Here is one quote from the article: “Major parts of the Rhine and Danube as well as the Moselle and Main are not navigational, so we focus on the stretches that still have enough depth to cruise,” said Patrick Ell, a vice president at German operator Viva Cruises."
On that quote from Patrick Ell, vice president at German operator Viva Cruises. Viva Cruises is owned and operated by parent company Scylla AG. Scylla AG Is also the company that owns and operates the Tauck boats. A river boat they own, MS Anna Katharina, collided with a lock on 24 July 26 damaging boat. All passengers had to be evacuated, some to hospital. Doesn’t say if low water had anything to do with it. Here is ink to article on it:
British - Tauck cancelled our trip on A Sunday. On Monday, our travel agent called TAUCK. They confirmed that to take offer to transfer protection a new trip had to be booked by next day. I had an email exchange with customer service where I said two days was unreasonable, but they chose not to address this or any reason why in reply. We are members of the recently introduced 1925 circle, so much for valuing repeat customers.
One other thing I learned. If you buy air through Tauck there is a cancellation fee once you are ticketed, currently $400.00 per person for coach and $500.00 for business. I had always assumed this was only if I cancelled trip since that seems “right” and we were refunded full air amount for 2 trips cancelled during COVID, Apparently fee now applies if Tauck cancels trip, they wrote:
“Once tickets are issued, a cancellation penalty would normally apply. However, as an exception for this cancelled tour, all cancellation penalties on issued Tauck Air tickets will be waived“
Or maybe…they are making changes that people aren’t happy with - less consumer friendly than they used to be - so business is dropping off….hence losing money and having to get more strict. 🤷♀️ It feels like they are more “big business” and less family business - which they are…but to me, it was a nicer, friendlier, more accommodating company even two years ago…
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There is an interesting article in today's (8/4/26) Wall Street Journal about the impact of the low water levels on the European rivers. It is behind a paywall, but here is the link that might work without a subscription: https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ships-cant-move-and-power-plants-shut-down-as-drought-saps-europes-rivers-8b083c62?st=xK43wT&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
Here is one quote from the article: “Major parts of the Rhine and Danube as well as the Moselle and Main are not navigational, so we focus on the stretches that still have enough depth to cruise,” said Patrick Ell, a vice president at German operator Viva Cruises."
Just my opinion, but they are putting much more effort into getting Roam off the ground than keeping current “regular” Tauck customers happy.
On that quote from Patrick Ell, vice president at German operator Viva Cruises. Viva Cruises is owned and operated by parent company Scylla AG. Scylla AG Is also the company that owns and operates the Tauck boats. A river boat they own, MS Anna Katharina, collided with a lock on 24 July 26 damaging boat. All passengers had to be evacuated, some to hospital. Doesn’t say if low water had anything to do with it. Here is ink to article on it:
https://people.com/14-passengers-reportedly-injured-after-river-cruise-ship-strikes-lock-12027497
British - Tauck cancelled our trip on A Sunday. On Monday, our travel agent called TAUCK. They confirmed that to take offer to transfer protection a new trip had to be booked by next day. I had an email exchange with customer service where I said two days was unreasonable, but they chose not to address this or any reason why in reply. We are members of the recently introduced 1925 circle, so much for valuing repeat customers.
One other thing I learned. If you buy air through Tauck there is a cancellation fee once you are ticketed, currently $400.00 per person for coach and $500.00 for business. I had always assumed this was only if I cancelled trip since that seems “right” and we were refunded full air amount for 2 trips cancelled during COVID, Apparently fee now applies if Tauck cancels trip, they wrote:
“Once tickets are issued, a cancellation penalty would normally apply. However, as an exception for this cancelled tour, all cancellation penalties on issued Tauck Air tickets will be waived“
So they may not waive on next cancelled tour.
Or maybe…they are making changes that people aren’t happy with - less consumer friendly than they used to be - so business is dropping off….hence losing money and having to get more strict. 🤷♀️ It feels like they are more “big business” and less family business - which they are…but to me, it was a nicer, friendlier, more accommodating company even two years ago…