Scenic Cruises Adds New Guest Experiences For 2017

Scenic, a company whose focus on the guest experience has always been the engine that has driven the company, is introducing a host of new possibilities in 2017 including the rebuild of three Space-Ships in France.

Other enhancements include updates to Scenic Culinaire, an onboard cooking school offering immersive courses in the culinary wonders of the Rhône and Bordeaux regions; a reduced guest count of 155; and the addition of two new Royal Owner’s Suites at 506 square feet. New theme cruises include cycling journeys and French culinary experiences while new combination cruises allow for greater exploration of Europe’s variety. And new Scenic Enrich and Freechoice offerings bolster the lifelong memories these fully-inclusive journeys provide to guests.

Booking early has always been the way to secure the best pricing and suites with Scenic. For those booking a 2017 sailing by Sept. 30, 2016, Scenic is making getting there even easier – offering free and reduced airfare on all sailings. The amount of the roundtrip offer is based on the itinerary, the category of cabin booked and the departure airport, and ranges from free to $995 per person. Business class options are also available. Solo travelers are not to be left out either. Selected departures in March, April and Oct. to Dec., 2017 are available with no single supplement – on any suite; or book a standard suite on selected sailings between May and Sept. and receive 50% off the single supplement.

And to be sure travelers can leave their wallet at home – as everything is already included in the fare – Scenic is giving all guests a €100 (14 days or less) or €200 (15 days or longer) gift card to defray any personal expenses such as a massage, gifts or that piece of Linzer torte.

Scenic Diamond in Bordeaux and Scenic Emerald and Sapphire on the Rhône and Saône in the south of France, are being rebuilt to enhance the public spaces and reduce the number of guests to 155 (78 cabins) while keeping the same staff numbers – allowing for even greater personalized service for the guests. The redesigned ships will feature two 506 ft2 Royal Owner’s Suites – the biggest suites on board European river cruise ships – larger wellness centers and gyms plus a vitality pool. One of the most exciting new elements of these ships will be the exclusive Scenic Culinaire experience. Scenic has transformed one of the on board dining venues into a private cooking emporium offering tailored classes with dedicated space for cooking stations and a cheese and wine cellar. Fresh ingredients will be sourced from local markets and cooking instructors will introduce guests to regional recipes. A real-time camera and screen ensures each participant can see every cooking move in detail. As with all Scenic programs, Culinaire is included in the price of the sailing.

New exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences (not available to guests on any other river cruise line) includes Scenic Rouge, which allows guests to take in a traditional French cabaret performance under a big-top in Lyon, including the famous can-can; and an exclusive four-course dining experience with matched vintages at the acclaimed Mumm Champagne house in Riems. New Scenic Freechoice activities include a gingerbread cooking class in Nuremberg; guided tour of Bratislava; a Tournon vineyard hike and wine tasting; and for the more active, three new cycling options in Caudebec, Arnhem and Bordeaux.

Combination cruises continue to grow in popularity as Americans devote more of their leisure time to travel. Each itinerary in France has been designed to seamlessly connect across these diverse regions by air, rail or road, to deliver the ultimate French cruising experience. The Seine and Bordeaux and Seine and Rhône have been the most popular combination cruises while the new 10-day Douro river cruise combines easily with French itineraries.

The 5-star Scenic Space-Ships offer all-inclusive luxury experiences – from private butler service and unlimited complimentary beverages and spirits including mini-bar re-stocked daily, to full-size private balcony staterooms – all making use of Scenic’s unique Sun Lounge technology – where the walkout open-air balcony can convert to an all-weather lounge with a push of a button, expanding the living area of the stateroom. Plus there is a vitality pool on the Sun Deck, a guest lift between decks, laundry concierge service, and wellness and fitness centers.

On board cuisine allows for up to six dining options, including the tradition of dégustation at Table La Rive, fine dining at Portobellos and the more casual fare at the River Cafe. As with all Scenic river cruises, guests will never have to reach for the wallet or purse as everything (except a haircut or massage) is included: tips and gratuities, expert local guides, all Scenic Freechoice activities that allow for a more personalized vacation, plus Scenic Enrich events which are exclusive to Scenic and its guests, transfers, all meals, etc.

Scenic offers award-winning, all-inclusive escorted tours in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas and elsewhere, while offering the same level of expertise and the only truly all-inclusive river cruises in Europe and the Mekong, Irrawaddy and Russia.

For pricing or to book your cruise, please contact us today.