TAUCK Exclusive Benefits

National Discount Cruise Co offers these Exclusive Booking Benefits for Tauck Small Ship and River Cruises!

The heart of history meets the art of luxury travel aboard Tauck's European river cruises along the Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle rivers. You'll cruise aboard spacious riverboats that have been custom designed to meet American standards with well-appointed outside facing cabins and suites with L'OCCITANE amenities, a choice of on-board dining venues and complimentary wine with dinner, fitness centers and attentive personal service from Tauck's staff and the ship's crew. Private daily shore excursions explore medieval villages and grand cities, inspire with insider access to sights on- and off-the-beaten path and pamper with palace dinners, wine tastings and classical concerts – all included for Tauck guests only.

Ancient civilizations beckon along the River Nile in Egypt and China's Yangtze River on Tauck's Exotic journeys where 3- and 4-night river cruises enhance our in-depth land journeys. Learn more about all of Tauck's River Cruises.

Follow the paths of great civilizations that moved through Europe along its mighty rivers on Tauck's European river cruises… aboard Europe's newest and most spacious luxury riverboat fleet, including ms Swiss Jewel, ms Swiss Sapphire and ms Swiss Emerald.

Every Tauck river cruise features the Tauck Difference: all-included shore excursions, led by Tauck Directors, local experts and local guides; informative lectures and cultural performances; fine European-style dining with wine included with dinner aboard the riverboats, as well as beer and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner aboard ship – and dining ashore with included meals at local restaurants for a true taste of regional cuisine; no more than 118 guests (while similar-sized riverboats average about 140 guests); a Tauck Cruise Director on every riverboat along with one Tauck Director for every 40 guests; 14 suites (300 sq. ft.) and 7 junior suites on every ship – four times more than most other European riverboats; and all gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director included in the cost of your cruise… along with service charges, taxes, porterage, airport transfers and much more. There's just no better way to explore the heart of Europe than on Tauck's value-packed riverboat journeys along the Continent's scenic inland waterways!

Tauck River Cruising in Europe

The Blue Danube
Wind your way past medieval landscapes on a Danube River cruise aboard ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel to discover castles, cathedrals, frescoes and Habsburg palaces in five European countries. Includes land stays featuring two nights each in Prague and Budapest at centrally located 5-star hotels.

New for 2010! Two special departures -
Musical Magic Along the Blue Danube

Holland & Belgium in Spring
Colorful flowers, picturesque windmills, art museums, canal-laced medieval towns, and a look at the art of making chocolate highlight this most memorable of springtime European river cruises aboard ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel.

Prague to the Black Sea
Tauck's 19-day journey through Europe's ancient heart - combining The Blue Danube and Budapest to the Black Sea and including an unforgettable 14-night luxury riverboat cruise along the Danube aboard either ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel - offers the very best in Eastern Europe travel!

Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat
Tauck's Danube, Main, and Rhine river cruise aboard ms Swiss Sapphire, ms Swiss Emerald or ms Swiss Jewel glides past ancient castles and soaring cathedrals, taking in great cities including Vienna, Köln, Nürnberg and Bratislava - and revered UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Schönbrunn Palace and Kölner Dam (Cologne Cathedral).

Strasbourg to Prague Serenade
New for 2010! The romance of idyllic Alsatian villages and vineyards in France, magnificent medieval cities and colorful Bavarian culture in Germany, and the magic of Prague... all waiting for you on the newest of Tauck's Europe river cruises on the Rhine, Main and Danube!

Grand European Cruise
Explore European landscapes on Tauck's ultimate North Sea to Black Sea tour by riverboat! Set off aboard ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel on a grand 3-week cruise through nine European countries along the Rhine, Main and Danube, plus two nights at a grand city-center hotel in Bucharest.

The Rhine and Moselle
Explore two of Europe's most scenic rivers on a 12-night cruise between Basel and Amsterdam aboard ms Swiss Emerald or ms Swiss Jewel. 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.

Budapest to the Black Sea
Explore Europe's heart on one of Tauck's popular Danube cruises aboard ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel between Budapest and the Black Sea. Discover dramatic castles, centuries-old monasteries, and the cultural treasures of Budapest and Bucharest on two-night stays at 5-star hotels.

Romance of the Rhine & Danube
New for 2010! Imperial palaces, Baroque gardens and other treasures once reserved for European royalty await along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers on Tauck's comprehensive new journey combining a two-week riverboat cruise aboard ms Swiss Sapphire with two-night stays in Strasbourg and Budapest.

Tauck Family River Cruising in Europe

Blue Danube: Family Riverboat Adventure
Family FYI: Did you know that the movie The Third Man was filmed at the Vienna Prater at the famous Giant Ferris Wheel? See the Old World through new eyes on one of our newest Europe tours - a family-friendly 7-night Danube riverboat cruise filled with fun, adventure and surprises in some of Europe's greatest cities - and a visit to the Vienna Prater for a ride on the famous ferris wheel!

Tauck River Cruising in Africa

Egypt & Jordan: Timeless Treasures, Ancient Lands
Our two-week Egypt and Jordan tour combines a Nile River cruise and exploration of Egypt's antiquities with visits to Jordan's biblical sites, the Dead Sea and the amazing city of Petra.

Egypt: Jewels Along the Nile
The "land of the Pharaohs" beckons when you take a 4-night cruise along the River Nile and join Tauck's Egyptologists to explore the pyramids, ornate temples, and priceless treasures of an intriguing ancient civilization on Tauck's 12-day Egypt tour.

Tauck River Cruising in Asia

China, the Yangtze River & Hong Kong
Tauck's ultimate China travel adventure includes ancient cities and tranquil country villages, a spellbinding 3-night cruise Yangtze River cruise aboard the Yangzi Explorer, and a host of new-for-2010 discoveries from Beijing's hutongs to a ride on the world's fastest train in Shanghai.

Tauck's Oberammergau Extensions

Our 4- or 5-day Oberammergau Extensions from Munich – featuring premier seating at the 2010 Oberammergau Passion Play and much more – are available before or after select departures of Tauck European river cruises including Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat, The Blue Danube, Strasbourg to Prague Serenade, Budapest to the Black Sea, and The Rhine and Moselle.

Munich / Oberammergau - 2010
New for 2010! Our 4-day Munich / Oberammergau Extension makes select 2010 Tauck river cruises even more remarkable by adding Tauck's extraordinary Oberammergau experience, including our premier seating for the 2010 Passion Play – in the best seats available for this once-in-a-decade event... an overnight at the 5-star Hotel Maximilian in the heart of the village... two nights in Munich and so much more!

Munich / Oberammergau / Salzburg - 2010
New for 2010! Turn your Tauck European river cruise into a once-in-a-lifetime travel adventure – including a performance of the 2010 Oberammergau Passion Play featuring Tauck's premier seating in Section 1A, two nights at a family-owned hotel in the Bavarian Alps, overnights at 5-star hotels and guided sightseeing in Munich and Salzburg, and much more – on our 5-day Munich / Oberammergau / Salzburg Extension!

Tauck's Small Ship Cruises offer travelers an intimate, life-changing perspective of what it means to travel by sea aboard yachts and expeditionary vessels bound for hidden harbors and ports of call where big ships don't go. Club-like luxuries on board include fine dining, impeccable personal service and handsome cabins with inspiring ocean views. Ashore, historic sites, cultural treasures and natural wonders come alive on privately guided excursions that are enriched with local insights and exclusive experiences not available on your own. Discover the world's finest collection of Small Ship Cruises in Europe and Latin America with Tauck.

Cruises to Europe

Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice
New for 2010! This exciting 7-night cruise aboard the new-for-2010 yacht Le Boreal, explores cosmopolitan Reykjavik, picturesque fishing villages and a remote island farm amidst the incomparable natural wonders found in Iceland. See fjords ringed by mountains; stroll atop black lava landscapes; view sulphur fields, glaciers, spouting geysers and majestic waterfalls; and soak in a thermally heated lagoon.

Mediterranean Discovery
From France's glamorous Côte d'Azur to Spain's Costa Brava and lovely Majorca, a magical cruise aboard the sporty yacht Le Ponant sails to some of the trendiest destinations on the Mediterranean.

Istanbul & the Black Sea
Explore a treasure trove of historic sites in Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey on a 7-night Black Sea cruise aboard the small ship Le Levant, plus three nights at a luxury hotel in Istanbul.

Treasures of the Mediterranean
Tauck's 11-day journey features a week-long Mediterranean cruise aboard Le Ponant to Corsica, Sicily, and Malta, plus the islands of Lipari, Ponza, and Stromboli - and takes in the Côte d'Azur, Monte-Carlo and the Amalfi Coast.

Cruising Mediterranean Shores
The highlights of the Western Mediterranean Sea are explored aboard Le Levant on a 13-day journey that includes Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Sicily, Tunisia, Palma de Majorca, Naples, and the ruins of Pompeii, plus two nights on land in glorious Rome.

Sicily, the Amalfi Coast & Rome
Tauck's Italy cruise aboard the yacht Le Ponant is complemented by a land stay in Rome featuring a Tauck Exclusive - an after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums! See the historic sights of Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Naples, Malta, Rome and the remote Aeolian Isles on this 11-day journey.

Treasures of the Aegean
From the Parthenon to the Blue Mosque, see classical antiquities and UNESCO World Heritage Sites on an Aegean Sea and Greek Island cruise that features memorable hotel stays in Athens and Istanbul.

Venice & the Dalmatian Coast
One of Europe's most popular destinations is Croatia's Dalmatian Coast; cruise and tour aboard the new yacht Le Boreal, taking in castles, palaces, and cultural treasures on Tauck's Croatia tour that begins in Venice and explores UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Dubrovnik, the walled city of Kotor, and Diocletian's Palace.

St. Petersburg & the Baltic Sea
Witness the legendary accomplishments of the Vikings to the historic legacies of the czars as you cruise Russia and Scandinavia through the Baltic Sea aboard Le Boreal; explore treasured sites in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Tallinn.

Cruises to Latin America

An 11-day journey, including a 6-night cruise aboard the stylishly chic, yacht-like Le Levant, explores ecological diversity on a Costa Rica tour, pristine islands in the Pacific and Caribbean, and remote villages - and traverses the entire length of the magnificent Panama Canal on this Costa Rica tour and Panama Canal cruise.

Peru and the Galápagos Islands
From the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu, to legends of the Spanish Conquistadors and the amazing wildlife of the Galápagos archipelago, this Galápagos cruise and Peru tour is without comparison.

Galápagos: Wildlife Wonderland
Family FYI: Did you know - the Galápagos Penguin can survive so close to the Equator because the Humboldt current brings in cold waters from the Antarctic. Discover wildlife found nowhere else in the world during this exceptional family Galápagos tour including a 4-night cruise aboard M/V Santa Cruz.

Galápagos: Wildlife Wonderland - Holiday Departure - 2010
Family FYI: Did you know that the Galápagos Islands' huge Waved Albatross needs a head start to get itself flying? A special 11-day holiday departure of our family Galápagos island adventure - on December 25, 2010 only - features an expanded 7-night cruise aboard M / V Santa Cruz.