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April 15 2017
Hello,
Is anyone on the 4-15-17 trip northbound? Originally we pre-booked trip southbound and then Tauck switched it out. Any idea why?
Is anyone on the 4-15-17 trip northbound? Originally we pre-booked trip southbound and then Tauck switched it out. Any idea why?
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Where did you see the change? I'm booked on the April 8th - Southbound and know that Brussels is off the itinerary and we're now departing out of Amsterdam in stead of Brussels.
I looked at the website and didn't see a change, nor on my reservation info on this page.
I checked on the Northbound itinerary and it says they transfer you from Amsterdam airport (or train station) to Antwerp. No Brussels on either direction. It's about an 1.5 hr travel time.
Since people arrive at different times Tauck usually has private drivers transport you to the hotel or boat. If they have people arriving at or around the same time, then you may be w/a small group of people in the same van, which was my case when I went to Australia/New Zealand w/Tauck. On the London/Paris trip, it was just myself and my 2 travel companions in the vehicle.
I go thru Tauck to book my tours. I did the air on my own for London/Paris because I used miles. For Amsterdam, I booked thru Tauck, but if I saw the fare cheaper, then I could buy it on my own and cancel w/them. I pay for air at the time my balance is due. Tauck had the better price so I had them put it on my reservation. I have my seats selected! :-)
If you handle the air on your own or thru Tauck directly, the great thing is they still handle your transfers.
Thanks so much for your info and feedback on traveling with Tauck. This is our first trip both with them and on a river cruise. I see we are flying intoout Amsterdam but the cruise is starting in Antwerp. I will have our travel agent check air fare rates options. We are now staying at a different hotel, I think in Amsterdam still, but not Sofitel. I checked the hotel website and the price seems half what I am being charged from Tauck. Not sure if this is due to type of room or if Tauck includes breakfast which the website does not. I plan to ask our travel agent about the reason for the price difference. Have you encountered this? If Tauck takes care of all transfers and this is included only if we use the hotel thru their booking it is probably worth it then. I can't wait!
Hi, when you stay at the pre-stay hotel that Tauc uses, it always includes transport from the airport, all tips and porterage and breakfast. You might also get a welcome letter from your tour director which could have suggestions for restaurants and site seeing. Have you thoroughly explored the tour info on this website, pulling down all the tabs on the page for your particular tour? There is a wealth of info there that maybe your travel agent ha failed to tell you or does not understand, such as the benefits of staying in the Tauck hotel. Often, their flights are a good deal too, not having to pay up front for them. We also always book directly with Tauck. Have you used this travel agent before? They seem a little lacking in Tauck knowledge, are you sure the agent didn't switch the tour and not Tauck. If I were you, I would be calling Tauck, not getting information second hand.
If you stay at a different hotel than the Tauck one you have to take care of tipping the bellhop, maids, etc and for your own transfer either to the ship or to the Tauck hotel at the time the group there will be picked up. Usually 1-2 of the Tour Directors are at the Tauck hotel the morning of the cruise start to answer questions, etc.
Yes, breakfast is included in the Tauck rates along with the tipping I mentioned above and sometimes other benefits like use of some hotel facilities if there is an extra charge for them. One reason the rates may be different is Tauck negotiates them a year or more prior to the tour. If rates have gone down you may be able to book it cheaper yourself. Remember, you need to tip the staff yourself if you book your own room.
Tauck isn't usually the cheapest option for booking your airfare but remember their rates include more flexibility change and refund policies.
If you do book your own air travel and hotel stay, make sure Tauck is informed well in advance.
Are you now saying that Tauck really will take people from the airport to any hotel?
Seems like someone else here on the forum said this and I just tucked it away without researching. I know one gentleman on our last cruise stayed at the Sofitel but booked his own room at a cheaper rate and he was picked up by Tauck. Hmmm