There are bound to be questions when travelling. Information on everything from weather to internet connections can be found below.

• Book This Trip

  To help expedite your booking, please have the following information ready before you call us:

  • Tour Name and Departure Date Desired
  • Traveler Name(s): Please have first and last names as they appear on the passport or driver's license.
  • Traveler’s Address(es)
  • Traveler’s Phone Number
  • Passport Information: This includes the Passport Number, Date of Issuance, Expiration Date, Nationality, Place of Issuance, Date of Birth, and Place of Birth.
  • Emergency Contact Information: This would be a relative or friend whom we could contact during the tour in the event of an emergency. Please provide their name and a phone number(s).
  • Interest in purchasing Tauck’s Travel Protection (see below).
  • Interest in extending your journey by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel either before your tour begins or after it ends
  • Interest in our specially negotiated airfares.

  For reservations, call 800-788-7885 or contact your travel agent to book today

  Tauck Reservation Sales Counselors are available

  Mon - Fri 6 am - 8 pm
  Sat 9 am - 5 pm
  Sun 12 pm - 5 pm (Eastern Time)

  Some additional questions you might have about booking this trip.
  
  Special Requests
  We will be happy to advise hotels of any special requests, provided we receive them at time of booking. We regret that requests cannot be guaranteed.

  Deposit Date 
  The Deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking. Your deposit is $600 per person.

  Final Payment is due at Tauck’s Norwalk, CT office 60 days before departure. Any bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice.

  Final Documents, which may include airline tickets, when applicable, are sent by first class mail upon receipt of final payment. They include joining instructions, cruise itinerary, clothing suggestions, luggage tags and other pertinent information. We recommend overnight mailing service for any reservation that is made within 30 days of the tour departure date to ensure timely delivery. The additional expense will be added to your tour cost.

• Inclusive Prices

  Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All riverboat accommodations, motor coach transportation, port charges, sightseeing, admissions, land excursions, porterage, wine with lunch and dinner aboard the riverboat, and the services of the Tauck Directors, Tauck Cruise Director, hotel and ship staff, local guides and drivers are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at Cologne/Bonn Airport and provide you with transportation to the riverboat, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. If you are arriving into a local train station please retain a receipt and submit it to your Tour Director for reimbursement. We will also provide you with transportation from the riverboat to Basel-Mulhouse International Airport or local train station on the last day of the cruise. Transportation to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.

  Riverboat Accommodations – The tour price includes all riverboat accommodations. The riverboat accommodates only 118 guests. Your well-appointed, outside-facing cabin offers a plush interior with plasma TV, mini-bar, radio, safe, hair dryer, international direct-dial telephone, adjustable air conditioning, private bathroom with shower, Molton Brown toiletries, and terry cloth robes and slippers. Most cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies.

  Most cabins have two twin beds that may be separated or combined. Triple accommodations in one room are only available in Category 6 on this cruise. Please note that we cannot guarantee adjacent, adjoining or connecting rooms. Requests for triple and quadruple accommodations are only available as two separate twin cabins in categories 1 and 3. We will do all that we can to secure rooms next to one another or connecting when possible.

  For safety and security purposes, at time of booking, room accommodations for children under 18 years of age must be made in the same room as a an accompanying adult; exceptions may be granted under certain circumstances with parental consent.

  While on board you may also enjoy the panoramic bar and dance floor in the lounge, the spacious restaurant that can accommodate all guests in one seating and the large sun deck with deck chairs and a whirlpool. An excerise room features stationary bicycles and treadmills. The ship’s small boutique is located by the reception desk.

  Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

  An ample buffet breakfast of both hot and cold dishes is served in the spacious restaurant. At lunch, you are presented with a choice of entrée with several courses, or a delicious buffet. Dinner’s choice of entrée is accompanied with an international selection of wines. Please let us know about your special dietary requirements when booking your cruise, as we will be pleased to meet your special dietary requirements whenever possible. Kosher meals are not available.

  Complimentary all-day soft drinks, coffee and tea service, cookies and fruit are available in the Lido Bar on the riverboat. A continental breakfast of muffins, pastries, fruit and yogurt is served here daily as well as a light lunch of soup, salad and sandwiches.

  All guests may order complimentary snack baskets to their room. Room service breakfast is complimentary for Category 6 cabins.

  The legal drinking age aboard the riverboat is 21 years old.

  Tauck Director – Christmas Markets Along the Rhine has one Tauck Director for every 40 guests and one Tauck Cruise Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Directors are professional, fully trained employees of Tauck.

  Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for the hotel and ship staff, local guides, drivers, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director are included.

  No Options Sold - Your Tauck Directors will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.

• Not Included

  Transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.

  Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Airport transfers are included for these bookings and train station transfers are reimbursable through your Tour Director as detailed above in Inclusive Prices. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult Extend Your Trip in the Accommodations section above on this webpage and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

  Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Travel Protection Product section below on this webpage for more information.

  Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:

  • Pack some basic clothing in your carry-on bag
  • Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
  • Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
  • Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
  • Be sure to place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
  • File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
  • Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
  • Be certain that the airline has your onward itinerary

  Your Tauck Director will assist you with airline communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.

  Personal Expenses  such as phone calls, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

• Tauck Travel Protection Product / If You Have To Cancel

  Tauck’s Cruise Protection and Cancellation Fee Waiver

  Guests booking a Tauck cruise have the option of purchasing cancellation protection from Tauck in the event they need to cancel their cruise after booking.

  Tauck's Travel Protection is available to all travelers, with the exception of residents of Puerto Rico.  Residents of Puerto Rico are eligible for some cancellation protection by purchasing Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver (see below).

  Tauck’s Cruise Protection

  Under Tauck’s all-inclusive Cruise Protection, you can cancel your cruise for any covered reason up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the cruise cost, based on your original method of payment. The following conditions apply:

  Section I – Should you have to cancel your cruise for any reason, Tauck’s Cruise Protection reduces the regular cancellation fees outlined herein, provided we are notified of cancellation before your cruise departs. Section I is provided by Tauck.

  Section II – Travel Insurance and Services Cancellation for Covered Reasons – Should you have to cancel your cruise due to illness, injury or other covered reason, any cancellation or airline penalties not refunded by Tauck would be reimbursable under Section II. This Protection also provides 24-hour emergency assistance services as well as:

  • Airfare Protection – Should you need to cancel or interrupt your cruise for covered reasons, airfares and air penalties are covered.
  • Medical Protection – Reimbursement for covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or ill during your cruise (including pre-existing conditions if purchased at time of booking).
  • Luggage Protection – Reimbursement for lost, stolen, delayed or damaged luggage.

  The cost of Tauck’s Cruise Protection is $530 per person.

  The above is a summary of the plan. Please refer to the Description of Coverage pamphlet provided with written confirmation of your cruise reservation for the complete details of the policy terms, limitations and exclusions applicable to Section II of the plan. The coverage and services provided under Section II were arranged with BerkelyCare on behalf of Stonebridge Casualty Insurance Company, under policy number MZ0911071H0001A.

  This optional Cruise Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included in initial payment. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your cruise reservation. Cruise Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Cost is not refundable under any circumstances. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

  Cancellation Fee Waiver

  Should you have to cancel your cruise en route for any reason, a non-refundable Cancellation Fee Waiver reduces cancellation fees outlined (except in Extreme Circumstances*), provided we are notified of your cancellation the day before your cruise departs. The cost for this Cancellation Fee Waiver is $400 per person.

  This Waiver is not insurance; it does not cover airline penalties, luggage damage, personal injury, or does not protect travel agent commissions. The advantage of this Waiver is that you may cancel for any reason. This optional Cancellation Fee Waiver must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included in initial payment. Cost of Waiver is not refundable under any circumstances. This optional Cancellation Fee Waiver must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included in initial payment.

  *Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck cruise or journey.

  If You Have To Cancel

  >Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. Therefore, the fees listed will apply.

  Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Cruise Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

  60 days or more before departure
  Loss of cost of Tauck’s Cruise Protection ($530) or Cancellation Fee Waiver ($400) per person
  
  59-30 days before departure
  Loss of 25% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise Protection fee, per person
  
  29-1 days before departure
  Loss of 50% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise Protection fee, per person
  

  
  Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Cruise Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
  
  

  60 days or more before departure
  $600 per person
  
  59-30 days before departure
  Loss of 50% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person
  
  29-1 days before departure
  Loss of 100% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person
  

  
  Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office.

  In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation and transfer terms outlined herein.

  Cruise Interruption Fees – If you have to interrupt your cruise en route, you may be entitled to a refund for the unused land portion if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less a fee of $40 per person per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.

  Partial Room Cancellation – A person canceling or leaving a cruise while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another. The price charged the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.

  Click here to download our complete Description of Coverage.

• Additional Information

  Airline Security Measures –

  If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.

  If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.

  For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA website by clicking here.

  If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S., you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.

  Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.

  Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

  Cruise Regulations – International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to us prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to us as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied. Once you board the riverboat, your passport will be held by the purser until you disembark.

  Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and civic holidays locally observed. You may wish to log on to Wikipedia to view a list of holidays by country by clicking here.

  Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate this tour as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.

  Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The cruise begins at 4:00 PM aboard the riverboat on the first day of the tour. Please allow sufficient time to claim your luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends when you disembark the riverboat on the last day of the tour. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.

  Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour for any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

  Photography During the Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of the event.

• Preparing to Go

  Travel Document Requirements –

  If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a  passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Germany, France and Switzerland. You are not required to obtain a visa for the short duration of this tour.

  If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries we visit on this tour to determine what travel documentation is required.

  Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

  You will be issued a boarding card, which you must present before embarking the ship in each port. This security measure also ensures that only Tauck guests are permitted onboard.

  We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your cabin while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents or cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

  Travel with Children –

  Age Recommendations ― Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.

  Babysitting ― There are no babysitting services available on the riverboat. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.

  Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety during the cruise. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.

  Special Travel Documentation for Children
  Authorization for Travel
  
  If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a notarized note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
  
  If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
  
  Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.
  
  Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
  
  In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

  Children who are U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the journey.

  We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

  Air Conditioning – The riverboat and the motor coaches used on this tour are air conditioned for your comfort.

  ATM and Credit Cards - We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on your journey to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

  Clothing and Packing – Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is recommended. A coat and sweater for the sun deck and touring is also recommended. Pack comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in, as many of the sites visited were built centuries ago and have uneven surfaces, some steep inclines and many steps. For the captain’s welcome dinner and the farewell luncheon, you may wish to dress more formally – jacket and tie for men, casually elegant attire for ladies (not required).

  Bathrobes, slippers and hairdryers are provided in each cabin on board the riverboat.

  The riverboat provides limited valet laundry services but no dry cleaning. Ironing facilities are available by request to the front desk. Category 6 cabins feature their own irons and ironing boards.

  We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription, or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

  We recommend you pack the following items for your cruise on the Rhine:

  • Flat, rubber-soled walking shoes for onboard
  • Sturdy but comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in for onshore
  • Short and long-sleeved cotton shirts
  • Slacks and jeans
  • Medium-weight socks
  • Medium-weight sweater
  • Winter coat
  • Raincoat and rain hat
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Collapsible umbrella
  • Sun protection
  • Camera, lenses, batteries and plenty of film and/or memory cards
  • Daypack for camera equipment
  • Travel clock with alarm
  • Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your cabin while traveling

  Elevation – The maximum elevation on this tour is 1036 ft (315 m).

  Health – While a cruise on the Rhine is very relaxing and the pace leisurely, to enjoy all the tour has to offer, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances. There is a moderate to significant amount of walking during our visits to the Christmas markets, often along cobblestone streets, and at many sites there are multiple stairs or steps; for the most part, however, the amount of walking you do is at your discretion.

  Your riverboat has four decks: Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, and Sun. The elevator runs between the Diamond and Ruby decks only and does not go up to the Emerald or Sun decks. There is no chair lift between any of the decks.

  Because you will be cruising on a river and not on the open sea, you are never far from land and, therefore, there is no doctor on board. In case of emergency, we can easily dock the boat and call for an ambulance or medical assistance.

  We do not recommend this journey for anyone who requires the use of a wheelchair or scooter, as the riverboat and the many local sites visited cannot accommodate these conveyances. We also cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.

  On board the riverboat, smoking is permitted in a limited area of the Sun deck. Smoking is not permitted in any cabin, the restaurant, the lounge or any other interior space.

  Your riverboat is registered in Basel, Switzerland. Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

  If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and inform us at time of booking.

  If you are a resident of the U.S. traveling internationally, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Germany, France or Switzerland. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Info Center at 800-232-4636/800-CDC-INFO (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website by clicking here. 

  If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally,  please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries we visit on this tour to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.

  Luggage Restrictions –
  
  Checked Luggage ― General

  While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We request that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

  In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select; first and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

  We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.

  Carry-on Luggage ― General

  Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or large items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small and is designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

  For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece and to carry only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not allow for access during daytime travel.

  Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!

• Destination Information

  Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. You will have many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.

  Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your cell phone service extends to Germany, France and Switzerland.

  Currency and Exchange Rates - Although it is not necessary for you to exchange money prior to your trip, it may be useful to have a small amount of local currency with you when sightseeing. The Euro is the official currency for Germany and France, Swiss Francs for Switzerland. If upon arrival you require local currency, you may visit one of the many currency exchange facilities at the airport or use an ATM. The riverboat does not exchange currency, but does accept Euro, American Express, MasterCard and Visa as methods of settling shipboard accounts.

  In all three countries visited, major credit cards and travelers’ checks are widely accepted, and ATMs are found in most tourist venues.

  To obtain the most current exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to oanda.com by clicking here.

  Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Germany, France and Switzerland each has its own Customs clearing process. You should familiarize yourself with each country’s specific required declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries. For more information, you may wish to visit VisaHQ.com by clicking here.

  If you are a U.S. resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, you are entitled to a duty-free exemption based on the total value of merchandise purchase abroad, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the U.S. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.

  If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.

  Many countries levy Value Added Taxes (VAT) on consumer goods and services. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.

  Electrical Current – All riverboat cabins are equipped with 220 V, 50 Hz, alternating electrical current that accommodates standard European plugs with two round prongs. The riverboat cabins are also equipped with a 110 V outlet for shavers. If you bring an electrical device that is not compatible with these electric currents or outlets, you may need to bring the appropriate adapters and converters.

  Internet Access Complimentary internet service and WIFI are available for your use while traveling on board the riverboat. You will need to use a password provided by the front desk to access the wireless internet service for your own laptop. You may also use a stationary computer located in the Lido Bar or you may borrow a laptop from the front desk for up to two hours at a time. PLEASE NOTE: Internet access is made possible by means of cellular service, and reception is impacted by several factors such as weather patterns, signal strength and the ship's location. Some email providers such as AOL, Comcast, and Bellsouth may not be available along the river. Internet reception is poor while in locks and may not be available at certain locations along your route. Your patience and understanding regarding connectivity limitations are appreciated.

  Time Zones – Germany, France and Switzerland are 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From late March through October, these countries switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 2 hours ahead. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to timeanddate.com by clicking here.

  Weather – The climate in December along the Rhine is seasonably cold. The average high and low temperatures are 42/33 °F (6/1 °C). The amount of precipitation is approximately 1.8 in (45.72 mm).  

  To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa. gov, by clicking here.
  
  

  Average Temperature
  	Cologne, Germany		Speyer, Germany
  Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
  January	40 / 31	5 / 0	39 / 31	4 / -1
  February	43 / 31	6 / -1	42 / 30	6 / -1
  March	51 / 36	11 / 2	53 / 37	12 / 3
  April	58 / 39	14 / 4	60 / 41	15 / 5
  May	66 / 46	19 / 8	68 / 49	20 / 9
  June	71 / 52	21 / 11	73 / 54	23 / 12
  July	75 / 56	24 / 13	78 / 58	25 / 14
  August	75 / 55	24 / 13	78 / 58	26 / 14
  September	67 / 50	20 / 10	70 / 52	21 / 11
  October	59 / 45	15 / 7	60 / 45	15 / 7
  November	48 / 38	9 / 3	53 / 37	12 / 3
  December	43 / 34	6 / 1	42 / 30	6 / -1
  	Strasbourg, France		Basel, Switzerland
  Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
  January	39 / 31	4 / -1	40 / 30	4 / -1
  February	43 / 31	6 / -1	44 / 30	7 / -1
  March	53 / 37	12 / 3	53 / 36	12 / 2
  April	59 / 41	15 / 5	59 / 40	15 / 4
  May	68 / 49	20 / 9	67 / 48	19 / 9
  June	73 / 55	23 / 13	73 / 54	23 / 12
  July	78 / 58	26 / 14	78 / 57	26 / 14
  August	70 / 51	21 / 11	78 / 57	26 / 14
  September	78 / 51	26 / 11	70 / 51	21 / 11
  October	59 / 45	15 / 7	60 / 45	16 / 7
  November	47 / 37	8 / 3	48 / 36	9 / 2
  December	41 / 34	5 / 1	42 / 33	6 / 0
  	Average Rainfall
  	Cologne, Germany		Speyer, Germany
  Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
  January	1.6	40.9	1.1	27.9
  February	1.4	35.4	1.1	27.7
  March	1.5	37.7	1.1	28.2
  April	1.4	35.0	1.3	33.6
  May	1.7	42.1	1.6	40.5
  June	2.5	62.7	1.8	46.5
  July	2.5	64.2	2.2	54.8
  August	1.7	43.2	1.4	34.7
  September	1.8	45.9	1.3	33.6
  October	1.7	43.7	1.3	33.7
  November	1.7	42.9	1.1	28.2
  December	2.0	49.8	1.1	27.9
  	Strasbourg, France		Basel, Switzerland
  Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
  January	0.9	22	1.3	32
  February	1	26	1.3	32
  March	1.1	28	1.3	33
  April	1.3	33	1.7	43
  May	2.1	53	2.4	60
  June	2	51	1.9	48
  July	2	52	2	51
  August	1.5	37	1.8	46
  September	1.8	46	1.9	48
  October	1.9	47	2.2	55
  November	1.4	35	1.7	42
  December	1.2	31	1.6	42