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The Rhine and Moselle - Northbound
2009 Itinerary featuring 13 days from $4,290

So many delights lie along the banks of The Rhine and Moselle rivers – let us share them with you on this newest of Tauck's Rhine River cruises aboard the MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire. From Switzerland to the Netherlands, through Germany, France and Luxembourg, this fascinating cruise travels through engaging cities, charming towns and rural landscapes. See the marriage of French and German culture in Strasbourg; mingle with the jet setters in the glamorous spa town of Baden-Baden; enjoy a special lunch at a grand hotel overlooking Bonn and the Rhine; and discover the secrets of the ancient university town of Heidelberg, 2,000-year-old Boppard, and medieval masterpieces such as Bernkastel, Trier and Cochem. Pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the Battle of the Bulge at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, and get a true taste of Europe with regional culinary specialties, locally grown wines and traditional songs and dances.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

2009 Itinerary


Northbound

Click here for Southbound itinerary, Amsterdam to Basel.

Day 1: Willkommen nach Basel
Tour begins: 4:00 PM, Basel, Switzerland. A transfer is included from Basel-Mulhouse International Airport to the Swiss Emerald or the Swiss Sapphire. Your Moselle and Rhine River cruise begins when all guests check in at 4:00 PM.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 2: Beguiling Basel
This lovely city on the banks of the Rhine River will engage you today during an orientation tour followed by a walking tour in the Old Town, where you’ll see the bright-red Rathaus, Basel’s Town Hall. After lunch, explore more of one of Europe’s most attractive and best-preserved Old Towns on your own or perhaps visit one of the city’s 40 museums. This evening, the Captain welcomes you aboard with a festive dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 3: A taste of France, past and present
Awaken in stunning Strasbourg, France, seat of the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights. You’ll see the Parliament Buildings before stepping back in time to discover La Petit France, noted for its medieval half-timbered houses set beside its lovely canals. While visiting the famous Gothic Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, you’ll be inspired by the graceful, expressive statuary of the Pilier des Anges [Pillar of Angels], and the magnificent stained glass windows. Return to the riverboat for lunch or choose to dine at one of the city’s many intriguing restaurants on your own.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 4: Lifestyles of the rich and healthy in Baden-Baden
 Your Rhine River cruise reveals that the elegant Belle Èpoque period is still alive and well in the beautiful spa town of Baden-Baden. For generations, wealthy folks have flocked here to see and be seen, and to take the healing thermal waters for which the town is famous. Join us on a walking tour and time spent on your own discovering some of the town's treasures ranging from the ruins of Roman baths to the ornate 250-year-old Casino, which movie star Marlene Dietrich once described as “the most beautiful casino in the world.”
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 5: The Realm of The Student Prince
 A full day in the historic college town of Heidelberg, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, as well as the setting for the famous operetta, The Student Prince, awaits you today during your Rhine River cruise. Take a walking tour of Heidelberg for a close-up look at the Old Town and imposing Heidelberger Schloss, perched 300 feet above the city; view its examples of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Perhaps you’ll be as captivated by this lovely old city as America’s first travel writer, Mark Twain, was when he spent three months here with his family. Rejoin the riverboat in Speyer.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 6: In the Middle Rhine Valley
 Today on your Rhine River cruise, explore the Middle Rhine Valley and the land of the Lorelei. During its 2,000-year history, Celts, Romans and Franconians have all called Boppard home. Discover this marvelous medieval town and enjoy lunch at the Old Monastery Cellar. Your riverboat continues on to Koblenz, where you’ll be indulged with some lively local entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 7: In the shadow of Reichsburg Castle
 Stepping ashore at Cochem in the Moselle Valley is like stepping into the pages of a medieval fairy-tale. Tour picture-perfect 1,000-year-old Reichsburg Castle, which looks down on the quaint market square. Explore this jewel of a town – complete with Baroque town hall and ancient town gates – breathing in its historic charm and ambiance. Honor the area’s centuries-old winemaking with a tasting of the excellent locally produced wines at a famed winery before returning to the riverboat.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 8: Luxembourg bound
 Dock in Trier, the oldest city in Germany, this morning for a poignant journey to tiny Luxembourg, site of the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial. Over 5,000 American casualties of the Battle of the Bulge lie buried here, as does General George S. Patton. After lunch, return to Trier and discover this ancient city during a walking tour that includes a visit to Dom St. Peter, a historic cathedral dating from Roman times.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 9: Bernkastel and the rhythm of the river
Charming Bernkastel, known as the both the “Pearl of the Moselle” and the “international town of vines and wine,” is known for its wines and its medieval market square surrounded by half-timbered houses. After a walking tour of the town, explore on your own; the 1608 city hall, the narrow 15th century Spitzhäuschen (Pointed House), St. Michael’s Well, and the town museum located at the impressive Graachter Tor, an old town gate, are well worth seeing. Then enjoy an afternoon of classic river cruising, watching the scenery slip by from the sun deck as your riverboat glides along the Moselle.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 10: The many faces of Bonn
 Beethoven’s birthplace, the home of musicians Robert and Clara Schumann, and the capital of Germany from 1949 to 1991 and is still a center of German administration and politics. Tracing its roots back to the Romans, the city engages with history spanning ancient times to the present day. Discover it all during a sightseeing tour and a walk through Old Town; enjoy a memorable lunch in a grand hotel used to host visiting dignitaries, set in an ideal location overlooking Bonn and the Rhine.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 11: Works of art by Mother Nature and Vincent van Gogh
 Set off for Arnhem and the 5,500-hectare De Hoge Veluwe National Park, home to many endangered plant and animal species. In the midst of this natural glory, you’ll find the inspiring Kröller Müller Museum, featuring works of such luminaries as Pablo Picasso, Georges Seurat and Vincent van Gogh, along with Europe’s largest sculpture garden. Rejoin the ship in Nijmegen for lunch, followed by a free afternoon to spend exploring this 2,000-year-old city – the oldest in the Netherlands – as you choose. Whether you’re intrigued by Roman and medieval history, the legacy of World War II, African art or modern-day Dutch life, you’ll find something interesting here. Join us for the Captain’s farewell dinner aboard the riverboat this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 12: Amazing Amsterdam
 As your Moselle and Rhine river cruise comes to an end, indulge yourself in all the many charms of this city of canals today. You'll be introduced to Amsterdam on a city tour, followed by a visit to the engaging Vincent van Gogh Museum, home to over 700 works by the celebrated Dutch Post-Impressionist artist. Discover the city's historic architecture on a sightseeing cruise of its 17th-century canals, and enjoy some leisure time to explore the Netherlands' capital on your own.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat


Day 13: Journey’s end
Tour ends: Amsterdam. Your Moselle and Rhine River cruise ends today after breakfast. A transfer is included from the riverboat to Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport for your flight home; allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
Meals: Breakfast

Be among the first to enjoy this new

Moselle and Rhine River cruise with Tauck!


Prices13 Day Land/Cruise prices aboard MS Swiss Sapphire from $4,290 plus airfare
Click here for deck plan and other ship information.

Cat. 1
 Cat. 2 Cat. 3 Cat. 4 Cat. 5 Cat. 6
Date Dbl Sgl Dbl Sgl Dbl Sgl Dbl Sgl Dbl Sgl Dbl Sgl
5/3/2009* $4290 $5006 $4640 $6496 $5440 $6616 $5875 $9400 $6695 $11,382 $7,695 $13,082
5/15/2009 $4590 $6426 $4940 $6916 $5740 $8036 $6175 $9880 $6995 $11,892 $7,995 $13,592
5/27/2009* $4590 $6426 $4940 $6916 $5740 $8036 $6175 $9880 $6995 $11,892 $7,995 $13,592
6/8/2009 $4590 $6426 $4940 $6916 $5740 $8036 $6175 $9880 $6995 $11,892 $7,995 $13,592

13 Day Land/Cruise prices aboard MS Swiss Emerald from $4,290 plus airfare
Click here for deck plan and other ship information.

Cat. 1
 Cat. 2 Cat. 3 Cat. 4 Cat. 5 Cat. 6
Date Dbl Sgl Dbl Sgl Dbl Sgl Dbl Sgl Dbl Sgl Dbl Sgl
8/30/2009* $4590 $6426 $4940 $6916 $5740 $8036 $6175 $9880 $6995 $11,892 $7,995 $13,592
9/11/2009 $4590 $6426 $4940 $6916 $5740 $8036 $6175 $9880 $6995 $11,892 $7,995 $13,592
9/23/2009* $4590 $6426 $4940 $6916 $5740 $8036 $6175 $9880 $6995 $11,892 $7,995 $13,592
10/5/2009 $4290 $5006 $4640 $6496 $5440 $6616 $5875 $9400 $6695 $11,382 $7,695 $13,082

* Indicates Amsterdam to Basel.

35 meals included.

Price Includes Special Singles Savings of $1000 per person in Categories 1 and 3 on the May 3 and October 5 departures. Certain restrictions apply; ask at time of booking.

Cruise price per person includes cruise fare, most meals, port charges, wine with dinner aboard ship, shore excursions, applicable fuel surcharges and gratuities to Tauck Directors, Tauck Cruise Director, ship staff, local guides & drivers, as well as on all included meals.

International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air, in coach or business, for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).

Itinerary Changes – Although not expected, Tauck reserves the right to alter the sequence of ports or omit or substitute scheduled ports or attractions at any time without prior notice. North and south itineraries are similar; go to www.tauck.com or ask at booking for the Amsterdam to Basel itinerary. Museums and attractions may be subject to closure due to state, local or religious holidays.

Note: This cruise includes a fair amount of walking in each city.

Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before or after your cruise, or about our Cruise Protection Plan.

Note: Cruises of May 15 & Sep 11 will not visit Kröller-Müller Museum due to weekly closures.

Need to Know

Inclusive Prices 

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All riverboat accommodations and transportation, motor coach transportation, port charges, sightseeing, admissions, land excursions, luggage handling, wine with dinner aboard the riverboat, and the services of the Tauck Directors, Tauck Cruise Director, ship staff, local guides and drivers are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at the Basel-Mulhouse Freiburg International Airport on the first day of the cruise and provide you with transportation to the MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire (depending on your cruise departure date) regardless of the time of your arrival, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of the tour. If you choose to arrive earlier than the tour departure date and arrange with Tauck for additional night (s) at the Swissotel Le Plaza Basel, we will provide you with transportation from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the riverboat. On the last day of the cruise, Tauck will also provide transportation from the riverboat to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam or to the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel if you arrange with Tauck to extend your stay at the hotel. Transportation will be provided to the airport from the hotel whenever you choose to depart.
  
Riverboat Accommodations – The tour price includes all riverboat accommodations. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available riverboat accommodations without sacrificing value. The MS Swiss Emerald and MS Swiss Sapphire accommodates only 118 guests. Your well-appointed, outside-facing cabin features 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. Your cabin has two twin beds which can be joined together. Triple accommodations are only available in Category 6 on this tour.  

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

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

A formal lunch is not included on the first day; however, beverages, snacks, and a light lunch of soup and sandwiches will be served from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. in the riverboat lounge.

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 diets are available, however kosher meals cannot be accommodated. We will be pleased to meet your special dietary requirements whenever possible.

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

Tauck Director – The Rhine and Moselle riverboat cruise is conducted by three Tauck Directors and one Tauck Cruise Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director are professional, fully trained employees of Tauck.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for the 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.


Not Included

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 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, 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 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 Protection Plan for more information.

Personal Expenses - Phone calls, alcoholic and bar beverages not included with meals, laundry and dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, transfers to and from railway stations, visa fees and services, airport and departure taxes, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Additional Information

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 the cruise line several months 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 you. 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 forecasted at the time of publication.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 4:00 PM aboard the MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire in Basel, Switzerland. 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 journey ends when you check out of the riverboat in Amsterdam on the last day of the tour. Please 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.
 

Preparing to Go

Air Conditioning – The riverboat and motor coaches 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 both sides 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. 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 welcome reception and the farewell dinner, you may wish to dress up a bit – jacket and tie for men, casually elegant outfit for ladies - but certainly be comfortable.

Bathrobes, slippers and hairdryers are provided in each cabin.

The hotels provide valet laundry and dry cleaning services. The riverboat provides limited valet laundry services and no dry cleaning; ironing facilities are available.

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, a list of the generic names of your medication, 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 cruise on the Rhine and Moselle:

  • Flat, rubber-soled walking shoes for on board the ship
  • Comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
  • Jacket and tie for men
  • Casually elegant outfit for ladies
  • Short and long-sleeved cotton shirts
  • Shorts, slacks and jeans
  • Tee shirts
  • Socks
  • Medium-weight sweater
  • Medium-weight jacket
  • Raincoat and rain hat
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Collapsible umbrella
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun hat
  • Insect repellent
  • Camera, lenses, batteries and plenty of film or memory cards
  • Binoculars
  • Day pack 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 1,036 ft (316 m).

Health – While a cruise from Basel to Amsterdam 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, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. There is a fair amount of walking during our land excursions, often along cobblestone streets. For the most part, however, the amount of walking you do is at your discretion.

The MS Swiss Emerald and MS Swiss Sapphire have four decks: Emerald, Ruby, Diamond and Sun. The elevator travels between the Diamond and Ruby decks and does not travel to the sun deck or the Emerald Deck. 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 onboard the riverboat. 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 need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.

Onboard 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.

The MS Swiss Emerald and MS Swiss Sapphire are 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 notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

If you are a U.S. citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to The Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, 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) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. 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 ask 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 all of the countries visited on the cruise.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you are not required to obtain a visa to enter any country 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.
 
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 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
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 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.
 
CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. 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 (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.
 
All children who are U.S. citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.
 
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country’s consulate.
 
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 authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
 
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.
 

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 during motor coach travel or group functions. There are usually 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 the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France and Luxembourg.

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 or use an ATM. The riverboat does not exchange currency, but does accept Euros, American Express, MasterCard and Visa as methods of settling shipboard accounts.

In the Netherlands, France, Germany and Luxembourg, the official currency is the Euro. In Switzerland, it is the Swiss Franc. Major credit cards and travelers’ checks are widely accepted, although fees may be charged, 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 the Internet website, “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.
 
the Netherlands – VisaHQ.com
Germany – VisaHQ.com
France - France Guide
Luxembourg – IATATravelCentre.com 
 
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 Netherlands 19%
  • Germany 16%
  • Luxembourg 15%
  • France 19.6%
  • Switzerland 7.6%
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 – The electrical current onboard the riverboat is 220 V, 50 Hz, AC, which accommodates standard European plugs with two round prongs. However, shipboard cabins are also equipped with a 110 V outlet for shavers. If you bring an electrical device that is not compatible, you should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.

Internet Access is available as indicated below:
 
Swissotel LePlaza Basel  - Wireless access for a fee
Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel - High-speed wired access in rooms for a fee; access in Business Center for a fee
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. 
 
Time Zones – All the countries visited on this cruise are 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From late March through October, these locations 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 the Internet website, “Timeanddate.com”, by clicking here.

Weather – The climate along the Rhine and the Moselle rivers is temperate and unpredictable. From May through October, the average high temperatures decrease as you travel north along the rivers and range from average high temperatures of 67 to 78 °F (19 to 26 °C) in Basel to 63 to 71 °F (17 to 22 °C) in Amsterdam. The average low temperatures decrease from 48 to 57 °F (9 to 14 °C) in Basel to 45 to 53 °F (7 to 12 °C) in Amsterdam. Rainfall amounts are moderate in this region and remain constant throughout the year, although late spring and early summer are generally the wetter seasons of the year. Opposite of temperature, rainfall increases as you reach Amsterdam.

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

If You Have to Cancel

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
$600 per person (the amount 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