River cruise ship review: Tauck Inspire
A review of the Tauck Inspiration-class Inspire river cruise ship, with details on cabins, facilities, food and drink, and value for money
Tauck's Inspire, moored at Koblenz
Overall rating 9/10
One of two new Inspiration-class river ships (there are also five
Jewel-class vessels) Inspire is on a par with most European river ships
in terms of size. However she has fewer, larger cabins and one of the
highest staff-to-guest ratios on Europe’s rivers.
Style/character 10/10
Plush and polished the ship delivers a luxe hotel ambience. Cruising is
all-inclusive, staff are attentive, fellow (mostly American) passengers
were friendly and the dress code is relaxed. Cruise directors deliver a
carefully curated experience on board and ashore, which removes any
potential wrinkles.
The ship's reception area Cabins 10/10
Contemporary and elegant, all suites and cabins have mood and task
lighting, generous storage, TV on demand, a minibar and coffee-maker,
plus robes and fresh flowers. Beds have hypoallergenic pillows and
bathrooms feature fittings by Grohe and Villeroy & Boch, heated
floors and wall cabinets with doors mirrored inside and out. There are
22 suites measuring 300 sq-ft, which can accommodate three people. Those
on the two uppermost decks have French balconies. The lowest deck has
both smaller cabins, each with a high-set, shallow window, and
innovative split-level light-filled loft cabins, with extensive windows
stretching the full height of the deck above. A lift serves all decks
except the sun deck.
At your leisure 9/10
A resident pianist plays in the Panorama lounge/bar which has a small
dance floor. Facilities run to a small library (more destination books
would increase guests’ enjoyment of towns and sites with rich history
and culture), a spa with steam room and sauna, a small fitness centre
and massage room and a salon. There’s also a putting green and Jacuzzi,
plus bikes for use ashore.
Excursions 9/10
Pre-tour “discovery briefings” provide background detail for expert-led
small-group shore excursions. Exclusive events, such as dinner at
Reichenstein Castle in the Rhine valley, are also organised.
Food and drink 9/10
Imaginative canapés are served with drinks during cocktail hour. Food
was outstanding and beautifully presented. Excellent wines are offered
with lunch and dinner. The open-seating Compass Rose restaurant serves
an extensive breakfast buffet and lunch, complemented by menu options.
Dinners begin with an amuse-bouche and run to four courses. Arthur’s, a
relaxed alternative lunch and dinner venue, with limited indoor and
outdoor seating, also serves an early risers’ breakfast and has a
24-hour hot-drinks station. Room-service breakfast is available in
suites; all guests can order room-service snacks.
Compass Rose restaurant Value for money 9/10
Wi-Fi is complimentary. At some ports, free buses shuttle guided and
independent explorers back to the ship at staggered times.
MS
Inspire is cruising the Rhine and Moselle between Amsterdam and Basel
from April to October 2016. From £2,830pp for a seven-night itinerary
and from £3,155pp for 12 nights (0800 810 8020; tauck.co.uk).
Source: The Telegraph, UK.
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