Best Of
Re: Favorite River Cruise?
The beauty of doing a “Star Collector” on Windstar is never having to pack or leave the ship. You book the same room for what is really two cruises. Sleep late, eat late, watch most of the other guests go home, and then enjoy the ship which is for the first half of the day mostly empty. You own it. Services are somewhat limited, and we normally wander into town for a while. Windstar just took formal possession of ‘Star Seeker’, so they are the new proud owners of a brand new ship. I think it carries a whopping two hundred and twenty four guests. Serious yachting. It is about two thirds the size of the Wind Surf. It is actually an expedition ship with an ice reenforced hull.
Sealord
Re: The Ghan Train
We are doing The Ghan 7 day fron Adelaide to Darwin in March (after Spotlight in Australia) - I can answer any questions after.
BWIE
Re: Transfers
Miguel is right! Tauck is a family owned company still in business after over 100 years- through wars, depressions, plagues, etc. so they must be doing something right!
Remember, also, that the Reservations Sales Agents' primary responsibility it to book your trip. They normally have access to other information but may not have it on their finger tips, especially if, for some reason, it has not been entered into you trip file - they may need to do a deeper dive into their computer or call HQ - many agents work from home (true before, during, and after COVID) so if there are network issues they may need to call you back, email you, or pass you off to another (HQ) person. Make sure they have your correct email address, phone numbers. One Taucktourian discovered Tauck was using the wrong email address so she was not getting all or the latest info.
If there is a problem with your flights, transfer, etc. and you can't contact the transfer company, you can also call the Tauck emergency Help line which is manned 24/7. The number and other arrival information are contained in the ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS section of your final documents- follow the link in your "IMPORTANT: Your Tauck Personal Travel Documents" email which you should already have received.
We received the following email on Sept-17, 3 days prior to our departure:
"Dear (AlanS),
Our transfer company is expecting your arrival in Honolulu on Sep-20 at 1:23 PM on flight DL-837.
Upon arrival please meet your greeter at baggage claim holding a Tauck sign. Should you not find your greeter, please contact Polynesian Adventures at +1 808-457-4310 or use the wall phone. Mahalo!
We would like you to have this information readily available in the event of an unexpected change in your itinerary. We hope that by making it possible for you to contact the transfer company directly, your travels will begin as smoothly as possible.
From all of us at Tauck, have a wonderful trip!"
AlanS
Re: Transfers
This is the email I have for the Journey Preparation Team journeypreparationteam@tauck.com
They're like a group of elves that work behind the scenes and you normally don't need to interact with them. But they are working to make sure all is smooth logistically from arrival to departure home.
Calling is fine but with email you can make sure the exact details are communicated.
Re: Transfers
Yiyak, I'll look through my pc tomorrow for the email to Journey Preparation. They are the ones I've dealt with when slightly unusual logistics were involved. ( Sorry I'm on a tablet now without full access to all old emails.)
Re: Transfers
When you call, just ask for the Journey Preparation department. I feel they will assist you better than a reservationist booking a trip. Be persistent because the reservationist may ask you why you want to be connected to that department. Obviously, your specific questions were not answered. Yes, that has happened to me, and I consider myself a seasoned traveler. I always get a name with whom I am speaking with. Once, the Journey Preparation Department called me back and clarified an error that yet another member on the Journey Preparation Team made for one of our back-to-back trips.
Re: Transfers
Typically, 3 days prior to the pickup date, your arrangements are confirmed by email and text, and you are provided with the name of and contact information for the transportation provider.
Re: Favorite River Cruise?
We did back to back Christmas Markets trips in 2022. Started in Vienna on the Danube, then flew from Nuremberg to Amsterdam to begin the Yuletide trip the same day. Great way to enjoy the holiday season.
mfrancis
Re: Favorite River Cruise?
We have booked back to back trips for next year. The Rhone River cruise ends in Geneva and the Week in Switzerland starts in Geneva two days later. It just seemed that it was meant to be.

