u/Dull_Employee_3027

Does anyone have any recommendations for welcoming, family friendly, casual swim clubs locally? NBTC was a great space for families to swim but the CEO of Mother’s market joined and has been making it really uncomfortable, yelling at kids and demanding the pool to herself during family swim. Lots of families are looking to leave.

Cruised down the Rhine in July 2026 on Tauck tours. We understand Mother Nature can’t be controlled and the low rivers are affecting the cruises but Tauck knew this and was not transparent. They have been running this trip this way for a long time now and are not honest up front.

Things you should know that Tauck will not tell you if you have an upcoming European River cruise. These are not necessarily all bad things! Just knowing them ahead of time helps expectations be realistic and helps you decide if you should postpone for another time:

1. Your boat functions as a floating hotel, not a nice cruise down the river experience. You will be bused everywhere 2-3+ hours multiple times a day and then meet your ship just to sleep on it.
2. Your ship will often be in an industrial port (not pretty) with another cruise ship parked on both sides, so there is zero point spending money on a room w/ a large window view! You spend the time with the curtains drawn or staring into another ship 1ft away.
3. You will switch ships mid voyage so you will need to repack and unpack and plan for a full day with no return to your things.
4. Everyday you have to be up and ready to leave the ship for excursions very early because the drives are so long. There is no sleeping in or late breakfasts/ relaxing.
5. If you are tired or want to relax you have no option to stay on the boat multiple days- you must go on the outing and crowded bus drives because your ship moves while you are not on it.
6. The excursions all involve at least 4 miles of walking at a fast pace. They will tell you every walk is a few minutes (this is European minutes, not American- the walks feel very long when it is hot out for older people). Wear sneakers.
7. You can not do this cruise if you have ANY mobility issues.
8. To get off the ship for outings you need to go up multiple steps and walk through another cruise ship's lobby or across their deck and down to get out and into your boat.
9. Because of the long bus rides your tours are rushed and manic. No time to really explore or take in the experience. Even stopping to take a photo may cause you to lose sight of your group.
10. There are children on the adult cruise. The brochures say the Taulk tours are adults only but many families bring children. So if you want to bring your kids- make sure to ask!
11. There is no relaxation vibe- no music on the sun deck, no hanging out on the deck or floating by castles while drinking wine.
12. All meals are served on the ship and it is à la carte (order a choice of a few things on a menu) with a salad bar or dessert bar except 1 night.
13. During excursions off ship you are on your own for meals or you eat the lunch provided when you return to the ship at a certain time. If you skip an excursion you have to wait until the group returns to eat (resturants aren't open)
14. There is no ability to get toiletries or hygeine products on the boat, you must try to navigate that on your own during one of the walking tours.
15. Taulk cruise directors are great and really try to give you a great time. These people make the trip. They are trying their best to make the experience great despite the hand dealt to them with the river depths.
16. If you do not go on an excursion for any reason and you are allowed to remain in the boat, you are sitting in a industrial port with no view and the boat is not moving.