Tauck announced the official restart of its operations in Europe and Africa. The company plans to reopen in stages, beginning with selected departures of its “Iceland” and “Treasures of the Aegean” small ship ocean cruises in June and July. Also scheduled for July are the resumption of the company’s cruises in the Galapagos Islands as well as its Tauck Bridges family adventure in Costa Rica. Tauck’s guided safaris in eastern and southern Africa will resume in August, as will its land tours in Spain, France and Portugal.
August will also mark the resumption of Tauck’s European river cruises, with departures sailing on the Rhône and Seine in France and the Douro River in Portugal. Although no firm date has been set, Tauck plans to restart its cruises on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers – and the bulk of its remaining European land tours – in early fall as border openings permit.
THE NEW MS ANDORINHA
Tauck’s August sailings on the Douro will mark its first-ever journeys on the river, as well as the debut of its new 84-passenger ms Andorinha riverboat. The ship’s design and décor will reflect the climate and cultural traditions of the Douro River Valley, and will feature a pop-up restaurant that rises from the stern of the vessel’s Sun (top) Deck on hydraulic lifts to become a fully functioning eatery. Named Arthur’s for Tauck chairman Arthur Tauck Jr., the restaurant can also be lowered for added clearance when passing under low bridges.
Restarting its European operations is particularly significant for Tauck and its guests, as it’s the company’s most popular destination worldwide. Tauck has already resumed operations in the U.S. – its second most-popular destination – and the success Tauck is currently enjoying there will inform and enhance the restarts in Europe and Africa. Tauck’s return to Europe comes as the company marks 30 years on the Continent.
Tauck will resume its safaris in eastern and southern Africa with the August 2nd departure of “Mountain Gorilla Safari: Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda” and the August 4th departures of “Kenya & Tanzania: A Classic Safari” and “South Africa: An Elegant Adventure.” All of the company’s safaris are small-group journeys, with as few as 18 guests per departure to ensure an up-close, intimate immersion into the local culture, flora and fauna.
TAUCK CEO: PLAN AHEAD AS BOOKINGS SOAR
With the world beginning to reopen, Tauck CEO Dan Mahar is strongly urging travelers to lock in their vacation plans now. “One thing we’ve learned time and again over our 96 years is that travel denied is really travel deferred,” said Mahar. “When people are unable to travel, it only fuels their desire and determination to do so. And now – with 97 percent of our guests having been vaccinated – we’re seeing demand come roaring back.”
“90 percent of our 2021 U.S. departures are completely sold out,” Mahar continued, “2022 has the strongest advance bookings of any year in our 96-year history, and April was our strongest booking month since 2007. We still have space today,” concluded Mahar, “but we can’t say how long it’s going to last.”
This article was originally published at The Avid Cruiser.
