Tauck reports that sales for the coming year’s small ship ocean cruise departures are running 50 percent ahead of last year, and 120 percent ahead of two years ago. “Tauck offers a very intimate alternative to the typical large cruise ship experience,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar, explaining the popularity of the company’s small ship ocean cruises. “Our service is more personalized, we access smaller ports and harbors where the big ships can’t go, and we provide our guests with truly enriching cultural experiences ashore.”

Tauck uses its experience in creating land journeys to create shore excursions for its cruises, and the company includes the shore excursions in its prices. The price includes virtually all meals, all gratuities, daily cocktail hours, wine with onboard dinners, soft drinks throughout the day, port charges, airport transfers and luggage handling. Not featured in Tauck’s pricing, Mahar emphasized, are any non-commissionable fees, so travel agents earn full commission on approximately 100 different trip components. Tauck is increasing its cruise departures by 16 percent for 2013, with 10 ocean cruises exploring destinations including Italy, Greece, the Dalmatian Coast, Turkey, Iceland, Scandinavia, Antarctica, Central America and the Galapagos Islands.

Tauck partners with a number of small ship cruise lines for its itineraries, from romantic sailing ships to purpose-built expeditionary vessels. Tauck’s primary partner is Compagnie du Ponant of France. Next year, Tauck will feature the company’s Le Soleal on some sailings exploring Iceland. Tauck’s 2013 portfolio of small ship cruises is highlighted in a new full-color, 68-page brochure that was recently mailed to agents and past and prospective Tauck guests.