Tauck Announces 2023 Savings for Solo Travelers

Single Supplement Waived Entirely on All Category 1 Riverboat Cabins, and Reduced up to $1,000 on 176 Departures of 63 Itineraries to Five Continents

WILTON, CT (October 4, 2022) With the world now reopen to travel, Tauck is making sure that solo travelers aren’t left behind; the 97-year-old leader in upscale guided land journeys, European river cruises, small ship ocean cruises and Tauck Bridges family travel adventures has announced its solo traveler savings for 2023.

For the coming year, Tauck has again eliminated the single supplement on its Category 1 European riverboat cabins, waiving the supplement entirely for those cabins on each departure of every Tauck river cruise itinerary. The single supplement is thus being waived on nearly 250 Tauck river cruise departures next year. Tauck has also reduced the single supplement by $1,000 on other selected cabin categories on 63 departures of 20 different river itineraries.

On its land journeys, Tauck has reduced the single supplement by up to $1,000 on 113 departures of 43 tours visiting five continents. In North America, for example, the company has shaved up to $1,000 off the single supplement on 43 departures of 15 tours. On its popular European tours, Tauck has reduced the single supplement by up to $400 on 48 departures of 19 different land itineraries. And in its “Exotics” portfolio, Tauck has reduced the supplement by up to $600 on 22 departures of nine trips in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

“We’re excited to eliminate or dramatically reduce the single supplement on so many of our journeys, yet the financial savings are just one of several reasons why Tauck is so popular with solo travelers,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. “Our trips provide a wonderful sense of assurance and support that our solo guests truly appreciate, and many say they feel like ‘part of the family’ when they travel with us.”

“And of course,” Mahar continued, “planning a solo trip with Tauck is as simple as selecting the itinerary and the departure date. All of the advance planning and other tasks that would normally fall squarely on the shoulders of a solo traveler – all of the choreography, all of the hotel and restaurant reservations, all of the on-site transportation, navigation and more – they’re all expertly handled by Tauck. It’s hard to put a real value on a relaxing, enriching and memorable travel experience,” Mahar concluded, “and while the monetary savings are great, in some ways they’re really just the icing on the cake.”

About Tauck: Founded in 1925, Tauck is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 150 land tours, safaris, river cruises and small ship ocean cruises to 70+ countries and all seven continents. In each of the last 25 years, Tauck has been honored in Travel + Leisure magazine’s annual “World’s Best Awards” celebrating the very best in luxury tours, cruises, hotels and more.

Those interested in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at 800 468 2825, or visit the company’s website at www.tauck.com (www.tauck.ca in Canada, www.tauck.co.uk in the UK, www.tauck.com.au in Australia/New Zealand).

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My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Mars

Tauck Requiring Vaccinations on All Tours and Cruises

Policy Already Implemented Successfully Throughout Europe

WILTON, CT (September 8, 2021) Expanding a policy implemented earlier this year on its European tours and cruises, Tauck will now require all guests ages 12 and over to present proof of being fully vaccinated at the start of their trip. The expanded vaccination requirement was instituted on September 7, 2021, and applies to all of Tauck’s tours and cruises worldwide.

According to Jeremy Palmer, Tauck’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations, the move comes as entry requirements have been evolving rapidly around the world. “We’re seeing a steady increase in restaurants, museums and attractions requiring proof of vaccination,” said Palmer, “to the point where unvaccinated travelers won’t be able to fully participate in their Tauck journeys. It’s become clear that a universal vaccination requirement is the best way to ensure our guests enjoy all of the incredible experiences we build into our tours and cruises.

Palmer added that over the past few months Tauck has safely hosted thousands of Tauck guests on more than 80 itineraries around the globe, earning high guest-satisfaction scores along the way. He also anticipated that the company’s customers – 97% of whom are already vaccinated – would appreciate the simplicity of the new policy.

Tauck paused its operations due to Covid in March, 2020, and began hosting guests again in January and February of this year on several departures of its “Wonderland: Yellowstone in Winter” itinerary. In the months since, Tauck has successfully resumed operating its tours and cruises in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Latin America and elsewhere.

Guests who are impacted by the policy change may take advantage of Tauck’s 2021 Flexible Booking Policy, which waives all change penalties when their booking is transferred to another Tauck trip operating in 2021 or 2022. Information on Tauck’s policies is available on their Travel Updates page on the company’s website.

CLEARING UP CONFUSION OVER THE EU’S RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT

At the same time that Tauck was revising its vaccination policy, it was also busy reaching out to its network of travel advisor partners to clear up the considerable confusion regarding the EU’s removal of the U.S. from its “Safe Travel” list. While the EU suggested that its member nations prohibit non-essential visits by American travelers, Tauck noted in an email to its travel advisor partners that the EU’s action was merely a recommendation and that each EU member is free to set its own policies. The email, written by Steve Spivak, Tauck’s Vice President of Global Sales and Partner Relations, emphasized that “the EU has no authority to require that countries restrict entry to travelers from the U.S.”

The email also took issue with how the EU announcement was sometimes distorted in press reports, and stressed the need for Tauck and its travel advisor partners to stay fully informed. “In light of the broad misunderstanding of this development in Europe, and the misinformation being disseminated,” the email read, “it is incumbent on all of us to serve our clients and our industry, by confidently sharing facts and information that are grounded in reality.”

Having a trusted source for accurate information can foster peace of mind in uncertain times, noted Palmer, who also urged travelers today to be prepared and stay flexible. “Being prepared can be as simple as keeping proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test result handy,” said Palmer, “and traveling with a reputable tour operator like Tauck is a great way to stay flexible and ensure you’re never alone. We have knowledge and resources far beyond the scope of an independent traveler, and we stand ready to support and assist in a hundred different ways should any need arise.”

About Tauck: Founded in 1925, Tauck is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 150 land tours, safaris, river cruises and small ship ocean cruises to 70+ countries and all seven continents. In each of the last 23 years, Tauck has been honored in Travel + Leisure magazine’s annual “World’s Best Awards” celebrating the very best in luxury tours, cruises, hotels and more.

Those interested in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at 800 468 2825, or visit the company’s website at www.tauck.com (www.tauck.ca in Canada, www.tauck.co.uk in the UK, www.tauck.com.au in Australia/New Zealand).

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Our review of Silversea Silver Moon

Tauck Christens New ms Andorinha Riverboat in Portugal – to the Delight of its Customers

New Ship, Purpose-Built for the Douro River, is Inspired by Local Culture and Climate

WILTON, CT (August 9, 2021) Shortly before embarking Tauck’s new ms Andorinha riverboat on Saturday for the ship’s first scheduled cruise along Portugal’s Douro River, the company’s customers were informed of a special treat – they would be the guests of honor for the ship’s official christening ceremony. The Tauck guests were traveling on Day 3 of the company’s 12-day “Exploring the Douro, plus Lisbon & Madrid” itinerary, and after an initial two-night hotel stay in Madrid, they expected nothing more than a typical embarkation experience in the riverside village of Barca d'Alva. In true Tauck fashion, attending the christening ceremony was a surprise bonus.

“In crafting our itineraries, we work extraordinarily hard to find fun and unexpected experiences for our guests and craft them into our journeys. It’s very gratifying to surprise our guests with a sense of wonder and delight, and for this lucky group of guests, we were able to provide an especially memorable experience,” said company CEO Dan Mahar. Prior christenings of Tauck riverboats have typically been attended by company executives, local dignitaries, travel advisors, supplier partners and members of the media. And while Mahar and other Tauck executives were indeed in attendance, the participation of Tauck’s loyal patrons added a fun and unique element to the proceedings for all.

Serving as godmothers for the Andorinha were two long-time Tauck employees, company President Jennifer Tombaugh and Chief Culture Officer Sharyn Cannon. In announcing their selection as godmothers last month, Mahar stated that “Jennifer and Sharyn are the embodiment of Tauck’s ethos of caring for others,” noting that “their deep care and concern for our guests, for our employees, and for our travel advisors and supplier partners guides all that they do and how they do it.” Both Tombaugh and Cannon have been with Tauck for more than 20 years.

INSPIRED BY PORTUGAL’S CULTURE AND CLIMATE

The Andorinha was purpose-built specifically for the Douro River, and its décor and design are inspired by the Douro Valley’s culture and climate. Recurring design themes on the Andorinha include traditional painted ceramic tiles, or azulejos, adorning areas throughout the ship, and decorative metalwork suggestive of grapevines that invoke Portugal’s 2,500 years of winemaking tradition. The Andorinha’s reception area, for example, features an oversized, domed ceiling light entwined with brass “branches” custom-cast from actual grapevines.

Along with the Andorinha’s decor and furnishings, the ship’s name is also rooted in local culture. Andorinhas are a species of small migratory swallow that travel to Africa every winter and return to Portugal each spring. The birds mate for life and return each year to the same nest, and small porcelain figurines of andorinhas have become a popular national symbol of family, fidelity and home.

OPTIMIZING THE ANDORINHA’S SUN DECK

Portugal is renowned for its warm, sunny weather, and the Andorinha’s Sun Deck has been designed and outfitted to serve as an ideal platform for savoring the Douro Valley’s passing landscapes. The Sun Deck features canopied Balinese day beds for comfortable, shaded lounging, plus an infinity-style pool that’s five-times the size of the plunge pools featured on Tauck’s other riverboats. In addition, the Sun Deck features an outdoor grill to host casual barbecues along with a full-service bar to ensure that Tauck guests stay well hydrated.

The most notable feature on the Andorinha’s Sun Deck, however, is a pop-up restaurant that rises from the stern of the ship on hydraulic lifts to become a fully functioning eatery with commanding views of the surrounding countryside. Named Arthur’s for Tauck chairman Arthur Tauck Jr., the restaurant offers a mix of steak house-style classics as well as a selection of regional fare, serving as a more casual alternative to the Andorinha’s main Compass Rose restaurant. When approaching any particularly low bridges, Arthur’s will be briefly lowered to improve the Andorinha’s clearance and allow the ship to continue along on its voyage.

As with its other riverboats (and rather than maximizing passenger capacity and revenues), Tauck is again offering more suites, more spacious public areas, and a less-crowded, more intimate onboard ambiance. The Andorinha accommodates just 84 Tauck guests, versus up to 112 passengers – or 33% more people – on other cruise lines’ Douro ships of the same approximate size. Even with fewer guests aboard, the Andorinha still has more director-level personnel to ensure Tauck guests enjoy the highest levels of care and service. Like other Tauck riverboats, the Andorinha is staffed by a Tauck Cruise Director and three Tauck Director guides.

Guests sailing on the Andorinha are accommodated in 42 cabins, including twelve 300-square-foot suites on the upper Diamond Deck, and twenty 225-square-foot staterooms primarily on the vessel’s Ruby or mid-level deck. The remaining accommodations (six 200-square-foot cabins and four 150-square-foot cabins) are on the lower or Emerald Deck.

PENT-UP DEMAND LEADS TO STRONG BOOKINGS

Tauck is offering two Douro River itineraries aboard the Andorinha in 2021; the 12-day “Exploring the Douro, plus Lisbon & Madrid” journey that bookends a seven-night Douro cruise with two-night hotel stays in Lisbon and Madrid, and an eight-day “Villages and Vintages: Cruising the Douro River Valley” cruise-only itinerary along the river. “Douro Discovery: A Family River Cruise in Portugal plus Madrid,” an eight-day Tauck Bridges cruise designed specifically for families, will be added to Tauck’s Douro portfolio in 2022.

According to Mahar, bookings for Tauck’s Douro cruises in both 2021 and 2022 are very strong. “We already had incredible demand for our planned debut on the Douro in 2020,” said Mahar. “With those travel dreams deferred to this year, and with all the other pent-up demand for travel resulting from Covid, interest in our Douro cruises is unprecedented. We look forward to sharing this beautiful part of the world with our guests, and we encourage advisors to secure their clients’ space quickly as inventory is not likely to last.”

About Tauck: Founded in 1925, Tauck is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 150 land tours, safaris, river cruises and small ship ocean cruises to 70+ countries and all seven continents. In each of the last 23 years, Tauck has been honored in Travel + Leisure magazine’s annual “World’s Best Awards” celebrating the very best in luxury tours, cruises, hotels and more.

Those interested in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at 800 468 2825, or visit the company’s website at www.tauck.com (www.tauck.ca in Canada, www.tauck.co.uk in the UK, www.tauck.com.au in Australia/New Zealand).

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Coming to CruiseReport.com in July 2021

Tauck Announces Godmothers for New ms Andorinha Riverboat

Company’s President and Chief Culture Officer to Share Honors When New Douro River Ship is Christened in August

WILTON, CT (July 8, 2021) Two of Tauck’s top executives, each with more than 20 years tenure with the company, will serve as co-godmothers when Tauck’s new ms Andorinha riverboat is christened next month in the small Portuguese village of Barca de Alva. Company President Jennifer Tombaugh and Chief Culture Officer Sharyn Cannon will share the honors when the new ship, designed specifically for cruising along Portugal’s Douro River, officially enters Tauck’s fleet during the first week of August.

“Jennifer and Sharyn are the embodiment of Tauck’s ethos of caring for others, which has been the cornerstone of Tauck’s success for 96 years,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. “Their deep care and concern for our guests, for our employees, and for our travel advisors and supplier-partners guides all that they do and how they do it. I know I speak for the entire Tauck family when I say that the honor is truly ours to have Jennifer and Sharyn serve as the Andorinha’s godmothers.”

Tombaugh joined Tauck in 2001, and today oversees the company’s Worldwide Operations, Brand Management, Reservations, Guest Relations and Sales teams. During her Tauck career she has been responsible for the launch of Tauck Bridges (the company’s family travel brand), Tauck’s groundbreaking partnership with acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns, the redesign of the company’s reservation systems and website, and the formation of Tauck Ventures, focused on new business development. Cannon joined Tauck in 1999 as the Director of the company’s Reservations Sales Center. Today she leads a number of key departments including Human Resources, Tauck Director Management and IMPACT (Tauck’s philanthropic efforts), all with special focus on the engagement of Tauck’s employees and stewardship of Tauck’s unique culture. She also co-leads the company’s Global Response Team (crisis management).

Andorinha

Designed specifically to sail on Portugal’s Douro River (and originally scheduled to be christened in March of last year), the Andorinha is named for a species of small migratory swallow that returns to the same nests in Portugal each spring after wintering in Africa. With travel finally resuming after the Covid-19 pandemic, that symbol of resilience and renewal is especially meaningful for Tombaugh and Cannon.

“After such a long pause in travel and with the disruptions in all of our lives, the launch of the Andorinha and the start of our journeys on the Douro take on a much deeper meaning of restart, renewal and rebirth,” said Tombaugh. Cannon agreed, noting that “in Portuguese culture the andorinha symbolizes love, loyalty and faithfulness, and I can’t think of a greater symbol for these times, for our employees and for our guests.”

THE TAUCK ONBOARD EXPERIENCE: FEWER GUESTS, MORE SERVICE STAFF

Rather than designing the Andorinha to maximize passenger capacity (and revenues), Tauck has again focused its energies on delivering a superior onboard experience to its guests. As with Tauck’s other riverboats, the Andorinha will feature more suites, more spacious public areas, and a less-crowded, more intimate onboard ambiance. The new ship will accommodate just 84 Tauck guests, versus up to 112 passengers – or 33% more people – on other cruise lines’ Douro ships of the same approximate size. Even with fewer guests aboard, the Andorinha will still have more director-level personnel to ensure Tauck guests enjoy the highest levels of care and service. Like other Tauck riverboats, the Andorinha will be staffed by a Tauck Cruise Director and three Tauck Director guides.

Guests sailing on the Andorinha will be accommodated in 42 cabins, including 12 300-square-foot suites on the upper Diamond Deck, and 20 225-square-foot staterooms primarily on the vessel’s Ruby or mid-level deck. The remaining accommodations (six 200-square-foot cabins and four 150-square-foot cabins) will be on the lower or Emerald Deck.

Tauck is offering two Douro River itineraries aboard the Andorinha in 2021; a 12-day journeythat bookends a seven-night Douro cruise with two-night hotel stays in Lisbon and Madrid, and an eight-day “cruise-only” itinerary along the river. “Douro Discovery,” an eight-day Tauck Bridges cruise designed specifically for families, will debut in 2022.

About Tauck: Founded in 1925, Tauck is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 150 land tours, safaris, river cruises and small ship ocean cruises to 70+ countries and all seven continents. In each of the last 23 years, Tauck has been honored in Travel + Leisure magazine’s annual “World’s Best Awards” celebrating the very best in luxury tours, cruises, hotels and more.

Those interested in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at 800 468 2825, or visit the company’s website at www.tauck.com (www.tauck.ca in Canada, www.tauck.co.uk in the UK, www.tauck.com.au in Australia/New Zealand).

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Coming to CruiseReport.com in July 2021

Tauck Announces Resumption of Global Operations

All European River Cruises, Italy Land Tours and More to Resume in August and September

WILTON, CT (June 29, 2021) After announcing the restart of select tours and cruises in recent weeks, Tauck revealed today that it plans to resume full operations of all remaining 2021 itineraries during August and September. Today’s announcement includes the return of Tauck’s Danube and Rhine river cruises, its land tours in Italy and elsewhere across Europe, and its explorations of far-flung destinations ranging from Morocco to Machu Picchu. In all, Tauck expects to operate more than 80% of its pre-pandemic portfolio of tours and cruises this year, with a full return of all itineraries slated for 2022.

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce the global restart of our 2021 journeys,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. “If a destination is welcoming American travelers, and if it’s a place where Tauck operates, we’ll be bringing our guests there in the coming months.

Mahar went on to put today’s announcement in perspective. “The challenges of the past 15 months have been unprecedented in our 96-year history,” he noted, “but the loyalty of our guests and travel advisors, the skill, dedication and hard work of our employees, and our bedrock philosophy to always ‘do the right thing’ have brought us to this day. We’re humbled and grateful, and we’re incredibly excited to move forward.”

Tauck has begun operating an increasing number of tour and cruise departures in the U.S. and elsewhere over the past weeks. Earlier this month the company announced the August resumption of a few select land tours and cruises in Europe, its cruises in the Galapagos Islands and its guided safaris in eastern and southern Africa. However, and even with the resumption of those itineraries, Tauck had yet to confirm restart plans for the bulk of its 2021 itineraries prior to today’s announcement.

Newly added to Tauck’s restart plans for August are several itineraries in Italy (one of Tauck’s most popular destinations), land tours in Switzerland, the company’s popular “A Week in… Ireland” tour, and its exploration of Jordan and Egypt. Tauck will also resume operations on the Rhine with its August 25th departure of “The Romantic Rhine” river cruise. The balance of Tauck’s 2021 tours and cruises, including the company’s popular river cruises on the Danubeand its other journeys on the Rhine, will begin operating in September.

OPTIMISM, CAUTION AND WHERE TO LEARN MORE

Although excited by today’s announcement, Mahar also sounded a note of caution. “To date the world’s return to travel has gone very, very well, and we have great cause for optimism,” said Mahar. “However, some restrictions remain in place for destinations like the UK and Canada, and we know that as our industry recovers, there will be twists and turns along the way. We’re as prepared as possible, but we know that the best attitude is to expect the unexpected and to stay flexible.”

For the most up-to-date listing and availability of Tauck trips, Mahar urges travelers and travel advisors to visit the company’s website. “Restarting operations across the globe isn’t as simple as flipping a switch, of course,” Mahar explained. “Visiting the Open for Travel and Travel Updates pages at Tauck.com continues to be the best way for our guests and travel advisors to stay fully informed on where we’ll be traveling in 2021, and the travel requirements in place for those specific tours and cruises.”

About Tauck: Founded in 1925, Tauck is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 150 land tours, safaris, river cruises and small ship ocean cruises to 70+ countries and all seven continents. In each of the last 23 years, Tauck has been honored in Travel + Leisure magazine’s annual “World’s Best Awards” celebrating the very best in luxury tours, cruises, hotels and more.

Those interested in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at 800 468 2825, or visit the company’s website at www.tauck.com (www.tauck.ca in Canada, www.tauck.co.uk in the UK, www.tauck.com.au in Australia/New Zealand).

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Coming to CruiseReport.com in July 2021

Tauck Resuming Operations in Europe and Africa

River Cruises in France and Portugal Slated for August, With Itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube to follow

WILTON, CT (June 2, 2021) Tauck, the Wilton, CT-based leader in upscale guided tours and cruises, has announced the official restart of its operations in Europe and Africa. The company plans to reopen in stages, beginning with selected departures of its “Iceland” and “Treasures of the Aegean” small ship ocean cruises in June and July. Also scheduled for July are the resumption of the company’s cruises in the Galapagos Islands as well as its Tauck Bridges family adventure in Costa Rica. Tauck’s guided safaris in eastern and southern Africa will resume in August, as will its land tours in Spain, France and Portugal.

August will also mark the resumption of Tauck’s European river cruises, with departures sailing on the Rhône and Seine in France and the Douro River in Portugal. Although no firm date has been set, Tauck plans to restart its cruises on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers – and the bulk of its remaining European land tours – in early fall as border openings permit. Those itineraries will be added to an “Open for Travel” page on Tauck’s website as they return to the company’s active roster.

THE NEW MS ANDORINHA

Tauck’s August sailings on the Douro will mark its first-ever journeys on the river, as well as the debut of its new ms Andorinha riverboat. The Andorinha will accommodate just 84 Tauck guests, versus up to 112 passengers – or 33% more people – on other cruise lines’ Douro ships of the same approximate size. The ship’s design and décor will reflect the climate and cultural traditions of the Douro River Valley, and one especially notable feature will be a pop-up restaurant that rises from the stern of the vessel’s Sun (top) Deck on hydraulic lifts to become a fully functioning eatery with commanding views of the surrounding countryside. Named Arthur’s for Tauck chairman Arthur Tauck Jr., the restaurant can also be lowered for added clearance when passing under low bridges.

Restarting its European operations is particularly significant for Tauck and its guests, as it’s the company’s most popular destination worldwide. Tauck has already resumed operations in the U.S. – its second most-popular destination – and the success Tauck is currently enjoying there will inform and enhance the restarts in Europe and Africa. “All the hard work and meticulous planning we’ve put into our relaunch in the U.S. has paid off,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar, “and we’ve proven conclusively that we can deliver the Tauck-level experience our guests expect while still following all of the necessary safety protocols.”

Tauck’s return to Europe comes as the company marks 30 years on the Continent. “Our chairman Arthur Tauck Jr. first brought Tauck guests to Europe in 1991,” said Mahar, “and after the events of the past year, restarting our operations there is an especially meaningful way to mark our 30th anniversary. We’re absolutely thrilled to be back, and we can’t wait to share the incredible wonders of Europe with our guests once more.”

In all, Tauck operates more than 70 land tours, river cruises and small ship ocean cruises across Europe, including Tauck Bridges family trips and a number of small group land tours averaging just 24 guests. Since their launch in 1991, Tauck’s European land journeys have been offered under the company’s “Yellow Roads of Europe” banner, a reference to the scenic, less-traveled auto routes highlighted in yellow on Michelin road maps. Guests on Tauck’s land journeys travel those “yellow roads” to explore intimate places and enjoy authentic “insider” experiences that independent travelers would find difficult if not impossible to discover on their own.

Tauck will resume its safaris in eastern and southern Africa with the August 2nd departure of “Mountain Gorilla Safari: Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda” and the August 4th departures of “Kenya & Tanzania: A Classic Safari” and “South Africa: An Elegant Adventure.” All of the company’s safaris are small-group journeys, with as few as 18 guests per departure to ensure an up-close, intimate immersion into the local culture, flora and fauna.

TAUCK CEO: PLAN AHEAD AS BOOKINGS SOAR

With the world beginning to reopen, Tauck CEO Mahar is strongly urging travelers to lock in their vacation plans now. “One thing we’ve learned time and again over our 96 years is that travel denied is really travel deferred,” said Mahar. “When people are unable to travel, it only fuels their desire and determination to do so. And now – with 97% of our guests having been vaccinated – we’re seeing demand come roaring back.”

“90% of our 2021 U.S. departures are completely sold out,” Mahar continued, “2022 has the strongest advance bookings of any year in our 96-year history, and April was our strongest booking month since 2007. We still have space today,” concluded Mahar, “but we can’t say how long it’s going to last.”

For the very latest information, visit the Travel Updates page on Tauck’s website.

About Tauck: Founded in 1925, Tauck is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 150 land tours, safaris, river cruises and small ship ocean cruises to 70+ countries and all seven continents. In each of the last 23 years, Tauck has been honored in Travel + Leisure magazine’s annual “World’s Best Awards” celebrating the very best in luxury tours, cruises, hotels and more.

Those interested in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at 800 468 2825, or visit the company’s website at www.tauck.com (www.tauck.ca in Canada, www.tauck.co.uk in the UK, www.tauck.com.au in Australia/New Zealand).

Tauck Quadruples River Cruises Featuring Floriade Horticultural Expo for 2022

The Netherlands’ Once-Every-Decade Festival Drew 2,000,000 Visitors in 2012

WILTON, CT (March 29, 2021) Ten years after Tauck saw exceptional bookings for its European river cruises featuring the Floriade International Horticultural Expo, the Connecticut-based company is preparing to capture even stronger anticipated demand for the 2022 iteration of the Netherlands’ once-every-decade festival. Where Tauck offered just a single itinerary that visited Floriade in 2012, it will feature the festival next year on a total of four different river cruises.

According to Tauck CEO Dan Mahar, the basis for the company’s bullish enthusiasm is two-fold. “Our excitement is rooted in both our past experience with Floriade, and in the really incredible plans we’ve seen for the 2022 expo,” said Mahar. “Our guests’ interest in attending Floriade is such that we essentially – and rather quickly – sold out our entire inventory in 2012,” he explained. Mahar also noted that the 2012 edition of Floriade drew more than 2,000,000 total visitors, or some four times the attendance at the 2010 performances of the Oberammergau Passion Play, another popular, once-every-decade cultural event featured on Tauck river cruises.

Next year’s Floriade, explained Mahar, will be far more than a simple flower show. The expo’s theme is “Growing Green Cities,” and it will showcase elements ranging from green architecture and environmentally-friendly food production to renewable energy and healthy living. The expo will be situated on 148 acres of land in the city of Almere that was raised and reclaimed from the sea, and following the festival’s conclusion late next year, its various buildings and facilities will collectively function as an enduring, environmentally-friendly urban center. “An apt comparison for the 2022 Floriade and its forward-looking emphasis on the cities of tomorrow would be Walt Disney’s vision for EPCOT,” said Mahar, noting how closely the EPCOT acronym (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) aligns with Floriade’s “Growing Green Cities” focus.

The Floriade expo will have more than enough to satisfy those with strong horticultural interests, including landscapes, gardens and greenhouses highlighting a vast collection of flowers, trees, shrubs, plants and crops from more than 40 countries. The festival will also feature live entertainment, themed cultural programs and exhibits, a host of international pavilions, a range of restaurants, food trucks and specialty tastings, and a diverse campus connected by gondolas, trains, bridges and walkways.

EARLY ADMISSION AND A PRIVATE SMALL-GROUP TOUR

Tauck guests will enjoy a full day at Floriade, highlighted by early-access admission one hour before the expo opens to the general public, and a 90-minute, small-group guided tour of key attractions hosted by a Floriade expert. Each guest will also receive a Tauck-issued, 25-euro Floriade credit card allowing them to enjoy lunch in their choice of dining venues, or purchase mementos of their visit if they prefer.

Tauck has also secured docking privileges in nearby Huizen, a short ten-minute drive from the Floriade grounds. For guests’ convenience and flexibility, private round-trip shuttles will be provided between the riverboat and the expo campus. The visit to Floriade, including expo admission, shuttle transportation, and the Floriade credit card, is included in Tauck’s cruise pricing, as are all other shore excursions, all gratuities, all onboard wine and spirits, airport transfers, luggage handling and more. The four Tauck river cruises featuring a visit to the Floriade expo include two 15-day itineraries, “Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat” and “The Rhine and Moselle,” along with two eight-day trips, “Belgium & Holland in Spring” and the new-for-2021 itinerary “Cruising the Dutch Waterways.”

LESSONS FROM THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

Information on Tauck’s four 2022 river cruises featuring Floriade has recently been posted on the company’s website, and can also be downloaded in an eight-page e-brochure. As Tauck begins to ramp up its promotional efforts for Floriade, CEO Mahar is urging those interested to make their plans quickly. “For most travelers, attending something like Floriade or the Oberammergau Passion Play is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience, and because they’re only available once every ten years, the opportunities to attend are really quite limited,” said Mahar. “Understandably, that creates a real sense of urgency among our guests that prompts them to act fast. With the Oberammergau Passion Play, we were 90% sold out before we started to actively promote it, and we’re fully expecting our Floriade trips to generate that same kind of response.”

About Tauck: Founded in 1925, Tauck is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 150 river cruises, small ship ocean cruises, land tours and safaris to 70+ countries and all seven continents. In each of the last 23 years, Tauck has been honored in Travel + Leisure magazine’s annual “World’s Best Awards” celebrating the very best in luxury cruises, tours, hotels and more.

Those interested in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at 800 468 2825, or visit the company’s website at www.tauck.com (www.tauck.ca in Canada, www.tauck.co.uk in the UK, www.tauck.com.au in Australia/New Zealand).