This cruise was highly recommended by several friends who had done many scenic and other cruises. Obviously scenic came out on top and this was the cruise we chose - with absolutely no regrets. The fact that we had to change ships because of low water levels only added to the adventure. The next down side was the comparison of ships. The Jasper was every bit as luxurious as anticipated, but the Jade was older, a little more tired and our wardrobes not as friendly! ( in need of some maintenance!) but overall it was the people on board who made it. The crew on the Jasper spoilt us to the extent that the crew on the Jade needed a day or so to catch up - and they did. Our cruise director Szylvia was an exceptional bonus and an absolute gem. She made our trip the 5 star success it was. The organisation, communication and management of such a large group of people in a situation which was sometimes stressful was amazing. Most of us got sick (colds) and changing boats etc was all managed with smooth seamless efficiency. Szylvia made our trip. Thank you. The food was great and everything supplied in abundance. We are already planning our next cruise. Thank you again. Read Less

Friends had been on this cruise & highly recommended it. Our whole experience was terrific. Our cabin was really comfortable, well-appointed & well serviced. We had lots of great options for shore excursions, most of which were both entertaining & educational, with many “Ah-hah” moments. All but one of our guides were well informed & entertaining. All through the cruise we had a terrific food & drinks service, with very good entertainment. We had to change ships due to low water levels, but our Cruise Director managed this beautifully. We had all the information we needed to make the transfer easily, with no fuss at all. Absolutely everything was taken care of for us, & any questions were either predicted or answered quickly. We had exceptional service from all the ship’s Staff, especially our wonderful Cruise Director. Throughout the cruise we had good access to WiFi for staying on touch with home as well as learning more about what we were seeing. The whole experience was terrific, & we’ve made some great new friends. Highly recommended. Read Less

After searching for cruises we chose this Scenic European river cruise and also speaking with family and friends and we were not disappointed The service and food were.great and our tour director Sylvia was helpful organised and informative even calling us taxi’s when she was very busy We both would like to especially thank Sylvia for her help in details for daily activities We would like to suggest that there are face masks available as there was a virus going around and it may have helped stop the spread of infection We would definitely go on another river cruise to a different destination because we found the variety of activities , choices and food were so adaptable to our needs. There was a good range of age groups of passengers The scenic enrich experiences were truely delightful and we thoroughly enjoyed them as well as the excursions we attended We also liked that everything was included as it made the holiday easy although it was too easy to eat and drink what every your heart desired now need to diet when we are home Read Less

This was an excellent cruise with superb accommodation, food and helpful and attentive crew. Our Panoramic suite was well fitted out. We could find no fault. Our butler provided extremely good service, nothing was too much trouble. Our fridge was kept well stocked but was little used as drinks were available at all times in the bar. The house manager, George(not the correct spelling), was excellent and most helpful. Every Scenic cruise is totally inclusive. Scenic provide a good choice of excursions at the various stops all well organised and enjoyable. There is very little in the way of entertainment you get on ocean going liners but that suits us. Due to low water levels Jasper could not complete the trip but the brilliant Sylvia, the cruise director, organised a smooth transfer of all guests via coach to the Jade further along the river and our trip continued and we missed nothing. This was most impressive. Well done Scenic! We have already booked our next trip with this company. One fault occurred before we set off when the transport provided to take us to the airport failed to turn up at 2am. After a long call to the providers more was promised but did not arrive. At 3.30am we had just left in our car when a taxi arrived. Not a good start and we have informed Scenic of the problem. Read Less

We had friends who have traveled with Scenic and they all said how great it was.. So we tried it and it was beyond our expectations. Our room was great and we loved the fact that your room felt bigger by leave the sliding doors open and you could sit on the deck and not have the window open or have it open however you wanted. There was lots of closet space and a few draws to store all of your stuff. The butler service was really good. They were very accomadating. Entertainment was very good. And choice of shore excursions is very good. The staff in the dinning room were great after a couple of days they knew which type of tea you drank and which wine you favoured. The desserts were my personal favourite being a sweet tooth. If you did not see what you wanted you just had to ask. You could also go to the main deck and find a different choice at the smaller eating area.you could get food anytime you wanted with room service also. Tea and coffee can be brought to your room every morning and you can have your fridge stocked with white only or red only or beer only or your favourite pop.just ask.There is as much or as little as you want to do. I would not have a problem recommending Scenic to my friends. Read Less

American's have not really discovered this Austrailian based cruise company, but we were lucky to find this river cruise while searching for last minute deals on line. We are experienced cruisers and thought why not try something different. We ended up having the experience of a lifetime and enjoyed all the benefits of a first class all-inclusive cruise. Yes, we were in the minority (we were only two of 14 Americans on board, versus about 75 Austrailians and 60 Canadians) but that proved to be an advantage. It was nice to escape the political noise in our country and get some other perspectives from those outside the daily fray. We ended up sailing on a 15 day itinerary from Budapest, Hungary to Amsterdam and were given first class treatment all the way. Even though we elected to arrive in Budapest several days before embarkation without buying Scenic's pre-departure package - they still picked us up at the Airport and drove us to our chosen hotel for no extra charge. Very few cruise lines do that for you. Our embarkation in Budapest was seamless and Scenic had the premier docking position in Budapest so we could enjoy beautiful nighttime views of the Hungarian Parliament building and several beautiful bridges our first night on the river boat. Disembarkation was also a snap and Scenic even had someone meet us at the Amsterdam airport to guide us to our airline's check-in area. So nice. Food and drinks flowed freely on board with no restrictions whatsoever. We had specialty coffees and drinks at our disposal night and day and a fully stockied mini-bar that was replenished immediately. The wine selections for dinner and lunch were truly memorable and designed to complement the deliciously prepared meals. I was very impressed by the freshness of the fruit, vegetables and salads - not always the case on many cruises. The included excursions and enrichment activities were first class and I feel they had the connections to get us into some of the best places to visit. For example, our private concert at Palais Lichtenstein in Vienna was just beautiful. Another highlight was attending a performance at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna as well as an evening tour and dinner at Marksburg Castle in the beautiful Rhine Gorge. E-bikes were available for each port and we totally enjoyed touring various cities using them. We often saw Viking Ships docking at the same ports and doing some of the same tours, but I often felt sorry for them as we seemed to have the preferred times and better guides. I don't know how Scenic does it - but they do. My only caveat would be in regard to cabins. Because we did a last minute lower-priced booking, we were only able to book one of the smallest cabins with no balcony. Although the room was very clean and well appointed, for such a lengthy cruise, we wished we had been in one of the larger balcony suites. I wouldn't have minded the small cabin for a five to seven day cruise, but after 15 days I was tired of our small shower and the minimal room in our cabin. But that was a choice we made and of course we saved over $3,000 a person in the process. Just be warned - small cabins are small!!! One final point - our on-board tour director was fabulous. Very organized, clear and well versed about all our destinations. I know that my husband will never sail any other way than all inclusive going forward and we would definitely choose Scenic for our next cruise. Read Less

We loved the length of the trip...18 days. When you have a long flight you want a long itinerary. The staff was friendly and attentive. Most of the excursions were top notch. Staff was constantly at work to make sure everything was as clean as possible. Musicians and dancers who were brought onboard were very talented and we enjoyed them very much. Unfortunately the dance floor is so tiny when there was a disco night you were taking your life in your hands trying to dance. Food was good, dinner was for the most part fine. I thought the choices at the buffet lunch were more interesting but that's just me. Enjoyed the excursions we went on but one. It was to a winery. The guide sent some of us down to the cellars in a large elevator, the rest took a stairs. When we got there the guide and the rest of the group were no where to be seen. We struck out in the dark caverns on our own just trying to get out. We finally made it about 5 minutes before the bus was to leave. So we got no tour nor the wine tasting. Not up to Scenic's usual standards. It was an odd venue. Cruise director Sylvia was very efficient. Read Less

Met at the airport for transport to the ship. Getting to the ship and into our cabin went very smoothly, Cabin was sparking, and we had plenty of room to stow things away. Staff were more than welcoming. We were booked to sail on Crystal, but there was a change of ship earlier due to water levels. Fortunately we had no issues with high or low water and were able to complete the entire voyage on the Jasper. Staff were exemplary - couldn't do enough to make us happy. Bartenders were a little heavy handed with alcohol in the mixed drinks. Food ranged from average to brilliant, however, we never went hungry or thirsty. Range of tours was varied. Some of the "easy walking" tours were an effort for some guests. We were pleased to be traveling with a mostly Australian group. The atmosphere was relaxed and happy, and I believe our traveling companions helped to make it so. We sailed from Amsterdam to Budapest and then went on to Prague. The bus to Prague took 9 hours, however the Cosmopolitan hotel was a delight, and Prague was fun to explore. Read Less

A relative told us about it and asked if we wanted to join him and his wife on the trip. After examining the brochure and and talking to a travel agent about it we decided to go. We were not disappointed. Just about everything we experienced on the trip was wonderful. All the staff were fantastic, including the bus drivers with a special mention for the driver on the overland section through Switzerland and Austria by the name of Milos. By the time we joined the ship in Budapest we had got to know a great many of our fellow passengers. This enhanced the whole experience. The cruise itself was fabulous in all respects. All the staff on the ship were extremely friendly and helpful. There was some doubt initially about whether the water in the Danube was going to be deep enough. However our captain did a sterling job navigating us safely through the waterways. The ports we visited were many and varied with interesting excursions being available at all ports of call. Alternatively you could do your own excursion and wander through the town or village. Read Less

Wowee! What a magical experience. I cruised on the Scenic Jasper from Budapest to Amsterdam leaving 31 July and was blown away by this trip. The combination of friendly relaxed passengers, fun and professional crew, the experience of gliding down the river, the places we visited, the food, the entertainment – everything made it just fabulous. I was taken aback by how difficult it was to leave on our last day. Everything is included in the fare so you don’t have to worry about anything – what a luxury. All the passengers interacted in an open and fun way and I think Scenic are very good at choosing the perfect crew to make the cruise extra special. DJordje (Hotel Manager) is an excellent leader and worked with the passengers, the leadership team and the crew to create a warm and fun vibe. Thankyou Yevgeny (Captain) - who got us through some very shallow water, DJordje, Szilvia (Cruise Director), Istvan (Head Chef) and the entire crew. I wish I was cruising, cruising, cruising! I was asked by a friend to join her on a river cruise with Scenic cruises. This was my first river cruise and we joined the Scenic Jasper at Budapest for a Jewels of Europe 15 day 14 night trip to Amsterdam. We were originally scheduled to be on the Scenic Crystal but were informed a week prior that that we were assigned the Scenic Japser. We arrived from Australia a day prior to our departure and stayed in the Budapest Marriott - the recommended Scenic hotel. The hotel is in a great location on the Pest side and within walking distance of many sights. The hotel room was spacious and had everything you need. A bonus was the fabulous view of the Danube and the sights on the Buda side. The window took up almost the entire wall of the room. Cabin Our cabin was a balcony suite on the Sapphire deck. As we were friends travelling we had a twin bed configuration and had more than enough space. The Scenic ships have the advantage of giving extra room in the cabin – with the flick of switch you have a balcony and sun lounge or extra room in an enclosed cabin This part of the cabin had two chairs and table and there is a black out curtain that comes across to separate this area from the main cabin. I was amazed at how much storage space there was - your case is stored under your bed and there was enough room to have had a side of the wardrobe each plus shelving and drawers. The beds were very comfortable and the bathroom had the best shower. A full length mirror, plus mirrors on the dressing table were enough for us. There is a TV with news channels, current movies and TV programs. We used it primarily to track our progress on the rivers, check Wi-Fi coverage, the daily schedule and to see view from the camera on the front of the ship. There is a mini bar which is refilled every day. I loved our cabin though I didn’t spend much time in it! It was serviced every day by our wonderful crew – thankyou Hari and Agus. The cabin was located toward the back of the ship about 200 steps from the reception area. If you have mobility issues it may be useful to book a cabin closer to the reception area. It was fine for me – it did get my steps up. We had a butler assigned to our cabin who was there to help us with anything! – a luxury. Thank you Marco. We came into contact with the other butlers also so thank you – Katy, Milos and Vlad. I viewed the single cabin which was across from ours and it looks perfectly formed. Half the size of ours but with all the amenities – plenty of room for a single traveller. Friends stayed in a standard suite on the jewel deck. They reported that it was cosy but that this was not a problem as the majority of their time was spent in the public areas and exploring at the various stops. Dining was first class –plentiful, many choices with a few different restaurant/café areas in which to eat. Before dinner the Chef Istvan spoke about the meal and our choices and Darko (RM) took us through the wines that would complement the food. Service in the dining rooms was always excellent – thank you Rade, Carmen, Made, Luka, Laur, Kevin, Costi. During the day and after dinner we gathered in the lounge and bar to chat, dance and view entertainment. Coffee, tea and biscuits were available all day in the lounge as well as sandwiches, sweets and gelato from the café. The bar crew worked tirelessly and nothing was too much trouble for them – thank you Nikolay, Janko, Alin, Nemanja, Wayan. Entertainment – there is a musician on board – thank you Enzo - who provided music in the afternoons and evenings. This was supplemented by other performers coming on board for short concerts. All were excellent from the Zither master, folk dancers, ballet dancers, violinist, duo and more. We had music quiz and a disco night on board – much hilarity ensued. The concert in Vienna was of a very high standard, the show in Salzburg was great and the feast at Marksburg castle was entertaining. Excursions – Szilvia was our Cruise Director - she was funny, approachable, clear in her briefings, organised and this was reflected in the on-shore excursions – from my point of view they ran like clockwork. In many of the places we visited you had a choice of three activities. On two occasions we chose to do our own thing. In Vienna, the ship was moored near the underground station so we travelled in to the centre of Vienna and back. We were also moored next to the underground station in Budapest and chose to use that option. I know of some other passengers hired a car to visit a particular museum in the country side and some others used the e bikes to explore. It is worth thinking about what you want to see in an area because not every excursion may appeal. Scenic supply you with maps and you can use their app to do your own guided tour. Thank you Dalma and Marina for assisting us here. Before our excursion we were given water to take with us and upon our arrival back given a cool towel and cold drink. Thank you Nenad and crew. Highlights: I loved Dürnstein, Bamberg, Vienna, Budapest, Nuremberg, Cologne and Rudesheim the most. I have wonderful memories of sailing through Bratislava, being on the top deck to glide through Frankfurt at 1am on a Sunday morning and waking up to views of palaces and castles. I loved sitting on my favourite couch in the lounge with my coffee or gin and tonic, reviewing the photographs I had taken that day and watching the world glide by. Meeting all of the wonderful people on board was also a highlight. Disembarkation: We got instructions the night before regarding disembarkation. We had breakfast, put our bags out at 8.30am, our taxi arrived at 9am and we were gone – all too soon. Read Less

We were celebrating our honeymoon, the moment we set foot on the ship, we were transported into a world of utter luxury. We were doted upon and treated like royalty. George, the cruise manager, always greeted everyone with a friendly smile and answered all our questions. I am sure he would have also been quick to solve any issues but there were none. He was on top of everything. Everything was done effortlessly, or so it seemed, from my perspective. The staff was friendly, upbeat and Costi our restaurant server made me laugh, a discreet comedian, suggested food and drink, made me a toddy in the evening. He was a true delight. Vlad our attentive and intuitive butler knew or seemed to know what we wanted before we even expressed our thoughts. We was extremely professional and incredibly helpful. The food was stupendous! The chef came around and wanted our feedback. No wonder! The baked goods are to die for. The lamb, wow. The soups yummy. We loved everything about our trip! What a grand adventure. Sylvia the tour organizers took very good care of us. She took great pains to explain and plan the wonderful outings we enjoyed. Our suite was wonderful, ours was the Royal Panorama. It was spacious, kept spotless and generously supplied with anything one could possibly need. Our laundry was taken care of and returned promptly. The salt room felt wonderful after our massage. I could go on, but will stop here before I write a book. I am still suffering from Vlad ( our butler) withdrawal. If you enjoy a phenomenal adventure and want to feel coddled in luxury, then sign up. You will love it! Guaranteed. Read Less

Advertising led expectations that were not fulfilled. 1. Never docked near any major city attraction, 2. Going over and through other boats at dockside was difficult, 3. Long walks to buses which delivered you at great distances from your attraction. 4. Cabins very small. Limited storage space for clothing 5. Staff excellent, very attentive 6. Food spotty at times 7. This would have been an excellent value for money if not for the problems stated above. 9. Cruise director superior and well organized. Having to change from one boat to another in mid cruise was difficult since it necessitated totally packing up and leaving a crew that was starting to work well with the passenger core. This necessitated working with a new ships crew who in spite of efforts to be friendly showed some resentment at the passenger switch. When docked in tandem with any Viking ship, we were not allowed to pass through their lobby. This meant difficulty transferring their ship in order to get on shore. This only occurred with Viking ships. All others allowed us to pass through their lobby. 0ther boat personnel were happy to assist with our transit. Read Less

Our second river cruise and also with Scenic. This time on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel rather that the Danube. We have also done river cruises on the Mississippi, the Amazon and the St Lawrence as well as 20 ocean cruises However although we enjoyed our cruise overall I am not convinced that river cruising in Europe is about style over substance and because of that it was over 6 years since our cruise on the Danube. To start the pre-cruise administration lacks a lot of detail such as when you are going to be in a port/location and how long you will be there which means you can't really organise your visits particularly if there are things you want to see or do in a particular town or stop. Also information on all tours is not available until aboard ship. Yes tours may be included and a highlight of your itinerary but I like to plan my shore time. On board service is mixed with some very helpful and efficient staff with others just doing a job albeit diligently. It was most annoying to find that on our last full day the complimentary ironing service was not available and that bath robes had been removed - presumably to prepare for the next cruise - and without any notice. After all we had paid for the full cruise! The Jasper has three restaurants/cafes and a fourth if you count Table la Rive (only available by invitation) but the food is of variable quality and quantity. The evening a la carte menu had some of the smallest plate portions I have ever seen - mushroom tempura being one small mushroom on a bed of puree!? The food could also be warmer and there are no choices of side vegetables although there are some standard off-menu items available. Portobellos is an Italian restaurant available to all but is more theatre than culinary with the waiters all claiming to be from Italy and the food being pretty standard Italian fayre. White and Rose wines in the restaurants are not always cold enough. As wine is served throughout the restaurant by the glass the bottles are not returned to the fridge/ice bucket while waiting for someone else to request that wine. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style and here again the food could be warmer. Until I complained the plates were also cold although plate warmers were available but not switched on. At breakfast there was only one egg/omelette station sometimes resulting in long queues although the chef was very efficient and kept calm under pressure. Entertainment on board is low key with a permanent singer/keyboard player most nights supplemented by guest performers, sometimes if cruising during the afternoon. Unfortunately our musician, Enzo, was very poor. The guest Irish folk singer(Norman?) was very good and the crew band were also good. Tours were reasonable with app hearing devices which were good but sometime the guides were not very informative other than of what they wished to talk about e.g. no mention of free town tour trains or other city highlights. Also we visited Strasbourg on a Sunday when just about everything was closed yet we were taken ashore at 8.30am. The actual guided tour lasted just over 1 hour and we were then left 2 hours free time in a deserted Strasbourg. To be balanced there are however a number of good aspects: spacious (unlike standard suites) Junior Suites with Scenic Sun Lounge, free mini-bar, butler service, leisurely cruising, ship berthing close to most city centres. Also the tours app could be used along the river to point out and narrate points of interest. Darinka our Cruise Director was always available and tried to be helpful but she did seem to treat us as schoolchildren and tended to use 10 words when one would do. The cruise along the Rhine was interesting but apart from the section of the gorge where all the castles are it is not overall as scenic as the Danube. In conclusion although Scenic and other river cruise lines claim to provide 5* luxury and gourmet dining with flexible itineraries that give you the freedom to pick and choose how you spend your time ashore I remain unconvinced and don't think they live up to those claims. Read Less

We had friends recommend this Scenic Cruise after their experience on board last year. They were so right, it was a wonderful experience. We had never been on a river cruise, being very independent travelers, but Scenic was a perfect fit for us. You could choose any of the offered excursions, or adventure on your own using their e-bikes. Every excursion left exactly at the time stated, and returned to the boat at the precise time scheduled. The local guides were knowledgeable and added much local flavor to the tours. We can not compliment the ship's staff enough! They worked together beautifully, always with smiles, truly wanting to make the trip memorable for you. The cabins were very well appointed, perfectly designed to maximize the space, with quality amenities. The meals were delicious with many choices, and beautifully served. Be sure not to miss the sorbet dessert! I think the camaraderie of the crew carried through to the guests. Everyone was so congenial and welcoming to each other. Conversation flowed easily amongst the passengers who were mainly Canadians, Brits, Aussies and Kiwis, with a few Americans as well. The shore excursions were excellent, onboard entertainment was very good, and a highlight was the evening a Palace was opened for the guests to explore and then attend a private concert! We arrived home and began looking at the Scenic catalog for another trip! Read Less

Due to a lock closure, we were transferred from Jasper to Ruby from a deluxe balcony suite to a balcony suite. We found a cheque from Scenic on our return home without a covering letter and were disappointed with the amount since it was far smaller than the one received from Emerald (this was for a much smaller inconvenience caused by low water levels in 2015). The suite on the Jasper was very nice except for a tiny basin which made it difficult to shave without bumping into the shelf above the basin. The basin on the Ruby was far better in size. On this trip the gentle walkers should have been assigned to a coach before leaving the ship rather than trying to find the right group when all the coaches arrived at their destination on shore. At least one tour guide was unsympathetic to the "gentle" group and was more concerned in covering her tour at a normal pace. We hoped to see the horses in action at the Spanish riding school in Vienna but nobody told us the horses rest on Mondays even though we booked this option months ahead!! Other than the above, the excursions were very interesting, entertainment on board was very good (except for the pair from Vienna who did not perform much Viennese songs). The waltz lesson and the Sound of Music features were particularly very good. Great care was taken with respect to our diet which included a daily printout of what is allowed from the menu. In both ships, the cabin crew were first class. Disembarkation was very well organised. It would be better to include port charges in the price of a tour rather than be surprised at the time of booking about the extra cost. Read Less

A year ago we'd never heard of Scenic and were comparing many cruise offerings for May of 2019. Fortunately my travel advisor suggested considering Scenic along with many other cruise companies I was comparing. Hands down, this cruise never disappointed and was superb! We had invited first-time river cruiser friends to join us (with some trepidation as we'd never been on a Scenic cruise). They were quite impressed as were we. Compared to our previous two river cruises, Scenic was an exceptional experience! Our stateroom was beautiful with spaciously creative designs. Personnel were friendly and professional. All excursions were well thought out and very enjoyable. Food was very good - not gourmet, but regionally representative, delicious and beautifully presented. Being an all-inclusive river cruise took most of the guest work out of this trip. The weather was spectacular and I truly cannot believe any Rhine River cruise could have delivered more than the sights and experiences we had. Next year we'd like to enjoy a Seine River/Normandy cruise and with what we now know Scenic will be our go-to company for river cruises from this time forward! Read Less

We were invited by some friends to join a group that was planning to cruise the Rhine River from Zurich to Amsterdam, so we decided to go. Our travel agent booked us on the Scenic Jasper with the rest of the group. From the moment we stepped on board on 5/8 until we got off the ship, it was a truly wonderful time. Our cabin was spacious and well designed, and it was kept spotlessly clean and supplied by the housekeeping staff. The ship itself was in immaculate condition, and the lounges and dining areas were extremely clean and comfortable. The staff, starting with the tour director, Tadej, and our assigned butler, Marko, all the way through the wait staff, bartenders, chef and kitchen crew. maintenance staff, and every other staff member, were all extremely personable and attentive to the needs of the guests. We were made to feel most welcome on board and valued as customers. The activities that were planned were interesting and informative, and were well planned and organized. There were several evening during which local entertainment was brought on board, and those occasions were thoroughly enjoyed. One night we were bussed to a concert hall at which we were entertained by two highly talented opera singers and a classically trained pianist. It was a very moving experience. The food and beverages on board were simply outstanding. Each night before dinner was served, Chef Bogdan came out and addressed the passengers with a preview of the meal; the wine steward described for us the wine and food pairings; and Cruise Director Tadej informed us of the next day's ship movements, available activities and individual options. The staff's attentiveness to the wants and needs of the passengers was impressive. My wife and I completely and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and we are already planning to take another cruise with Scenic. And we are going to recruit another circle of friends and relatives to join us. When we left the ship for the last time, it was a difficult moment because we had been embraced so well by the staff and now we had to leave them. We will be back! Read Less

We booked this late April trip because it coincided with tulip season in Amsterdam's Keukenhof Gardens and because we had wanted to see the Moselle River valley. Even in April, this river cruise was very pleasant even though it wasn't grape harvesting time. The weather was quite nice (around 9-14C degrees), with no rain while sightseeing. Deciduous trees had leafed out and grape vines were just starting to show leaf growth. At this time of year, there was no issue about water levels, so common a post on this website. We are repeat customers of Scenic so we knew how wonderful the ship, the food, the crew, and the excursions would be. We were not disappointed. The itinerary on this 15 day Moselle River also had ports of call that were different from the Rhine River cruises and were of interest to us especially excursions to medieval Bruges, Holland's Delta Works Project, Zollverein coal plant, Roman Trier, and WWII site in Arnhem (Bridge too Far). A special evening outing is always included and on this trip it was to attend a concert at Rastatt Palace and to see some of its rooms. Another reason we return to Scenic river cruises is that there are no additional costs after one has paid the cost of the cruise like tips for crew and guides, cost of cocktails and specialty coffees, and excursions. We also find that even when airfare is included and arranged by Scenic, the company works with its customer to provide a flight they are happy with - time of flight, airline, and any deviations wanted at no additional costs. Scenic's documentation provided to customers is excellent from invoices to trip overview packages. We also like the number of discounts that can be used against the cost of the cruise like the $200 credit voucher per person received right after the trip and vouchers for attending information sessions. CABIN REVIEW: We had a regular balcony cabin, mid-ship, top level. The room was quiet at night. I liked that the window could be opened for fresh air as I am not a fan of air conditioning. The room has lots of room for storing personal belongings. We like the extra sitting room that the balcony provides as the glass fold-up doors are rarely closed. The 2 mesh chairs on the balcony are just fine for sitting on and look smart too. The tiled shower is spacious with a rain shower head and detachable shower head, and a retractable clothes line, but the size of the sink in the bathroom limits hand washing to delicates. Although there is no coin laundry onboard, the ship does provide laundry service - paid per item, but also 1 kg bag of clothes for free one time only. The bed and feather pillows are comfortable. We store the suitcase under the bed as it is high enough off the floor. Cabin stewards come in the morning and during suppertime to tidy up. A butler is assigned to each cabin whose duties include some ironing of clothes, polishing shoes, bringing room service meals/drinks. I enjoy having a computer supplied by the company in my room with acceptable WIFI. This computer also provides TV programs, movies, music, the day's program on it. The room includes the use of a terry robe and slippers per person. There is a large umbrella in the cabin plus walking/hiking sticks. Wine glasses, drinking glasses, ice bucket, of course, are at hand as well. The room has electrical outlets for both American appliances and for other outlets that need the 2 pronged round adapters. There were sufficient outlets for all of our handhelds We will continue to be repeat Scenic customers. We have another trip planned - Moscow to Stalingrad for next year. Future travelers should be aware that Springtime has its colds so bring your favorite cold medication along. Read Less

I am a travel agent. I knew they were great but honestly they were even better than I expected. Their service was fabulous. The staff is above and beyond and constantly outdid themselves. Scenic left no stone un-turned. The wine selection was excellent, the food was excellent and the cabin was super comfortable. Two weeks went by in a flash. The wait staff in the lounge and in the dining room were always smiling, always willing to please and very friendly. We especially were impressed with Dejan in the dining room and Richy and Cynthia. Nemanja was a great waiter in the lounge. Marko was our butler and sooo good. Marina, the assistant hotel manager knew our name on day 2 and always addressed us as such. Giovanni was a treat- so efficient-so charming. The excursions were fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed meeting people from all over Australia, Canada and the UK.. I really hope we get another opportunity to do this again. It was an amazing experience. Read Less

Exceptional service, the best we've ever had, and we've been on over 20 cruises. Nothing was too much trouble for any of the crew. The cruise director insisted on carrying the 2 cups of tea i was taking to my cabin, even though she had just come back from a hike with other guests, and still had her coat and bag on. The hotel manager was everywhere, greeting guests, assisting crew, assisting chef, always there. The crew were clearly happy to be there. Attention to detail was incredible. People with gluten allergies didn't need to ask for anything. They had different freshly made gluten free bread provided to them each meal without asking, and recommendations made to them at meal time. The food was fabulous, with interesting local dishes added to the menus. Any type of drink you desired all day long, and nothing measured if you wanted free poured. There were quality wines, something I was concerned about, since it said local wines, and were were travelling through Germany, and I drink red. Really good selection of reds from all over Europe. My husband likes single malt scotch, and there were at least 3 good quality ones, not just the gold/blue label and blends offered on most ships. Outstanding entertainment and shore excursions. Everything was first class, nothing was second rate. Everything was included. The only trip we picked that we weren't fond of was the Loisium wine tour we picked. It was a little Disney'ish, and the wine tasting wasn't up to much. The views along the river were wonderful, as were the lovely ports were stopped in. We stayed in an river view cabin, on the lowest deck. The room was very small, so not really comfortable to spend a lot of time in. The lounge made up for this. It was the living room of the ship, and very comfortable to sit in to read, chat with other guests, etc. The ship itself was lovely. Crew were always cleaning, painting, up keeping all the time. Read Less

We choose this particular trip for three reasons. First, we specifically wanted a Christmas market trip in Germany. The itinerary and length of trip matched exactly what we had in mind. Second, when looking at various trips the partnership between Scenic and National Geographic had strong appeal for us. Finally, in reviewing the Scenic Cruise line, their amenities and full service approach it all added up to booking with them. Once the initial booking was made it could not have been any more organized and easier. Every detail was captured and managed by Scenic. We chose to make our own airline arrangements but once made they added it to our itinerary and took care of connections from airport to hotel, hotel to ship and back again. It was as close to having private trip planner managing all the details as it could get. One month before we were to sail, we received detailed instructions and recommendations at our home. Once we boarded the plane to travel to Germany, Scenic really took care of everything after that. Arriving at the ship, the embarkation was smooth and fast. It could not have taken more than five minutes to check in and be escorted to our room. Their the staff assigned to us went over all the details of the room, what was available to us and how to contact them. The ship was modern, build in 2015, and immaculately clean. It remained that way throughout the trip. Our junior balcony suite was spacious and comfortable. We had plenty of room for our clothes and to spread out, including a glass lined balcony. The first evening and every evening after that the cruise director went over details for the next days itinerary and options. Each stop had several choices for guests to take advantage of ranging from fully guided tour to complete free time. Everything was completely organized and clear. After that talk, in the evening, a summary of what was said was placed in our room to help us remember. Also, there were countless staff available to answer any questions and help with any issue. On board each day were culturally related entertainment that were tied to the area we were in. Each offering was of high quality and enjoyable. In addition, two National Geographic experts on board gave presentations on the cruise that also were tied to the trip and region. They also accompanied us on our shore excursions and were available for any discussion. Shore entertainment excursions were also of the highest quality in wonderful settings. An example would be a private concert in a palace in Vienna that included an orchestra, opera and waltz. Really breathtaking. All shore excursions whether entertainment or informational were well organized with simple instructions. If informational local guides were well prepared, professional and highly informative. Food and drink on board were excellent and plentiful. As with the trip, we could have as much or as little as we wanted. Always great quality, the chef and other staff were also readily available for us to discuss the menu and quality. If we wanted special orders they were fulfilled with no problem. This was an excellent cruise from start to finish. Professional crew, focused on us having a great time really brought it all together. We would definitely recommend this trip and use Scenic again... Outstanding. Read Less

Joined friends on a Christmas Market River Cruise. We had booked two nights pre cruise and two nights post cruise in local hotels.Three days before we left home, Scenic changed our hotel from a 5 Star to a 3.5 star hotel. the business office insisted that this was considered an upgrade for us. The two nights were over $650. USD Embarkation as well as disembarkation were very smooth. The cruise director, Richard Gray, could not have been more accommodating. The ship is Lovely, and the cabin adequate.The service level is very high. All the staff were top notch. As there are drought conditions in Europe, the River levels can be an issue. We were prepared pre-cruise, that there could be an alternate itinerary. As it turned out this cruise was the first all season,to make the entire cruise on the river. There is much hype about their special pillows. Problem was that they ran out of the special down pillows on the first day. There is also much hype with regards to the cuisine. They should tone that down a bit. The buffets are good. Much selection for breakfast and lunch. You also have an option of ordering of a "special menu". Menu items were not freshly prepared. In general there is an issue of cold food. If there is a special menu offering Eggs Benedict, it is a reasonable expectation that the dish will be freshly prepared. That was not the case. The eggs were cold and overcooked. The food needs help. Read Less

Wanted to cruise from Budapest to Neuremberg on the Danube. We spent more time on a coach than on the river. In fact we only 'cruised' for 4/5 hours in daylight during the whole 7 days. Please check carefully water levels before you book. We were not advised of any problems until less than 24 hours before departure. We would have expected to be contacted and offered the possibility of cancellation due to the circumstances. Fortunately for us the weather was great and we were able to make good use of the electric bicycles that were available. This enabled us to see some of the countryside along the river. Shuttle bus services were put on which we used to visit local towns. Instead of sitting on a coach for up to 3/4 hours. Remember if you book a balcony suite you could be docked for hours/dayd looking into someone else's balcony on another cruise boat. Talking to other passengers who had cruised with National Geographic before, this partnership left a lot to be desired. Their representatives were very pleasant though. Be very wary if you have an intolerance or allergy to certain foods. My experience was difficult to say the least. Read Less

We chose this cruise line because rated as a "luxury all inclusive" line. Just prior to leaving, we read on Cruise Critic that our ship (the Jasper) was not in position for our cruise. We then called Scenic who confirmed that indeed we would not be on the Jasper (built 2015/2016) but rather on the Crystal (built 2012). We were on this ship for only two nights before we were told we would have to repack to transfer to the Ruby (built 2009). The staff on the Crystal must have known we were only going to be with them for 2 days because they seemed disinterested. The cabins on both these ships were smaller than what we paid for on the newer Jasper. There was also no pool on either ship unlike the Jasper. We have been on 23 ocean cruises with numerous cruise lines and have always found the food satisfactory; this is the FIRST time we have been disappointed with the quality and variety of the food! However, the service on the Ruby exceeded what we experienced on most of our ocean cruises. We understand that low water levels can't be controlled, and we were happy that we didn't get bused from town to town, at no time did anyone from Scenic offer a rebate given we had paid a higher price for booking on the Jasper. Given our experience mentioned above as well as some other minor issues, we will not book another river cruise. Read Less

An acquaintance recommended Scenic to me. We chose the Danube cruise with the Prague extension. Our first problem was arriving at Frankfurt airport: there was a holiday in Germany and as a result three long delays to get to our gate, so we missed our flight. Then Prague was unseasonably cold and many of us were not dressed for it. We had many upsides in Prague. The breakfast buffet was really excellent at the Marriot and the tour guide gave us insight into Czech culture given the Hapsburgs, Hitler, and Soviet invasion and domination. Due to low water levels, we were bussed from Prague to Passau, rather than to Regensburg and at the end of the cruise, we had to be bussed to Budapest, instead of cruising. We covered less than 30% of the river than planned! Scenic are compensating many of the passengers with a small refund. The itinerary changed very little from the plan: we had less time in Budapest, a stunning city, and we had the added option of exploring Passau, a very beautiful town. Regensburg was also very interesting. I was disappointed by the tours of Melk Abbey, Saltzburg and Vienna. The concert at Vienna was excellent. Mostly we cruised during the night but we did see the Wachau Valley which is truly beautiful. The breakfast and lunch buffets were excellent, while a la carte dinners were a bit mixed. When we eat at other locations it was also mixed. On the whole, I think Scenic staff did the best they could to entertain us and provide a 5 star experience. The meals on the boat and otherwise need some tweaking, and they now seem to be warning customers about low water levels in advance. Read Less