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Tauck to resume global operations including all European river cruises

PHOTO: TAUCK CRUISE_Tauck_Durnstein.jpg
Tauck will resume operations on the Rhine Aug. 25 with river cruises on the Danube beginning in September. Picture here, Dürnstein, Austria, on the Danube
After announcing the restart of select tours and cruises in recent weeks, Tauck plans to resume full operations of all remaining 2021 itineraries during August and September.

This includes the return of Danube and Rhine river cruises, land tours in Italy and elsewhere across Europe, and explorations of far-flung destinations ranging from Morocco to Machu Picchu. In all, Tauck expects to operate more than 80% of its pre-pandemic portfolio of tours and cruises this year, with a full return of all itineraries planned in 2022.

'If a destination is welcoming American travelers, and if it’s a place where Tauck operates, we’ll be bringing our guests there in the coming months,' Tauck CEO Dan Mahar said.

Tauck has begun operating an increasing number of tour and cruise departures in the US and elsewhere over the past weeks. Earlier this month the company announced the August resumption of a few select land tours and cruises in Europe, its cruises in the Galápagos Islands and its guided safaris in eastern and southern Africa. However, and even with the resumption of those itineraries, Tauck had yet to confirm restart plans for the bulk of its 2021 itineraries prior to now.

Rhine and Danube cruises

Newly added to Tauck’s restart plans for August are several itineraries in Italy —one of Tauck’s most popular destinations, land tours in Switzerland, 'A Week in … Ireland' tour and Jordan and Egypt. Tauck will also resume operations on the Rhine with its Aug. 25 of 'The Romantic Rhine' cruise. The balance of Tauck’s 2021 tours and cruises, including the company’s river cruises on the Danube and its other journeys on the Rhine, will begin operating in September.

Flexibility advised

Mahar said there's cause for optimism, 'however some restrictions remain in place for destinations like the UK and Canada, and we know that as our industry recovers, there will be twists and turns along the way. We’re as prepared as possible, but we know that the best attitude is to expect the unexpected and to stay flexible.'

Tauck requires travelers to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or to present a negative PCR taken test within 72 hours of departure for their journey.