Tauck ups capacity on Christmas markets cruises

For the coming holiday season Tauck will increase Christmas markets cruise departures by 67%, and the number of ships sailing its two Christmas-themed itineraries will go from three to four. Inspire and Savor, inaugurated this year, will both make their Christmas markets cruise debuts, joining Treasures and Swiss Jewel.

'Christmas Markets Along the Rhine,' priced starting at $2,550 per person plus airfare, visits markets in Germany and France as it travels south from Cologne to Basel aboard Inspire on Dec. 7 and aboard Swiss Jewel on Dec. 13. Northbound departures begin in Basel on Nov. 30 and Dec. 14 aboard Inspire, and aboard Swiss Jewel on Dec. 6.

'Christmas Markets Along the Danube,' priced from $2,590 per person plus air, sails eastward from Nürnberg to Vienna aboard Savor on Nov. 29 and Dec. 13, and aboard Treasures on Dec. 7. A reverse (westbound) itinerary begins in Vienna on Dec. 6 aboard Savor, and on Nov. 30 aboard Treasures.

Special Tauck touches include on-board cultural performances and local crafts demonstrations, lectures and walking tours, and culinary demonstrations highlighting traditional gingerbread and cookies. Among meals ashore are an Austrian lunch at the iconic Stiftskeller St. Peter restaurant in Salzburg and lunch with beer produced on-site at the award-winning Brauhaus Vetter restaurant and brewery in Heidelberg.

In addition, Tauck will host a tree-trimming party aboard each riverboat and each will feature festive decorations and seasonal treats like glühwein (mulled wine).

Prices include all gratuities, shore excursions, unlimited on-board beer, wine and premium spirits, airport transfers and more.