PHOTO: Liz Tauck Walters, godmother of the Savor, is flanked by her father, Arthur Tauck Jr., and the ship's master, Capt. Michael Székely. (Photo by Theresa Norton Masek)
Tauck, the upscale tour operator, christened its sixth European riverboat, the 130-passenger ms Savor, on June 21, under sunny skies against a backdrop of vineyards in the Rhine River town of Bingen, Germany.
Godmother Liz Tauck Walters, daughter of company Chairman Arthur Tauck Jr. and a board director, cut the ribbon that sent a bottle of champagne smashing against the hull. Her father, two brothers and two sisters also attended the festivities along with other family members spanning three generations, about 20 Taucks in all.
Company CEO Dan Mahar presided over the pierside ceremony, which was punctuated by a local brass band and a fireboat that shot streams of water into the air. He was joined by Bingen's deputy mayor, who said it was the first-ever ship christening held in the town - he also took the opportunity to recommend Bingen as a stop for river cruises. Also attending was the area's wine princess, demonstrating the importance of Riesling wine in the region.
The Savor is Tauck's second new river ship to enter service this year. The Inspire began operating in April. The two ships, which comprise the Inspiration Class, increase Tauck's total river cruise capacity by 55 percent.
The Inspiration Class also sets a new standard of spaciousness. The ships are 443 feet long with 67 cabins and suites. Other lines with ships of similar length generally carry more passengers. Viking River Cruises' Longships, for example, are 443 feet long and carry up to 190 passengers, 46 percent more than Tauck's ships, in 95 staterooms. Tauck also staffs each river cruise with a Tauck cruise director and three Tauck Directors, who travel with the guests on shore trips.
The 22 300-square-foot suites feature two French balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows, walk-in closets, a pull-out couch, and marble bathrooms with rain showers.
There are 32 staterooms that encompass 225 square feet. Of these, eight located on the lowest deck have innovative lofts. Usually, lower-level staterooms are predominantly below the water line, so they only feature a narrow strip of window near the ceiling. Tauck's new lofts feature a high ceiling with a huge window that reaches up to the roofline. The middle part of the window can actually be opened for fresh air. Guests use electronic controls to open and close drapes and the sheer shade. The raised platform features a table and two chairs.
There are 13 cabins of 150 to 190 square feet. Four of the smaller size staterooms on the lower level are reserved for solo travelers and carry no single supplement.
The ships also have an alternative dining venue called Arthur's in addition to the open-seating main restaurant, Compass Rose. The more casual Arthur's, located on a third level aft, serves light breakfast and lunch and in the evenings then turns into a steakhouse-style eatery with food prepared in its own galley. The menu includes surf-and-turf, rib-eye steak and filet of King salmon.
The Savor will operate two itineraries this year - the 12-day "The Blue Danube" priced from $4,790 per person plus airfare, and the 10-day "Danube Reflections" from $4,590. Tauck river cruise fares include shore excursions, gratuities, onboard alcoholic spirits, wine and beer, port charges and airport transfers. For 2015, it will be deployed on the Western Danube.
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