OCTOBER 2026 LOWER DANUBE TOURS

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KeithS
KeithS
in Danube River

Hello. My wife & I are booked on Tauck’s 10/15/26 Westbound Bucharest to Budapest tour.  We’re concerned — like many of you, I suspect — whether Tauck will cancel or change this tour and when Tauck will notify us of its decision.

Since it appears the Lower Danube may have different low-water issues than the the Upper Danube, may I suggest that we start a new discussion thread to share questions and information about Tauck’s only two remaining 2026 Lower Danube tours, namely the 10/9/26 Eastbound Budapest to Bucharest tour and the 10/15/26 Westbound Bucharest to Budapest tour.

I’ll start by asking three questions of all of you booked on either of these two Lower Danube tours. Has Tauck told you anything about whether it expects that your tour will proceed as scheduled, with or without changes? Do you know the impact, if any, of Tauck apparently reassigning our scheduled ship, the MS Esprit, to one or more tours on the Upper Danube following the cancellation of the 9/17/26 Lower Danube trip? Do you have any other trip-related news, comments, or questions to share?

Thanks in advance for any input any of you may have.

Comments

  • hbbae
    hbbae
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    I too am currently booked on the 10/15 westbound Bucharest to Budapest tour. I’ve received no information from Tauck, and based on what others have been posting about earlier sailings, I’m not expecting to hear anything “official” until 7-10 days out. I’m hoping this could change, because this is no longer a “new” situation, and even though the Esprit is once again on the move, I think there are currently no Tauck ships east of Vienna.

  • LCL
    LCL
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    We are also on the 10/15 westbound from Bucharest. Don't see how the tour can take place with the current water level of the lower Danube unless we have several heavy rain during the next few weeks. Our major problem will be the air tickets.

  • British
    British
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    claim on your Tauck insurance

  • LCL
    LCL
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    Tickets are not purchased thru Tauck. I thought only medical reasons Aon Insurance will cover.

  • British
    British
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    The Tauck insurance is cancel for any reason. As far as I know, this covers plane tickets you buy independently.

  • RandallJay1960
    RandallJay1960
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    The key factor is whether the traveler cancelled voluntarily, or if Tauck outright cancelled the trip. Traveler can Cancel For Any Reason under the Cancellation Waiver portion of the Tauck Cruise Protection Plan, and Tauck will reduce the regular cancellation fees outlined in your contract. Tauck has offered in their letters to refund 100% of the Tauck itinerary cost only, excluding the cost of the Cruise Protection Plan, with NO penalties (including pre or post stay arrangements and airfare made through Tauck). due to the drastic changes to the trips.

    Independent air arrangements they will NOT assist with if the traveler cancels.

    The insurance portion of the Cruise Protection plan (Underwritten component) is essentially limited to cancellations due to injury, sickness or death:(

  • British
    British
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    This is obviously not the same as the land tours insurance. Maybe another reason I prefer land tours.

  • Bonnie_Montgomery
    Bonnie_Montgomery
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    I also am booked on the October 15 Black Sea to Budapest. Our TA called TAUCK and was told no decision would be made until 7 days out.

  • KeithS
    KeithS
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    Bonnie, thank you for your update on the October 15 Bucharest to Budapest tour. Does anyone else have any news/updates from either the October 15th tour or the earlier October 9th Budapest to Bucharest tour? Does anyone see any indication that any other tour boats are operating on the Lower Danube right now? Thanks.

  • hbbae
    hbbae
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    Neither my TA nor I have heard anything further about the 10/15 westbound departure from Bucharest, 7 day notification seems to be the standard.

  • LCL
    LCL
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    I spoke with Tauck yesterday. Nothing new.

  • KeithS
    KeithS
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    hbbae, thanks for your update on the 10/15 Bucharest to Budapest departure. I am hoping — perhaps foolishly — that Tauck will provide us with a notification at least 10 days prior the scheduled departure.

    My hope for a 10-day notification is based on two observations. First, I’ve tried to analyze traveler postings for Upper Danube and found that at least two of Tauck’s tour changes & right to cancel notifications apparently were received by travelers about 10 days before departure, while a couple of the notifications were less than 10 days. Second, the situation on the Upper Danube (which is primarily controlled by dams) seems significantly better — although not perfect — than the situation on the Lower Danube (which is largely free flowing). The significance of this second observation to me is that Tauck certainly should know sooner that sailing on the Lower Danube is not going to be possible. I will admit, of course, that these observations are a little like “reading tea leaves” and may not support my hope for a 10-day notification or more.

    I would also note that we hopefully will have some hint at what Tauck is going to do based upon what they do with the 10/9 Budapest to Bucharest departure. Even if there is only a 7-day notice from Tauck for the 10/9 departure, we should have some information on this departure on or about 10/1, 14 days prior to our departure. My only concern is that I am not sure we have anyone from the 10/9 departure who is posting here.

    I just noticed that we’ve had a posting from “LCL.” Thank you LCL. Would you be willing to tell us whether you are on the 10/9 or 10/15 departure?

    Thanks again to everyone participating in this discussion as we deal with this frustrating situation of not knowing.

  • LCL
    LCL
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    Hello KeithS, we are on the 10/15 departure. If they cancel the 10/9 departure then most likely 10/15 will be canceled too.

  • Elevsrus
    Elevsrus
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    I am on the 10/9 departure. I will share when I become aware.

  • hbbae
    hbbae
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    Thanks, KeithS - our thinking is in alignment! Elevsrus, I’m happy we have 10/9 representation on this chat!

  • hbbae
    hbbae
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    Cruisemapper seems to indicate that the MS Esprit is traveling from Vienna towards Vilshofen.

  • ALEXANDER_MUENSTER
    ALEXANDER_MUENSTER
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    I too have a booking for 10/15 . Not looking good for the water levels,

    Great web site showing alll our ports of call , "To Low To Sail"

    https://amsterdamexperiences.nl/danube-river-water-levels/

    Cheers A&E M

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