Tauck Goes Big with Small Cruise Ships in 2026
by Dori Saltzman
Tauck operates many of its small ship cruises onboard PONANT ships.
In 2026, Tauck will offer 133 departures of 20 itineraries aboard 20 small cruise ships, including two all-new itineraries to Japan and the Arctic.
Featured in the new Japan sailing – Sakura Seas: Japan & South Korea – will be time spent in Seoul, a first for Tauck. The 14-day itinerary starts with an initial three-night stay in Seoul at a choice of three hotel options, followed by a high-speed bullet train to Busan for a tour and then embarkation on PONANT’s Le Soléal for an eight-night cruise.
Tauck will offer three departures of this itinerary in 2026, with two eastbound (Seoul-to-Tokyo) trips departing on April 10 and 26, and a westbound (Tokyo-to-Seoul) departure on April 19.
The second all-new itinerary for Tauck in 2026 will be the 12-day Arctic Days & Northern Lights. All 2026 sailings are already sold out, though the line is maintaining a waiting list.
The expansion of the line’s small ship offerings comes as Tauck is enjoy8ing record sales of its small ship portfolio. Early bookings for 2026 are already nearly 20% ahead of 2025, which itself is on track to be a record-breaking year for Tauck’s small ship cruise operations.
“Our guests are seeking memorable, life-enhancing experiences in fascinating destinations where they can forge meaningful bonds with local cultures and their fellow travelers,” said Tauck CEO Jennifer Tombaugh. “In addition to providing a more personalized experience for our guests, our small ship cruises access smaller harbors and create opportunities for those authentic cultural encounters our guests value so highly.”
