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Overview

Experience with tauck

 

Early private visit to Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh including lectures by local experts plus music, dance and storytelling performances

 

Visit the Glasgow Riverside Museum, Winner of the 2013 European Museum of the Year Award and one of the most popular attractions in Scotland

 

Tauck value includes

 

All gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff and local guides

 

Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,447

 

Highlights of daily Shore Excursion Choices include:

 

Visit to Mousa Broch, a Neolithic fortress, as well as a Shetland Pony farm on the Shetland Mainland

 

Visit to Marwick Head Nature Reserve on the Orkney Mainland

 

Wildlife safaris on the Isle of Skye and Isle of Mull

 

Visit to Skara Brae, a Neolithic settlement, and an opportunity to sample the unique foods local to the Orkney Mainland with an "Orkney Tasting Experience"

 

 

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

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Cultural journeys and expeditions

There's no better way to explore all the natural and cultural riches that Scotland and its islands have to offer – from treasured tartans and traditions of the clans, to the wonders of single malt whiskies at a distillery in the Highlands to the distinctive folkways of the captivating Scottish Isles...

Our 11-day trip including a 7-night cruise aboard the luxury small ship Le Jacques Cartier, plus a choice of hotel stays in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Cruise to the celebrated Orkney and Shetland islands, and the more remote isles of Mull, Skye and Lewis; explore eclectic Edinburgh, the traditions of Scottish music and dance, the Highlands' incredible scenery, and much more. Enjoy a private early-opening visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a sea safari, and more. Read Less

See for yourself what Small Ship Cruising is all about

Visit the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse

Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse

At the opposite end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle stands the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse (Holyrood Palace), the official residence of the monarch while in Scotland. The earliest part of the palace dates to the 16th century, when Mary, Queen of Scots resided here; see her rooms and more on Tauck's skip-the-line visit, available when members of the Royal Family are not in residence. The palace was transformed into a modern royal residence by the current King's great-grandfather, King George V. You'll also enjoy the royal gardens and wild Holyrood Park.

Sightseeing choices on Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands choices include the Neolithic village of Skara Brae

You'll have several choices for sightseeing on a visit to the Orkney Islands. The heartland of the Neolithic North is a bleak, mysterious place that has made Orkney a magnet for archaeologists, historians and researchers from many decades past to present day, as they continue to walk the island measuring and excavating its original Stone Age sites. Your visit here includes several of the most important monuments that make up the heart of this region including the Ring of Brodgar, and the settlement of Skara Brae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you'll gain an up-close understanding of a land that has been inhabited for at least 8,500 years.

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Deck Plans

Welcome Aboard

Deck 7

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Deck 6

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Prestige Suite

(Two combined Prestige Staterooms)

Prestige Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Privilege Suite

Grand Deluxe Suite

Deck 5

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Prestige Suite

(Two combined Prestige Staterooms)

Prestige Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Privilege Suite

Owner's Suite

Deck 4

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Prestige Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Deck 3

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Deluxe Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Deck 2

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Deck 7

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Deck 6

View Cabin Categories

Deluxe Suite

Grand Deluxe Suite

Prestige Stateroom

Prestige Suite

(Two combined Prestige Staterooms)

Privilege Suite

Deck 5

View Cabin Categories

Deluxe Suite

Owner's Suite

Prestige Stateroom

Prestige Suite

(Two combined Prestige Staterooms)

Privilege Suite

Deck 4

View Cabin Categories

Deluxe Suite

Prestige Stateroom

Deck 3

View Cabin Categories

Deluxe Suite

Deluxe Stateroom

Deck 2

View Cabin Categories

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About Booking This Tour

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How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.


At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

  • Tour Name and Departure Date
  • Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
  • Traveler's Address(es)
  • Email Address*
  • Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
  • Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
  • Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
  • Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
  • Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

 

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

Deposits

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $1,500 per person

 

Final Payment

Final Payment for River Cruises and Small Ship Cruises is due at Tauck's Wilton Woods, CT office 120 days before departure. Any bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice.

Cruise Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of August 1, 2025:

Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection

Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. It must be purchased within 10 days of your initial deposit. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON and Tauck will  reduce the regular cancellation fees outlined herein, provided we are notified of cancellation before your cruise departs. Certain terms and restrictions apply (see below*).

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

  • Trip Cancellation – Should you cancel for covered reasons, the plan reimburses cancellation fees imposed, up to your total trip cost. 

  • Trip Interruption – If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.

  • Travel Delay – Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.

  • Medical Expense – Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 

  • Baggage / Personal Effects Protection – Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services – Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

 

The cost of Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection is: $799 per person

 

This plan provides cancellation coverage for your trip and other insurance coverages that apply only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

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


To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACCREINTL

 

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply for this tour.

 

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Cruise Protection Plan:

120 days or more before departure:
Loss of cost of Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection fee per person

119 – 60 days before departure:
Loss of 25% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person

59 – 1 days before departure:
Loss of 50% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Cruise Protection Plan:

120 days or more before departure:
$1500 per person

119 – 60 days before departure:
Loss of 50% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person

59 - 1 days before departure:
Loss of 100% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person
Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

 

Tour Interruption Fees

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

 

Partial Room Cancellation

A person who cancels or leaves a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged to the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.


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

Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

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Enhanced Covid Health Protocols

Tauck Care and Global Response

Keeping our guests safe and secure has always been of paramount importance at Tauck. While we cannot predict or prevent events outside of our control, we have learned to expect the unexpected. In fact, we've planned for it and have safeguards, protocols and teams in place to deal with any eventualities. You'll travel with a comprehensive, built-in support system that starts with the care and local knowledge of our Tauck Directors and extends to our network of partners around the world, including hoteliers and transportation companies.

Our Global Response Team stands ready to respond to situations around the world. Over the past two decades, they have successfully led us through a variety of challenges around the world, from weather events, high and low water on rivers, work stoppages and more. We are well prepared for Covid. We provide assurance and comfort in knowing that help is readily available if and when it's ever needed.

 

Small Ship Cruising:

Tauck has worked closely with our supplier partners around the world to deliver the comfort and safety you expect. The following are just some of the enhanced protocols we have put in place for Covid to provide you with the peace of mind you expect:

•  Regular health screenings, face coverings worn in public gatherings, even more rigorous cleaning and sanitation measures in public spaces and staterooms

•  More intimate and private dining, with seatings that limit the number of guests at one time

•  Crowd-free lounge areas and activities, on and off the ship, geared for small group advantages

• Ship staff and crew trained in the latest protocols, prepared for any eventuality, and well supported to take the necessary steps to ensure your comfort and safety

•  On every cruise, two medical professionals will be onboard the ship 24 hours a day, arrival to departure.

These protocols may vary by destination and will evolve over time. Please check for the latest updates at tauck.com/travel-updates

The Tauck Experience

Why Tauck?

Uncommon Access

Travel In Good Company

Sophisticated, Intimate Ambiance Onboard Ship

All Inclusive

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Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

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