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 Serene — Tauck

A new 125m riverboat in Tauck's Destination Fleet, this ships debuts in 2026 with a new deck plan optimized for the utmost in spaciousness – with 80% of her cabins measuring 225 square feet or larger – and accommodating no more than 124 guests. Guest amenities inside her 20 300-square-foot Tauck Suites include spacious bathrooms with separate showers and walk in closets. She also sports 30 roomy 225-square-foot cabins, and 12 180-square-foot cabins. Two decks have floor-to-ceiling windows with real French balconies that open on to a balcony in the fresh air and idyllic riverscapes; all have in-room minibar, adjustable heating and cooling, private bathroom and shower with pampering toiletries. Onboard entertainment includes enrichment lectures, piano music nightly, in-room movies, culinary demos, local entertainment and "themed" fun.

2 European twin beds **Stateroom Furnishings: ** Elegantly designed cabins **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: **Elegantly designed cabins, 2-small windows in the cabin that do not open; in-room movies, minibar, adjustable climate control, private bathroom with shower and pampering toiletries, more information to come

2 European twin beds that can slide together **Stateroom Furnishings: **Elegantly designed cabins **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: **Elegantly designed cabins, two small windows in the cabin that do not open; in-room movies, minibar, adjustable climate control, private bathroom with shower and pampering toiletries, more information to come

2 European twin beds that can slide together **Stateroom Furnishings: ** Elegantly designed cabins **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: **Elegantly designed cabins, cabin windows are floor to ceiling, open as sliding door, in-room movies, minibar, adjustable climate control, private bathroom with shower and pampering toiletries, more information to come

2 European twin beds that can slide together **Stateroom Furnishings: **Elegantly designed cabins **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: **Elegantly designed cabins, cabin windows are floor to ceiling and open as sliding door, in-room movies, minibar, adjustable climate control, private bathroom with shower and pampering toiletries, more information to come

2 European twin beds that can slide together; sofa bed **Stateroom Furnishings: ** Elegantly designed cabins **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: **Elegantly designed cabins, 2 French balconies, cabin windows are floor to ceiling, open as sliding door, in-room movies, minibar, adjustable climate control, private bathroom with shower and pampering toiletries, more information to come

Open seating in main dining room, The Compass Rose; flexible dining times; vegetarian meals always available Alternate dining venue, Arthur's, offering classic favorites at lunch and dinner and lighter breakfasts in the morning Al fresco dining on Sun Deck, weather permitting Unlimited complimentary beverages aboard ship include regional wine, beer and premium spirits in addition to specialty coffee, water and soft drinks

**Wine and dine at The Compass Rose** Dine on fine, freshly prepared cuisine with regional wines and beer included at lunch and dinner onboard, with attentive, friendly service - plus regional treats and tastings - as you enjoy great views of the passing scenery in our panoramic main dining room The Compass Rose.

**Enjoy casual dining offerings at Arthur's** Casual dining venue, Arthur's, serves guests lighter breakfasts in the morning and offers classic favourites for lunch and dinner.

Your day starts with breakfast onboard… sharing your favorite table by the window with the couple you became friends with at your welcome dinner… enjoying your favorite buffet selections just the way you like them… The riverboat docks right around the time you're finished with breakfast; you couldn't have asked for better timing… As you step off the ship, our local experts eagerly await to show you the places they call home on memorable all-included shore excursions. Back aboard, you'll have some time to explore your "floating hotel." Or decide to relax and chat with friends as you bask in the sun, sipping a cool drink. Refreshed, you head into the lobby just in time to watch the riverboat dock. Aboard the riverboat, you notice the lights reflecting on the river, and engage in a few moments' reflection of your own… taking in the magic of the riverscape one last time. After dinner, you meet your companions for a little more camaraderie around the piano in the lounge before calling it a night. Drifting off to sleep, you smile… realizing that you'll soon be waking up in another magical town… to embark on another perfect day of your Tauck river cruise…

A new swimming pool, deck seating, a full bar with dining service for al fresco meals on the Sun 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.

Bicycles available aboard for use ashore.

The wellness area, dubbed The Retreat, includes a fitness center, massage treatment room and lounging area (complete with coffee/juice/snack bar) plus full floor-to-ceiling windows.

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!

2 European twin beds that can slide together **Stateroom Furnishings: ** Elegantly designed cabins **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: **Elegantly designed cabins, cabin windows are floor to ceiling, open as sliding door, in-room movies, minibar, adjustable climate control, private bathroom with shower and pampering toiletries, more information to come

2 European twin beds that can slide together **Stateroom Furnishings: **Elegantly designed cabins **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: **Elegantly designed cabins, cabin windows are floor to ceiling and open as sliding door, in-room movies, minibar, adjustable climate control, private bathroom with shower and pampering toiletries, more information to come

**Enjoy casual dining offerings at Arthur's** Casual dining venue, Arthur's, serves guests lighter breakfasts in the morning and offers classic favourites for lunch and dinner.

A new swimming pool, deck seating, a full bar with dining service for al fresco meals on the Sun 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.

Bicycles available aboard for use ashore.

The wellness area, dubbed The Retreat, includes a fitness center, massage treatment room and lounging area (complete with coffee/juice/snack bar) plus full floor-to-ceiling windows.