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Amsterdam to Budapest Sept 6-2026
Hello, checking for any updates anyone may have received about this scheduled river cruise. With Tauck being down for software updates I wonder if anyone has heard anything from them. Expecting that some changes will need to be made but hoping tour is still a “ go”.
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We’re on that trip as well. Our TA from Pavlus spoke with Tauck this past Monday; she was told to “hang tight”. I expect we’ll hear on Monday or Tuesday after they reopen.
We watch with interest as we scheduled on the “return” cruise from Budapest on Sept 20. We certainly expect some modifications will be needed…but watching and waiting! We are traveling before and after so there are a lot of other travel details that we are prepared to deal with if needed.
The MS Treasures has certainly stayed active and looping all around Amsterdam and the Netherlands over the last few weeks while operating “Off Itinerary”. Today tracked from Nijmegen to Rotterdam and beyond. Also see several boats now moving east of Bratislava and Komarno Slovakia, closer to Budapest.
My wife and I are on this trip. We have not heard anything from Tauck. 10 days out….need better communication on status of trip. So far not impressed but understand the complexities of the issue.
I just spoke to Tauck. Wad told trip still on and their European partners are telling them water levels are “looking a little better”.
Daily water levels can also be referenced on this website:
https://amsterdamexperiences.nl/danube-river-water-levels/
Ekahi51D, did they say if there are any modifications to the itinerary, such as some bussing?
We are also on the return trip from Budapest on the 20th and hoping things will be good by then. We have made reservations for independent travel to Morocco if they cancel or materially alter the trip.
They said no modifications reported from European contractors. I specifically asked about that.
Thanks for this input. Looking forward to meeting up with some of you on the 6th. Fingers crossed 😊
I realize the Sept. 1 Heart of the Danube (east to Budapest) is a different cruise, but FYI we have been offered the opportunity for a cancellation with full refund, The stated alternative is bus Bratislava-Budapest and two nights hotel (Al Habtoor) in Budapest.
Did you mean Al Habtoor Palace Hotel?
Yes. My mistake. Also wish to extend my thanks to Tauck for the cancellation option and to the informative commenters throughout the forum.
You would see way more of Budapest staying in a hotel, there is so much more to see than Tauck shows you. I guess people doing land tours will find so many of the cites the river cruises visit much quieter than usual at this time of year.
@GVB did they say on when they will bus you - at the end of a touring day or the beginning of a touring day? And did they mention the length of the bus ride? I think it's 2.5-3hours??
The letter indicated “activities” in Bratislava followed by a 3 1/2 hour bus to Budapest. That would be Day 6 on that cruise.
There is not much to see in Bratislava
There is a scenic route from Bratislava to Budapest and a direct, flat route. The time I sailed from Budapest to Bratislava it was at night so I have no idea how scenic it was. A stay at a good hotel in the middle of Pest could be quite pleasant.
British, I humbly disagree. We were bussed to Bratislava in 2018 and tho the hotel wasn’t great, we had a wonderful walking tour and saw many government buildings and historic sites. We also had a lecture from a local expert who shared a lot of knowledge about the city, especially what life was like during WWII and under communism. Great cafes and local shops, especially beautiful crystal. I wouldn’t mind visiting there again.
Agree. Bratislava also makes for a very easy day trip from Vienna. The old town area is great for strolling. The dumplings—regional specialty—are delicious.
Been to Bratislava twice. Just last year on a Danube cruise, probably got the same walking tour and history tour as you did. It can all be done in less than a day.
Several years ago we were on Uniworld Budapest to Passau. After the Bratislava stop we were given the choice of sailing to Vienna or taking a bus which stopped half way at a very quirky restaurant for dinner. It had several rooms and all of the walls and ceilings were covered in old musical instruments. Hundreds, if not thousands. We sat at a large communal table. The food was good but secondary to the ambiance and uniqueness of the venue.
Just received letter from Tauck. The trip is on and there will be contingencies to be determined. They will keep us abreast if anything changes. States they want us to be aware that the trip will be compromised and may include land based hotels. No offer for a refund.
Disappointed that there’s no offer for a refund, like all the other recent trips. My concern is that things will change while in route. We did this exact trip in 2018 and had to be bussed the last third. Not wild about doing that again.
https://amsterdamexperiences.nl/danube-river-water-levels/
This website was mentioned above. I watch it as well for our October Munich-Budapest cruise.
However, I have noticed that the water levels shown depend on what web browser is used!
Firefox and Google Chrome differ substantially. Not sure why.
New letter just received. Many changes…last 4 nights at hotels. Other changes. Full refund minus insurance now offered.
We just cancelled. We’ve done this trip before so no need to deal with bussing. Been there, done that in 2018.
Ekahi51D, we are on the opposite end of your trio leaving Budapest on the 20th. Could you share more information from your Tauck letter as I am working on alternate plans. Thanks. What have you decided to do?
Sandman, we are in the same boat as you…pun intended. We have already booked some alternate and refundable plans in the event we cancel the Sept 20 cruise if that is an option. Anxious to hear details from Tauck on both the 9/6 and 9/20 trips.
We cancelled. The modifications can only get worse not better in my mind. Here is the letter…
Thank you for traveling with Tauck on your upcoming Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat river cruise. As you may recall, we recently reached out regarding critical low-water conditions along portions of Europe's rivers and the possibility that adjustments could be required during your journey.
Since then, our river cruise and operations teams have continued to monitor conditions closely and work through contingency plans with our nautical and local partners. At present, we expect the majority of your journey to take place aboard ms Treasures, including your travels from Amsterdam through Regensburg. There remains a strong possibility, however, that the final four nights of your itinerary will take place at hotels ashore, if river levels do not allow ms Treasures to continue to Vienna and Budapest. Under the current contingency, we anticipate the following:
Days 1 - 10: At present, we expect the first ten nights of your journey to take place aboard your riverboat and our itinerary will continue from Amsterdam through the Netherlands and Germany.
Days 11 - 14: If river conditions do not allow the riverboat to continue beyond Regensburg, we have arranged accommodations for Nights 11 through 12 at Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna and for Nights 13 and 14 at Al Habtoor Palace Budapest, both Tauck premier hotel partners. Our teams are finalizing the hotel and transportation arrangements, with the goal of preserving your planned sightseeing and experiences in Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, including your time in Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest.
Day 15: Budapest: Your itinerary will conclude in Budapest as planned, with Tauck-arranged departure transfers provided.
Should river conditions allow ms Treasures to reach Vienna and Budapest, we will continue with the published itinerary instead. Please note the following:
Hotel accommodations: Should hotel stays be required, we will arrange accommodations with our hotel partners and do our best to provide rooms that correspond as closely as possible with your cabin category, subject to room availability.
Because hotel inventory is limited, we cannot guarantee a direct room-to-cabin-category match. Following your journey, our Guest Relations team will review any applicable refunds based on your cabin category and the number of nights spent off the ship.
Included beverages and snacks: Should hotel accommodations be required, we will host an included happy hour, with drinks provided for our guests. While your experience aboard the riverboat is all-inclusive, hotel service will not include the unlimited beverages and snacks available throughout the day onboard.
Itinerary adjustments: River conditions remain fluid, and the timing, transportation and sequence of activities may require additional adjustment. Your Tauck Directors will be with you throughout the journey and will share the most current information as details are confirmed
• Motor coach travel: If the hotel contingency is required, your itinerary will include additional travel by motor coach (approximately four and a half hours to Vienna and four hours from Vienna to Budapest) in place of the final portion of your planned river cruise.
Depending on river conditions, additional motor coach travel may also be necessary at other points in the itinerary.
We recognize that this revised itinerary may include more nights at hotels and additional travel by motor coach than you originally expected. At the same time, the current plan would preserve a substantial portion of your journey aboard the riverboat, along with many of the cities, cultural experiences and special moments at the heart of Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat. Rest assured, our experienced river cruise and operations teams will continue managing the details throughout, allowing you to focus on enjoying the journey ahead.
That said, if you do not wish to travel under these circumstances, you may cancel for a full refund of your itinerary cost, with no penalties, excluding the cost of the Cruise Protection Plan if applicable. The refund will reflect monies paid toward the itinerary cost only, including pre-or post-stay arrangements made through Tauck, and will be returned to the original method of payment. Please allow three to four business days for the cancellation to be processed.
Tauck Air: Guests who booked flights through Tauck Air will receive a full refund of their Tauck Air arrangements. Any applicable cancellation penalties on issued Tauck Air tickets will be waived.
Independent air arrangements: Guests who booked flights directly with an airline or through a Travel Advisor should contact the airline or their advisor for assistance with changing or cancelling their arrangements. Tauck is unable to manage air reservations made independently or by another party.
We respectfully request that you call us at (800) 468-2825, or contact your Travel Advisor by Thursday, September 3, to let us know whether you plan to travel with us or prefer to cancel your journey at this time. This will help us finalize the appropriate hotel arrangements for you and your fellow guests.
Thank you for your understanding as conditions continue to evolve. We look forward to welcoming you soon and to sharing the many memorable experiences ahead.
Sincerely,
The Tauck Global Operations Team