Tauck April 9-12, 2018 Rhine Cruise

(183 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Deborah Mitchell

Kansas City, MO

River/Ocean Cruise and All-Inclusive Specialist

I've always been something of a wanderer, having moved on a regular basis as a young child. I was lucky to have many national parks as my backyard, giving me opportunities to explore: Zion National Park, Everglades National Park, Shenandoah Nation...

I've always been something of a wanderer, having moved on a regular basis as a young child. I was lucky to have many national parks as my backyard, giving me opportunities to explore: Zion National Park, Everglades National Park, Shenandoah National Park and Wind Cave National Park.

Although I always expressed an interest in traveling the world, I owe my amazing career, in large part, to my grandfather. This wonderful man loved to travel and, whenever he returned home from a new and exciting destination, he was accompanied by a scrapbook full of stamps, currency and other keepsakes from the country he'd visited.

Eager to follow in his footsteps, I first left the United States as a high school student. I spent an entire summer in France, where I discovered the transformative power of being immersed in a foreign culture.

Given my extensive experience with national parks and international expeditions, my entry into the travel industry was inevitable.

Certified - I became a Certified Travel Consultant with the Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA) over twenty years ago and, since then, have enjoyed helping a variety of clients plan group tours and destination weddings.

ALASKA - I am particularly fond of escorting groups to Alaska, as I've discovered that the beautiful scenery and serene atmosphere can truly foster close bonds between friends, family members and even complete strangers.

RIVER CRUISES - I also enjoy planning trips for those interested in checking out Europe. A river cruise can be truly revitalizing, particularly when it is carefully planned by a knowledgeable travel agent. I have personally been on Uniworld, AmaWaterways, and Avalon Waterways.

COSTA RICA -  I just got back from this lovely place and it is now one of my favorite places on this earth!  So diverse!  Arenal/Volcano area is amazing with lots of different types of tours.  Great place for honeymooners or for people wanting to get away from it all.  Guanacaste area--I stayed in a beautiful VILLA overlooking the Pacific ocean, and can help you in that aspect of travel, as well!

I believe that a vacation is the only purchase you can make that will truly leave you feeling wealthier. Whether you dream of traveling abroad or exploring closer to home, I am eager to help you achieve your travel goals.

Feel free to contact me -- it's time to take the first step towards the journey of a lifetime!

Email meCall Me

Deborah Mitchell

Can Be Reached At

1-816-741-7417 ext:5736

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MS Tauck Treasures

To start, this was one of the best river cruises I’ve taken. No detail was too small or overlooked.   I arrived in Cologne the day of the cruise (after trying to get there a day earlier)… Tauck had arranged for me to meet at the train station, and a few of us were whisked away by Mercedes private car to the ship. The staff quickly and efficiently checked me in and escorted me to my suite. 

There were a total of 3 Tour Directors and a Cruise Director that were available at all times. They were all extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the area. By the end of the trip, we all felt like family. Having these 4 people gives Tauck a huge edge over those companies that don’t. Tauck employs the finest local guides at every port of call on the rivers. They all speak perfect English and have a wealth of knowledge. Everything is included in the price. They passed out bottles of water before we disembarked and had hot cocoa, a heated cloth and some cookies waiting for us when we arrived back at the ship. I never spent a penny on the ship.  The MS Treasures was immaculate. She was just renovated in every aspect. The staff never stopped cleaning and everyone was responsible for keeping her in tip top shape.  

The staff learned our names on the first day and we quickly became friends with all of them.  This is the only cruiseline that hires a Security Guard for each ship. The shore excursions are all included in the price and there were three to select from each day. For instance in Boppard Germany, you had a choice between a bike ride along the river, Orientation town walk, or just pick up a map and explore on your own. There was something for everyone. You did not even have to select your tour until a half hour before disembarkation for the shore excursion. Boppard is a very pretty little town with large Roman ruins and many half-timbered houses. We took the chairlift (Sisselbahn) to top of the mountain for good views of the "big bend" of Rhine. 

Food is always subjective, but I found the quality of food was high and the variety  changed every day. Dining room seating was excellent with a wide variety of seating options. The most impressive part of the dining room was the service. The friendliness of the entire crew was simply amazing and a total surprise given that gratuities are all a part of the Tauck all inclusive program. There is also a dining venue at the back of the ship, Arthurs, with an a la carte menu.

It is very difficult to single out any particular excursion as being the best because they were all professionally handled but the night at the Schloss Ehreshoven for our cocktail party and dinner was simply amazing. This is Tauck’s signature evening on the cruise and I believe it is what makes Tauck stand apart from its competitors. The Castle has quite a story attached.The last owner was Marie Countess of Nesselrode who died unmarried in 1920 and she bequeathed the whole estate to Rheinische Ritterschoft on the understanding that they transform the Castle into a charitable foundation for ‘titled’ ladies who had fallen on hard times and found themselves unable to manage in their latter years. It opened in 1924 and amazingly they still accommodate elderly women in the Castle to this day, the average age is 87. To qualify you need to be a princess, duchess or equivalent, living in genteel poverty. They live on one floor of the Castle which is split up into apartments and they are guaranteed a home until they pass away. 

Tauck includes all gratuities for everyone. They include all transfers whether you booked your air with them or not.  Tauck provided us regularly with what they call a Tauck Lagniappe (a Tauck surprise). For example, after the tour in Heidelberg, some people needed to go to the bathroom. In Europe most public toilets require a 50 cent coin. Instead of having to find one, a Tauck TD was standing there giving out 50 cent coins. Now thats all inclusive service. On the bus ride back from Heidelberg, they gave us all a Student Kiss chocolate, as a treat.   From the time you arrive at the hotel, if you do a pre-cruise stay, to the time you leave the hotel, if you do a Post-cruise stay, you pay for absolutely nothing. In Lucerne, where lunch was not included in the day long trip, Tauck gave each passenger 25 Euros to buy lunch on our own!  In addition, in Boppard, up at the top of the mountain, we stopped for a rest at the restaurant overlooking the biggest bend on the Rhine….they paid for drinks!The last stop was in Lucerne and we took the cablecar up to Mt Pilatus, which had spectacular views!  Fascinating time there.

TAUCK thrives on creating “moments” for their guests to connect – with whom they’re traveling and with the people/cultures/places where they travel.