Tauck drops supplement from EU cruises

Good news is at hand for solo travelers frustrated by paying a higher per-person cabin rate than cruisers sharing a stateroom with a spouse or friend.  Tauck is dropping the “single supplement” for Category 1 cabins on each of its 2013 European river cruises.  The savings apply to every departure on all 14 of Tauck’s European river cruise itineraries. “The fact that we’ve waived the Category 1 single supplement on over 100 Tauck river cruise sailings will be welcome news to solo travelers everywhere,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar.  “What’s more, the savings they’ll enjoy are substantial.”  According to Mahar, the savings are as high as $4,676 (on Tauck’s 24-day, trans-European cruise), and the average savings is over $2,400.  Tauck is also offering savings of $1,000 off the normal single supplement on Category 3 cabins on selected sailings of eight different European river cruise itineraries.  The $1,000 Category 3 savings represent an average reduction in the single supplemet of nearly 40%. Tauck river cruises were already a smart option for solo travelers heading to Europe, noted Mahar, who added that the single supplement savings now make them an even better choice.  “For solo travelers organizing their own trip to Europe, all the work of planning and executing the itinerary falls entirely on their own shoulders, but with a Tauck river cruise, everything is taken care of for them,” said Mahar.  “And of course, there’s a camaraderie and connection with their fellow travelers, plus a great sense of security, that solo travelers don’t get to enjoy on their own.  Finally, because our riverboats hold just 118 guests, they offer a refined, club-like atmosphere that’s very intimate and welcoming for anyone traveling on their own.” NEW CRUISE ITINERARIES FOR FAMILIES AND ART LOVERS Along with the solo traveler savings, Tauck’s 2013 river cruise plans include the launch of two new itineraries on the Rhone, “Bon Voyage: France Family River Cruise” (part of the Tauck Bridges collection of family-specific trips), and “Artistic Impressions: Monte-Carlo to Paris” which highlights art culture and history.  The 10-day Tauck Bridges family cruise begins with an included two-night hotel stay with guided sightseeing in Paris that includes the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and a special dinner at Fouquet’s.  Guests then travel on the high-speed TGV train to Lyon, where they’ll board Tauck’s MS Swiss Emerald for a seven-night cruise on the Rhone.   A number of special activities in Paris and during the river cruise add to the fun, including a scavenger hunt in the Louvre, the opportunity to play petanque in Viviers, a hayride in the Camargue, kayaking in the shadow of Pont du Gard, and the chance to sample local chocolates and prepare simple French dishes in Tournon.  Tauck is offering three departures of “Bon Voyage: France Family River Cruise,” on July 11, July 25 and August 1, 2013.  The cruise is priced from $4,690 per person, plus air. Tauck’s art-inspired “Artistic Impressions: Monte-Carlo to Paris” itinerary begins with guided sightseeing and an included two-night stay at the Fairmont Monte Carlo in Monaco before guests board the MS Swiss Emerald in Arles.  Special art-themed activities during the subsequent nine-night Rhone cruise include guided tours of the Chagall and Matisse museums in Nice, as well as the Jean Cocteau Museum in Menton.  Guests will also trace van Gogh’s footsteps in Arles, and explore the works of Cezanne in the Granet Museum in Aix-en-Provence. In addition, guests will view Roman antiquities at Vienne’s Musees Gallo-Romains and enjoy tours of Beaux Arts museums in both Dijon and Lyon.  The itinerary ends with an included two-night stay at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe in Paris, where guests will get a behind-the-scenes tour of an artist’s studio and choose between guided tours of the Louvre or the Musee de Rodin.  Departures for “Artistic Impressions: Monte-Carlo to Paris” are May 17 and September 18, 2013, and the 14-day itinerary is priced from $7,190 per-person, double occupancy, plus air. TAUCK’S GROWING PORTFOLIO OF THEMED CRUISES The two new cruises are the latest themed itineraries in Tauck’s growing portfolio of European river cruises, and they follow the successful introduction of a Tauck Bridges family cruise on the Danube, a classical music-themed itinerary (also on the Danube), an exploration of French culinary culture on the Rhone, and Christmas market cruises on both the Rhine and the Danube. The success of Tauck’s themed cruises has contributed to the incredible growth of the company’s entire collection of river cruises.  Although there is still selective availability on some Tauck itineraries through the rest of its 2012 operating season, the company has already surpassed its bookings goal for the entire year.  The growth shows no signs of slowing, as Tauck’s preseason river cruise bookings for 2013 are more than double those of a year ago at this time. Tauck operates 14 itineraries on the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Main, Maas and Saône rivers.  Information on Tauck’s entire line-up of 2013 river cruises is contained in the company’s new 76-page European River Cruising brochure, which is currently mailing to travel agents and consumers.  Those interested in more information can visit their local travel professional