Europe River Cruising

In April 2013, we were proud to announce the maiden voyage of Scenic Jewel, a brand new $27 million addition to our world-class fleet of Scenic ‘Space-Ships’. Along with Scenic Crystal, which launched in 2012, Scenic Jewel brings our fleet to seven ships, representing the next generation of Scenic ‘Space-Ships’ and setting an unprecedented level of all-inclusive luxury river cruising on the grand waterways of Europe.

We recently completed a $10 million rebuild of the Scenic ‘Space-Ships’ sailing the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle and Black Sea routes to ensure the entire fleet meets the exacting standards of Scenic Jewel and Scenic Crystal. The fleet ranges in age from only 18 months to four years includes Scenic Diamond, Scenic Pearl, Scenic Ruby, Scenic Sapphire, and Scenic Emerald, which has now relocated to Southern France.

The rebuild includes luxury suites boasting the largest private balconies fitted with Scenic ‘Sun Lounges’* and in-suite inclusions from private butler service and a complimentary mini-bar stocked daily; to queen size slumber beds, pillow menu, L’Occitane products and 32 inch Samsung HD TVs linked to Mac mini computers. Complimentary internet access is enhanced by an upgraded Wi-Fi system using both Satellite and UMTS Mobile technology, whilst each ship also features new carpet, soft furnishings and designer furniture. The reception is also made over with new floors, light fixtures, marble desks and designer Bolon wallpaper.

Unique touches include a floating gallery of Australian artworks and sculptures and a wine list handpicked by our sommelier from boutique European wineries. Part of the unlimited complimentary beverage offering, the wines have been selected to complement the exceptional range of cuisine prepared from fresh local produce on show in all dining venues including the new casual River Café, which now has pizza ovens for gourmet pizza to order; and dégustation menu at Table La Rive. Portobellos has also been upgraded and the Panorama Lounge has a new bar, additional coffee machines and Eurocave wine dispensers.

We are proud to announce an eighth Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ will join our world-class fleet for the 2014 Europe river cruising season. Scenic Gem is being custom built to sail the historic Seine River in Northern France along the route that inspired the Impressionists.

Scenic Gem will have the unique ability to sail to the port commune of Honfleur thanks to a special design and the latest cutting-edge technologies because the stretch of the river between Rouen and Honfleur is tidal and the ship must be specifically built and certified to navigate it.

With the same space ratio as the Scenic ‘Space-Ships’ but for just 126 guests, the Scenic Gem will be the most spacious river cruiser on the Seine. She will deliver the same all-inclusive luxury experience synonymous with the new fleet of Scenic ‘Space-Ships’ from private butler service and unlimited complimentary beverages including mini-bar re-stocked daily to full size private balcony suites with exclusive Scenic ‘Sun Lounges’. On board cuisine includes the French tradition of dégustation at Table La Rive with boutique wines from some of France’s best wineries.

Scenic Gem will exclusively sail a round trip from Paris, stopping at Conflans, for an exclusive event at the 16th century Château-de-Champlâtreux; Vernon and Giverny, the home of Monet; Les Andelys for Richard the Lionheart’s castle ruin and the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’, Rouen. Guests will also have the opportunity to spend a full day at the Somme battlefields as well as visit Caudebec-en-Caux, Honfleur, and the Normandy beaches.

We have also just relocated Scenic Emerald by special barge to France for exclusive southbound cruises along the Saône and Rhône rivers between Charlon-sur-Saône and Tarascon. Her inaugural French voyage departed on April 1 2013 for Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, Vienne, Lyon, Macon and Charlon-sur-Saône. On the South of France River Cruise, Scenic Enrich special experiences designed to immerse guests in the local culture include a private dinner and concert at the medieval Palais-des-Papes in Avignon as well as a full day at La Camargue National Park. Both North and South of France cruises can be combined and extended to other French and European destinations.

11 Day Gems of the Seine
The Seine’s extended shores reveal impressionist landscapes, medieval masterpieces and picturesque ports. This new round trip cruise from Paris includes Honfleur, Les Andelys, Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Vernon and Conflans. Guests will visit the D-day beaches, Monet’s gardens at Giverny and the ruins of Richard the Lionheart’s château; and experience an exclusive Scenic Enrich event, designed to culturally enhance the experience, at the 16th century Château-de-Champlâtreux.

Read more here.

19 Day Treasures of Europe’s Waterways
This 19 day river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam extends the cruise of beauty that is the Jewels of Europe River cruise.  Guests will visit the historic Slovakian capital, Bratislava and witness a traditional wedding presentation, and also visits Hoorn, Edam, and be immersed in all the cultural customs of Düsseldorf. The variety of Scenic FreeChoice experiences includes discovering Vienna Woods including visit to Baden and the Seegrotte underground cave museum, to a guided hike to the 12th century Wertheim Castle.

Read more here.

20 Day Munich and Passau to the Danube Delta River Cruise
This cruise from Passau to the shores of the Black Sea includes Mile Zero, the point where the Danube empties into the Black Sea. Scenic Tours is the only Australian operator to sail to this point. It also passes through the passage of Saint George and the World Heritage-listed Danube Delta. It includes Belgrade, Pecs, Osijek, Arbanassi, Tulcea and Bucharest. Guests will experience a Scenic Enrich  event as they enjoy dinner with a Croatian family, as well as and have plenty of Scenic FreeChoice activities enabling the freedom to choose what they enjoy the most, from visiting the Dachau concentration camps to cycling through Osijek and discovering the home of Count Dracula.

We have added 37 new Scenic FreeChoice activities for 2014 giving you the freedom to choose the guided activities you enjoy the most at no extra cost. Here's a sample of some the new highlights:

Antwerp
Walking tour or Bruges - Discover Antwerp’s Old Town and catherdral on a walking tour or travel to the charming city of Bruges

Breisach
Village of Mittelbergheim - Visit Mittelbergheim in Alsace, one of the most beautiful villages of France

Dürnstein
Town of Znojmo - Discover the nearby Czech town of Znojmo for a lunch in local wine cellar

Düsseldorf
Neanderthal Museum - Tour the city’s Neanderthal Museum and archaeological park

Kiev
Museum choice - Visit the Chernobyl Museum or Mamayeva Sloboda, a unique open-air museum

Koblenz
City of Cochem - Journey through the most romantic part of the Moselle Valley to historic Cochem to discover this beautiful German city on a guided walking tour

Moscow
Museum choice - Visit the State Tretyakov Gallery, a museum housing a unique collection of Russian art or visit the Museum of the Armed Forces

St. Petersburg
Architecture choice - Enjoy a guided visit to St. Isaac’s Cathedral or tour the 19th century Yusupov Palace

Vienna
Vienna Woods - Discover the Vienna Woods, Baden and the Seegrotte underground cave system

Vienne
Train ride or walking tour - Take a mini train ride through the city or a guided walking or hiking tour

Wertheim
Walking tour or wine - Enjoy a guided tour of this medieval city, hike to the 12th century Wertheim Castle, or visit a local winery for a wine tasting

One of the longest and most important rivers in Europe, the Rhine flows from the eastern Swiss Alps to the North Sea coast of The Netherlands and its many medieval buildings and prehistoric fortifications testify to its importance as a waterway. In particular, the Middle Rhine flowing through the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge is known as the ‘Romantic Rhine’ and also famed for its castles, vineyards and quaint villages.

Featured Rhine River Tours

• Jewels of Europe River Cruise - Amsterdam to Budapest
• Paris to Prague and Jewels of Europe River Cruise
• Romantic Rhine & Moselle River Cruise - Amsterdam to Basel

Germany’s Main River is the most significant right tributary of the Rhine flowing through the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hesse, and since 1992, it has been connected to the Danube River via the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. Idyllic vineyards and impressive architecture and the charms of the famous ‘Romantic Road’ are all waiting to be discovered along the banks of the Main.

Featured tours on the Main River

• Jewels of Europe River Cruise - Budapest to Amsterdam

Inspiring many artistic and musical works, the blue waters of the international waterway, the Danube begin in Germany’s Black Forest. It flows south-east before emptying into the Black Sea via the Danube Delta in Romania and Ukraine. Austria’s picturesque Wachau Valley and the spectacular Iron Gate between Serbia and Romania are just two of the highlights to be found through the ten countries who claim the Danube.

Featured Danube River tours

The stunning Moselle River is a left tributary of the Rhine, which joins in Germany at Koblenz, and also flows through Luxembourg and the Lorraine region of France. The Moselle Valley is famous for its incredible scenery and its world-class wines, most notably those from the German Mosel wine region. Medieval castles also grace the banks of this river, named for the Latin Mosella, meaning Little Meuse (another European river).

Featured Moselle River Cruises

• Romantic Rhine and Moselle River Cruise - Amsterdam to Basel
• Switzerland, Rhine and Moselle River Cruise

A busy waterway on the crossroads of the ancient world, today the inland Black Sea is the gateway from the Danube to the resorts of Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia. It began life as a fresh water lake about 22 thousand years ago before global warming melted glaciers and the polar ice-caps, causing the Mediterranean to overflow through the Bosporus, turning the lake into the Black Sea.

Featured Black Sea River Cruises

• Black Sea Explorer River Cruise
• Black Sea Explorer River Cruise & Gallipoli
• Danube River Delta & Highlights of the Balkans & Bavaria

As you dock in the beautiful cities and villages along urope’s grand waterways, you have the choice to take a self-guided walk or cycling tour. Scenic Tailormade is our independent touring system with over 100 sightseeing touring options enhanced by GPS-activated directions and commentary giving you the freedom to plan your experience your way. Your pre-loaded GPS device will be in your suite upon your arrival.

Here is a selection of some of the new Scenic Tailormade tours:

• Join Empress Sissi of Austria and Mozart for a historic walk through Vienna’s alleys
• Walk on the dark side of Würzburg on a unique witch tour
• Enjoy days of wine and roses in Colmar on the Alsatian Wine Route and in picturesque Kehl’s famous fortress and rose garden
• Take our unique electrical-assist bicycles through the orchards, meadows and the famous lavender fields of Provence
• Enveil the artistry of Europe on the ‘Van Gogh and Arts Trail’ through Arles and the ‘Rembrandt Tour’ through 17th century Amsterdam

*Not available in Russia

Scenic Enrich is our exclusive program of truly exceptional activities, allowing you to be immersed in local European cultures. Every Scenic Enrich event adds to the experience of the region you are visiting, whether dining at the towering spectacle that is Marksburg Castle, enjoying a private Viennese concert at Palais Lichtenstein or visiting the homes of local European villagers for the day, your Scenic Enrich excursions will ensure your European adventure is unforgettable.

Scenic FreeChoice provides an abundant selection of activities in the key cities and regions of Europe allowing you to choose the activities that interest you the most, including  visiting Vienna’s Spanish Riding School and our sponsored stallion; witnessing the peasant villages of Skanzen, the largest outdoor museum in Hungary; and enjoying a guided cycling tour through the suburbs of Belgrade. Regardless of what you choose to see, you can do so in the knowledge that there’s no extra to pay!

The Jewels of Europe River Cruise explores Europe’s waterways as you cruise the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers from Amsterdam to Budapest on board a Scenic ‘Space-Ship'.

Find out more about this tour or contact us on 1300 723 642.

This 14 night cruise on board a Scenic 'Space-Ship' takes you on a journey from Amsterdam to Basel and includes a full day excursion to the Black Forest.

Find out more about this tour or contact us on 1300 723 642.

This 21 day tour is an amazing journey from romantic Paris to picturesque Prague including a 15 day Jewels of Europe River Cruise on board a luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ship’.

Find out more about this tour or contact us on 1300 723 642.