Sakura Seas: Japan & South Korea and Arctic Days & Northern Lights will offer guests exclusive, immersive experiences in two different corners of the globe.
Tauck’s ‘Small is Big’ philosophy continues to shape its product strategy in 2026, delivering travel experiences that prioritise personalisation, access and connection over scale.
The company’s first-ever itinerary featuring Seoul will introduce guests to the region’s vibrant culture, history and cuisine. The 14-day itinerary (priced from $24,990 per person double occupancy, plus airfare) begins with a three-night stay in South Korea’s dynamic capital.
Guests will enjoy guided visits to landmark sites in and around Seoul including the 14th-century Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Korean War Memorial Museum. They’ll also explore traditional Hanok village homes and shop in a vibrant local market.
A high-speed bullet train to Busan follows, where they’ll tour the city before embarking Ponant’s elegant 184-passenger Le Soléal for an eight-night cruise covering such destinations as Sakaiminato, Beppu and Hiroshima.
Disembarking in Osaka, guests will enjoy two nights at a choice of hotels in Tokyo, complete with guided city sightseeing including visits to the Meiji Shrine and Edo Museum, and a farewell dinner with a sumo wrestling demonstration.
Set against the backdrop of northern Norway’s Arctic landscapes, Tauck’s new ‘Arctic Days & Northern Lights’ itinerary is priced from $22,690 per person double occupancy, plus airfare.
The tour offers a 12-day exploration of the region’s cultural and natural wonders, highlighted by prime opportunities to witness one of nature’s most mesmerising spectacles – the Aurora Borealis.
The cruise sets sail aboard Ponant’s Explorer-class ship Le Lapérouse, from Tromsø, Norway’s vibrant Arctic urban centre, charting a course along the country’s rugged Arctic coast.
In all, Tauck will sail 133 departures of 20 different itineraries aboard 20 ocean-going small ships next year in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Antarctica.
“Our guests are seeking memorable, life-enhancing experiences in fascinating destinations where they can forge meaningful bonds with local cultures and their fellow travellers,” said Jennifer Tombaugh, Tauck CEO.
“In addition to providing a more personalised experience for our guests, our small ship cruises access smaller harbours and create opportunities for those authentic cultural encounters our guests value so highly.
“It’s the difference between simply visiting a destination and truly immersing yourself in its culture, history and natural beauty.”
