What's new in 2017

They have been sampling all kinds of local dining so that you only experience the best cuisine in each region. They are also working with local creatives to bring you some truly wondrous Enrich Events and Freechoice activities. 

Our ship-builders have been hard at work too. In 2017 our France Space-Ships Scenic Emerald, Diamond and Sapphire will be completely rebuilt for the 2017 cruising season to include larger suites and beautiful interiors.

In addition to our 2016 refurbishments, in 2017 our France Space-Ships Scenic Emerald, Diamond and Sapphire will be completely rebuilt for the 2017 cruising season to include larger suites and beautiful interiors. 

We’ll open up public spaces and reduce the number of guests – but not our staff numbers – for an even more personalised level of service than ever before. Additionally we’ll introduce a vitality pool, gym and spa.  A highlight of these ships will be the two new one bedroom Royal Owner’s Suites. At a huge 47 square metres, these suites boast opulent furnishings and all the extra touches Scenic is famous for.

France’s cuisine is world-famous and we’re very excited to announce Scenic Culinaire, our exclusive culinary experience available on our 2017 Bordeaux and Rhône River Cruises.  France is the epicentre of cuisine and fine dining and Scenic Culinaire will allow our guests to participate in a series of on board cooking classes, taught by experts, featuring the finest in local ingredients and designed to immerse guests even further into the delights of French gastronomy. 

The dedicated space will feature cooking stations, a cheese and wine cellar, fresh ingredients will be sourced from local markets and our cooking instructors will introduce guests to regional recipes based on the regions they’re cruising through.

Exploring Europe and France from the seat of a bicycle has got to be one of the best ways to see these destinations. Scenic is introducing a range of exclusive cycling itineraries that cater to our guests who want to spend more time being active onshore in the great outdoors. We will have specialized bikes available, dedicated cycling guides, a bike mechanic and even a dedicated support vehicle that will follow every cycling group in case participants choose to not to cycle the full ride duration. They will also transport the bikes from location to location so that all the hassle is taken out of your trip. All you'll need to do is enjoy the ride.

A number of exciting new Enrich experiences including a gala spectacular, Scenic Rouge - inspired by the finest French cabaret traditions and featuring classics such as the can-can, held under the big top, on the banks of the Rhône River in Lyon. An exclusive four course dining experience with matched vintages in at the acclaimed Mumm Champagne house in Riems or the ‘Best of The Sound of Music and Salzburg Show’ set in the hills of Salzburg.

Our 2017 Europe River Cruising program features 12 new Scenic Freechoice activities across Europe and France including learning how to make traditional German Gingerbread in a cooking class in Nuremburg or step inside the setting of the Hansel and Gretel fable during a visit to the Vogtsbauernhof open air museum in the heart of the black forest.  For the more energetic there is a guided vineyard hike in Tournon or guided cycling tours in Bordeaux and along the banks of the Seine from Caudebe-en-Caus to Villequier.

Staying true to our commitment of being all-inclusive, we have parterned with a well-known global insurance company to offer, for the first time, river cruising travel insurance. On every Scenic river cruise guests will be automatically covered once they commence their cruise for any delays or cancellations that occur due to weather, natural disasters, mechanical breakdowns or strikes. There’s nothing extra to pay, we automatically cover the price they pay for their cruise.