Tauck Names New River Ships, Adds Six Day Cruises
Key points
- Tauck names Reverie for the Seine and Saudade for the Douro
- Six day Essence itineraries debut on the Seine and Danube, with the Douro joining
- Late 2026 start with additional departures and vessels in 2027 aimed at shoulder season
- Strong Douro demand prompts Tauck to open 2027 reservations early
Impact
- Who This Affects
- Travelers seeking shorter Europe river cruises that fit tight schedules
- Booking Window
- 2027 Douro departures are open for early reservations with risk free deposits
- Seasonality
- Most six day sailings target shoulder season for lower crowds and cooler weather
- Fleet Changes
- Reverie joins Serene on the Seine and Saudade joins Andorinha on the Douro
- What To Do
- Lock preferred dates now, compare six day packages to eight and ten day alternatives
Tauck is expanding its river program with two newly named ships and a set of shorter cruises designed for time pressed travelers. Reverie will sail the Seine in France as a sister ship to Serene, and Saudade will sail Portugal's Douro as a sister to Andorinha. The company will introduce a six day Seine itinerary in late 2026, then add more short cruises across 2027, focusing on shoulder season departures. Tauck says river cruising remains one of its most popular entry points and is shaping products to match demand.
Tauck's new ships and where they sail
Reverie joins Serene on the Seine, giving Tauck a matched pair on the Paris to Normandy corridor. The company previewed Serene earlier, then confirmed names and placements for the follow on ship as it built out France capacity for 2026 and 2027.
On the Douro, Saudade is purpose built for the river's locks and bends, and will operate alongside Andorinha. Tauck lists a 2027 debut for Saudade with a cabin mix tailored to small ship river standards. Continued strength on the Douro led Tauck to open 2027 space early.
The new six day "Essence" itineraries
The six day Essence of the Seine sails round trip from Paris on Reverie. Highlights include Normandy, cider and Calvados tasting in Vernon, and a gala evening at a historic chateau, packaged for late autumn conditions when crowds thin.
Essence of the Danube runs between Budapest and Vienna on Joy, with calls that include Bratislava, a palace dinner at Vienna's Palais Pallavicini, and wine tasting in the Wachau. It is Tauck's shortest Danube option, positioned as a high impact sampler.
Tauck also outlines Douro programs that align with the shorter push and with deeper stays. Essence of the Douro uses Saudade on Porto to Barca d'Alva runs. For longer trips, Porto Prelude spans ten days with added nights in Porto, while Exploring the Douro, Plus Madrid is an eleven day blend that finishes with three nights in Spain. 2027 space is available to reserve now.
Why this matters
Shorter cruises reduce the time barrier that often keeps first timers from trying river cruising. By concentrating departures in shoulder season, Tauck aligns itineraries with cooler weather, lighter crowds, and often better value, while keeping signature experiences like château dinners on the Seine, palace evenings on the Danube, and vineyard time on the Douro. The fleet moves also add resilience on popular corridors, especially Paris to Normandy and Porto to the Spanish border.
Background
Tauck's river expansion has been steady across France and Portugal, with ships built in partnership with Scylla AG and launches paced to demand. Company statements in 2024 and 2025 flagged record interest, earlier season releases, and additional France units to follow Serene. The naming of Reverie and Saudade fits that arc and sets up content for late 2026 and the full 2027 season.
Final thoughts
Tauck's Reverie and Saudade, plus the six day Essence itineraries, deliver faster, focused options in Europe's core river markets. Travelers who want Paris, the Danube capitals, or Portugal's wine country in less than a week now have brand new choices, with 2027 Douro dates already open to secure.