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Rhine River Cruises, tauck
2011 – 12 Days from $3,990
This most memorable of Europe river cruises invites you to experience the romance of idyllic villages in the lush wine country of France's Alsace region... explore the magnificent medieval cathedral cities and colorful culture of Bavaria... and discover a remarkable mix of old and new during two-night stays in the ancient cities of Strasbourg and Prague! An extraordinary weeklong cruise aboard the state-of-the-art ms Swiss Jewel winds its way past castles, vineyards and historic villages along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers in the gracious style once reserved for the nobility. Walk in the footsteps of the rich and famous of long ago as you visit the glamorous spa town of Baden-Baden and its elegant Kurhaus casino, enjoy an exclusive private tour of the Strahov Monastery libraries in Prague, and discover what royal life was like in palaces like the Heidelberger Schloss, Würzberg's imposing Residenz, and Prague Castle. Feel history come alive as you explore medieval towns and cities such as Obernai, Miltenberg, Regensburg and Bamberg. Savor an authentic taste of the region during meals aboard ship and at specially selected restaurants ashore during your riverboat cruise; and sample fine wines of the Alsace and the beers of Germany's Franconia region during tours and tastings. All this and more awaits on Tauck's Strasbourg to Prague Serenade!

2011 Itinerary


Eastbound
Click here for Westbound itinerary.

Day 1 - Welcome to Strasbourg
This most magical of Europe river cruises begins at 6:00 PM at the Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île.   Transfers from Strasbourg International Airport to the Sofitel Strasbourg Grand Île are included. Meet your Tauck Directors and fellow travelers at our welcome reception and dinner this evening.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île, Strasbourg, France

Day 2 - Strasbourg old and new
Strasbourg has one foot firmly in the present and one foot rooted in the past. As the capital of the European Union, the EU Parliament district bustles with the in-the-moment business of modern-day government; see the impressive, modern Parliament buildings en route to the past this morning. Step into the medieval world of La Petite France - with its historic cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and meandering canals - during a walking tour with a local guide, and visit Strasbourg's 11th-century Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, once the tallest building in Europe.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île, Strasbourg, France

• Day 3 - Authentically Alsace
Head out of town this morning for a drive along the famous Route des Vins d'Alsace (Alsatian Wine Road), through enchanting villages of France's Alsace region, and past endless terraced vineyards that produce the area's renowned white wines on the way to the picturesque town of Obernai. Here, you'll enjoy lunch in a former manor house, complete with local wines offering a true taste of the Alsace. Later, board the ms Swiss Jewel to begin this most extraordinary of Europe river cruises along the Rhine. This evening, the Captain welcomes you aboard with a special reception in your honor.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Jewel

• Day 4 - Good times in Baden-Baden
Set in the foothills of Germany's Black Forest, the spa town of Baden-Baden, with its healing waters, has been a popular destination since Roman times; its thermal springs have been known for over 2,000 years. The likes of Queen Victoria, Brahms, Napoleon III and Marlene Dietrich have wandered its streets, "taken the waters" and played in its casino. After a walking tour during which you'll discover ruins of castles and Roman baths, visit the extravagantly beautiful Belle Epoque casino, the Kurhaus, which has been the place to see and be seen for nobility and the elite for over 250 years.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Jewel

• Day 5 - It happens in Heidelberg
A full-day excursion to Heidelberg showcases many facets of this intriguing city, which has been a happening place for students since the University of Heidelberg was founded in 1386. Take in the charm of Old Town during a guided walking tour revealing Gothic gates and walls, Renaissance and Baroque homes and palaces... and life here in the 21st century. Ride a funicular up to the ruins of the famous Gothic-Renaissance castle, Heidelberger Schloss. Return to the ms Swiss Jewel after lunch in a Heidelberg restaurant and some free time to explore the city on your own before you continue one of the most unique Europe river cruises along the River Main.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Jewel

• Day 6 - Rollin' on the River Main
The opportunity to just kick back and relax is yours this morning as your riverboat glides down the Main River bound for Bavaria. Or, see what fun things your Tauck Directors have up their sleeves or work out in the fitness center. Spend the afternoon exploring Miltenberg, with its hilltop castle, lively market square and half-timbered houses. Bavaria comes aboard ms Swiss Jewel this evening for a special dinner spotlighting this lovely area of Germany.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Jewel

• Day 7 - Feel like royalty at Würzburg's Residenz
By 1000 BC, the Celts had built a fortress, and in the 8th century, Charlemagne himself consecrated the cathedral that is the focal point of the historic and charming town of Würzburg. About 90% of the town was destroyed in World War II and then painstakingly reconstructed by its citizens - most of them women. The magnificent Würzburg Residenz, a beautiful complex of palaces begun in 1720 for the Würzburg prince-bishops, was completed, start-to-finish, almost within a single generation. During a tour today, you'll see a magnificent sequence of rooms containing a wonderful array of paintings, tapestries, furniture and other 18th-century treasures. Return to the Residenz this evening for a memorable dinner in its wine cellar, complete with a wine tasting and entertainment - a highlight of your riverboat cruise!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Jewel

• Day 8 - Aboard ms Swiss Jewel
Spend the morning participating in the on-board activities offered by your Tauck Directors and gaining some new insights about this part of the Main River during your riverboat cruise to Bamberg; you can even listen to your Tauck Director's commentary in the comfort of your cabin! What the Alsace is to wine in France, the Franconia region of Germany is to beer. Following a walking tour of Bamberg's Old Town, you'll have a chance to sample the excellent local brews during a brewery tour and beer tasting.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Jewel

• Day 9 - The Main-Danube Canal and historic Nürnberg
It wasn't until 1992 that the dream of linking the North Sea to the Black Sea, and making a riverboat cruise all the way from Holland to Romania possible, was realized with the completion of the Main-Danube Canal. A local expert will tell you all about it as ms Swiss Jewel transits the canal this morning. After docking in Nürnberg, disembark for an orientation tour of this significant Bavarian city, perhaps best known for its role during and after World War II. But Nürnberg also has a fascinating medieval heart, as you'll discover on a walking tour following lunch and special entertainment at a local restaurant. Celebrate your unforgettable cruise this evening at the Captain's farewell reception and dinner aboard the riverboat.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Jewel

Day 10 - Regensburg revealed and on to Prague
Talk about a long history - humans settled on the banks of the Danube near Regensburg during the Stone Age and the Romans arrived around 90 AD! Regensburg, where you'll disembark ms Swiss Jewel, bills itself as "Germany's best-preserved medieval city" and you'll understand why when you explore the town during a walking tour. Sightseeing in Old Town Regensburg today includes the Stone Bridge, completed in 1146, magnificent Dom St. Peter, the 15th-century Town Hall and remains of the Roman wall. Then it's on to Prague for a two-night stay in this ancient city, now the capital of the Czech Republic.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Prague Old Town, Prague, Czech Republic

Day 11 - A day across the centuries in Prague
Start today's exploration of this "city of 100 spires" in the ancient Hradcany (Castle) district with your local guide; see 1,000-year-old Prague Castle's complex of palaces, courtyards and gardens, visit the Cathedral of St. Vitus and enjoy a Tauck Exclusive - a private tour of Strahov Monastery's grand Baroque libraries. You're free to spend the afternoon as you please in Prague, or join us if you like on a walking tour of Prague's Old Town - a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's home to the Astronomical Clock and Tyn Church - along with Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square. Sample the culinary pleasures of Prague with dinner on your own tonight; the city's many fine restaurants and cafés feature a wide range of cuisines... and some of the best schnitzels, goulashes, strudels, dumplings and beer the region has to offer.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hilton Prague Old Town, Prague, Czech Republic

Day 12 - Homeward bound
This most memorable of Europe river cruises ends in Prague, Czech Republic. A transfer is included from the Hilton Prague Old Town to Prague's Ruzyne International Airport. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.
Meals: Breakfast

Note: Tour of Oct 13 (eastbound) will not stay in Strasbourg due to the meeting of the European Parliament and will stay outside of the city.

From the pleasures of Strasbourg and the Alsace to the treasures of Bavaria and Prague... on this most memorable of Tauck's Europe river cruises - book today!



Inclusive Prices


Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel and riverboat accommodations, riverboat and motor coach transportation, port charges, sightseeing, admissions, land excursions, porterage, wine with dinner aboard the riverboat, and the services of the Tauck Directors, the Tauck Cruise Director, hotel, ship and restaurant staff, and local guides and drivers are included. Transportation is included from Strasbourg International Airport to the Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile, provided we have received accurate international flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the tour departure date. Transportation is also included from the Hilton Prague Old Town Hotel to Prague Ruzyně Airport when you choose to depart. Transfers and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.

Hotel and Riverboat Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel and riverboat accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot, where available, and are not recommended for comfort. Quadruple accommodations are not available.

If you request an adjacent, adjoining or connecting room, we will do all we can to accommodate your request. However, we cannot guarantee such accommodations will be available. Please note that a hotel may define “adjacent” as “located across the hall”.

Children under the age of 18 must be booked in a room or cabin with at least one adult.

The ms Swiss Sapphire accommodates 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 that can be placed together. Triple accommodations are only available in Category 6 cabins on this tour.

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

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

On 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 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.

Tauck DirectorStrasbourg to Prague Serenade 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, restaurant and ship staff, local guides and drivers, Tauck Directors and the 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


Airfare 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. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss your request 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 details provided under Tauck Travel Protection 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 - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages not included with meals, laundry and dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, hotel transfers to and from railway stations, visa fees and services, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures –

If you are traveling from the U.S., beginning in 2010, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program will require that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, 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, not Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your photo ID.

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 web site, www.tsa.gov, 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.

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

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all tours 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 - The tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. Your tour ends when you check out of the Hilton Prague Old Town on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow a minimum 3 hours for flight check-in.

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

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we 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

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 Canadian citizen, you are now required to obtain a visa to enter the Czech Republic. Please contact an embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic to determine how you can obtain a visa prior to your departure, as it cannot be secured at the border.

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.

Medical Insurance - The government of the Czech Republic will not allow entry or issue visas to non-insured persons. Tauck’s Cruise Protection (TCP) offers sufficient insurance to gain entry. If you do not want to purchase our TCP, then you will need to purchase a retail insurance plan and be prepared to show proof of it if asked by Czech immigration officials. To view the details of our insurance plan, please click here.

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 8 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 activities are available for children 8 years of age or older. 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 ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. if you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available 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 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 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 (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.

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, hotels, and motor coaches are air conditioned for your comfort.

ATM and Credit Cards - We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour 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 always advisable. A light jacket or sweater for the sun deck is also recommended. Pack comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in, as many of the sites we visit were built centuries ago and have uneven surfaces, some steep inclines and many steps. No special attire is required for dining, although you may wish to dress more formally for fine dining experiences in metropolitan areas.

Bathrobes, slippers and hairdryers are provided in each hotel room and riverboat cabin.

Valet laundry services are available at the hotels and on the riverboat. Dry cleaning is not available on the riverboat.

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: 

  • Flat, rubber-soled shoes for walking on board 
  • Sturdy but comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in for onshore excursions 
  • Jacket and tie for men (optional) 
  • Casually-elegant outfit for ladies 
  • Short and long-sleeved cotton shirts 
  • Shorts, slacks and jeans 
  • Tee shirts 
  • Socks 
  • Light sweater (summer), medium-weight sweater (fall) 
  • Light jacket (summer), medium-weight jacket (fall) 
  • Raincoat and rain hat 
  • Lightweight gloves 
  • Collapsible umbrella 
  • Sunglasses ,sunscreen and sun hat 
  • Insect repellent 
  • Camera, lenses, batteries, and memory cards or plenty of film
  • Binoculars 
  • Daypack for camera equipment 
  • Travel alarm clock 
  • Copies of your travel documents that should be safely secured in your in-room safe while traveling

Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is 1,332 ft (406 m) on the Main-Danube Canal near Nuremberg, Germany.

Health – While a cruise from Strasbourg to Prague 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 moderate to significant amount of walking during our excursions, often along the cobblestone streets on the hills along the Rhine and Main rivers; 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. 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. 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.


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.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Your riverboat is registered in Basel, Switzerland. Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling.

Medical Insurance - We strongly suggest that you have adequate health insurance when traveling abroad for these reasons: 

  • US Social Security Medicare Program participants will not receive coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the US.
  • Many US health insurance plans do not provide coverage overseas. Those that provide "customary and reasonable" hospital costs abroad may not pay for your medical evacuation back to the US, which can easily cost $10,000.00 and up depending on your location and medical condition. 
  • Many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service. 
  • Uninsured patients may be refused service. 
  • Many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service.
  • Uninsured patients may be refused service. 
  • Countries with socialized medicine may not provide full services to non-residents. 
  • Payment of hospital and other expenses abroad is the responsibility of the traveler.

NOTE: The government of the Czech Republic will not allow entry or issue visas to non-insured persons. Tauck’s Cruise Protection (TCP) offers sufficient insurance to gain entry. If you do not want to purchase our TCP, then you will need to purchase a retail insurance plan and be prepared to show proof of it if asked by Czech immigration officials. To view the details of our insurance plan, please click here.

If you are a U.S citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to France, Germany, or the Czech Republic. 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 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 citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries visited on this tour to determine whether vaccinations are 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 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.

We 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.


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, group functions, while sightseeing and while the Tauck Director addresses the group as a whole. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it will not disturb others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine if your service extends to France, Germany and the Czech Republic.

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 will find that ATMs are widespread and are generally the least expensive and most convenient method of obtaining money. You will also find currency exchange desks at the airport and the hotels. The riverboat does not exchange currency, but does accept Euro, American Express, MasterCard and Visa as methods of settling shipboard accounts.

In France and Germany, major credit cards and travelers’ checks are widely accepted, and ATMs are found in most tourist venues. In the Czech Republic, 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; 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:

  • France – Euro (EUR) 
  • Germany - Euro (EUR) 
  • Czech Republic – Czech Koruna (CZK)

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. You may consider logging on the Internet website, www.visahq.com, by clicking here to view each country’s regulations. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries.

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:

  • France 19.6%
  • Germany 19%
  • Czech Republic 19%

The VAT may be higher on luxury items and lower on basic goods. As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country 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 hotel rooms and riverboat cabins are supplied with 220 V, 50 Hz, alternating electrical current, which accommodates standard European plugs with two round prongs. However, 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 standards, you should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.

Internet Access is available as indicated below:

ms Swiss Sapphire - Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout 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 onboard. You may bring your own laptop aboard the riverboats but you should be aware of the challenges with internet access on the rivers.
Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile - Access in public areas for a fee; complimentary WiFi access in rooms
Hilton Prague Old Town – Access in public areas for a fee and WiFi access in rooms

Internet access availability and rates may change without notice.

Time Zones – France, Germany, and the Czech Republic 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 Main Rivers is temperate and unpredictable. As a rule, you can expect average high temperatures to range from 60 to 90 °F (12 to 32 °C) F during summer and from 45 to 65 °F (7 to 18 °C) during spring and fall. Rainfall amounts in this region remain are somewhat constant throughout the year, although mid-summer is generally the wettest time of the year.

CLIMATE CHART
Temperature
Strasbourg Wurzburg
France Germany
F C F C
High Low High Low High Low High Low
Jan 39 31 4 -1 36 29 2 -2
Feb   43 31 6 -1 39 28 4 -2
Mar 53 37 12 3 49 35 9 2
Apr   59 41 15 5 57 40 14 4
May 68 49 20 9 66 47 19 8
Jun   73 55 23 13 71 53 22 12
Jul 78 58 26 14 76 56 24 13
Aug   78 57 26 14 76 56 24 13
Sep 70 51 21 11 68 50 20 10
Oct   59 45 15 7 57 43 14 6
Nov 47 37 8 3 44 36 7 2
Dec   41 34 5 1 43 32 6 0
Prague
Czech Republic
F C
High Low High Low
Jan 35 27 2 -3
Feb   39 28 4 -2
Mar 47 34 8 1
Apr   57 39 14 4
May 67 47 19 8
Jun   72 53 22 12
Jul 75 56 24 13
Aug   76 56 24 13
Sep 67 49 19 9
Oct   56 42 13 6
Nov 43 35 6 2
Dec   37 30 3 -1
Rainfall
Strasbourg Wurzburg Prague
France Germany Czech 
Republic
In Mm In Mm In Mm
Jan 0.9 22 1.1 29 0.7 18
Feb   1.0 26 0.9 24 0.7 18
Mar 1.1 28 1.1 27 0.9 23
Apr   1.3 33 1.1 27 0.8 20
May 2.1 53 1.3 33 1.5 39
Jun   2.0 51 1.6 40 2.0 52
Jul 2.0 52 1.7 42 2.2 56
Aug   1.5 37 1.3 33 2.0 51
Sep 1.8 46 1.2 31 1.4 36
Oct   1.9 47 1.2 30 0.8 21
Nov 1.4 35 1.1 27 0.9 24
Dec   1.2 31 1.4 36 0.8 21

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

If You Have to Cancel

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

If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Cruise 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 Cruise 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

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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The Blue Danube - Westbound

Wind your way past medieval landscapes aboard ms Swiss Emeraldms Swiss Jewel or Tauck's new-for-2011 riverboat to discover castles, cathedrals, frescoes and Habsburg palaces in five European countries on this most extraordinary of Danube River cruises. Includes land stays featuring two nights each in Prague and Budapest at centrally located 5-star hotels.
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The Rhine and Moselle - Southbound

Explore two of Europe's most scenic rivers on a 12-night cruise between Amsterdam and Basel aboard ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire, or Tauck's new riverboat launching in 2011. Glide along the Rhine in Holland, Germany, France and Switzerland; visit Luxembourg; and discover the castles, wineries and market towns of the Moselle Valley on one of Tauck's popular Rhine River cruises.

The Rhine and Moselle - Northbound

Explore two of Europe's most scenic rivers on a 12-night cruise between Basel and Amsterdam aboard ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire or Tauck's newest riverboat. Glide along the Rhine in Holland, Germany, France and Switzerland; visit Luxembourg; and discover the castles, wineries and market towns of the Moselle Valley on one of Tauck's popular Rhine River tours.

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