Tauck Seine River Cruise
By John & Sandra Nowlan
Tauck’s European river cruise ship, Sapphire, holds just under 100 guests and gives each of them an all-inclusive experience that’s unique in the industry.
That feeling of safety, luxury and thoroughness was first evident on our arrival at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. We were met by a Tauck driver who took our luggage and led us to a late model BMW.
Like every guest we had a private transfer to the Seine River and our introduction to a week of pampering, great food and exclusive tours, all hallmarks of the Tauck brand. We would be spending a week cruising the “Impressions From The Seine” itinerary round-trip from Paris.
John and Sandra Nowlan on Tauck’s Sapphire as the riverboat approaches the Paris Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. * Photo: John & Sandra Nowlan
The Tauck Backstory
Tauck, the Connecticut-based international travel company, has been in business since 1925 and clearly knows how to satisfy its guests. As we soon learned, no extra money is ever needed.
On a Tauck river cruise, accommodation, all meals, all drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), all gratuities and all tours are included in the base fare.
On one walking tour they even gave each guest 20 Euros for lunch. If pay toilets are needed (common in Europe) Tauck guides provide the proper coins.
Guests return to Sapphire after a tour. * Photo: Sandra & John Nowlan
Sapphire is one of several riverboats owned and operated by Tauck’s European partner, Scylla. This Switzerland-based company hires all the crew except the Tauck Cruise Director and the three Tauck Tour Directors. (You’ll notice the boat has Swiss Sapphire painted on its hull, but for all intents and purposes, for Tauck, it’s known as Sapphire.)
Most passengers are from the U.S., though there are often also a few from Canada or the UK
Built in 2008 and renovated in 2017, the boat conforms to the required width and height to fit under bridges and through locks. But its public spaces are unusually generous because the ship holds a maximum of 98 passengers, mostly in 225 and 300 square foot cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open to reveal French balconies. Our cruise had fewer than 80 guests.
The attractive lobby on Sapphire. * Photo: Sandra & John Nowlan
Other public areas include the Sun Deck with a putting green and also a hot tub. Inside, you’ll find a small fitness center (and massages are available too).
The Sapphire’s Sun Deck on a rare sunny day. * Photo: John & Sandra Nowlan
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Our Cabin On Tauck’s Sapphire
Our room on Deck 2, #222, had a king size bed facing the French-balcony windows, excellent lighting including bedside reading lights, great temperature control, a large TV with U.S. channels as well as a fridge, coffee maker and safe.
The large bathroom includes a wide sink, L’Occitane toiletries and a generous sized shower with both overhead rain shower and traditional nozzles. Several guests told us they missed a makeup mirror in their bathrooms, a deficiency Tauck should address. (We also could hear loud flushing from a toilet above us.)
The Nowlan’s room aboard Sapphire, #222. * Photo: Sandra & John Nowlan
Dining On Our Tauck Seine River Cruise
Great cuisine has always been a priority for Tauck and we were very impressed by the high quality and creativity of the food coming from the small galley. There is the main restaurant, the Compass Rose, and also a small casual dining venue, Arthur’s, at the stern of the Diamond Deck.
The Bulgarian trained Executive Chef, Krasimir Marinov, and his team constantly delighted us with dishes like fresh scallops, smoked duck breast, Arctic halibut and Surf & Turf (sautéed shrimps and beef tenderloin).
The scallop appetizer in the Compass Rose dining room. * Photo: Sandra & John Nowlan
Executive Chef Krasimir Marinov in the Compass Rose dining room. * Photo: Sandra & John Nowlan
The soups, salads and desserts were always excellent. Complimentary French wines, at both lunch and dinner, rated highly on our Vivino wine app.
During several pre-dinner cocktail hours the kitchen team also served small portions of local French specialties — oysters, snails and frogs legs. Plus, of course, marvelous local cheeses and charcuterie.
Pre-dinner fresh oysters in the lounge. * Photo: John & Sandra Nowlan
Tauck often includes a special, exclusive dinner on its European river cruises and our unique treat along the Seine was an evening at the 16th-century Chateau du Taillis near Rouen.
Lit only by candlelight, the charming dining room included classical music by a violin and cello duo as a sumptuous six course meal was served.
Ports On Our Tauck Seine River Cruise
Our seven-night cruise started and ended in Paris. We cruised in late October and there was quite a bit of rain and clouds throughout the week; in fact, a guide told us that Normandy gets some rain 300 days of the year.
It was an ideal itinerary as it enabled us to preview a very busy 2024 in store for France. Paris is host for the upcoming Summer Olympics (police were in training on Parisian streets) and Normandy in the north will be commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when thousands of American and other Allied troops landed on heavily fortified beaches to begin the liberation of Europe from the Nazis.
These were our ports:
- Day 1, Paris (embark)
- Day 2, Paris
- Day 3, Giverny
- Day 4, Rouen
- Day 5, Normandy
- Day 6, Les Andelys
- Day 7, Versailles * (a rarity on a river cruise, our visit to Versailles was cancelled because seriously high winds prevented our guides from arriving by train)
- Day 8, Paris (debark)
Map of Tauck’s “Impressions from the Seine” river cruise. * Photo: Tauck
RELATED: Writer Toby Saltzman reviews her Seine River aboard Viking Skaga.
Rouen was just one of the historic, medieval communities we visited as we made our way north along the Seine. Its complex astronomic clock dates to 1527.
The 1527 Astronomic Clock in Rouen. * Photo: Sandra & John Nowlan
The city center clock and the 800-year-old Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame are in sharp contrast to the modern, imaginative Church of Saint Joan of Arc. Completed in 1979 it’s located in the market square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431.
The modern Saint Joan of Arc Church. * Photo: John & Sandra Nowlan
Our touring began in Paris with Tauck’s excellent guides showing us the Paris Opera House (no phantom sightings) as well as the ancient underground section of the Louvre. In spite of the crowds we couldn’t miss seeing the Louvre’s special treasures, the Venus de Milo Greek sculpture and Leonardo da Vinci’s small masterpiece, Mona Lisa.
As we traveled downstream from Paris we also stopped in Giverny where Tauck arranged a private early-opening tour of impressionist painter Claude Monet’s charming house and water garden with its famous Japanese bridge. Many of his paintings were produced here.
Monet’s water garden. * Photo: Sandra & John Nowlan
As we sailed on, a local painter provided canvas, acrylic paints and guidance so guests could create and take home their own impressionist “masterpieces.”
Impressionist art lessons after a visit to Monet’s home. * Photo: Sandra & John Nowlan
An historic castle ruin was a highlight of our visit to Les Andelys. Chateau Gaillard was built in 1197 by King Richard the Lionheart of England. But the King of France, Philip II, laid siege and took it back in 1204. It fell into ruins in the 16th century.
Chateau Gaillard, built by Richard the Lionheart in 1197, overlooking the Seine. * Photo: John & Sandra Nowlan
Afterwards we visited a local farm that produced fresh pressed cider and aged brandy. Samples were encouraged.
Like most river boats, a fleet of bicycles was carried on board, though we never saw any being used in port.
Traveling by comfortable bus from the mouth of the Seine to the D-Day beaches of Normandy took about 90 minutes. On June 6, 1944, thousands of Allied troops, American, Canadian and British, stormed the heavily fortified beaches to begin the successful liberation of France from the Nazis. Numerous shell craters and the remains of Germany’s heavily armed bunkers are still in evidence near the beaches as stark reminders of heavy casualties on both sides.
The craters and cliffs that faced US Rangers at Omaha Beach as they stormed Nazi positions on D-Day. A formidable task. * Photo: John & Sandra Nowlan
The tour concentrated on Omaha Beach where US Army Rangers had to scale 30 meter cliffs to rout the enemy. Several poignant memorials are close by including the 172-acre American Cemetery with the graves of more than 9,000 U.S. soldiers. It was an emotional day.
One of several D-Day memorials at Omaha Beach. * Photo: Sandra & John Nowlan
Specials Treats On Our Tauck Seine River Cruise
On the way back to our riverboat and return to Paris, Tauck had a surprise treat for us — lunch at the 18th-century Chateau La Cheneviere.
Its Michelin-starred restaurant, La Botaniste, served all guests a delightful three course meal — smoked salmon appetizer, chicken main and caramelized apple cake for dessert.
4 Reasons to Cruise with Tauck on the Seine River
- Fewer guests on board. To provide a more intimate, club-like atmosphere, Sapphire accommodates a maximum of just 98 guests. With a lower overall capacity, each Tauck riverboat has been designed with a far higher percentage of suites and ensure less-crowded public areas.
- All-inclusive pricing. Virtually everything is included, and we actually sell zero options. Shore excursions, gratuities, unlimited onboard drinks, airport transfers and much, much more are all included.
- More support staff. Sapphire, like all Tauck riverboats, is staffed with a Tauck Cruise Director and three Tauck Tour Directors for a total of four staff dedicated to serving the needs of just 98 guests.
- Destination expertise. Tauck has been providing insider access and revealing the authentic cultural story of destinations for 98 years. No one else matches their experience or expertise.
In Conclusion …
Tauck is an ideal choice for a history-rich, small-ship tour like this. With decades of experience they know the local scene and can provide the very best English-speaking guides.
With four Tauck support staff on board and fewer than 100 passengers, Tauck is unique and passionate about its mission.
Older guests are particularly comfortable. Tauck attracts a senior demographic because everything is taken care of. On our cruise there were a few under 50 but most were in their 60s and 70s, retired and well travelled. A few were in their 80s with one lively gentleman claiming to be over 90.
As Cruise Director Lindsey Burgess told us:
“We want to give guests an authentic and thorough local experience without any worries. You’ll be taken care of. You’ll be safe.”
Interested In This Tauck Seine River Cruise?
Per person rates for this cruise start at $4,900 USD per person, including all drinks, excursions and transfers. Here’s more info.
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HEIDI SARNA
