Summary Review - Back to Back Yuletide Cruises on Tauck's ms Grace - Dec. 20, 2023 to Jan. 3, 2024

[Roz]

In December 2022 I took Tauck’s Yuletide cruise on the ms Grace from Amsterdam to Brussels. It had never occurred to me to spend Christmas in another country. I had such a phenomenal time that when I got home, I contacted my TA and had her book me on back to back Yuletide cruises for Christmas and New Year’s this past year. 

 

I spent 3 days pre-cruise in Amsterdam and then boarded the ms Grace on December 20.  The cruise ended in Brussels and then headed back to Amsterdam where we arrived on January 3.  If you want to know more about the day to day details of my cruise, you can find them here:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2979532-back-to-back-yuletide-spirit-cruises-on-taucks-ms-grace/

 

This review is a summary of my experience, with an emphasis on the pluses and minuses of sailing with Tauck.  I was the only passenger doing back to back cruises, and some of my fellow passengers questioned me as to why I was doing this, especially since I had already done the Amsterdam to Brussels itinerary.  Even though some of the tours were repeats, different guides emphasis different things, and there’s always something new or changing.  I was able to pace myself, so if I didn’t get to see or do something on the first cruise, I could cover it the second time around.  I also didn’t have to make what are sometimes hard choices between excursions.  I want to do it all!

 

Pluses

 

Tauck is truly all inclusive.  The only things I paid for were a manicure and some laundry.  Items that were included:

 

• Transfer from the airport to my hotel, even though I didn’t book my air or hotel thru Tauck.  Transfer back to the airport at the end of the cruise.

 

• Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, cruise tour directors, and the cruise director. 

 

• Unlimited complimentary beverages such as wine, beer and premium spirits in addition to specialty coffee, water and soft drinks.

 

• Choice of 2 included excursions at each port, and sometimes an added excursion at night, such as the canal cruise of the Amsterdam light festival.  There were no added pay excursions.

 

There were non-advertised extras and surprises such as a Belgian beer tasting and the national fireworks of The Netherlands on NYE in Rotterdam.  When we were in port at lunchtime and couldn’t go back to the ship, Tauck gave each passenger $25 euros to spend how we pleased.  In Gouda, Ghent, and Bruges, one of the cruise directors made arrangements with local olibollen and waffle stands for us to have a sweet treat and beverage.  All we had to do was show our ship pass key.  

 

The bar and dining room staff were always smiling and accommodating.  I don't know how they do it day after day.  Service on the ship was excellent.

 

And best of all, as a solo passenger, there was no single supplement if I booked the lowest category of cabin. I don't mind "aquarium class", especially when the savings are so substantial.  

 

Minuses

 

The tours didn't seem to be run as tightly as last year's cruise. The cruise tour directors were not good at keeping track of passengers on excursions.  As an example, a lady in the group needing assistance got left behind at the bus parking lot in Bruges and had to take a taxi into the city.  No one was counting heads and/or taking down names and calling roll.  I and about 5-6 other people were abandoned in the Royal Delft factory while the others were escorted to lunch.  Another lady had to make her own way back to the ship in Amsterdam when the cruise tour director told her to meet the group outside the Rijksmuseum's gift shop, but didn't specify which one.  I'm especially sensitive to this as a solo cruiser.  Without a cruise companion, it's easy for no one to notice you're not on the  bus or haven't rejoined the group.  

 

 

The food tour in Rotterdam was disappointing compared to my experience the previous year.  Last year there were 4-5 stops.  This year we had 2 - poffertjes and kibbeling.  The only surviving medieval structure, a church, was barely mentioned in passing.  It was the same tour guide as last year, but he didn't seem to be as engaged.  

 

Due to wind and weather conditions, we docked in Antwerp instead of Ghent.  That meant we had to choose between Ghent and Bruges. Originally we were supposed to do both on Christmas Eve.  Last year we missed docking in Ghent for the same reason.  Tauck should just dock in Antwerp and adjust the itinerary accordingly.  

 

Overall, the food onboard was great, especially the soups and the Dutch, Belgian, and German specialties the chef worked into the menu.  There was only one bad item, and it was the fish and chips at lunch.  The pollack filets had skin on both sides - they tasted wretched, and because they were fried, it was impossible to pull off the skin.  My dining companion told me I must be "spoiled" if I expected skinless fish filets.  Whatever.....

 

Passenger mix - this is something Tauck has no control over, but I'm mentioning it because it was a negative for me personally.  Last time there was a sizable contingent of solo cruisers, along with couples and a few family groups.  This time there was a handful of solos, and several large extended families along with some smaller family groups.  People weren't very willing to share tables, so I ended up eating by myself or with the same 2 ladies who were also sailing by themselves.  I enjoy meeting new people and eating with different groups of passengers, and that just didn't happen on this cruise.   

 

I would be happy to answer any questions you have on this itinerary, or Tauck in general.  

 

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

The plusses you report are all similar to what we have experienced on Scenic.  We did not experience any of the minuses you report.  [But I recognize that I only have 2 cruises on Scenic and you are reporting on 1 on Tauck.  Nobody is perfect, so our next Scenic cruise may being to show us some minuses too...]

[worldtraveller99]

Thank you so much for this, and for your day by day review Roz. We had enjoyed our Tauck Christmas Markets Rhine cruise last year so much that we have now booked for your Amsterdam to Brussels Tauck Christmas Markets cruise for next year, at the beginning of December. 

 

May I ask - you said there were more family groups. I am not used to this with Tauck, our previous cruise was all couples or solos, who expected to share tables and make friends. Do you think at the beginning of December families will still be in school (hopefully). 

 

We aim to stay an extra day before the start in Amsterdam, at the Park Plaza Victoria opposite the station, arriving on the Eurostar from London. Do we need a transfer, or can we walk to the ship when it is time to board? Where exactly did it dock for you? 

 

Re the lady who had to make her own way back to the ship from the Rijksmuseum - if we have all that day free, then we are aiming to do that anyway, to spend another day walking through Amsterdam. What time did the group leave the museum, can you remember, and what time do we need to be back at the ship, ready for the evening Festive Canal Cruise to see the lighted artworks along the canals?

 

Thank you if you know the answers to any of these!

 

[Roz]

@worldtraveller99, thank you for your questions.  I'll respond tomorrow when I have more time to answer them thoroughly. 

[*Miss G*]

Thank you so much for posting and including a link to your trip report.  Looks like I missed it due to Christmas activities so I am happy you did a follow-up.

 

I am shocked to hear of your horrible flight home as well as the tours leaving people behind!!  I am so glad you were not one of them. 

 

A couple of posters in your trip report mentioned ATOL Protection.  I hope you are able to receive some compensation for your troubles.

[Roz]

On 2/9/2024 at 9:40 AM, worldtraveller99 said:

Thank you so much for this, and for your day by day review Roz. We had enjoyed our Tauck Christmas Markets Rhine cruise last year so much that we have now booked for your Amsterdam to Brussels Tauck Christmas Markets cruise for next year, at the beginning of December. 

 

May I ask - you said there were more family groups. I am not used to this with Tauck, our previous cruise was all couples or solos, who expected to share tables and make friends. Do you think at the beginning of December families will still be in school (hopefully).  The family groups on my  recent Tauck cruises consisted of grandparents and/or parents with young adult children, ranging from late teens to early to mid-twenties.  They would be less influenced by the school calendar, if at all, unless they were attending university.  There were also small families consisting of parents and 1 or 2 adult children, think parents in their 60s or 70s with children who were in their 30s or 40s.  Back in 2022, there were families with grade school age children and younger, along with families with young adults.  The younger children were VERY well behaved and used to traveling.  

 

Tauck reserved tables for groups of 8 (I think that was the number) or more traveling together.  Other solos shared with me that they also got "the look" when they approached a table where the occupants clearly didn't want company.  I wondered if they were people who had never cruised before and didn't realize sharing tables is part of the cruise experience. 

 

We aim to stay an extra day before the start in Amsterdam, at the Park Plaza Victoria opposite the station, arriving on the Eurostar from London. Do we need a transfer, or can we walk to the ship when it is time to board? Where exactly did it dock for you?  Every time I've sailed Tauck or Uniworld from Amsterdam, the ship docked at the terminal at the Eastern Docklands.  Theoretically, it's a 15 minute walk, but consider that you'll be toting suitcases and the weather may be cold, wet, and windy.  I took a taxi from the Doubletree which is right near Centraal Station.  Some people have reported their ship was docked right behind Centraal Station, but that has never been my experience.

 

Re the lady who had to make her own way back to the ship from the Rijksmuseum - if we have all that day free, then we are aiming to do that anyway, to spend another day walking through Amsterdam. What time did the group leave the museum, can you remember, and what time do we need to be back at the ship, ready for the evening Festive Canal Cruise to see the lighted artworks along the canals? I didn't save my daily programs, but as I recall, we left for the evening canal cruise around 5 pm.  Amsterdam was one port where I saw a lot of passengers do their own thing.  After the Rijksmuseum, there's was an optional classical concert at the music hall a block or two from the museum, then back to the ship.  

 

Thank you if you know the answers to any of these!

 

 

[Roz]

@worldtraveller99, answers to your questions are in red in the post #6 above.  Just expand it. 

Edited February 10 by Roz

[worldtraveller99]

Thank you so much for your information Roz. I think we have a transfer to the ship from Central Station included on the initial day, so we will confirm that with our TA next year. (the hotel is just across the street). If the ship is not by the station, we can still walk back to that from the Rijksmuseum and get our own taxi to the ship on Day 2, so we do make the Canal Boat cruise in the late afternoon.

 

I shall also give our review afterwards & see re the families (crossing all fingers not too many).