Tauck has announced that two new ships will be joining the company’s fleet of riverboats in 2026. The two ships, which have not yet been named, will launch in spring 2026 following construction next year in Serbia and the Netherlands.
The two newbuilds include a 442-foot vessel that will sail on Tauck itineraries along the Rhone. Accommodating a maximum of just 130 guests in 68 cabins, the ship will has 22 300-square-foot suites on its upper (Diamond) deck, 34 225-square-foot cabins primarily on the middle (Ruby) deck, and 12 180-square-foot Category 1 cabins on the lower (Emerald) deck.
A slightly smaller, 410-foot sister ship will host up to 124 guests along the River Seine, with accommodations including 20 300-square-foot suites on its Diamond Deck, 30 225-square-foot cabins (mainly on the Ruby Deck), and 12 180-square-foot Category 1 cabins on the Emerald Deck. The Category 1 cabins on both newbuilds will be 20 percent larger than the Category 1 cabins found on Tauck’s other riverboats. Good to know: In keeping with Tauck’s tradition of welcoming solo travelers, all Category 1 cabins on the new ships will have the single supplement waived on every sailing.
As with Tauck’s other riverboats, the two newbuilds will sail with a dedicated Tauck cruise director and up to three Tauck director guides, and the itineraries offered on the new ships will be fully inclusive. Built into the price of every Tauck river cruise are all shore excursions, all gratuities, all onboard beverages (including wine, beer and spirits), arrival and departure airport transfers, all taxes and fees, and more.
While Tauck has provided an overview of the new riverboats’ accommodations, the company is offering few specifics about the ships’ uppermost Sun Deck or other communal spaces including the vessels’ restaurants, lounges, spa and gym facilities. More details on these will be announced at a later date.
The announcement of Tauck’s new ships comes as the company is concluding a record year with its European river cruises, including double-digit percentage growth over last year’s passenger levels. Demand for Tauck’s 2025 sailings is also robust, with pre-season bookings likewise up double-digits year-over-year. In addition, Tauck opened its 2026 river cruises for preliminary bookings earlier this month and guests are now able to reserve space on the 2026 itinerary and departure date of their choosing. Tip: All guests who book 2026 cruises now will have the opportunity to cancel their bookings and receive a full refund of their deposits when pricing and final itinerary details are announced in early 2025.
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