61 INTERVIEW Growing a flourishing business As Tauck moves into its second century, it is expanding its small-ship and river cruise businesses and continues to put the guest at the heart of every decision. Jeremy Palmer tells Susan Parker more Tauck celebrated 100 years as a family-owned company in 2025. Although its river cruise and small- ship businesses are younger – at 20 and 30 years respectively – they are both set to grow, says Tauck’s president Jeremy Palmer. “We are entering Tauck’s second century with a lot of hope for the future. River cruising and small ships are growth areas where we are investing more money.” The company currently has eight river ships and is adding two newbuilds in both 2026 and 2027. There are also more on the horizon. “We have incredible demand so we are basically doubling capacity across our total business, with the biggest growth on the Seine and the Douro,” says Palmer. One of the newbuilds debuting in 2026 will be 135 metres in length and cater for 130 guests, while the other will be 125 metres and accommodate 124 passengers. While most river ships are around this length, Tauck prides itself on keeping its passenger numbers 30 per cent lower than its competitors to provide “more space and a more personalised, intimate service,” says Palmer. The vessels will have some new features, such as a health retreat, a dining concept upfront called Arthurs after the founder, and a sun deck. As with all the river ships, family-run company Scylla is responsible for the building programme and ship and onboard operations. The hulls will be built in Croatia and Serbia, then the vessels will be outfitted in a shipyard in HardinxveldGiessendam, Netherlands. “We are incredibly blessed to work with Scylla, one of the oldest companies on the rivers,” says Palmer. “The team helps “ We are entering Tauck’s second century with a lot of hope for the future”
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