Have just completed our second Scenic river cruise having booked this one after completing our first on the Scenic Jewell 2 years ago. The transfers and embarkation were of the usual Scenic high standards as was the quality of the ship and its crew. The pace of the Amsterdam to Basle cruise was more relaxed than our previous Amsterdam to Budapest trip. This cruise had a high percentage of repeat passengers and this was evident in the passengers choice of excursions with some electing to stay on board and just enjoy cruising on the river. The variety of excursions was excellent as was the quality of the local guides. The one exception was a concert performance in the Palace of Rastatt. No air-conditioning and 33 degrees made for a very uncomfortable evening. Our big disappointment was the food on this trip, our previous Scenic experience was so good it influenced our decision to book this trip. The breakfast buffet was excellent as previously remembered as was the lunch buffet. However, what happened to all the small lunch choices we remember in the River Café (hamburgers, fish and chips etc). Often the choice of dishes had a very Asian influence which was not our taste. The dinner menu in the Crystal Dining Room was a strange mixture of dishes with little local influence and a lack of compatability between courses. Dishes were often overcooked, especially the seafood.(tough lobster and wilted snow peas). On several occasions we resorted to the back-up menu of steak and chips or hamburgers from room service. We were really looking forward to the "highlight" top-deck barbecue after our previous experience but were sadly disappointed when the meat was not barbecued but prepared in the kitchen and served from hot dishes. (Another buffet!) The best meal we had on the cruise was an evening excursion to a restaurant in a Dutch village where where well prepared local dishes were served. As with our previous trip, getting a second or subsequent glass of wine at dinner can be a challenge with most of the passengers dining at the same time which stretches the waiting staff.

Overall, the boat, crew and excursions were 5 star but the dining experience 3 star at best. Disappointing when you paid for 5 star across the board. The change from an eastern European kitchen staff to an Asian one may explain the difference in the meals.