Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel and riverboat accommodations, motor coach transportation, sightseeing, admissions, land excursions, luggage handling, wine with dinner aboard your riverboat and the services of the Tauck Directors, the Tauck Cruise Director, the hotel, restaurant and riverboat staff, and the local guides and drivers are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at Otopeni Airport in Bucharest and provide you with transportation directly to the Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of the tour. Transportation from the riverboat to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will also be provided on the last day of the tour. Transportation will also be provided from the Renaissance Amsterdam to the airport whenever you choose to depart, if you have booked additional nights at the hotel through Tauck.

Hotel and Riverboat Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel and riverboat accommodations. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotel accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. 

 

The MS Swiss Emerald, the MS Swiss Sapphire, and the MS Swiss Jewel each accommodate only 118 guests. Your well-appointed, outside-facing cabin is equipped with a plasma television, mini-bar, radio, international direct-dial telephone, safe and hair dryer. Your cabin also features adjustable air-conditioning and a private bathroom with shower. Most cabins have two twin beds which do slide together. Triple accommodations are only available in Category 6 on this tour.

 

Other riverboat facilities include a lounge with a panoramic bar and dance floor, a spacious restaurant that can accommodate all guests in one seating, a large sun deck with deck chairs and a whirlpool, a sauna and solarium, a library, a fitness center and a small boutique.

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

On board the riverboat, an ample cold and hot buffet breakfast 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; vegetarian and special diet meals are available, however kosher meals cannot be accommodated. We will be pleased to meet your special dietary needs whenever possible.

The legal drinking age aboard the riverboat is 18 year old.

Tauck Director – Grand European Cruise 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. Because of the length of this tour, there will be two teams of Tauck Directors devoted to this journey; the first team will accompany you from Amsterdam to Budapest, the second team will replace them in Budapest and continue on to Bucharest.

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

 

No Options Sold - Tauck Directors assist 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.

 

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

Hotel Rooms Before and After Cruises –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, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ 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 Protection Plan for more information.

Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages not included with the meals, laundry and dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

 

Airline Security Measures – In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

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.

 

You may also visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Internet website to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items by clicking here.

 

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is 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 Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does 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). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air 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 Tauck prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to Tauck as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied.

 

Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves 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 passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. 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 tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim 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. When departing from Bucharest, we suggest you allow at least 2½ hours for flight check-in.

 

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour 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 your tour.

 

Air Conditioning - All hotels, riverboats and motor coaches are air conditioned for your comfort. Some of the restaurants located in historic buildings onshore may not be air-conditioned.

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 - As you prepare for travel, select a wardrobe that is adaptable. Many days are spent outside or in transit. Therefore, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Occasionally cool weather will require warmer, layered clothing.

Onboard the riverboat, resort casual attire is appropriate. At the beginning of the cruise, your Tauck Directors will host a welcome reception and dinner.  Again, at the end of your journey, you will be invited to attend a farewell dinner at the Athénée Palace Hotel Bucharest. Also included on the itinerary is a private Imperial Viennese evening at a traditional palace featuring dinner. On these occasions, Tauck suggests jackets for men and casually elegant attire for ladies; however, we also wish you to be comfortable.

Bathrobes, slippers and hairdryers are provided in each guest room at the hotels and in each cabin on board the riverboat.

Valet laundry service is available at the Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest. Additionally irons and ironing boards are either located in your guest room or are available immediately upon request. Onboard the riverboat, valet laundry and pressing services are available; there is no dry cleaning on board.

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.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your Grand European Cruise:

Elevation - The maximum elevations on this tour are found in the castle towns of Germany and are approximately 1500 ft (450 m).

Health - While a cruise on the Danube,  Main and Rhine is very relaxing and the pace leisurely, to enjoy fully all the tour has to offer, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. There is a moderate to significant amount of walking during our excursions. Many of the Old Towns of Europe are well preserved and are designated pedestrian zones. However, the cobblestone streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and inclines are challenging to travelers who are used to more modern, flat, paved roadways and sidewalks. Mostly, 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 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 regret that we cannot accommodate wheelchairs or scooters on this cruise. We also cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you require 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 U.S. citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania or Bulgaria. 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) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, prerecorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website by clicking here.

 

If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries visited to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for you to visit.

 

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, Tauck 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.

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

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

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 or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and 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 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.

Travel Document Requirements – You will need a valid passport or similar acceptable travel document to enter each of the countries visited on this tour.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you are not required to obtain a visa to enter any of the countries visited for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

If you are a citizen of another country, you should contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries visited to determine what travel documentation is required.

We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, 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, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. 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, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age 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 ― Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. 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 throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck, 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

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

 

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 cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine if your service extends to the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria.

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.  If upon arrival you require local currency, you can visit one of the many currency exchange facilities at the airport, use an ATM, or exchange currency at your hotel. The riverboat does not exchange currency, but does accept Euro, American Express, MasterCard and Visa as methods of settling shipboard accounts; debit cards are not accepted.

In those countries which are now using the Euro as the official currency – The Netherlands, Austria and Germany – major credit cards and travelers’ checks are widely accepted, and ATMs are found in most tourist venues. In those countries which do not use the Euro – Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria – credit cards and travelers’ checks are not widely accepted, fees are often charged for currency exchange, and ATMs are often not found outside of main cities. In these countries, paying cash for purchases in the local currency – and often in U.S. dollars – is preferable.

The official currency of each country and its corresponding universal currency code is listed below:

•  Bulgaria  Lev (BGN)
• Romania  New Lei (RON)
• Serbia  Dinar (CSD)
• Croatia  Kuna (HRK)
• Hungary   Forint (HUF)
• Slovakia  Koruna (SKK)
• Austria  Euro (EUR)
• Germany  Euro (EUR)
• The Netherlands  Euro (EUR)

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

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Each country visited 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.

You may view customs regulations for each country by logging on to the Internet site, www,visahq.com, by clicking here. You may then access the desired country from an alphabetical list.

If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, 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 United States. 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.

 

The current Value Added Tax (VAT) levied by each country on this itinerary is:

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 Value Added Tax (VAT) refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.

Electrical Current – All cabins on the riverboats are equipped with 220v, 50Hz, AC, which accommodates European two-pronged plugs. However, state rooms are equipped with an 110v outlet for shavers. Travelers who bring other electric devices that are not compatible should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.

 

Internet Access is available as indicated below:

 

Riverboats - Free Wi-Fi access is available all over the ship; a stationary computer is located in the lido bar. Please be advised that the accessibility is through cellular service and maybe spotty at times due to the ship’s location on the river. Internet connectivity recommendations and sign-up sheets for the stationary computer are available on board. You may bring your own laptop aboard the riverboats but you should be aware of the challenges with internet access on the rivers.

Athénée Palace Hilton - Wireless access in all rooms

Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel - High-speed wired access in rooms for a fee; access in Business Center for a fee

Time Zones – The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and Serbia are 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Romania and Bulgaria are 2 hours ahead. From late March through October, these locations switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 2 and 3 hours ahead respectively.

To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com, by clicking here.

Weather – The most favorable months for riverboat travel in Eastern Europe are in late spring and summer. During those months the temperatures range from highs of 63 to 73 ºF in May (17 to 23 ºC) and 71 to 83 ºF (22 to 28 ºC) in July. The overnight temperatures range from 45 to 50 ºF (7 to 10 ºC) in May and 53 to 60 ºF (12 to 16 ºC) in July. The temperatures decrease as you travel up the Rhine and the Main to the Danube and finally on to Amsterdam.

Rainfall averages during these months range from 2.4 to 2.8 in (61 to 71 mm) in May, 2.8 to 3.6 in (71 to 91 mm) in June, and 2.5 to 3.0 in (64 to 76 mm)  in July.

 

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

 

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in its Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers a Tauck Protection Plan.

If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties reduced. Click here for more details.

If you choose not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

60 days or more before departure
$1,100 per person (the cost of the deposit)

59-30 days before departure
50% of the cost of the tour per person

29-1 days before departure
100% of the cost of the tour per person