Joy, 13 Night Romantic Capitals: Paris to Prague – Eastbound ex Paris, France to Prague, Czech Republic

From the city of love, Paris, to the city of music, Prague – and all of the fairy tale towns in between… Our journey from Paris to Prague transits the historic Rhine-Main-Danube canal, visits renowned wine regions, picturesque villages, and destinations off-the-beaten path, and includes multiple-night stays at premier hotels in the heart of Paris and Prague.
Our only river cruise that takes you along 4 main rivers; Main, Rhine, Danube, and Moselle, all on one ship… add one more with a private cruise on the Seine River … indulge in the birthplace of culinary art… discover redstone castles and underground tunnels… bike ride along the river…

Day 1
Tour begins: Paris. A transfer from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Gare de Lyon Station, Charles de Gaulle Station, and Gare du Nord Station to L’Hotel du Collectionneur Paris, close to the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, is included. This evening, join us for a welcome reception and dinner to meet your fellow travelers and embark on the journey ahead.

Day 2
This morning, you have a choice of Paris sightseeing excursions. One begins with a drive to the Latin Quarter, famed for its bookshops and student-filled cafés, for an early visit to the Cluny Museum – best known for the ruins of its 2nd-century Gallo-Roman baths, an exquisite collection of French medieval art, and the iconic Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. Afterward, continue by coach for an orientation tour through the “City of Light,” passing storied neighborhoods and architectural highlights before boarding a scenic cruise along the Seine. Gliding from the historic heart of Paris to the Eiffel Tower district, you’ll take in riverside landmarks from a fresh perspective. Alternatively, you may choose to skip the Cluny Museum and enjoy a more leisurely morning before joining the group for the coach orientation tour and the mid-morning Seine cruise. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Paris at your own pace and indulge in French cuisine as you please.

Day 3
Enjoy a morning of leisure before a scenic train ride bound for Luxembourg. This small European country is surrounded by Belgium, France, and Germany, and gained full independence from the Netherlands in 1867. Despite its size, Luxembourg is the most powerful investment management center throughout Europe. A one-hour drive from the city will take you to Germany to embark your riverboat. Join us for a welcome toast and dinner to mark the beginning of your official cruise to the romantic capitals of Europe.

Day 4
Your first morning on the ship begins with a light breakfast buffet in the Compass Rose. Choose between a guided walking tour through Trier to learn about the city’s rich Roman history or tour the city with a local guide from the saddle of the bike. Trier was founded by the Romans in the late 1st century and is considered Germany’s oldest city. Enjoy lunch on the ship cruising along the Moselle River, with commentary from your Tauck Director. Dinner this evening is aboard the ship.

Day 5
By morning, you’ll arrive in “Germany’s corner,” a symbol of unification for Germany, in the city of Koblenz, where the banks of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet. Your arrival in the city is met with a choice of excursions. One choice takes you on a TD-led orientation walk, where you’ll learn about the city’s history as you sightsee and stroll through its romantic alleys, picturesque courtyards, and cozy squares of its Old Town. Alternatively, embark on a scavenger hunt across the city, complete with tastings of local delicacies throughout. Tonight, return to the ship for dinner as you cruise along the Middle Rhine heading to Boppard.

Day 6
After breakfast aboard the ship, join us for a scenic e-bike ride along the Rhine River (you also may stay on board the ship and enjoy a morning of cruising). For those who have chosen the biking excursion, you’ll meet the ship and cruise towards Rüdesheim, enjoying lunch and spotting the hidden castles and vineyards along the way. Rüdesheim is best known for its winemaking, especially Riesling wines, and your arrival in this picturesque town allows you time to explore on your own. After your afternoon of leisure, join us this evening for a Tauck Exclusive evening at Schlosshotel Kronberg, a luxury castle hotel built in 1893 under the commission of Empress Victoria Friedrich, and where the movie Spencer was filmed to represent Princess Diana’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Embrace this evening with a reception and dinner here before cruising to Frankfurt.

Day 7
As the largest financial hub in Europe, Frankfurt is considered a global city. Downtown has many high-rise buildings that form its renowned Frankfurt skyline, and is one of the few cities in the European Union to have such a skyline. Before World War II, the city had many different styles of architecture, such as Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical. Many central locations in Frankfurt have been restored to its original architectural style, and today you’ll have the choice to explore these quarters on walking tours; one is more active to view historic cathedrals, and ornately gabled half-timbered houses lining picturesque streets and squares, and learn about its role post-WWII. Along the way you’ll taste local culinary products before finishing the tour by the Old Town Square. Alternatively, set off on a more leisurely walking tour of the Old Town Square, also enjoying local goods as you explore. Lunch is back on the ship with free time to enjoy the amenities.

Day 8
Germany continues to reveal its fairy tale character today during your visit to Wertheim. A guided walking tour reveals the town’s storied medieval architecture and glassblowing traditions. Back on the ship, enjoy a lesson in the art of Franconian winemaking, bottled in a distinct shape, followed by a tasting. Tonight, your ship charts a course toward Wurzburg.

Day 9
The “Romantic Road” in Germany is a 220-mile scenic byway through the historic cities Würzburg and Augsburg, three medieval walled towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, and Nördlingen, and finishes in Neuschwanstein. Germany coined this theme name in the 1950s, for post-war positivity to begin travel again. Today, as you dock in Würzburg you’ll have the option to tour one of two cities; walk from the ship to explore its lavish baroque and rocco architecture and learn about post-WWII life here, alternatively, choose the short drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber for a walking tour with a local guide to see the medieval architecture and half-timbered houses that line the cobblestone lanes. This afternoon, back on ship you’ll cruise to Markbreit.

Day 10
Enjoy the morning views along the Main River with breakfast, before docking for a day of excursion choices. Drive to the town of Bayreuth to see Margravial Opera House, one of Europe’s few surviving theatres of the 17th-centruy that has been extensively restored, and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. You may choose to visit the former home of composer and theatre director, Richard Wagner, which has been turned into a museum, or get a true taste of genuine weissbeir with a visit to Maisel Brewery, a family-owned brewery that is one of few to make this Bavarian style beer. Everyone may enjoy free time to explore Bayreuth as you please. Lunch is back on the ship as you cruise for Bamberg, a town laid out over 7 hills where the Regnitz and Main rivers meet. If you feel like stretching your legs some more you can take the short drive for a walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site town to see The Romanesque Bamberg Cathedral, cross the bridges over Regnitz River and preserved Old Town. Your evening aboard the ship includes social hour and dinner as you cruise to Nuremberg.

Day 11
As the second largest city in Bavaria, (after Munich) Nuremberg is an impressive, colorful, and mighty town, first mentioned in documents that date back to 1050. Walking tour choices today provide you a deeper insight into the history, above and below grounds. First option is to join our local guide on an underground tour to explore the labyrinthine tunnels built in the 1380’s, used for fermenting and storing beer for the 40 breweries in this small city, later used for air raid bunkers in WWII; view the Imperial Castle that dominates the city’s skyline, built in 1140 during the reign of Emperor Konrad III. If you wish to stay above ground, take a walking tour to view well-preserved landmarks such as the ornately decorated churches and the walls that line the Old Town. Enjoy lunch on the ship as your Tauck Director shares an informal presentation about your journey, then join us this evening for a Captain’s farewell toast and dinner.

Day 12
After breakfast aboard the ship, disembark in Regensburg and choose how you’d like to spend your day. One option includes a guided walking tour through Regensburg’s beautifully preserved Old Town, where cobbled streets lead past the iconic Stone Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and City Hall. Enjoy lunch in town with free time to explore before continuing to Prague by coach. Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely morning before traveling directly to Prague. Upon arrival, you’ll have a light lunch at the Fairmont Golden Prague, followed by a guided exploration of the city’s underground history – including a visit to the Church of St. Anne tied to the legacy of Václav Havel and a Czech beer tasting in an atmospheric underground venue. Both groups arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon with time to settle in. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Day 13
Prague is the largest city of the Czech Republic with rich history and Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectures, nicknamed the “city of a Hundred Spires” due to the towers, turrets and steeples that paint its skyline. A great way to explore Prague and learn its history is with an option of culturally rich walking tours. Choose to see the Old New Synagogue, Gardens of Prague (where you may even see peacocks roaming around), Saint Nicholas Church, and Charles Bridge, constructed in 1357 under the rule of Charles the IV who turned Prague into an important center of culture and trade in Europe. Alternatively, take a shorter walk to see highlights of the Old Town, including the Astronomical Clock installed in 1410, (the oldest astronomical clock still in operation) and a visit to City Hall of Prague. Everyone has free time for lunch in the city or back at your hotel. Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner at the Lobkowicz Palace.

Day 14
Tour Ends. Prague. A transfer from Fairmont Golden Prague Hotel is included to Vaclav Havel airport and Praha Hlavni Nadrazi/Holesovice train stations anytime. Please allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport.

Our new Inspiration Class ships maintain Tauck’s high standards for luxury and comfort… including ms Joy, launching in 2016, which will cruise exclusively on the Danube River. With a maximum of 130 guests, ms Joy and her sister ships ms Grace, ms Savor and ms Inspire continue our tradition of providing the most space per guest on Europe’s inland waterways – we will transport the fewest passengers of any longship (135 meters). Our deck plan for our Inspiration Class riverboats is innovative. With a total of 67 cabins, our most popular cabins tend to be our largest… so we have used the added ship length to offer twenty-two 300-square-foot-suites aboard ms Joy and her sister ships – the most of any river cruise ship on any European river. To increase the amount of natural sunlight on the lower deck, we’ve created 8 loft cabins that extend from the first to the second decks, providing guests with an additional view; all windows in these loft cabins open.

Inspirational cruising… and the promise of fun. Cruise travel at its best.

What makes Tauck’s Small Ship Cruising and River Cruising unique is our focus on the destination – in scenic ports of call that connect you with people and places… moving, compelling and heart-warming experiences onboard and ashore… inspiration through Tauck’s cruise travel. We cast anchor in pristine bays, off island beaches and at docks accustomed to personal yachts… in small towns and villages along the great rivers of Europe… and in some of the world’s favorite cities. Our time ashore is enriched by in-depth cultural exploration and insider access that ensures up-close-and-personal connections with the locals and daily life. Our cruise travel adventures include guided sightseeing with local experts such as naturalists, historians, and accomplished lecturers. You’ll dine on regional cuisine on land at aboard ship that showcases specialties of the destination. And after a day of extraordinary sightseeing, we welcome you back onboard our hand-picked vessels for warm camaraderie and lively conversation that’s inherent on every Tauck cruise travel experience. The stories are endless, the memories are timeless and the connections priceless.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Joy - Emerald Deck

Joy - Ruby Deck

Joy - Diamond Deck

Joy - Sun Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Category 6 Cabin

1. One floor-to-ceiling French balcony (98 inches x 75 inches) with one sliding door that opens
2. 32” LED TV
3. Full-sized window (98 inches x 37.5 inches)
4. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
5. Padded headboard with reading lamps
6. Storage / drawers
7. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily
8. Large closet
9. Safe
10. Full-sized bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and hair dryer
11. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head

Additional Amenities

Elegantly designed 225 sq. ft. cabins

400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone and individual climate control

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 7 Suite

1. Two floor-to-ceiling French balconies, each 98 inches x 75 inches with one sliding door that opens
2. 32″ LED TV
3. Pull-out sleeping couch (triple & quad capacity; quads for children only)
4. Walk-in closet with built-in shelves and a safe
5. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily
6. Storage / drawers
7. Coffee maker
8. Full-size bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, marble counters, additional storage and a hair dryer
9. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head (note: no bathtub)
10. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed capacity)
11. Padded headboard with reading lamps

Additional Amentities

Elegantly designed 300 sq. ft. suites

400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

Breakfast room service

Iron plus ironing board

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone and individual climate control

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 1 Cabin

Elegantly designed 150 sq. ft. cabins, including four dedicated solo traveler cabins

Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

Two 2’ by 3’ fixed windows

Marble bath with shower

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

32” LED TV

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Built-in closet with drawers

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone, safe and individual climate control

2 chairs

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 3 Cabin

1. One-and-a-half deck window that opens at the top, electronically controlled
2. Loft sitting area
3. 4 steps up to loft area
4. Railing
5. Full-sized bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and a hair dryer
6. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head
7. Closets
8. Storage / drawers
9. Safe
10. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily
11. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
12. Padded headboard with reading lamps
13. Storage / drawers (credenza not visible from this perspective)
14. 32” LED TV (on credenza below; not visible from this perspective)

Additional Amenities

Innovatively designed 225 sq. ft. “split-level” loft cabins

400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

Window (98 inches x 114 inches) can be partially opened

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Built-in closet with drawers

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone and individual climate control

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 2 Cabin

Elegantly designed 150 sq. ft. cabins

Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens

Marble bath with shower

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

32” LED TV

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Built-in closet with drawers

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone, safe and individual climate control

2 chairs

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 4 Cabin

Elegantly designed 190 sq. ft. cabins

Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens

Bathroom with marble counters, larger showers with rainfall shower heads, enhanced lighting, and under-sink storage space

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

32” LED TV

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Built-in closet and drawers

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone, safe and individual climate control

2 chairs

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 5 Cabin

1. One floor-to-ceiling French balcony (98 inches x 75 inches) with one sliding door that opens
2. 32” LED TV
3. Storage / drawers
4. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
5. Padded headboard with reading lamps
6. Safe
7. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily
8. Large closet
9. Full-size bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and hair dryer
10. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head

Additional Amentities

Elegantly designed 190 sq. ft. cabins on the Diamond Deck

400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone and individual climate control

Onboard wi-fi available