Tauck River Cruises

Each journey with Tauck River Cruising is an all-inclusive affair. Included in the cost are all shore excursions (with a choice of sightseeing options in many cities, unusual for river cruising), onshore and offshore dining, crew gratuities, transfers, onboard lectures and entertainment, pre- or post-cruise hotel stays, and unlimited beer, wine and spirits.

The emphasis onboard is on relaxed elegance, just the right vibe as you meander through the European countryside past provincial villages, castles and other historic sites.

All dining is open-seating, with intimate table setups for two, four and six. Dining aboard each ship includes buffets, a choice of menus reflecting regional cuisines, and special theme dinners. Vegetarian meals are available, and a selection of international wines is always on offer. For a lighter, more casual dining option, all six ships also have a Lido Bar (called Arthur's on the two newest boats) with 180-degree retractable glass walls.

Some meals are also offered off the ship, ranging from lunches in local restaurants to dinners in historic palaces. Meals are included in the cruise prices, although you can choose to dine independently on days the boat is docked in port longer.

Onboard entertainment comes in the form of lectures from the tour directors and experts, live music and/or a DJ. Folkloric music is also sometimes featured.

About Tauck River Cruising

Though the family-owned Connecticut-based tour company Tauck World Discovery has been involved for some time with providing all-inclusive cruise-based packages to consumers (through partnerships with expedition, mainstream and luxury cruise lines), it was only in 2006 that it launched its own fleet of riverboats. By 2013, its Tauck River Cruising sub-brand had expanded to four ships, and it added two new-builds in 2014.

Tauck River Cruising Fleet

Tauck's original four sister riverboats, the "Jewel Class" vessels, are 361 feet in length with a capacity for 118 passengers. This compares to 150 or more passengers on similar sized ships owned by other companies. Tauck's next generation of ships, known as the "Inspiration Class" (ms Inspire and ms Savor), which launched in 2014, are each 443 feet long and carry just 130 passengers. Shipboard cabins on all boats, regardless of class, are all outsides, with most having floor-to-ceiling windows. Each cabin is equipped with a flat-screen television, minibar, radio, safe, hair dryer, air conditioning, bathrobe, slippers, Molton Brown amenities and a private bathroom with shower; power is 220 volts. Bedding is cushy, with high-thread-count sheets and down pillows.

All boats also have an impressive number of large suites: 14 300-square-foot on the four Jewel-class boats and 22 on the two Inspiration-class boats. Each has a French balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bath with full tub, and walk-in closet.

Tasteful public spaces are decorated in teak, marble, brass, wrought iron and glass. In addition, the custom-built boats all feature Wi-Fi access throughout the ship, as well as fitness centers, massage rooms and 24-hour hot tubs.

Fellow Passengers

Tauck is targeting upscale, well-traveled professionals in the 55-and-older age range who are looking for an enriching cruise experience. It's also ideal for multigenerational family groups, with family-specific activities offered on select itineraries. Oftentimes passengers have traveled through Europe before, and they see river cruising as a new way to experience iconic European cities at a more relaxed pace than what's offered by group touring.