Tauck has announced sweeping new plans to reconfigure more than half its European river cruising fleet over the next two years. The five Jewel Class riverboats will have larger cabins, increased overall space per guest and the casual, second dining restaurant will be upgraded.

Tauck CEO Dan Mahar said, “From day-one our approach has always been to limit passenger capacity and, by doing so, provide a more intimate, club-like atmosphere and more spacious cabins for our guests.” Tauck’s vessels in France, the MS Swiss Emerald and the MS Swiss Sapphire will be reconfigured, renamed and re-launched next winter, in time for the 2017 operating season. The remaining ships, the MS Swiss Jewel, MS Esprit and MS Treasures will undergo identical transformations in time for the 2017/2018 operating season. They will also be renamed, with that announcement to follow at a later date. The European riverboat fleet also includes four 135-metre Inspiration Class ships: the new MS Grace and MS Joy launching later this year, and the MS Inspire and the MS Savor. The most dramatic enhancement aboard each ship will be on the Ruby (middle) Deck, where the 30 cabins (150 sq ft) will be replaced with 20 cabins, each measuring 225 sq ft. Overall capacity will be reduced from 118 passengers to 98 and the total number of cabins will be reduced from 59 to 49. Tauck will continue to staff each ship with a Tauck cruise director and a full complement of three Tauck tour directors. On the Diamond (upper) Deck of each reconfigured vessel, the ship’s second dining venue, The Bistro, will be upgraded with its own dedicated kitchen and chef. In tribute to company founder Arthur Tauck, The Bistro will be renamed Arthur’s. The expanded menu will continue to provide more casual alternatives to the fine dining selections offered in the ship’s main Compass Rose restaurant.