Cruise travel at its best. What makes Tauck's Small Ship Cruising and River Cruising unique is the focus on the destination – in scenic ports of call that connect you with people and places... moving, compelling and heart-warming experiences onboard and ashore... inspiration through Tauck's cruise travel. They cast anchor in pristine bays, off island beaches and at docks accustomed to personal yachts... in small towns and villages along the great rivers of Europe... and in some of the world's favorite cities. Tfime ashore is enriched by in-depth cultural exploration and insider access that ensures up-close-and-personal connections with the locals and daily life. Tauck's cruise travel adventures include guided sightseeing with local experts such as naturalists, historians, and accomplished lecturers. You'll dine on regional cuisine on land at aboard ship that showcases specialties of the destination. And after a day of extraordinary sightseeing, Tauck welcome you back onboard the hand-picked vessels for warm camaraderie and lively conversation that's inherent on every Tauck cruise travel experience. The stories are endless, the memories are timeless and the connections priceless.

River Cruising

The heart of history meets the art of sophisticated river cruise travel aboard Tauck's river cruises. Experience the Tauck difference on cruise travel days along great European waterways from the Rhine to the Danube, from the canals of the Netherlands to the Rhône, from the Main to the Danube and the Moselle... You'll cruise aboard spacious riverboats that have been custom designed to meet American standards with well appointed outside facing cabins and suites, a choise of on-board dining venues, complimentary wine with dinner, fitness centers and attentive personal service from Tauck's staff and the ship's crew. Ancient civilizations beckon on cruise travel days along the River Nile in Egypt and China's Yangtze River on Tauck's Exotic journeys, where 3- and 4-night river cruise travel enhances land journeys.

Small Ship Cruising

The difference in Tauck's small ship cruise travel lies in the choreography of the total cruise travel experience – the combination of personalized cruising with cultural land exploration. How you spend your days ashore – where you go, what you do, who you meet – that's the Tauck difference. From the moment you step ashore, with 85 years of expertise on land ensures that on every cruise travel day, every moment of your shore excursions (all included in the price) count! Smaller ships hold fewer passengers, which means more personal attention from the captain and the crew – you'll find the on-board atmosphere to be both club-like and comfortable. The pace is more relaxed, the conversations are richer, and the day-to-day experiences are shared with like-minded travelers.

ms Treasures

Cruising Europe's inland waterways exclusively for Tauck, the sister ships ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire, ms Swiss Jewel and new-for-2011 ms Treasures represent the epitome of luxurious river cruising. In addition to their spacious, well-appointed cabins, all four ships offer 14 beautiful 300-square-foot suites – equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble baths, flat-screen televisions and walk-in closets – as well as 7 junior suites, adding up to four times more suites than most other European riverboats. The cabins, which range from 150 to 183 sq. ft., provide plush accommodations with plasma TV, terry bathrobes, fine L'Occitane toiletries, large windows and much more; 85% of the cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies. A crew of 29 attentively serves just 118 guests. The Restaurant offers both an elegant dining venue and a fine dining experience, while the spacious Panorama Lounge in the bow, with its bar, dance floor and entertainment, is a delightful gathering spot in the evenings. The gracious Lido Bar in the stern has a 180° glass wall that opens for an indoor / outdoor cocktail hour, and offers alternative bistro dining featuring lighter fare – a first on Europe’s rivers. Tauck's riverboat fleet is definitely “top-of-the-line”!

Amenities & Dining

Open dining, with no assigned seats; tables seat 4 and 6
Wine with dinner, unlimited soft drinks, and beer with lunch and dinner included aboard the riverboat; vegetarian meals are available
Alternative bistro dining available in and outside of (weather permitting) the Lido Bar
Room service breakfast available in Category 6 suites
Complimentary snack baskets served from 2:00 PM to midnight
E-mail available in Internet Corner of the Lido Bar; Nintendo Wii games available on each riverboat
Themed Happy Hour in the bar/lounge; piano music nightly
Fitness center; whirlpool on sun deck, available 24 hours
On-board entertainment programs include movie nights, cooking demonstrations, local entertainment, themed game nights and more
Accept cash (Euros), Visa, MasterCard, and American Express; no money exchange on board
Tauck Director audio commentary available in cabins
Laundry service (limited); ironing available

Ship Specifications

Newly Built 2006 – 2011!
Registry: Swiss
Length: 361 ft. (110 meters)
Width: 37 ft. (11 meters)
Draft: 4 ft. (1.2 meters)
Number of Guests: 118
Crew Members: 29
Crew Nationality: Mostly European
Number of Decks: 3 plus a sun deck
Fully air conditioned: Yes
Elevator: Yes – between the Ruby and Diamond decks; stairs (12 steps) between the other decks
Internet: Send / Receive

Tauck’s European Riverboat Fleet, comprised of sister ships ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire, ms Swiss Jewel and ms Treasures launching in 2011, represents the state of the art in modern river cruising. Operating exclusively for Tauck, each ship features three passenger decks custom-designed to comfortably accommodate 118 Tauck guests in gracious style; most similar-sized riverboats average about 140 guests. All Tauck riverboats boast four times more suites than most other European riverboats – 14 lush 300-square-foot suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, brocade upholstery, walk-in closets and marble baths with full-size tubs, along with 7 junior suites. Well-appointed, outside-facing cabins and junior suites, ranging from 150 to 183 square feet, offer plush interiors with plasma TV, mini-bar, radio, safe, hair dryer, adjustable air conditioning and private bathroom with shower, pampering l’Occitane toiletries and terry cloth robes and slippers; power is 220 volt. Floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies grace 85% of our cabins. Guests enjoy exceptional vantage points throughout each ship; panoramic windows provide spectacular views of the passing shore. Culinary pleasures are many, from a spacious restaurant offering menus designed for a variety of tastes to alternative bistro dining featuring lighter fare in the teak-lined Lido Bar; limited outdoor dining is also available. Sporting a fully opening 180º glass wall, the Lido Bar also offers coffee & tea, cappuccino, and snacks throughout the day. Each ship has a fitness center and a sun deck with 24-hour Jacuzzi, as well as a lounge, library and boutique.

Deck and Cabin Guide

Day 1: Embark on your Rhine cruise in Amsterdam

Meals: Dinner
Your Rhine cruise starts at 4:00 PM in Amsterdam, Netherlands. A transfer is included from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport directly to your riverboat. Kick off your two-week Danube, Main and Rhine cruise with a traditional toast featuring Dutch gin, followed by dinner aboard the riverboat.