RIVER CRUISING SALES GUIDE UNDERSTANDING THE TAUCK DIFFERENCE
DISTINCTIVELY INCLUSIVE • PERSONALIZED SERVICE • UNCOMMON ACCESS • INTIMATE ATMOSPHERE
Tauck cruises the rivers of EuropeÉ with ha NETHERLANDS
Belgium & Holland in Spring Amsterdam
De Hoge Veluwe National Park
Utrecht
UNITED KINGDOM
Nijmegen e Rive r Rhin
Kinderdijk
Dordrecht
London Antwerp
Albert Cana l
BELGIUM
Maastricht
Bruges Ghent
Cruising the Seine plus Versailles, Paris & London
Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure
The Rhine and Moselle
Köln Bonn Linz am Rhein
Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat Nelahozeves
Koblenz
Vernon
Mo se lle
iver Main R Bamberg
Rendezvous on the Seine
FRANCE
Paris Versailles
CZECH REPUBLIC
Mannheim Würzburg Heidelberg Karlsruhe Rothenburg Plittersdorf Strasbourg Main-Danube Baden-Baden Canal Kehl Speyer
The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel
Colmar Breisach
The Rhine, Swiss Alps & Amsterdam
Prague
Worms
Luxembourg
Giverny Auvers-sur-Oise
Schaffhausen
Sa ôn eR
Rouen
Seine Rive r
Family Fun Along the Seine: Paris to Normandy
Grand European Cruise
Remagen
Cochem Belle Epoch: Bernkastel er London to Caudebec-en-Caux Riv Rüdesheim Trier Monte-Carlo Les Andelys LUXEMBOURG Le Havre Bacharach Honfleur D-Day Beaches
GERMANY
Basel
r ive
Bern Mt. Pilatus
Mercurey Chalon-sur-Saône Cormatin Tournus
Rhine Falls Zurich Lucerne
Nürnberg Regensburg Cesky Krumlov Straubing Dürnstein Passau Vilshofen Melk Engelhartszell Linz Munich Grein Vienna Mauthausen Weissenkirchen Vienna Salzburg Woods
Danube Reflections
AUSTRIA
Lyon Vienne
French Waterways
Tournon-sur-Rhône
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Pont du Gard La Camargue
Bratislava nu b
eR
iv e r
Budapest
SWITZERLAND
French Escapade: Monte-Carlo to Paris
Tain-l’Hermitage
Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise
Rhône R iver
Viviers
Da
Jungfraujoch
Valence
A Taste of France
Cerveny Kamen SLOVAKIA
The Blue Danube
Mâcon Trévoux
Musical Magic Along the Blue Danube
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Nice Avignon Arles
Monte-Carlo
ITALY
SLOVENIA
Blue Danube: Family Riverboat Adventure
CROATIA
Pécs Mohács
Vukovar
nd-crafted itineraries WE CARE DEEPLY HOW YOUR CLIENTS – OUR GUESTS – SEE THE WORLD. YOUR CLIENTS’ TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
The World’s Premier River Cruise Line Fulfilling Your Clients’ Passion for Meaningful Travel Tauck has provided guests with the very best travel experiences possible since 1925… with an unswerving commitment to service, quality, inclusive value
IS IMPORTANT TO US. THAT’S WHY WE PUT SUCH CARE INTO CRAFTING INSPIRING TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
and peace of mind at the heart of every trip. In fulfilling our guests’ passion for meaningful travel, we routinely exceed their expectations – thereby creating a remarkably loyal clientele who return home enriched, indulged and inspired. Bringing 90+ Years of Destination Expertise to River Cruising We’ve become the leader in European river cruising by leveraging our 90+ years of destination expertise and uncommon cultural access to create
ON EUROPE’S GREAT RIVERS.
authentic, enriching river cruise experiences that enhance our guests’ lives by broadening their knowledge and fulfilling some of their grandest travel dreams. Tauck’s Destination Fleet of Custom-Designed Riverboats Tauck’s Destination Fleet is purpose-built to navigate your clients to the most
HUNGARY
rewarding destinations along Europe’s historic rivers... featuring riverboats custom-designed to create an intimate, relaxed onboard atmosphere that
!! Classic River Cruises
enfolds our guests in impeccable comfort and gracious style.
!! Special Themed Departures !! Tauck Bridges Family Departures
Our Difference: Tauck Style River Cruising
New for 2017!
It is not only our decades of proven destination expertise and our innovative
Novi Sad Belgrade
Destination Fleet that elevate our experience above all other river cruise
ROMANIA
Budapest to the Black Sea
companies – but also the fact that we deliver the Tauck Experience to your clients. Every minute of a Tauck river cruise is thoughtfully choreographed to
Iron Gate
Bran Sinaia
memorably reveal a destination. Our Tauck Directors get to know your clients as individuals and help customize their journey. Should a crisis arise, you can
Targoviste
SERBIA
always trust Tauck to take good care of your clients. And they can leave their
Bucharest Vidin
iver ube R Dan BULGARIA Ruse
Mamaia Constanta
worries at home, and enjoy their cruise in distinctively-inclusive “Tauck Style.”
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Tauck’s River Cruise Experience: The Four Cornerstones
Exceptional Destination Experiences We offer the most exclusive experiences ashore – including dining as well as sightseeing – of any company cruising Europe’s waterways. Our 90+ years of destination expertise
The Anatomy of a Tauck River Cruise
provides uncommon access to local culture, creating innovative, unique experiences guests can’t get on their own.
Delivering truly inspirational travel experiences has defined Tauck for the past 90+ years, and has earned us a loyal following around the world. We never settle for ordinary – and that commitment fuels us as we continue to challenge the traditional European river cruising model. When your clients cruise Europe’s rivers with us, we craft an onboard experience on our custom-designed ships that is second to none... and call on our deep destination knowledge and longstanding local relationships to create the most exclusive and authentic cultural events on shore. Every moment is thoughtfully tailored to immerse guests in destinations along the river in quintessential Tauck style.
• Key Purpose: To Deliver Travel That Transforms Our Guests Lives • Provide Exclusive, Uncommon Destination Experiences
Thoughtful, Personalized Service Your clients will travel in good company with four Tauck
• Deliver Unmatched Value For The Money, In One Upfront Price • Do Things The Tauck Way – Be True To Our Roots, Brand & Heritage
Directors, including one Tauck Cruise Director, aboard every Tauck river cruise. This represents the highest tour directorto-guest ratio in the industry... meaning more opportunities to enrich each guest’s experience and peace of mind.
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River Cruising, Tauck Style Benefits to Your Clients... and to You 1. Tauck River Cruising is perfect for your culturally curious clients. Whether aboard our traditional, themed or family cruises, all kinds of clients – lifelong learning couples, solo travelers, families, groups – will appreciate the immersive experience we deliver onboard and, in particular, ashore.
2. Because all of our guests share vivid, meaningful Intimate, Friendly Atmosphere Our ships are custom-designed to sail with fewer guests – as few as 98 passengers aboard our 361-ft. ships, and no more than 130 guests aboard our 443-ft. ships, compared to up to 190 passengers on competitors’ ships. Our riverboats have the most 300-sq.-ft. suites of any ships in their class.
interactions with local culture and customs, their cruise experience fosters a deeper connection with each other as well as with the destination.
3. There is no other river cruise company you can feel more confident recommending to your clients. Our ability to handle all details and manage the unexpected means your clients are virtually worry-free when they travel with us. Instead, they’re free to immerse themselves in discovering each destination they visit...
4. Your clients can enjoy truly life-changing travel... creating memories they’ll cherish for a lifetime.
5. The extremely high quality of our product and the value we deliver generates both repeat and word-of-mouth business – which means more commission for you, now and in the future.
6. How much repeat business will you receive? Based on Distinctively Inclusive River Cruising Virtually every river cruise expense is included in one upfront price – with no options sold. Unlimited complimentary beverages available aboard every Tauck riverboat include regional wine, beer and premium spirits, in addition to specialty coffee, tea, water and soft drinks.
our experience, for every Tauck sale you make, expect that client to come home and book three additional Tauck trips. Not to mention the word-of-mouth referrals that your satisfied clients may send to you.
7. There are few companies you would rather do business with… because you know Tauck will always do the right thing for you and your clients.
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Our Point of Differentiation
Distinctively Inclusive
Thoughtful, Personalized Service
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Tauck is the most distinctively inclusive European river cruise line, with virtually every cruise expense included in one upfront price.
Tauck guests enjoy the most director-level service of any European river cruise line.
What Does it Mean?
How Do We Deliver It?
• Not only do we include virtually every cost, but the quality and value of what we include makes our river cruise experience superior to competitive options
• We include and coordinate over 100 unique travel/cost components on every trip • Trip components are of higher quality relative to our competition… like first-class high-speed rail travel; gala evenings at venues like Lobkowicz Palace in Prague; meeting royalty and the descendants of world figures; included stays at hotels like The Savoy, etc.
• Tauck’s director-level staff – the always-present problem-solvers, organizers and traveling companions – make the difference between an enjoyable trip and a truly memorable one
• Our TDs deliver lectures and provide insights about the regions they know and love
• With 4 director-level staff and fewer passengers on every cruise, we do a better job of serving guests as individual travelers
• Our TDs accompany guests should the need arise for hospital, pharmacy or doctor visits
How Does It Benefit You, the Agent? • You get commission on every river cruise component…over 100 per river cruise
• Your clients can literally leave their wallets in their pockets or purses; there are no unexpected costs or invoices at trip’s end
• Feel confident your high-end clients are getting the quality • Guests can focus on enjoying their travels without and value they deserve having to worry about what anything costs • Your clients are surprised and delighted by the quality touches enjoyed throughout their river cruise
• Whether traveling as part of a group, a family, a couple or a solo traveler, you can be confident that your client • While other companies hand is always well cared for guests over to local guides, our TDs accompany our • In addition to enjoying guests on all excursions greater camaraderie on
• Help manage in times of crisis, big and small
How Does It Benefit Your Clients?
their travels, your clients will experience fewer worries during their trip
• Your clients can travel with peace of mind • Your clients will experience enriched travel... where they will do more, learn more and enjoy a deeper connection to fellow travelers and the destination itself... all the result of Tauck’s directorlevel staff
Defining Our Four Cornerstones Now that we’ve introduced you to the “Four Cornerstones” around which we’ve crafted the Tauck River Cruise Experience, you might have a few questions... like “What do they really mean?” Or, “How does Tauck deliver them?” Or, “How do they benefit my clients and me?” This chart provides some answers!
Our Point of Differentiation
What Does it Mean?
Exceptional Destination Experiences
Only Tauck includes gala “sparkling events” and other exclusive experiences on every featured itinerary which deliver vivid, memorable moments that clients will remember the rest of their lives – immersing them in local culture in ways no other river cruise company can consistently match.
Intimate Onboard Atmosphere
Tauck’s thoughtfully • Your clients who enjoy a designed riverboats congenial atmosphere, feature the most generous appreciate understated accommodations – elegance and enjoy fine including the most 300 sq. ft. European dining will Tauck Suites among welcome the opportunity to comparably sized ships – river cruise with Tauck while carrying fewer guests than most other riverboat companies.
• Your clients enjoy Tauck Exclusive experiences on every river cruise they could not experience or create themselves when traveling on their own
How Do We Deliver It?
How Does It Benefit You, the Agent?
How Does It Benefit Your Clients?
• Unique venues (palaces, • Whether they’re high-end • Your clients experience local castles, châteaux, family ocean cruisers or FITs ready European history, culture homes) & extraordinary to try escorted travel, Tauck and customs in authentic, people (royalty, descendants river cruises are perfect unique ways, at venues of world figures, etc.) for your culturally-curious which they could not access clients seeking meaningful or obtain on their own • Stays at world-renowned European travel experiences pre/post hotels with like-minded passengers • Our Tauck Bridges family river cruises are specially • Included dining ashore • Your clients will come back tailored for multigenerational raving about the exclusive • We operate all shore guests – a great fun-forexperiences that enriched excursions as part of a all-ages way for clients to their river cruise, leading to well-choreographed itinerary enrich their children and/or word-of-mouth, referrals under the watchful eyes of grandchildren’s lives and repeat business Tauck Directors • Our fleet is purpose-built for each river to maximize the types of ports we visit • We offer the most 300 sq. ft. suites & highest percentage of cabins larger than 225 sq. ft. in our ships’ class • Unlimited complimentary beverages onboard • Tauck attracts like-minded guests, which creates a natural sense of camaraderie
• You’ll enjoy higher commission potential due to a higher percentage and number of larger cabins • You can more easily convert ocean cruisers looking for the largest possible cabins • The Tauck model is especially attractive to your solo travelers, who benefit from the waived single supplement in Category 1
• A Tauck river cruise is perfect for couples, solo travelers, families and groups looking for a relaxed and convivial atmosphere • We match each ship to an itinerary, so clients can be assured that we visit the best ports & destinations in the most efficient way possible • Because we can accommodate quads and triples, Tauck river cruises are perfect for families
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At A Glance – Destination Highlights on Every Danube River Cruise! Highlight
Signature Experiences
Included Dining & Tastings Off Ship
The Blue Danube
Tauck Exclusive: Private Imperial Evening with reception, dinner and musical performances at Palais Pallavicini in Vienna
• Private inside visit to Strahov Monastery libraries in Prague • Private dinner & entertainment at the Akadémia Klub in Budapest • Choice of sightseeing in Vienna – a visit to the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments in the Hofburg or to Schönbrunn Palace • Home visit in Engelhartszell & a bicycle ride along the Danube • A Tauck Exclusive private reception, musical entertainment and dinner at 16th-century Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle
• Lunch at a local café in Budapest • Lunch ashore in Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov • Tasting of locally produced wines in the village of Dürnstein on the Danube in Austria’s Wachau Valley
Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat
Tauck Exclusive: Private gala evening with reception, dinner and live entertainment at the Baroque Palais Ferstel in Vienna
• Privately guided tour of Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam • Choice of sightseeing in medieval Nürnberg, intertwined with WWII • Guided visit to the Thurn und Taxis Palace in Regensburg • Choice of Vienna sightseeing at the Hofburg or Schönbrunn Palace • Contemporary lecture by a local expert in Bratislava
• Private wine tasting at the Residenz in Würzburg • Authentic lunch at an old-world restaurant in Rüdesheim • Luncheon on a canal boat cruise in Amsterdam
Budapest to the Black Sea
Tauck Exclusive: Private VIP dinner with entertainment at the massive Palace of Parliament in Bucharest
• Private dinner and entertainment at the Festetics Palace in Budapest • Private visit & dinner at the Royal Palace of Belgrade in Serbia • Exploring Pécs in Hungary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site • Private family home visit in Vukovar to learn about post-war Croatia • In Romania, choice of excursions to Transylvania’s Bran Castle or Targoviste, or to Peles Castle in the Carpathians
• Lunch & wine tasting in Hungary’s Villány wine region • Lunch at a local restaurant in Bucharest’s Old Town • Refreshments in Mamaia on the Black Sea coast • Lunch at a local restaurant in Transylvania
Danube Reflections
Tauck Exclusive: Private Imperial Evening with reception, dinner and musical performances at Palais Pallavicini in Vienna
• Choice of three world-class museum visits in Vienna: the Haus der Musik, the Kunsthistorisches (Fine Arts) or the Belvedere Museum • Poignant visit to Mauthausen Memorial, site of concentration camp • Choice of visits to the Bavarian cities of Munich or Regensburg • Visit to a 16th-century castle in the mountains outside Bratislava • Privately guided walking tour in Bratislava with a local guide • Choice of guided walking tours in historic districts of Prague
• A private lunch at a traditional winery tavern (heuriger) in the Vienna Woods • Tauck Exclusive private lunch at the Winter Riding School at Cesky Krumlov’s Krumlov Castle • Wine tasting in an Austrian village in the Wachau Valley
The Blue Danube: Family Riverboat Adventure
Tauck Exclusive: Private Imperial Evening with reception, dinner, live music & more at Vienna’s Palais Pallavicini
• Fun at Vienna’s Prater, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks • Tours of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and Hellbrunn Castle, built to amuse by the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg • Tour of the catacombs beneath St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna • Medieval games & knight tournament at Devin Castle in Slovakia • Bicycling along the Danube River to a country village in Austria
• Marzipan making demonstration in Passau • Strüdel making – and tasting – aboard the riverboat
Musical Magic Along the Blue Danube
Tauck Exclusive: Private Imperial All Tauck Exclusives: • Dinner at the Akadémia Klub in the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest Evening at Vienna’s Palais • Interactive onboard musical workshops, seminars and performances Pallavicini with gala dinner by Tauck’s “maestros” – trained music scholars & performers • Lunch at the delightful Art Nouveau Municipal House and musical performances • Sitting in on an orchestra rehearsal at Vienna’s Auersperg Palace in Prague • Special performances at premier venues in Budapest & Vienna • Music & talk with a professor at Salzburg’s Mozarteum University • Visit to the Opera House in Bratislava with special guests
INCLUDED IN TOUR COST Pre Hotel Post Hotel Prague, Budapest, InterContinental Prague Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest
Cruise Only
Budapest, Boscolo Budapest
Bucharest, JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel
Prague, Vienna, InterContinental Prague Grand Hotel Wien
Cruise Only
Budapest, Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest
Prague, Four Seasons Hotel Prague
Clockwise from top left: Tauck Exclusives along the Danube River include lunch at Krumlov Castle in Cesky Krumlov (Danube Reflections); a gala dinner at Lobkowicz Palace in Prague (The Blue Danube); a VIP dinner at Bucharest’s Parliament Palace (Budapest to the Black Sea); and an Imperial Evening at Vienna’s Palais Pallavicini (Musical Magic Along the Blue Danube)
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At A Glance – Destination Highlights on Every Rhine River Cruise! Highlight
Signature Experiences
Included Dining & Tastings Off Ship
The Rhine and Moselle
• Choice of lunches ashore in Luxembourg, Heidelberg • Admission to and tours of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum & the Tauck Exclusive: Dinner, tour & Schaffhausen Kröller-Müller Museum in De Hoge Veluwe National Park and entertainment at historic Burg Satzvey in Germany’s North • Cochem’s centuries-old winemaking traditions are honored with a • Tours & tastings at a 19th-century Heidelberg winery Rhine-Westphalia region tasting at the family-owned Schlagkamp Wine Museum & winery • Amsterdam canal boat cruise with refreshments • Ride the funicular for guided visit to Heidelberger Schloss (Castle) • Visits to Cochem’s Reichsburg Castle & Strasbourg’s La Petite France
The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel
Tauck Exclusive: Private dinner and entertainment at Schloss Ehreshoven, a moated castle in Germany
• Afternoon of indulgence in a Black Forest spa in Baden-Baden • A Mt. Pilatus excursion on the world’s steepest cogwheel train • A cycling excursion along the Rheinradweg bicycle route in Koblenz • A guided visit to the world-famous Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
• Lunch at a local restaurant in Heidelberg • Choice of lunch & a wine tasting along the Alsatian wine route or in Lucerne • Amsterdam canal boat cruise with Dutch apple pie and refreshments
The Rhine, Swiss Alps & Amsterdam
Tauck Exclusive: Dinner and entertainment at Schloss Ehreshoven, a German castle dating back to the 15th century
• Exclusive reception at the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar • A guided visit to the world-famous Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam • Visit to Jungfraujoch, high in the snow-clad Swiss Alps • Tour of the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart • Visit to the Dutch village of Kinderdijk, home to 19 historic windmills
• Visit to the Museum of Viniculture to explore 2000 years of German winemaking (samplings included) • Lunch at a restaurant at the top of the Jungfrau • Lunch at a local restaurant in Stuttgart • Amsterdam canal boat cruise with Dutch apple pie
Belgium & Holland in Spring
Tauck Exclusive: Private lunch and chef’s-hat-on culinary experience at Château Neercanne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Visit to famed Keukenhof Gardens, home to millions of blooms • Poignant visit to the WWII Netherlands American Cemetery • Visits to Dordrecht & the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk • Choice of excursions to the Flemish cities of Bruges or Ghent • Guided visits to the Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp, Museum aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht & the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
• A visit to an Antwerp brewery for a tasting of local “bier” & Belgian delicacies • Amsterdam canal boat cruise with refreshments
Grand European Cruise
Tauck Exclusives: Private gala evenings in Vienna’s Palais Ferstel, Bucharest’s Palace of Parliament, and the Royal Palace of Belgrade
• A guided visit to the world-famous Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam • Day exploring Nürnberg, a medieval city forever intertwined with WWII • Choice of sightseeing in Vienna – a visit to the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments in the Hofburg or to Schönbrunn Palace • Visit with a Croatian family in their private home in Vukovar • Guided walking tour of Köln including a visit to Gothic Kölner Dom • Choice of Romanian excursions exploring the story of Vlad Tepes, 15th-century inspiration for Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”
• Amsterdam canal boat cruise with lunch and Dutch apple pie • Authentic old-world lunch in Rüdesheim • Lunch at a winery in the Villány region of Hungary • Private wine tasting at the Residenz in Würzburg • Lunches ashore in Romania at local restaurants in coastal Mamaia, Bucharest and Transylvania
Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure
Exclusive private dinner and evening at Reichenstein Castle overlooking the Rhine
• Riding the world’s highest cogwheel train up Mt. Pilatus, with sweeping views of the Swiss Alps • Visit to the legendary ruins of Heidelberg Castle • Bicycling through forests and vineyards along the Rhine & Moselle rivers • Learning about the colorful history and traditions of “Carnival” in Köln and elsewhere along the Rhine • Playing an “I Spy a Castle” game & hearing legends of the Lorelei while cruising through the Middle Rhine Valley
• Fun with fondue & a Swiss folklore show in Lucerne • Becoming “French for a Day” in Strasbourg, including a chocolate tasting • Amsterdam canal boat cruise with refreshments
INCLUDED IN TOUR COST Pre Hotel Post Hotel
Cruise Only
Cruise Only
Bern, Bellevue Palace Bern
Cruise Only
Bucharest, JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel
Cruise Only
Clockwise from top left: Our Rhine River cruises include unforgettable Tauck Exclusive dinners and culinary events at grand historic venues along the Rhine, including Burg Satzvey (The Rhine and Moselle); Schloss Ehreshoven (The Romantic Rhine); Reichenstein Castle (Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure); and Château Neercanne (Belgium & Holland in Spring)
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At A Glance – Destination Highlights On France River Cruises! Highlight
Signature Experiences
Included Dining & Tastings Off Ship
French Waterways
Private hands-on experience at a gourmet cooking school followed by a wine & cheese tasting
• Play pétanque (French bocce ball) with the locals • Tasting of local wines, cheeses and meats at Les Halles de Lyon food market • Wine tasting at Châteauneuf-du-Pape
French Escapade: Monte-Carlo to Paris
Private lunch of Provençal • Visit & tasting at a 700-year-old family-owned vineyard specialties and cowboy • A private dressage demonstration at a renowned demonstration with prized black equestrian center bulls at a private family-owned ranch • Choice of art museum visits in Paris, including the Louvre, in La Camargue Musée de l’Orangerie or Musée d’Orsay
• Private lunch at Château Pruzilly in Burgundy • Local bakery and chocolaterie tastings in Chalon-sur-Saône • Dinner at world-famous Fouquet’s
Rendezvous on the Seine
Private reception and dinner with musical entertainment at Château du Taillis in Normandy
• Visit to Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny • Tour of Normandy’s D-Day beaches & other sites with local guides and lecture by local expert • Apple cider tasting visit in Les Andelys
• Cheese tasting at a goat farm • Lunch near Omaha Beach in Normandy • Calvados (apple brandy) tasting • Lunch in seaside Honfleur
Cruising the Seine plus Versailles, Paris & London
Tauck Exclusive presentation by Celia Sandys – author, television personality and granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill
• Visit to Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny • Exclusive visit to an absinthe museum with a tasting • Tour of Normandy’s D-Day beaches & sites with local experts • Private reception and dinner at Château de Bizy near Rouen
• Apple cider tasting; cheese and chocolate tasting • Lunch near Omaha Beach in Normandy • Lunch & tour at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte • Lunch in seaside Honfleur
Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise
Private cowboy demonstration & Provençal lunch at a family-owned ranch in La Camargue
• Play pétanque (French bocce ball) with the locals • Visit to the Louvre in Paris with a scavenger hunt • Guided tour of Avignon’s Palais des Papes & Pont du Gard walk
• Chocolate demonstration & tasting • Family cooking demonstration at renowned Paris cooking school
Family Fun Along the Seine: Paris to Normandy
Welcome reception & dinner in the heart of Paris
• Two nights in Paris, with a bicycle or walking tour • Visit inside Monet’s house and painted gardens at Giverny • Insights & hands-on discoveries at Normandy’s D-Day beaches • Choice of experiences in the spired town of Rouen • Inside tour, guided garden walk or bicycling at Versailles • Scavenger hunt in the Musée du Louvre
• A traditional French picnic in Paris • Lunch at the Omaha Beach Club in Normandy • Lunch at the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Belle Epoch: London to Monte-Carlo
Tauck Exclusive presentation by Celia Sandys – author, television personality and granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill
• Visit & tasting at a 700-year-old family-owned vineyard • Private dressage demonstration at a renowned equestrian center • Visit to Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny • Exclusive visit to an absinthe museum with a tasting • Tour of Normandy’s D-Day sites with local guides and experts • Private reception and dinner at the Duché D’Uzès
• Chocolaterie tasting in Chalon-sur-Saône • Special lunch at Château Pruzilly in Burgundy • Cheese and chocolate tasting • Lunch near Omaha Beach in Normandy • Calvados (apple brandy) tasting • Apple cider tasting
A Taste of France
Exclusive pastry making lesson with • Tasting of local wines, cheeses and meats at Les Halles de Lyon a chef at École Lenôtre in Paris, • Culinary-themed walking tour in Paris designed especially for Tauck guests • Chef’s demonstration and tasting at a cooking school in Valence • Dinner at Abbaye de Collonges, crafted by chef Paul Bocuse
• Private welcome dinner at world-famous Fouquet’s • Private wine tasting in Beaujolais region • Private reception and dinner at the Duché D’Uzès
• Private welcome reception & dinner at famed Fouquet’s • Private wine tastings in Beaujolais and Châteauneuf-du-Pape • Provençal lunch at a private ranch in La Camargue
INCLUDED IN TOUR COST Pre Hotel Post Hotel Paris, InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel
Monte-Carlo, Fairmont Monte Carlo
Paris, InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel
Paris, Hotel Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
Versailles, London, Trianon Palace Versailles The Savoy
Paris, InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel Paris, Hotel Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
London, The Savoy
Paris, InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel
Monte-Carlo, Fairmont Monte Carlo
Clockwise from top left: Our river cruises in France feature Tauck Exclusives at historic châteaux... including private lunches at Château Pruzilly (French Escapade: Monte-Carlo to Paris) and Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte (Cruising the Seine plus Versailles, Paris & London), and gala dinners at Château du Taillis (Rendezvous on the Seine) and Château de Bizy (Cruising the Seine...)
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Clockwise from top left: Tauck river cruise guests enjoy onboard amenities rivaling those of a premium hotel, such as spa / massage facilities aboard every riverboat; our main dining room, The Compass Rose, serves the finest European-style cuisine amidst stunning scenic views; our casual dining venue aboard our 443-ft. ships – Arthur’s, named for our Chairman Arthur Tauck Jr. – offers lighter fare and features a 180º opening glass wall; bicycles are available aboard every Tauck riverboat for use by our guests ashore; our Panorama Lounge is the perfect place to relax and enjoy Europe’s passing riverscapes.
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Our Riverboats: The Tauck Destination Fleet The Tauck Destination Fleet includes two sizes of riverboats – 443-ft. (135 m.) and 361-ft. (110 m.) – to maximize our cruising flexibility and thoughtfully match the right ship with each itinerary. We partner closely with Scylla (a family-run company like ours) in the custom design, construction, outfitting and nautical operations of our fleet. Our riverboats are purpose-built to travel with fewer guests – from 98 to 118 guests (361-ft. ships) or 130 guests (443-ft. ships), compared to up to 190 on competitors’ riverboats – and feature the most 300-sq.-ft. “Tauck Suites” on any European riverboat.
Most 300 sq. ft. suites 22 Above: Our riverboats feature the most 300-sq.-ft. Tauck Suites in their class. Below: The innovative Loft Cabins aboard our 443-ft. ships. Below, right: Spacious marble-accented bathrooms in our 300-sq.-ft. Tauck Suites.
14 6 Tauck 135 m. Riverboats
Tauck 110 m. Avg. Competitor Riverboats Riverboats 135 m.
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Personalized Service Our Tauck river cruise guests enthusiastically share stories about the memorable time spent with our Tauck Directors – knowledgeable professionals acknowledged to be among the best
The Tauck Difference: Personalized Service
in the business – who thrive on finding creative ways to share their passion for travel and for the destinations they visit. Whether it’s their deep insight into each river and region, their genuinely helpful and caring nature, or their service as expert travel companions who treat each guest as an individual – our Tauck Directors are often the difference between merely enjoyable and truly memorable travel. And there are four director-level Tauck staff on every Tauck river cruise; just
Tauck Number of Total of 4 Director-Level (3 Tauck Directors + Staff on Every 1 Tauck Cruise Director) River Cruise
imagine what your clients are missing if they travel on a riverboat with only one director?
Top 10 Things Our TDs Do For Guests 1. Spontaneously create activities for the group, the small group or individuals aboard a river cruise, tailored to that group of travelers
2. Help your clients, their families and friends celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime event – a special birthday, anniversary, etc. – in a memorable way onboard
3. Take guests to special “hidden” sites or activities that come from the Tauck Director’s own personal history and explorations in the area
4. Personally oversee that special dietary and allergy-related needs are met 5. Lecture about contemporary events, history, society, art, geology, etc.; each TD brings his/her own passions, interests and expertise to the table
6. In case of a medical emergency, accompany and stay with your client at a local hospital, pharmacy or doctor’s office
7. Help solo travelers meet other guests and/or find dining companions 8. Lead guests on bicycle rides along the valleys of the Danube, Rhône, Saône or other rivers... or anywhere that looks fun!
9. Help locate lost items, like cell phones, tablets, keys, purses & luggage 10. Accompany guests on a “Tauck Fit” morning walk 16
Other Riverboats 1 Director
Distinctively Inclusive The Tauck Difference: All-Inclusive Cruising
Tauck Includes What Others Don’t • Efficient, high-end land travel when available – such as 1st Class passage aboard the high-speed TGV train from Paris to Lyon
Tauck
Other Riverboats
Are all gratuities to tour directors, onboard crew, local guides & drivers always included?
Yes
Not always
Are port charges and fuel charges included?
Yes
No
Are airport transfers included, even if airfare is purchased on your own?
Yes
No
Are any options sold?
No
Yes
Are unlimited beverages (including wine, beer & premium spirits) included aboard the ship?
Yes
Not always
Are solo traveler savings available on all departures?
Yes
No
• Included stays at world-class hotels like London’s Savoy, Trianon Palace Versailles, Four Seasons Hotel Prague, Grand Hotel Wien, etc. • Included exclusive dining at famed restaurants like Fouquet’s in Paris, Caru’ cu bere in Bucharest, Abbaye de Collonges in Lyon, Stiftskeller St. Peter in Salzburg and Maison Pic in Valence • Exclusive, intimate visits with local families to learn their personal and often poignant stories... meeting the cowboys at a family ranch in La Camargue, or visiting with a Croatian family at their home in Vukovar • Exclusive meals in historic venues like the Akadémia Klub in Budapest, Château Neercanne in the Netherlands, Schloss Ehreshoven in Germany, Palais Ferstel in Vienna, Krumlov Castle in the Czech Republic • Exclusive visits with European nobility at family-owned châteaux and palaces, and descendants of world figures like Churchill and Napoleon • Unique, exclusive activities for kids and grownups alike on our Tauck Bridges family river cruise itineraries... like learning to waltz in Vienna, a scavenger hunt in the Louvre, medieval games at Devin Castle
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Hallmarks of Our Customers
Who Should You Target?
Couples • Seeking Connection: Many are “empty nesters,” some are retired or semi-retired; often they are longing to connect with like-minded travelers • Culturally Curious: Knowledge seekers, lifelong learners who have enjoyed discovering the world on their own; interested in art, music & history
We’ve learned through experience that many first-time river cruisers are fairly affluent couples over 50 who may already be experienced travelers, have high expectations, appreciate not having to pack and unpack, and often travel with friends.
• Peace of Mind: Seeking a worry-free travel experience; they want everything expertly handled for them... including unexpected situations • Seeking Meaning: Want truly memorable experiences vs. just a ‘collection of things’ • Integrity: Want to trust and have confidence in the company with whom they travel; they want to know that we are safe, solvent and savvy and will do the right thing for and by our guests
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• Simplicity: Our guests understand the complexities associated with planning truly memorable travel; they seek a hassle-free experience from start to finish
Families
• Quality: They have high expectations; they’ve worked hard and traveled well; they anticipate high-quality and don’t want to be disappointed
purchase a river cruise vacation for their families, roughly 70%
The guests who travel with us on Tauck Bridges family river cruises range in age from 8 to 80. Of those who actually are grandparents, and 30% are parents. The ideal age range for kids on our family cruises falls between 8 and 18.
River Cruising, Tauck Style Answers to Questions Your Clients May Ask... Q: Why don’t Tauck riverboats have balconies? A: Our cabins and suites feature fully-opening French balconies affording fresh air and views without sacrificing cabin space. Riverboats are limited in width in order to fit into locks; therefore, full balconies can take up to 20% of a riverboat cabin’s square footage.
Q: Where should I take my first river cruise? A: While our Danube and Rhine cruises are most popular with first-timers, each of Europe’s rivers is unique, offering an ever-changing parade of scenic, cultural and historic sights.
Groups Friends and family traveling as groups on Tauck river cruises – ranging from families celebrating reunions or special milestones to organizations and alumni groups – can generate significant sales opportunities for you... and considerable savings for your clients.
Q: When is the best time to book a river cruise? A: Europe’s rivers are four-season highways with no “calendar curfews”; most of our cruises operate from early spring to late fall. (But always book your clients’ river cruises early!)
Q: How would I know if pace or mobility are potential issues for me on a river cruise? A: Our brochures and website feature Pace & Activity ratings for every Tauck journey or cruise to help determine how much physical activity is required to enjoy each trip to the fullest.
Q: What is it like to river cruise solo? Does Tauck cater to solo travelers? A: Solo travelers tell us that the casual atmosphere of our river cruises makes it easy for them to forge new friendships with their shipmates... and waiving the single supplement in Category 1 cabins means special savings for solo travelers on every Tauck river cruise departure.
Q: How do I compare Tauck’s value to that of other river cruise companies? A: While most river cruises are “all-inclusive” to some degree, we include components others don’t – such as all hotel stays, shore excursions, gratuities, onboard beverages and more. What’s more, the quality of the components Tauck includes provides travelers with exceptional value.
Solo Travelers Many solo travelers prefer exploring Europe aboard our river
Q: Will I get seasick? A: Most likely, no. Because there are no waves or rocking aboard the riverboat, virtually every guest will enjoy a stable, relaxing river cruise on calm waterways without seasickness.
cruises, knowing they’ll meet like-minded folks who welcome the genuine camaraderie they’ll find within the friendly, intimate atmosphere of a Tauck riverboat. Plus, solo travelers benefit from special savings on every Tauck river cruise departure.
Q: What is the onboard entertainment like? A: Tauck’s riverboats feature intimate lectures, demonstrations and folkloric performances by local musicians and dancers to bring local culture onboard, as well as piano music nightly.
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Convert Ocean Cruising Clients to River Cruising High-end ocean cruising enthusiasts tend to fit the profile of the Tauck River Cruising guest – curious travelers with a keen interest in exploring cultures and regions, and a desire to travel in style. They enjoy premium accommodations, fine dining, and good wine. See the chart below for tips on helping ocean cruising fans choose Tauck River Cruising.
Outline the Benefits of River Cruising • Riverboats dock in town centers, and guests spend more time in ports and exploring inland – seeing more of Europe up close than on ocean cruises. • With fewer guests onboard than on ocean liners, riverboats allow guests to get to know one another in a relaxed way without fighting crowds and standing in lines. • Unpack once – and experience a diversity of destinations without changing hotels. • Nonstop scenic cruising – no matter where you are onboard your riverboat, views of land are always in sight. • Riverboats provide a relaxing cruise with no waves, no rocking, and no seasickness. • A river cruise can be a laid-back vacation or more active. It’s up to you. If you want more activity, go hiking and walking when the boat docks, and hop on a bicycle to explore historic towns or along the rivers.
Manage Expectations Promote Tauck River Cruising • Unlike on ocean cruises, no bill slides under your door at end of the trip. No options sold. No hidden fees or expenses. • Tauck’s upfront price includes all shore excursions... Tauck Exclusive V.I.P. events on shore... elegant accommodations onboard and at hotels like Waldorf Astoria... fine dining aboard and special local dining experiences ashore... performances and presentations by local talent... unlimited complimentary beverages aboard... wine and beer tastings ashore... and all gratuities. • Traveling with a Tauck Cruise Director and three Tauck Directors, who accompany guests ashore and team up with the best local guides and experts, your clients enjoy a carefully curated and well-choreographed journey from beginning to end.
• River cruises don’t feature large-scale Broadway-style entertainment. Instead, guests enjoy performances by local singers and dancers who share their cultural traditions and artistry... demonstrations by chefs and artisans... enriching lectures... and organized fun in the lounge with our Tauck Directors. • Tauck includes free WiFi, but you won’t find cutting-edge technologies like robot bartenders or simulated parachuting.
Take Advice from Top Agents • “Mine your current client database.” Many of your premium ocean cruisers will convert to river if you just contact them. • “Help your clients understand that river cruising has benefits that ocean cruising doesn’t.” River cruising provides in-depth shore experiences impossible to have while ocean cruising. Guests meet more locals, see more of the region’s cultural highlights and hidden gems, and explore parts of Europe unavailable on ocean cruises.
• Tauck ships have one main lounge, the Panorama Lounge. Drinks are unlimited and are served throughout the riverboat.
• “After selling them on river, introduce them to the life-changing experience they will have with Tauck.” We provide the best, most exclusive destination experiences. • Tauck ships feature two indoor dining Every moment is thoughtfully designed to venues; al fresco dining on the Sun Deck; share our deep knowledge of Europe and flexible dining times; vegetarian meals; and give your clients a unique life experience. always available snacks.
• To maximize indoor space, we designed our cabins and suites without step-out balconies. 80% of our cabins have French • High-end ocean cruisers meet like-minded balconies, and our Sun Deck is perfect for travelers interested in culture, food & wine. enjoying 360-degree views.
• With fewer people onboard, guests quickly • Tauck Bridges’ four family river cruises are disembark without standing in line. filled with fun for all ages and generations.
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(How Riverboats are Different from Ocean Liners)
• Suites, cabins, and common spaces may be smaller onboard riverboats.
• “Reinforce that Tauck always does the right thing” – especially in moments of crisis. We’ve done it for 90+ years. • “Share your personal or other clients’ experiences on Tauck river cruises. Direct your clients to Tauck’s online guest reviews.” Word of mouth works.
Want to Double Your Tauck Sales? Convert More Current and Potential Clients Be sure to recommend the right cruise for each client. If you think Tauck is too expensive for a certain client, think again. Research shows that when agents fully explain the high quality and quantity of the elements included in Tauck’s upfront price versus the competition, it’s surprisingly easy to convert clients to Tauck from seemingly lower-priced or even comparably priced options. The inclusive value and quality of Tauck virtually sells itself. See the chart below for tips on making the sale.
Know What’s Driving Your Clients’ Interest in River Cruising • Did friends tell them river cruising is a great way to travel? If so, are they considering the cruise line their friends took? • Did your clients hear about river cruising from TV and radio ads? • Did your clients receive river cruising brochures from Tauck or other companies?
Promote Tauck Benefits
Overcome Objections
Take Advice from Top Agents
• Tauck Exclusive Events On Shore • If your client is concerned about • “Understand your clients.” How have cost, point out the high value and quality Only Tauck includes exclusive events and they traveled in the past? Are they looking of Tauck inclusions. All cruises include shore experiences just for Tauck guests, for a high-quality trip? Do they want to unlimited complimentary beverages like gala dinners in castles. And only Tauck experience culture and learn? If they onboard and all gratuities. Many cruises includes exclusive authentic dining ashore. are culturally curious and have stayed in include exclusive galas in historic high-end hotels, Tauck is right for them. • Distinctively Inclusive / Unmatched Value palaces... visits with nobility... V.I.P. tours • “Tell them they’ll remember their No options sold. Ever. Virtually every river of places not available to the public... Tauck river cruise all their lives.” Our cruise expense plus all shore excursions stays at hotels like the Four Seasons and river cruises are unique and they change are included in one upfront price. No hidden The Savoy... meals on shore at restaurants lives. This isn’t an ordinary trip; it’s an fees or extra charges. And everything Tauck like Fouquet’s in Paris... and wine and extraordinary life experience. includes is of the highest quality. beer tastings ashore. • Thoughtful, Personal Service The most director-level staff on Europe’s rivers: a Tauck Cruise Director and three Tauck Directors who accompany guests onboard and ashore, enhancing their trip with unmatched destination expertise.
• If your client can’t tell the difference between Tauck river cruises and similar-sounding itineraries on other cruise lines, focus on the highlights of Tauck cruises outlined in the Traveling Well Includes sidebars in our brochures.
• If you fear that by recommending • Intimate, Club-like Atmosphere Tauck you might lose an “easy” sale With only 98 to 130 guests, and the most of a lower-priced cruise from another 300-sq.-ft. suites aboard any European company, outline the pros and cons of ship, Tauck’s elegant riverboats are less both, making sure to highlight Tauck’s crowded with a more congenial ambiance. inclusive value and high quality. • Tauck Personifies Trust & Peace of Mind • If a Tauck river cruise is beyond your We have proved our ability to manage the own means, don’t assume that it’s also out unexpected during our 90+ years in travel. of your clients’ reach. You may be surprised.
• “Help them understand what is included, what they’ll experience, and what additional costs there may be.” You’ll have a client for life if you do the work and recommend the right cruise. Plus, you’ll be happily surprised that Tauck, despite all it includes, is often less expensive than other river cruise lines. • “Reinforce that Tauck is the company you can always trust to do the right thing” – especially in moments of crisis. • “Share your personal experience or other clients’ experiences on Tauck river cruises. Direct clients to Tauck’s online guest reviews.” Word of mouth works.
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Tips from Tauck and Top Agents Qualifying potential river cruisers
According to our research, only 50% of agents ask for contact information for a new lead, and even fewer ask about these folks’ budgets or previous travel experience. Doing just these two things will help you identify – and book – many more Tauck clients.
Tauck has significantly increased its capacity on Europe’s rivers
There has been a perception among travelers and agents alike that Tauck river cruises were “always sold out.” But with 9 riverboats, more than 20 itineraries and over 200 departures, we can offer your clients many opportunities to cruise Europe’s rivers with us.
We do not own our riverboats... and why that’s not an issue
Our exclusive US partnership with Scylla – a family-owned company and leader in designing, building and operating riverboats – enables us to custom-craft our ships and do what we do best: deliver unparalleled destination experiences to our guests.
Family river cruising is “big” today
Multigenerational travel is a big trend in the industry today. As the only river cruise company to have a dedicated family river cruise program with four different cruises catering to “kids” from 8 to 80, Tauck should be the first and only choice for family river cruising.
Group travel is “big,” too... including groups of couples
Group travel is growing... not only with traditional groups and families celebrating milestones, but among groups of couples choosing to take a river cruise together. It’s an important new trend in river cruising, offering a great new way to look at your database!
Understanding the quality of what is included
Make sure that your clients understand that in looking at the differences between what Tauck includes and what other river cruise companies offer, it’s the quality of all that is included – the relationship between price and value – that really matters.
Compare the itineraries: What you know or don’t know makes a difference
When comparing river cruise itineraries, dig deeper to make sure both you and your clients understand what they’ll be doing each day in a given destination. While other companies offer only guided sightseeing, Tauck often includes exclusive experiences as well.
Selling Tauck River Cruising More Effectively 7 Key Reasons to Sell Tauck River Cruising
3 C ategory Leader: The winner of many industry awards,
Tauck is the acknowledged leader in European river cruising
3 Trust: Rest assured that you and your clients can always count on Tauck to do the right thing
3 Destination Experience: With 90+ years of destination
experience and all-included shore excursions on every cruise we deliver the most exclusive experiences on Europe’s rivers
3 Peace of Mind: When your clients travel with us, they’re
always in good hands – their safety and comfort comes first
3 Profitable to You: Tauck’s high rate of repeat bookings,
great word-of-mouth, and commission earned on every cruise component offer tremendous potential financial value
3 Unmatched Value: Your clients get what they pay for and then some; if it means a better experience, we include it
3 The Right River Cruise for Your Clients: Tauck River Cruising offers the right choice for those culturally curious clients on your list... from Couples to Solo Travelers to Groups to Families
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It certainly pays to research, seeing what options are available and then factoring in everything to see what will give you the greatest overall service, itinerary, accommodations, dining and touring experiences for your travel budget. I have found that Tauck comes out the clear winner every time. A good, knowledgeable travel agent will steer one in the right direction. – Denise Federoff, Tauck Travel Forum
BE IN THE KNOW – WAYS TO CONNECT facebook.com/taucktravel Check our Facebook page for stories, photos, videos and reviews posted by Tauck travelers on and off the road twitter.com/tauckagent Follow us on Twitter for a real-time agent news feed. Why wait for the newsletter, when you can follow our tweets? youtube.com/taucktravel Through YouTube, you can access & link to all official Tauck videos as well as videos posted by Tauck guests pinterest.com/tauck Help your clients find their inspiration on Pinterest. Pin us on your Agency Board. CLIA Member Agent Benefits CLIA member agents enjoy savings off select Tauck river cruises, exclusive Tauck webinars and training, and more
AGENT CONNECT tauck.com/secure/registeragent Manage clients’ accounts & more – register for Agent Connect, Tauck’s exclusive travel agent website! tauck.com/agent/academy.aspx Your link to learn more about and register for Tauck Academy – Tauck’s unique agent certification program tauck.com/agentrewards Member agents earn points toward Tauck travel for every client sold and traveled on a Tauck trip, every time TRAVEL BLOG tauck.com/travel-blog Check out our Travel Blog for weekly updates, photos, insider tips, stories & insights from the Tauck travel family FIRST TIMER’S GUIDE TO RIVER CRUISING
FREE, CUSTOMIZED TRIP PLANNERS
Our handy guide explains the “who, what, where, when and whys” of European river cruising to your clients
Send your clients a personalized, departure-specific Trip Planner with your CTA and agency logo for any Tauck trip