By Anne Kalosh.
One big ship trend is adding cabins during refurbishment projects to pack in more people and increase profitability. Small ship and river cruise provider Tauck is doing the opposite.
Tauck riverboats TREASURES and ESPRIT recently resumed sailing from Amsterdam following a massive reconfiguration of their interior spaces to create larger cabins and reduce passenger count. It’s all part of the company’s effort to lavish travelers with more space and comfort.
Esprit’s glamorous lobby. Yes, this is a riverboat! * Photo: Tuack
TREASURES and ESPRIT are the last of the Connecticut-based tour operator’s four 110-meter ships to undergo the radical transformation. SAPPHIRE and EMERALD were similarly reconfigured a year ago, and returned to service for the 2017 season.
TREASURES and ESPRIT were gutted in a “down-to-the-studs” refurbishment, with the most dramatic change occurring on their Ruby (middle) Deck, where 30 150-square-foot cabins were replaced by 20 larger cabins measuring 225 square feet. With the total number of cabins going from 59 to 49, each boat’s overall capacity was reduced 17 percent, from 118 passengers to 98.
The newly configured boats are plying the Rhine, Main and Danube, including Tauck’s popular 14-night cruises between Amsterdam and Budapest.
Tauck’s Treasures sails itineraries including Amsterdam-Budapest. * Photo: Tauck
In addition to the 20 new 225-square-foot cabins, each of Tauck’s 110-meter vessels has fourteen 300-square-foot suites. As a result, cabins measuring 225 square feet or larger now account for 69 percent of all accommodations, which Tauck said is the highest percentage of such cabins on any 110-meter riverboats in Europe.
Even with the lowered passenger count, each boat is staffed with a Tauck cruise director and a full complement of three Tauck directors. These seasoned pros serve as concierge, expert guide and fun, knowledgeable traveling companion.
Another significant enhancement can be found on TREASURES’ and ESPRIT’s Diamond (upper) Deck, where a second dining venue, The Bistro, has been upgraded with its own dedicated galley and chef. The Bistro was renamed Arthur’s after company chairman Arthur Tauck Jr., and its expanded menu will continue to provide more casual alternatives to the main Compass Rose restaurant.
Esprit’s casual dining alternative, The Bistro, was upgraded and renamed Arthur’s. * Photo: Tuack
Tauck introduced the concept of a second dining venue in 2006, and the enhanced Arthur’s restaurant is already featured on its four 135-meter vessels.
The lounge on Tauck’s Treasures. * Photo: Tauck
Subscribe to QuirkyCruise HERE to receive weekly updates!
© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.
HEIDI SARNA
