This is our first Tauck Tour and even though people rave about their tours and service, I was initially biased about this company. Marine and I are not young, and definitely fit in Tauck’s 50+ demographics. Okay, let’s make it 60+ but are very fit, “Cough, cough” old people. It was only after I read the following trip description, that we committed:
Passengers should be in good health, able to climb into and out of a ship-to-shore transports and walk reasonable distances over unpaved and uneven terrain…this itinerary cannot accommodate wheelchairs, motorized scooter or provide individual assistant to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. Guests requiring such assistance must be accompanied by an able bodies companion who can provide it.
I’m waiting to see of Tauck really follows through on this because we have found that operators make all kinds of “exceptions” to fill spots. Our last cruise in the Arctic with Quark had two women who had difficulty walking and getting in and out of the zodiacs. The extra assistance needed slowed down crew, passengers and limited mobility in zodiacs presented a potential safety issue.
There were several major selling points which, coincidentally, is similar to those offered by National Geographic on their cruises. They include:
– All meals including lunch at the Perlan Restaurant in Reykjavik with spectacular views; service charges, applicable fuel surcharges, taxes and porterage;
– Bar and restaurant beverages throughout the day, including house wine and spirits;
– All customary gratuities for restaurant and ship staff, local guides and drivers, and Tauck Directors are included; and
– Private shore excursions which included The Blue Lagoon with lunch in its Lava Restaurant. (Just that tour with lunch in 99 Euro per person.) Tauck says that all included excursions would total $1,355 and I believe it after looking at prices online.
The tour would begin in three days at 12:30p at either the Hilton Reykjavík Nordica or the Grand Hotel Reykjavik. The Hilton was 1.4 kilometers from our hotel and we’d meet there, but until then, Welcome to Reykjavik…