Day early arrival and transportation
We are arriving a day early in Buda and staying at the Ritz Carlton. Will Tauck provide transport to hotel or just hotel to River cruise? Or how does it work?
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Yes, they will pick you up at the airport. As British says, if you didn't reserve your flight through Tauck, make sure they know your flight details well in advance.
Yes, they will provide transport for you and your luggage from the hotel to the ship.
Here's the "routine" for day 1 of the cruise: Go down to breakfast. You'll likely find you're eating with a big group of fellow Tauck passengers who also came in a day or two early. Meet your TDs, find out where and when to meet for transfer to the ship. They may also give you extra luggage tags in case you want them to take your carryon luggage. Go back to your room and get bags ready for pickup. Grab what ever you want to carry around while sightseeing on your own. Go down to reception and check out. Spend the day sightseeing on your own then be back at the hotel at the time designated. Ride to the ship, check in at the front desk, find your stateroom and your luggage will be waiting on your bed ready to unpack. Unpack, store your luggage away. Head back up to the lounge for happy hour.
If you are staying in the Tauck designated pre-stay or post-stay hotel (and designated hotels on a land tour) you will always leave your bags in your room, NEVER in the hall, where they will be picked up by hotel staff at the designated time. Hotel staff and the Tauck driver will load them on the bus, van, car that takes you to the ship, airport, train station, etc. On land tours, unless you are an early riser, baggage pickup may be scheduled before you get up or at least before you go down for breakfast so it is best to pack the night before, lay out clothes for that day and if you need to, put your PJs and last minute toiletries in a handbag which is what we sometimes do. Remember, the hotel staff may have a lot of baggage to collect and take to the lobby so may start early, but you will be informed of the time. As far as "check-out," you can "settle your bill" (pay for incidentals, mini bar, etc.) the night before or anytime that morning before the bus leaves- beat the rush and settle early. Then all you need to do is turn in your key.
I have heard it both ways, but can't confirm if you or your bags will be picked up at a non-Tauck hotel or if bags will be picked up in your room there. However, regardless of hotel pickup, you can usually arrange with the bell captain at nicer ones to pick up baggage in your room. They will take it down to the lobby and put it in a specially designated, secure area. As British suggests, call Tauck and ask if pre-staying in a non-Tauck hotel.