Small Ship Cruising

Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles

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Direction and Year

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Days
12
From (per Person)
$15,340 CAD
Journey Type
Small Ship
Time of Year
May, Sep
Cities & Landmarks
Valletta, Taormina, Mt. Etna, Palermo, Marseille
Taormina

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Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

 

Explore the Corsican citadel of Bonifacio, perched on soaring sea-cliffs, with its medieval fortress, maze of streets, churches, mausoleums, and turbulent history

 

Visit the prehistoric temple complex at Hagar Qim on Malta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site older than Stonehenge 

 

Discover Ortygia, a small island-city within the city of Siracusa – a romantic enclave of ancient temples and baroque architecture

 

Explore the summit of Mt. Etna with an experienced mountaineer-guide, and drink in the panoramic views of Sicily and the sea

 

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

 

Private Tauck Shore Excursions – CAD  $5,155 value!

 

Visit private villas and art museums in Palermo, drinks and canapés included

 

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Activity

2
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Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

Pace

2
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Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.

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Cultural journeys and expeditions

Sail the Mediterranean to fabled islands of antiquity and romance... to turquoise seas, archipelagos, and out-of-the-way places where Jason searched for the Golden Fleece and Odysseus pursued Destiny. From the South of France to the island of Malta, enjoy world-renowned wine, local delicacies, and the cultural treasures of historic empires.

Cruise on an elegant small ship  to the islands of Corsica, Sicily, Elba, Sardinia, and Malta, on a 12-day odyssey to medieval towns and baroque cities – including Catania, Noto, Valletta, Siracusa, Cagliari, and Taormina – where Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, and Carthaginians have all left their mark. Discover ancient ruins and ornate cathedrals, palaces, monasteries, hidden gardens, coastal villages, and outstanding wineries. Admire the view from Napoleon's hillside villa in Portoferraio; immerse in the breathtaking panoramas at the top of Mount Etna; explore Bonifacio, a labyrinthine citadel perched on sea-cliffs above the dramatic Corsican coast; lose yourself in the rich Baroque art of Sicily, the intimate classical charm of Ortigia, and the  charming village of Aix-en-Provence. You'll also spend four nights on land, in luxury hotels in Marseilles and the island of Malta. Local guides and expert lecturers offer insights along the way, and your ship is designed to access small harbors and remote destinations where large ships can't go. Read Less

Discover the Medieval harbor of Bonifacio on the island of Corsica

In the 12th century, Boniface II of Tuscany built a fortified town at the tip of Corsica, perched above soaring white cliffs and crashing surf. The town of Bonifacio was meant to guard the Tuscan coast from Saracens and pirates, and its brilliant defensive position defied foreign assaults for centuries. The fjordlike harbor is only accessible to small ships and private yachts – oh, like the one you'll be sailing! Once ashore, you can hop a minitrain for a ride up to the citadel, wander the maze of medieval lanes, marvel at the fort and the breathtaking views, and drink in its turbulent history.

Ortygia, the magical little island within the island of Sicily

Cicero called Ortygia the most beautiful of Grecian cities, but that was then. Today, it's typically called the most beautiful of Italian cities, tucked away in the heart of Syracusa, on a romantic urban island of labyrinthine alleys, Greek temples, Baroque churches, palazzos of honey-hued stone, elegant piazzas, fountains, outdoor cafes, sea walls and promenades, and 3,000 years of history. From the Temple of Apollo to the Arab marketplace, the Byzantine church, the harborside medieval castle, and the anomalous statue of Athena atop the Duomo, the faded glories of past empires blend in this lively, enchanting place, a step outside of time.

The Mysterious Megalithic Temples of Malta

Legend says they were built by giants, a reasonable assumption since the Megalithic Temples on Malta are typically made of 50-ton stone blocks, piled 15 feet high. But more likely the prehistoric people who built them were normal sized, with technical skills beyond our expectations, which is why the temple complexes at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra in Qrendi, older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids, are UNESCO World Heritage sites, cultural monuments where you can delve into ancient mysteries and the building blocks of civilization.

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Deck Plans

Welcome Aboard

Deck 7

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Deck 6

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Prestige Suite

(Two combined Prestige Staterooms)

Prestige Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Privilege Suite

Grand Deluxe Suite

Deck 5

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Prestige Suite

(Two combined Prestige Staterooms)

Prestige Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Privilege Suite

Grand Deluxe Suite

Owner's Suite

Deck 4

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Prestige Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Deck 3

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Deluxe Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Deck 2

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Deck 7

View Cabin Categories

Deck 6

View Cabin Categories

Prestige Suite

(Two combined Prestige Staterooms)

Prestige Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Privilege Suite

Grand Deluxe Suite

Deck 5

View Cabin Categories

Prestige Suite

(Two combined Prestige Staterooms)

Prestige Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Privilege Suite

Owner's Suite

Deck 4

View Cabin Categories

Prestige Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Deck 3

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Deluxe Stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Deck 2

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Find your tour

Pricing & Availability

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Northbound: Malta → Marseille

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Southbound: Marseille → Malta

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About Booking This Tour

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Deposit & Booking Information

Deposit Information:

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking. Your deposit is CAD $1,700.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready:

  • Tour Name and Departure Date Desired
  • Traveler Name(s):  Please have first and last names as they appear on the passport or driver's license.
  • Traveler's Address(es)
  • Traveler's Phone Number(s)
  • Emergency Contact Information: This would be a relative or friend whom we could contact during the tour in the event of an emergency. Please provide their name and phone number(s).
  • Interest in purchasing a travel protection product (US and Canada)
  • Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
  • Interest in our specially negotiated airfares.

Regarding your final payment:

Final Payment for River Cruises and Small Ship Cruises is due at Tauck's Wilton Woods, CT office 120 days before departure. Any bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice.

Tauck Travel Protection Product / If You Have To Cancel

Effective for plans purchased as of July 2021:

Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection

Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON and Tauck will  reduce the regular cancellation fees outlined herein, provided we are notified of cancellation before your cruise departs. Certain terms and restrictions apply (see below*).

*Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey. Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

  • Trip Cancellation – Should you cancel for covered reasons, the plan reimburses cancellation fees imposed, up to your total trip cost. 

  • Trip Interruption – If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.

  • Travel Delay – Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.

  • Medical Expense – Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 

  • Baggage / Personal Effects Protection – Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.
  • Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services – Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection is: 

$895 per person – Galápagos Wildlife Wonderland small ship family cruise, Tauck Bridges family river cruises 

$995 per person – Most Europe riverboat cruises

$995 per person – Most Europe small ship cruises and most Latin America cruises

$1,285 per person – Asia, Australia and Antarctica cruises

This plan provides cancellation coverage for your trip and other insurance coverages that apply only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Cruise and Event Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included in initial payment. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your reservation. Cruise and Event Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

If You Have To Cancel

Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. Therefore, the fees listed will apply.

Guests choosing to purchase Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

120 days or more before departure:

Loss of cost of Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection fee per person

119 – 60 days before departure:

Loss of 25% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person

59 – 1 days before departure:

Loss of 50% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person

Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

120 days or more before departure

$1100 per person – European river cruises

$1300 per person – Galápagos Wildlife Wonderland

  $1700 per person – European small ship cruises

$1700 per person – Latin America cruises

$2100 per person – Asia, Australia and Antarctica cruises

119 – 60 days before departure:

Loss of 50% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person

59 – 1 days before departure:

Loss of 100% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation and transfer terms outlined herein.

Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACCREINTL

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

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Enhanced Covid Health Protocols

Tauck Care and Global Response

Keeping our guests safe and secure has always been of paramount importance at Tauck. While we cannot predict or prevent events outside of our control, we have learned to expect the unexpected. In fact, we've planned for it and have safeguards, protocols and teams in place to deal with any eventualities. You'll travel with a comprehensive, built-in support system that starts with the care and local knowledge of our Tauck Directors and extends to our network of partners around the world, including hoteliers and transportation companies.

Our Global Response Team stands ready to respond to situations around the world. Over the past two decades, they have successfully led us through a variety of challenges around the world, from weather events, high and low water on rivers, work stoppages and more. We are well prepared for Covid. We provide assurance and comfort in knowing that help is readily available if and when it's ever needed.

 

Small Ship Cruising:

Tauck has worked closely with our supplier partners around the world to deliver the comfort and safety you expect. The following are just some of the enhanced protocols we have put in place for Covid to provide you with the peace of mind you expect:

•  Regular health screenings, face coverings worn in public gatherings, even more rigorous cleaning and sanitation measures in public spaces and staterooms

•  More intimate and private dining, with seatings that limit the number of guests at one time

•  Crowd-free lounge areas and activities, on and off the ship, geared for small group advantages

• Ship staff and crew trained in the latest protocols, prepared for any eventuality, and well supported to take the necessary steps to ensure your comfort and safety

•  On every cruise, two medical professionals will be onboard the ship 24 hours a day, arrival to departure.

These protocols may vary by destination and will evolve over time. Please check for the latest updates at tauck.com/travel-updates

The Tauck Experience

Why Tauck?

Leave Your Worries At Home

One Upfront Price – No Hidden Costs

Tauck Directors – Simply The Best

Never Settle For Ordinary

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Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

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