Michelle Boyles, Luxury Travel Advisor at Provident Travel, took an 8-day Tauck cruise on the Rhine River in late December 2024. She traveled from Brussels, Belgium, to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, stopping along the way in the Belgium cities of Antwerp and Bruges and in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. We asked Michelle to tell us about her experience.
Tauck is a family-owned luxury travel company with nearly 100 years of experience. Their all-inclusive river cruises are known for unique experiences like exclusive access to landmarks and behind-the-scenes moments. They carefully select local guides to provide authentic insights at each destination. Tauck also offers guided tours, small-ship cruises and more.
Having experienced river cruises on multiple cruise lines, I have found Tauck to be special in their approach to all-inclusive luxury. Tauck goes beyond just covering meals and drinks. They constantly surprise guests with thoughtful extras like giving us spending money for Christmas ornament shopping and local lunch experiences.
The level of personalization is incredible, especially on their Christmas market cruises, where they arrange experiences like private concerts in neighborhood churches by former members of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, or dinners in historic fortresses.
What truly sets them apart is their no-tipping policy, which created an authentic atmosphere. The crew members engaged with guests naturally, not because they were hoping for tips but because they genuinely enjoyed their work. They seemed to have fun together, even putting on a goofy skit for guests, and their tight-knit camaraderie made us feel like part of their family.
Celebrating my birthday on the trip was a highlight. We began the day in Rotterdam with Belgian waffles before a tour of the city and its modern architecture. We also visited the popular food market with its artistic ceiling.
Our tour included a stop at the historic Pilgrim Fathers Church, the last place the Pilgrims worshipped before sailing to the New World. From there, we went to a local brewery and a festive Christmas market. The highlight was seeing Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring at the art museum Mauritshuis and celebrating my birthday both in town and on the ship. The crew surprised me with coconut ice cream, my favorite, and then delivered a cake to my room.
Holiday river cruises require packing for flexibility. The weather can be anything from snow to rain, so bring layers and multiple pairs of comfortable shoes. While the dress code is relaxed, festive holiday wear like Christmas sweaters adds to the fun. Don't worry about bad weather disrupting plans because Tauck always has indoor backup plans ready.
I really liked how Tauck was prepared for unexpected issues. When my husband forgot his medication, the cruise director quickly helped guide him to an online medical service. The goal is to handle all the details so guests can fully relax and enjoy their holiday experience.
Tauck is for lifelong learners. Tauck creates travel experiences for curious travelers who want to experience new things in a comfortable environment.