What new ships is Tauck introducing for 2026 European river cruising?

Tauck is debuting two new riverboats in France for 2026: ms Serene on the River Seine and ms Lumiere on the River Rhone. These ships feature fresh enhancements based on guest feedback, including an expanded wellness area, inviting social spaces, and spacious accommodations.

What European rivers and regions does Tauck cover in its 2026 river cruise collection?

Tauck's 2026 collection covers the Seine (5 cruises), the Rhone & Saone (3 cruises), Belgian & Dutch Waterways (3 cruises), the Rhine (7 cruises), the Danube (4 cruises), Cross-Continent journeys (3 cruises), and the Douro River (2 cruises), spanning multiple countries across Europe.

What recognition has Tauck received for its river cruises?

Tauck has been named to Travel + Leisure's 'World's Best Awards' River Cruise Lines list for 16 consecutive years. The company is family-owned for four generations and entering its second century of travel, with a 'small is big' philosophy focused on personal connections and little details.

What is new for Tauck's Seine cruises in 2026?

New for 2026, Tauck introduces a 'Bordeaux, Paris & The Seine' itinerary. The Seine collection includes five cruises: Bordeaux, Paris & The Seine; Impressions from the Seine: Paris to Normandy; Rendezvous on the Seine; Cruising the Seine plus Paris & London; and The Seine: Holiday Magic.

What is included in a Tauck river cruise?

Tauck river cruises are virtually all-inclusive, covering shore excursions led by expert local guides, exclusive experiences (such as private dinners in family-owned palaces, after-hours museum visits, early-entry to iconic sites like Monet's gardens at Giverny), stays in landmark city-center hotels that bookend the cruise, and all onboard amenities on custom-crafted riverboats designed with more space for fewer guests.

ms Andorinha — Tauck

Custom-designed by our long-time partner Scylla to accommodate no more than 84 guests within an innovative deck plan featuring 12 300-sq. ft. Tauck Suites and 20 225-sq. ft. cabins, this brand-new 80-meter (263-foot) riverboat was specifically built for cruising amidst the historic quintas and picturesque villages along Portugal's golden Douro River. Purposefully-built for cruising to historic quintas and picturesque villages along Portugal's golden Douro River, our newly constructed custom riverboat. ms Andorinha, will cruise from coastal Porto to the Spanish border with Tauck in 2020 and offers spacious accommodations for just 84 guests. The ship is outfitted with 12 300-sq.-ft. Tauck Suites and more 225-sq.-ft. cabins, to maximize the onboard experience in every way and features beautiful Portuguese craftsmanship from local companies, which can be found in some of the furniture and lighting fixtures. The ship's color scheme as well as patterns used in the artwork, carpets and fencing are inspired by the typical decorative tiles which can be found throughout Portugal and the various lighting fixtures on board are custom made for Andorinha and resemble vines in the many vineyards along the Douro river. Add a small swimming pool atop the Sun Deck that refreshes the body and spirit as you drink in the background of the passing UNESCO World Heritage Site scenery, onboard dining venues, and built-in amenities custom-designed to delight, and you'll experience a riverboat truly inspired by the destination. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

2 European twin beds that can slide together; 200 cm x 150 cm (two beds 200 cm x 75 cm each when separate); 79" x 59" (two beds 79" x 29.5"); 4 pieces of luggage can be stored under beds **Stateroom Furnishings:** 1 Chair, 2 Nightstands, 1 Desk, Closet, Mirrors **Private Bathroom:** Yes, with shower **Bathroom Amenities:** Towels, Washcloths, Bathrobes & Slippers (2 per cabin), One Sink, Outlet for Electric Shaver (220v only in bathroom), Shower Cap, Soap, lotion, shower gel, conditioner **Stateroom Amenities:** Flat Screen TV with Remote Control, Hair dryer, Individually Controlled Heating and A/C, International Direct Dial Telephone, iPod Dock with Alarm Clock, Mini-Bar/Refrigerator, Nespresso machine, Outlets: 220v above nightstands and desk, 110V above desk, Safe, Shoe Polish Towels, Wine Glasses

2 European twin beds that can slide together; 200 cm x 156 cm (two beds 200 cm x 78 cm each when separate); 79" x 61" (two beds 79" x 31"); 4 pieces of luggage can be stored under beds **Stateroom Furnishings:** 1 Side Table, 2 Chairs, 2 Nightstands, 1 Desk, 1 Stool, Mirrors **Private Bathroom:** Yes, with shower **Bathroom Amenities:** Bathrobes & Slippers (2 per cabin), One Sink, Outlet for Electric Shaver - 220 v only in bathroom, Shower Cap, Soap, Lotion, Shower Gel, Conditioner **Stateroom Amenities:** Flat Screen TV with Remote Control, Hair Dryer, Individually Controlled Heating and A/C, International Direct Dial Telephone, iPod Dock with Alarm Clock, Mini-Bar/Refrigerator, Nespresso machine, Outlets: 220v outlets above nightstands and desk, 110V above desk, Safe, Shoe Polish Towels, Wine Glasses

2 European twin beds that can slide together; 200 cm x 160 cm (two beds 200 cm x 80 cm each when separate); 79" x 63" (two beds 79" x 31.5"); 4 pieces of luggage can be stored under beds **Stateroom Furnishings:** 1 Table, 2 Armchairs, 2 Nightstands, Closet, Mirrors **Private Bathroom:** Yes, with shower **Bathroom Amenities:** Bathrobes & Slippers (2 per cabin), One Sink, Outlet for Electric Shaver - 220 v only in bathroom, Shower Cap, Soap, Lotion, Shower Gel, Conditioner, Towels & Washcloths **Stateroom Amenities:** Flat Screen TV with Remote Control, Hair dryer, Individually Controlled Heating and A/C, International Direct Dial Telephone, iPod Dock with Alarm Clock, Mini-Bar/Refrigerator, Nespresso machine, Outlets: 220v above nightstands and desk, 110V above dresser, Safe, Shoe Polish Towels, Wine Glasses

2 European twin beds that can slide together; 200 cm x 180 cm (two beds 200 cm x 90 cm each when separate); 79" x 71" (two beds 79" x 35"); 4 pieces of luggage can be stored under beds **Stateroom Furnishings:** Pull-out sleeping sofa 190 cm x 110 cm – 75" x 43", 1 Armchair, 1 Stool, 1 Table, 2 Nightstands, Closet, Mirrors **Private Bathroom:** Yes, with shower **Bathroom Amenities:** Bathrobes & Slippers (2 per suite), One Sink, Outlet for Electric Shaver - 220 v only in bathroom, Shower Cap, Soap, Lotion, Shower Gel, Conditioner **Stateroom Amenities:** 220v above nightstands and desk, 110V above dresser, Flat Screen TV with Remote Control, Hair dryer, Individually Controlled Heating and A/C, International Direct Dial Telephone, iPod Dock with Alarm Clock, Mini-Bar/Refrigerator, Nespresso machine, Safe, Shoe Polish Towels, Wine Glasses, Cat 5 ONLY: Room-service breakfast featuring continental breakfast with eggs, a shipboard credit (one per stateroom) is provided to be used onboard for spa services, gift shop purchases, etc

- Open seating in main dining room, The Compass Rose; flexible dining times; vegetarian meals always available- Alternate dining venue, Arthur's, offering classic favourites at lunch and dinner and lighter breakfasts in the morning- Al fresco dining on Sun Deck, weather permitting- American breakfast room service available in Category 5 Tauck Suites - Complimentary snacks served 10:00 AM – midnight

Located on the Sun Deck

Located on the Ruby Deck

- Unlimited complimentary beverages aboard ship include regional wine, beer and premium spirits in addition to specialty coffee, water and soft drinks- Onboard entertainment includes enrichment lectures, piano music nightly, in-room movies, culinary demos, local entertainment and "themed" fun- Small Swimming Pool on Sun Deck

The Bar can be found on the Diamond Deck.

The Top Deck Bar can be found on the Sun Deck.

The Pool can be found on the Sun Deck.

Located on the Diamond Deck

On a Tauck river cruise, fewer guests means more of everything else. More space to stretch out. More time to soak it in. More quiet moments – and more meaningful ones, too. Smaller ships mean more space to call your own, fewer lines to navigate, and a front-row seat to everything – onboard and ashore.

Our Tauck Directors and handpicked local guides are more than experts – they're the heart of your journey, offering thoughtful service and deep knowledge that bring each destination to life.

From after-hours museum visits to private palace tours, Tauck opens doors that others can't. These behind-the-scenes experiences give you a unique view of Europe's cultural treasures, away from the crowds.

On land, the experience stays personal. Our guests explore in smaller groups, with a thoughtful guest-to-guide ratio of just 15 to 1. Each excursion is carefully timed and orchestrated to avoid the crowds – so you can enjoy Europe's cultural treasures with space to truly appreciate them.

A leisurely bicycle ride through countryside along the Danube River with your local guide is a perfect way to experience the centuries-old castles and lush vineyards of the Wachau Valley wine-growing region - declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval landscapes. Our river cruises offer numerous opportunities for cycling along Europe's rivers; every Tauck riverboats has bicycles aboard for use by guests ashore.

Tauck Bridges on the river offers family bonding, adventure, exploration and FUN... in Paris during a scavenger hunt in the Louvre, listening to stories of WW II in Normandy, discovering castles on the Rhine, ascending Mt. Pilatus in Lucerne for breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps, on a canal boat cruise in Amsterdam discovering the Netherland's capital city, aboard a Douro River cruise in Portugal – or aboard a fabulous expeditionary ship in the Galápagos Islands. These are the memories that last lifetimes.

Tauck Bridges trips are designed for family travelers of all ages and generations to enjoy together. From celebrating different cultures and traditions, discovering natural wonders and learning about history firsthand, these trips help build bridges of understanding between young and old, locals and travelers, all over the world. They are also designed to include interactive experiences that not only invite everyone's participation, they're lots of fun for every age and generation! **Bicycling with Your Family Ashore** A family cycling excursion through the countryside on your Tauck family river cruise Whether you're cruising the Rhine, Danube, Rhône or Seine, you can stretch everyone's legs a bit with a leisurely family bicycle ride through the countryside on your Tauck family river cruise. It's a perfect way to experience the centuries-old castles, lush vineyards and other unique landscapes along the river you're cruising. Our river cruises offer numerous opportunities for cycling along Europe's rivers; every Tauck riverboats has bicycles aboard for use by guests ashore. **Shipboard Fun for Kids** Onboard fun for everyone on your Tauck family river cruise There's always something fun for kids of all ages to do onboard a Tauck riverboat, and it's the best place to socialize! Meet local dancers, musicians, and artists who come aboard to demonstrate their talents. Make local treats with chefs and savor tastings, from crêpes in France to pastries in Austria. Enjoy the putting green, hot tub or plunge pool on the Sun Deck, or the fitness center. Language lessons, song and dance fests, and group games fill your evenings with family fun and new friendships.

**Ashore **– Guests with restricted mobility may have difficulty managing the pedestrian-only city centers, cobblestone streets and uneven surfaces that exist throughout Old World Europe. **Onboard** – Guests may need to walk across narrow gangways and ascend or descend stairs when embarking or disembarking the riverboat due to "double-docking" or the docking location. An able traveling companion who can help guests who require assistance must accompany them throughout their journey.

Many special dietary needs can be accommodated on Tauck journeys with advance notice, but cannot be guaranteed. Different destinations make some dietary needs harder to accommodate than others. Tauck will do everything possible in communicating your requests to hotels and restaurants. Common dietary requests like ‘low sodium’ or ‘vegetarian’ are likely to be accommodated much easier than very special or unique dietary needs. Meals that are full a la carte offer more flexibility for special dietary requests as do some limited a la carte meals. For the occasional ‘set menu’ or ‘buffet meals’ on Tauck journeys, unique dietary needs may prove a bit more challenging.

Typical dress for any Tauck journey is casual attire. Some journeys may include a specific dinner function or an event in which gentleman may be required to have, or feel more comfortable wearing, a sport jacket. But overall the rule of thumb is casual comfortable clothing. The final tour documentation will mention occasions (if any) on a journey in which a sport jacket or dressier clothing is suggested.

Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. In some cases there may be age restrictions on activities, and all children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 or older to make a reservation. Note: Children age 3 and older at the time of travel are welcome on many Tauck Bridges itineraries. Minimum age for our Tauck Bridges river cruises is 4 years old. We ask that you use good judgment if considering bringing a young child or children on a Tauck journey. Many of our itineraries do not cater to young children's interests, patience or stamina, and therefore aren't really suited to children of too young an age. Young children's behavior can be unpredictable, and with consideration for all fellow travelers wanting to enjoy their vacation to its fullest, it is important to know and understand that Tauck has the right to ask any tour member who is disruptive to a group to leave the tour whether they are 6 or 96 years of age. Family travel is important to us. The bond between children and adults as they experience the world together makes for special memories that last lifetimes. It is for that reason we created 'Tauck Bridges' – journeys for the whole family to enjoy together. Each of these kid-friendly family-oriented journeys has a minimum recommended age rating to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all our guests.

Just about everything! Virtually every travel expense is included in one up-front price – airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel and ship accommodations, entertainment, meals as specified in the itinerary, special meals, land and cruise transportation, sightseeing, shore excursions, luggage handling, most taxes, concierge-style services Tauck Directors, services of local guides and more. Meals are freshly prepared and regionally driven, both on the riverboat and at local restaurants. Complimentary beverages – from specialty coffee, tea, and soft drinks to house wine, beer and premium spirits – are included on the riverboats, all day, every day. All appropriate gratuities for luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, dining room servers, and ship staff are included. Tauck Tour Director and Tauck Cruise Director gratuities are included on all river cruises. Over 100 cost components are included on every cruise – which means no hidden costs, no surcharges, no on-tour surprises!

Located on the Sun Deck

Located on the Ruby Deck

The Bar can be found on the Diamond Deck.

The Top Deck Bar can be found on the Sun Deck.

The Pool can be found on the Sun Deck.

Located on the Diamond Deck

Our Tauck Directors and handpicked local guides are more than experts – they're the heart of your journey, offering thoughtful service and deep knowledge that bring each destination to life.