • Passenger Capacity: 118
  • Voltage: 220v
  • Onboard Currency: euro

Ship Amenities:

Crew Members: 29
Crew Nationality: Mostly European
Fully air conditioned: Yes
Elevator: Yes – between the Ruby and Diamond decks; stairs (12 steps) between the other decks
Internet: Send/Receive/Surf

Amenities & Dining

  • Open dining, with no assigned seats; tables seat 4 and 6
  • Wine with dinner included; vegetarian meals are available
  • Alternative bistro dining available in Lido Bar
  • Room service breakfast available in Category 6 suites
  • Complimentary snack baskets served from 2:00 PM to midnight
  • E-mail available in Internet Corner of the Lido Bar; complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship; Wii games available on each riverboat
  • Themed Happy Hour in the bar/lounge; piano music nightly
  • Fitness center; whirlpool on sun deck, available 24 hours
  • On-board entertainment programs include movie nights, cooking demonstrations, themed game nights and more
  • Video-on-demand available in Swiss Jewel & Swiss Sapphire suites
  • Accept cash (Euros), Visa, MasterCard, and American Express; no money exchange on board
  • Tauck Director audio commentary available in cabins
  • Laundry service (limited); ironing available

 

 

Special Air Savings - Learn More

Hurry! Air Savings End March 26!

Special International Air Savings – Europe

Book and deposit summertime departures of the following Tauck journeys to Europe by March 26, 2010 and save $2,000 per couple off Business Class Air ($1,000 off per person) from select U.S. cities.

Savings are valid for travel between June 29 and September 5, 2010, subject to availability:

Treasures of the Aegean – 14 days with a 7-night cruise aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit

Sicily, the Amalfi Coast & Rome – 11 days with a 7-night cruise aboard Le Ponant

Switzerland – 11 days featuring travel along Tauck’s scenic Yellow Roads

Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence & Rome – 10 days in Italy with all multiple-night stays

Paradors of Northern Spain – 14 days exploring culturally rich Iberia

The Best of Ireland – 13 days featuring iconic cultural treasures of the Emerald Isle

A Week In… Ireland – 8 days with a 2-night stay at Dromoland Castle

A Week In… Spain – 8 days from Barcelona to Andalucía, Seville and Madrid

A Week In… Scotland – 8 days with 2- and 3-night stays in Loch Lomond, Inverness & Edinburgh

Spain and Portugal – 14 days of Iberian pleasures and culinary treasures

Normandy, Brittany, Paris & the Loire Valley – 13 days showcasing joie de vivre

A Week In… London & Paris – 4 nights at a grand hotel in London and 3 nights in Paree

Castles & Kings: London to Paris – An 8-day family vacation alive with royal traditions

Deposit must be paid at time of booking and certain restrictions apply. Valid on new bookings only and not combinable with other promotions; ask for details.

Tauck Tour Deals

Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey.

Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE.

Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE

Tauck Single Specials

For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost.

Tauck Single Specials in North America

Best of the Canadian Rockies

Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island

Charleston/Savannah

Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia

San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys

Tauck Single Specials in Europe

A Week in Ireland

A Week in Spain

Mediterranean Discovery

Istanbul and the Black Sea

Treasure of the Mediterranean

Cruising Mediterranean Shores

The Blue Danube

Holland Belgium in Spring

Strasbourg to Prague Serenade

The Rhine and Moselle

Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat

Budapest to the Black Sea

Classic Italy

Bellissima Northern Italy

Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome

A Week in Paris and Provence

Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America

Panama Canal & Costa Rica

 
 

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Yangtze River

By: Lily09 on 9/5/2009 1:04:58 PM

When is the best time to cruise the Yangtze River?.. (read entire post)

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