Tauck has announced its largest river cruise expansion to date for 2027, introducing five new European itineraries and two additional ships to its fleet in response to continued demand and strong year-over-year growth. The company is adding the ms Saudade, joining the ms Andorinha on Portugal’s Douro River, and the ms Reverie, paired with the ms Serene on France’s Seine River.
“We’re seeing extraordinary growth across our river portfolio, and that inspires us to find new ways for guests to experience Tauck,” said Tauck CEO Jennifer Tombaugh in a press statement. “River cruising continues to be one of the most popular ways to experience Tauck for the first time, and with these new shorter itineraries, we can now offer that exceptional entry point to guests with limited time.”
Tauck Tops the River Season
The season will see the debut of a shorter 6-day cruise format launching in late 2026 and expanding further in 2027. Designed for clients with limited vacation time, the new journeys maintain Tauck’s inclusive approach while offering a condensed experience during Europe’s spring and fall shoulder seasons. The timing allows for smaller crowds and moderate weather in destinations along the continent’s most frequented rivers.
Among the new itineraries, Essence of the Seine begins and ends in Paris with departures in March and November. The sailing aboard the new ms Reverie covers Normandy’s inland waterways, featuring stops in Rouen and along the D-Day Beaches, a tasting of local cider and Calvados in Vernon and a gala evening held at a historic chateau. Essence of the Danube, operating aboard the ms Joy, links Budapest and Vienna on a 6-day route in October and November. Highlights include guided visits to Vienna and Bratislava, a gala dinner with live music at Vienna’s Palais Pallavicini and a wine tasting in Durnstein.
On the Douro River, Tauck is nearly doubling capacity and adding three itineraries as part of its most extensive river expansion to date. The ms Saudade introduces Essence of the Douro, a 6-day sailing from Porto to Barca d’Alva that features a cocktail-making class at a local quinta, a guided walk through Porto and a visit to Guimaraes, recognized for its historical significance. Two longer options include Porto Prelude: Cruising the Douro, a 10-day itinerary that adds time in Porto before sailing through the wine country, and Exploring the Douro, Plus Madrid, an 11-day cruise-and-land package combining Portugal’s vineyards with three nights in Spain’s capital.
Tauck’s 2027 program features 37 itineraries across Europe, including six family-oriented Tauck Bridges sailings. All cruises are fully inclusive of shore excursions, gratuities, onboard beverages, transfers and taxes.
For more information, visit tauck.com.
