Generally for Tauck river cruises everyone does the same excursion. I know AMA cruises offer 2-3 different activities and some for extra cost. All Tauck excursions are included. You are broken into groups of about 30-35 with a TD and usually a local guide.
It will say in the itinerary if there is a choice on that day. Example, day 4 for 2017 "Wake up in Vienna, evoking quintessential images of Old World Europe. Sightseeing today includes your choice of guided visits to the Habsburgs’ illustrious Schönbrunn Palace, an architectural masterpiece and Austrian cultural treasure, or a tour of the Hofburg, another former Habsburg royal palace that today is Austria’s official presidential residence. Spend the remainder of the day as you please in Vienna."
We've also had days where you took a walking tour for about 2 hours then were given free time to explore on your own. If you're within walking distance you can go back to the ship when you want or if a bus took you there they may give 2 return times - one shortly after the tour and one a few hours later.
You can always opt to stay on the ship or go out on your own. Some ports have more options than others for independent exploring. The TDs can be very helpful with this. I knew a group of guys in Avignon that wanted to play golf and the TD made it happen.
Whatever you do, make sure you're back on the ship by All Aboard time given in the daily sked - the one you'll get the night before.
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It will say in the itinerary if there is a choice on that day. Example, day 4 for 2017 "Wake up in Vienna, evoking quintessential images of Old World Europe. Sightseeing today includes your choice of guided visits to the Habsburgs’ illustrious Schönbrunn Palace, an architectural masterpiece and Austrian cultural treasure, or a tour of the Hofburg, another former Habsburg royal palace that today is Austria’s official presidential residence. Spend the remainder of the day as you please in Vienna."
We've also had days where you took a walking tour for about 2 hours then were given free time to explore on your own. If you're within walking distance you can go back to the ship when you want or if a bus took you there they may give 2 return times - one shortly after the tour and one a few hours later.
You can always opt to stay on the ship or go out on your own. Some ports have more options than others for independent exploring. The TDs can be very helpful with this. I knew a group of guys in Avignon that wanted to play golf and the TD made it happen.
Whatever you do, make sure you're back on the ship by All Aboard time given in the daily sked - the one you'll get the night before.