SusanMcGarvey and Mike Henderson -- Before Tauck had made a decision as to whether to run our 8/28 Blue Danube trip, we called to ask whether we could cancel then and put our payments towards another trip. The answer was no -- we would have to wait until Tauck decided whether to cancel. With our revised itinerary (essentially a land tour with five nights on two non-moving ships) there was no offer of a partial refund -- we could either take the trip as revised, or cancel with a refund except for the trip protection. We received the revised proposed itinerary about 17 days before Day 1 of the cruise/tour, which is better than the short cancellation notice (about 5 days) our friends received for an early August Blue Danube cruise.
I was informed by a Tauck rep today that "no one" who has initiated a cancellation has received a full refund of the trip cost (less travel insurance).
A friend recently returned from a Viking tour from Germany to Amsterdam. Part way into the trip, she had to get off the ship and traveled by bus for 12.5 hours to pick up another ship. They missed seeing all the castles along the Rhine (touted in the title of the trip.) She said Viking gave them 50% back without asking. I assume it was a credit but not sure. She was satisfied but others on the trip were not. I don't understand Tauck's reluctance to be transparent on this issue, especially since they promote the cruises so heavily. It makes them sound cheap...the cruises certainly are not!
I also think that if Tauck cancels you should get all your cash back including insurance. A voucher does not make you whole. They had your $, earned $ on it and the customer should not incur any burden of Tauck's failure to deliver. Tauck likely has insurance to protect itself for the possibility of its inability to deliver on its promise.
Based on posts elsewhere, it appears Viking will fully credit another cruise for a traveler initiated cancellation now if one asks. It’s disappointing to see Tauck—supposedly superior to Viking—holding their cards close to the vest on this.
Its probably easier for Viking since they own their own ships. Tauck does not own their ships so some of the refund issues are complicated because there is a separate contract with the ship - outside of Tauck.
@DawnH - I'm afraid it's way too late for any rain to affect the rivers enough for an 8/28 departure. Whatever you see on the river today is pretty much what you're going to see on 8/28 or 9/1.
From what I can gather in this thread about Tauck's Blue Danube (once again thanks KateMossNJ)
Aug 10: modified, guests notified they could cancel Aug 17: modified, guests can cancel Aug 28: westbound, modified, guests can cancel, notified 17 days ahead of time on Aug 11 Sept 4:eastbound , no reports , seems like those guest should have been notified by now Sept 8:westbound , entering notification window on Aug 22 Sept 15:eastbound & westbound, hopefully notified by Aug 31??? <--- this is my cruise
RicardoD, My cruise also. I start in Budapest. Thanks so much for the information. The wait is stressful! Please let us know if you hear anything more.
Our cruise leaves 9/1 from Munich to Budapest. We still have no answers as to whether there are changes or not and we fly to Europe on 8/28. This is very discouraging. Anyone have any updates on the river or anthing else?
The river levels have increase some over the last week with some more rain in the forecast. Budapest and Regensburg are always the lowest spots so you may have to bus to Brastilava. Call Tauck and see if they have an answer yet.
DawnH—We are literally in the same boat, although we’re departing US later. Now that Tauck is accepting communications again, I’d planned to call Tues.-Wed since there’s no real reason they shouldn’t have a plan by then. According to Cruisemapper, Ms. Joy is now sailing to Bratislava from Vienna. If you learn anything from Tauck, please post here since I don’t know how to PM you on this site.
GVB, it will be curious to see on cruisemapper.com how far East the MS JOY can get (can it get to Budapest?). It looks like it is heading towards Brastilava. At some point it has to turn around and get to your Munich embark point by Sept 1. MS Savor still in Brastilava.
I am also on the MS Joy but it has to do your journey from Sept 1 to 8 to Budapest, then turn around and head West Sept 8 to 18, then I embark on Sept 18 and head back east. Crazy that I had to deconstruct all this. Meanwhile, no word from Tauck.
Comments
According to Rawley, above, Tauck accepted a cancellation with a full refund. Presumably a phone advisor can go over the options.
SusanMcGarvey and Mike Henderson -- Before Tauck had made a decision as to whether to run our 8/28 Blue Danube trip, we called to ask whether we could cancel then and put our payments towards another trip. The answer was no -- we would have to wait until Tauck decided whether to cancel. With our revised itinerary (essentially a land tour with five nights on two non-moving ships) there was no offer of a partial refund -- we could either take the trip as revised, or cancel with a refund except for the trip protection. We received the revised proposed itinerary about 17 days before Day 1 of the cruise/tour, which is better than the short cancellation notice (about 5 days) our friends received for an early August Blue Danube cruise.
I was informed by a Tauck rep today that "no one" who has initiated a cancellation has received a full refund of the trip cost (less travel insurance).
A friend recently returned from a Viking tour from Germany to Amsterdam. Part way into the trip, she had to get off the ship and traveled by bus for 12.5 hours to pick up another ship. They missed seeing all the castles along the Rhine (touted in the title of the trip.) She said Viking gave them 50% back without asking. I assume it was a credit but not sure. She was satisfied but others on the trip were not. I don't understand Tauck's reluctance to be transparent on this issue, especially since they promote the cruises so heavily. It makes them sound cheap...the cruises certainly are not!
I also think that if Tauck cancels you should get all your cash back including insurance. A voucher does not make you whole. They had your $, earned $ on it and the customer should not incur any burden of Tauck's failure to deliver. Tauck likely has insurance to protect itself for the possibility of its inability to deliver on its promise.
Based on posts elsewhere, it appears Viking will fully credit another cruise for a traveler initiated cancellation now if one asks. It’s disappointing to see Tauck—supposedly superior to Viking—holding their cards close to the vest on this.
Viking info says they only give vouchers
Its probably easier for Viking since they own their own ships. Tauck does not own their ships so some of the refund issues are complicated because there is a separate contract with the ship - outside of Tauck.
British—Yes. That’s what I meant by credit another cruise.
I’d also think that Tauck lcharters the ships from Scylla , which would give it control over guest treatment Maybe not, I suppose.
Any news on Tauck Danube cruises leaving on 8/28 or 9/1? Any info as to rain in the area?
@DawnH - I'm afraid it's way too late for any rain to affect the rivers enough for an 8/28 departure. Whatever you see on the river today is pretty much what you're going to see on 8/28 or 9/1.
DawnH and Mike -- Or the river could be even lower.....
Dawn,
Click to see water levels. https://amsterdamexperiences.nl/danube-river-water-levels/
Good luck
Howard
From what I can gather in this thread about Tauck's Blue Danube (once again thanks KateMossNJ)
Aug 10: modified, guests notified they could cancel
Aug 17: modified, guests can cancel
Aug 28: westbound, modified, guests can cancel, notified 17 days ahead of time on Aug 11
Sept 4:eastbound , no reports , seems like those guest should have been notified by now
Sept 8:westbound , entering notification window on Aug 22
Sept 15:eastbound & westbound, hopefully notified by Aug 31??? <--- this is my cruise
RicardoD…that is our cruise as well (P to B, Sept 15). I am hoping to hear after they come back online, possibly by Sept 1.
Ricardo D--Thanks for the summary. Compare to the lack of info on Heart of the Danube departing Vilshofen on Sept. 1.
RicardoD, My cruise also. I start in Budapest. Thanks so much for the information. The wait is stressful! Please let us know if you hear anything more.
I'm actually arriving on September 13th in Budapest. Maybe they'll contact me a little earlier. 🙏
Our cruise leaves 9/1 from Munich to Budapest. We still have no answers as to whether there are changes or not and we fly to Europe on 8/28. This is very discouraging. Anyone have any updates on the river or anthing else?
The river levels have increase some over the last week with some more rain in the forecast. Budapest and Regensburg are always the lowest spots so you may have to bus to Brastilava. Call Tauck and see if they have an answer yet.
DawnH—We are literally in the same boat, although we’re departing US later. Now that Tauck is accepting communications again, I’d planned to call Tues.-Wed since there’s no real reason they shouldn’t have a plan by then. According to Cruisemapper, Ms. Joy is now sailing to Bratislava from Vienna. If you learn anything from Tauck, please post here since I don’t know how to PM you on this site.
GVB, it will be curious to see on cruisemapper.com how far East the MS JOY can get (can it get to Budapest?). It looks like it is heading towards Brastilava. At some point it has to turn around and get to your Munich embark point by Sept 1. MS Savor still in Brastilava.
I am also on the MS Joy but it has to do your journey from Sept 1 to 8 to Budapest, then turn around and head West Sept 8 to 18, then I embark on Sept 18 and head back east. Crazy that I had to deconstruct all this. Meanwhile, no word from Tauck.