How to Choose the Best Stateroom on a Tauck River Cruise
Applies to: Tauck’s MS Joy, MS Savor, MS Inspire, and MS Grace
Why Your Stateroom Choice Matters
During our recent journey aboard Tauck’s MS Joy, Carol and I were once again reminded how much your stateroom can shape your overall river cruise experience.
With Tauck’s Inspiration Class ships—MS Joy, MS Savor, MS Inspire, and MS Grace—you’re sailing on some of the most elegant and spacious vessels in Europe.
These ships carry just 130 guests, despite being built to accommodate 190, which means more room to relax, fewer crowds, and a consistently elevated onboard experience. But with seven distinct stateroom categories spread across three decks, choosing the right cabin can make a real difference in terms of space, views, and convenience.
This guide is specifically written for travelers sailing aboard Tauck’s Inspiration Class ships, and includes:
- A comparison of each stateroom category
- Helpful insights from our firsthand experience
- An easy-to-read chart and deck plan based on MS Joy’s official specifications
Whether you’re planning your first Tauck river cruise or returning for another unforgettable journey, this guide is designed to help you make the most of your time onboard.
What Makes Tauck’s Inspiration Class Special?
- Only 130 guests onboard
- 67 staterooms in total
- 22 full-size Tauck Suites (300 sq. ft.)
- 85% of staterooms with French balconies
- 443-foot ship length allows for more space per guest
- Complimentary Wi-Fi, gratuities, premium beverages, and excursions included
- Two dining venues: Compass Rose and Arthur’s
Ship Amenities
- Open seating in main dining room, The Compass Rose, with flexible dining times
- Vegetarian and food allergy/preference options available
- Arthur’s offers classic favorites for lunch and dinner and lighter breakfasts in the morning
- Al fresco dining on the Sun Deck (weather permitting)
- Complimentary snacks available from 10:00 AM – midnight
- Category 7 Suites include breakfast room service and shipboard credit
- Unlimited complimentary beverages: wine, beer, spirits, coffee, soda, water
- Onboard entertainment: lectures, piano music, culinary demos, themed nights
- Complimentary Internet access
- Fitness center, massage services, putting green, and 24-hour Jacuzzi on Sun Deck
- Bicycles available for onshore use
- Laundry service available (for purchase)
Stateroom Categories Explained
Ship Cabins
Tauck’s Inspiration Class ships feature an innovative deck plan designed to maximize comfort and space for guests. Each ship offers a total of 67 staterooms, including an impressive 22 Tauck Suites measuring 300 square feet—more full suites than found on any other European river cruise ship. These larger accommodations reflect traveler preferences for more room and upgraded features.
To enhance natural light on the lower deck, Tauck introduced eight loft cabins that span two vertical levels. These rooms are designed with expansive windows that open to allow in both fresh air and river views—providing a unique and airy layout not typically found on lower-deck accommodations.
- All staterooms include pillow-top mattresses, 400 thread count linens, down-filled pillows, and 100% cotton blankets
- Private bathrooms with rainfall showers, Molton Brown toiletries, robes, slippers, and hair dryers
- Minibar with complimentary water and soft drinks (replenished daily) and a Nespresso machine
- 32” LED TV, telephone, safe, 110v/220v outlets
- Complimentary Wi-Fi and individual climate control
Category 1 – Emerald Deck (Lower Deck)
- 150 sq. ft.
- Two 2’ x 3’ fixed windows (do not open)
- Two European twin beds that can slide together: 79” x 61” or two beds 79” x 31”
- Bathroom with shower
- Two chairs
- Built-in closet with drawers
- Storage for 4 pieces of luggage under the beds
Editor’s note: Quiet and economical, these are Tauck’s most affordable staterooms and best suited to value-conscious travelers.
Category 2 – Ruby Deck
- 150 sq. ft.
- French balcony (98″ x 75″) with sliding door
- Two European twin beds that can slide together: 79” x 61” or two beds 79” x 31”
- Bathroom with shower
- Two chairs
- Built-in closet with drawers
- Storage for 4 pieces of luggage under the beds
Editor’s note: Compact yet bright, these offer open-air access and a comfortable layout for short-to-mid-length cruises.
Category 3 – Emerald Deck (Loft Cabins)
- 225 sq. ft. split-level layout with railing and 4 steps
- Large window (98″ x 114″) that can be partially opened
- Two European twin beds that can slide together: 79” x 63” or two beds 79” x 31.5”
- Bathroom with large rainfall shower
- Two chairs
- Built-in closet with drawers
- Storage for 4 pieces of luggage under the beds
Editor’s note: An innovative two-level layout offers sunlight and space not usually found on the lower deck.
Category 4 – Ruby Deck
- 190 sq. ft.
- French balcony (98″ x 75″) with sliding door
- Two European twin beds that can slide together: 79” x 63” or two beds 79” x 31.5”
- Bathroom with large rainfall shower
- Two chairs
- Built-in closet with drawers
- Storage for 4 pieces of luggage under the beds
Editor’s note: A step up in size and comfort, this category is among the most popular with first-time Tauck guests.
Category 5 –Diamond Deck
- 190 sq. ft.
- One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches
high) with one sliding door that opens - 2 European twin beds that can slide together; 79” x 63” (two beds
79” x 31.5” each when separate); 4 pieces of luggage can be stored
under beds - Bathroom with large shower featuring rainfall showerhead
- Two chairs
- Built-in closet with drawers
Editor’s note: These generously sized rooms offer excellent balance between space, light, and layout.
Category 5 – Ruby Deck
- 225 sq. ft.
- One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches
high) with one sliding door that opens - 2 European twin beds that can slide together; 79” x 63” (two beds
79” x 31.5” each when separate); 4 pieces of luggage can be stored
under beds - Bathroom with large shower featuring rainfall showerhead
- Two chairs
- Built-in closet with drawers
Category 6 – Ruby Deck
- 225 sq. ft.
- French balcony (98″ x 75″) with sliding door
- Additional full-size window (98″ x 37.5″)
- Two European twin beds that can slide together: 79” x 63” or two beds 79” x 31.5”
- Bathroom with large rainfall shower
- Two chairs
- Large built-in closet with drawers
- Storage for 4 pieces of luggage under the beds
Editor’s note: This is the only category with both a French balcony and a second large window—ideal for those who love sunlight.
Category 7 – Diamond Deck (Tauck Suites)
- 300 sq. ft.
- Two French balconies (each 98″ x 75″) with sliding doors
- Two European twin beds that can slide together: 79” x 71” or two beds 79” x 35”
- Pull-out sleeping sofa (75” x 43”)
- Bathroom with large rainfall shower
- Two chairs
- Large built-in closet with drawers
- Storage for 4 pieces of luggage under the beds
- Triple occupancy available on all cruises; quad occupancy on Tauck Bridges family cruises
Editor’s note: These are among the most spacious suites on Europe’s rivers and offer premium comfort, privacy, and versatility.
Deck Plan Overview
- Diamond Deck: Category 5 and 7
- Ruby Deck: Categories 2, 4, 5, and 6
- Emerald Deck: Categories 1 and 3
Visual Deck Plan
Note: Click the Deck Plan Image for a larger view.
Stateroom Comparison Chart
| Category | Size | Balcony Type | Deck | Staterooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | 150 sq. ft. | 2 fixed windows | Emerald | 6 |
| Category 2 | 150 sq. ft. | French balcony | Ruby | 8 |
| Category 3 | 225 sq. ft. | Split-level w/ window | Emerald | 8 |
| Category 4 | 190 sq. ft. | French balcony | Ruby | 14 |
| Category 5 | 225 sq. ft. | French balcony | Ruby/Diamond | 20 |
| Category 6 | 225 sq. ft. | French balcony + window | Ruby | 7 |
| Category 7 | 300 sq. ft. | 2 French balconies | Diamond | 22 |
ASK ABOUT OUR TAUCK PERKS!
Ready to Book Your Perfect Tauck Stateroom?
Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy river-view cabin or one of Tauck’s spacious 300-square-foot suites, we hope this guide helped bring clarity to your planning.
We’ve personally sailed aboard MS Joy and can match you with the stateroom that best fits your travel style and needs.
For more information or to book a Tauck river cruise, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online request form (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
Additional Reading: Tauck River Cruise Website
See More from Our Journey:
This experience was part of our recent Tauck river cruise through Belgium and Holland.
To see all of our daily highlights, reflections, and photos, visit our full cruise landing page here.
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This article was written with the aid of Perplexity AI, Grok, or ChatGPT. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an independent affiliate of Cadence and a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
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