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Scenic Amber Review

-- / 5.0
Editor Rating
158 reviews

First Class Price Premium Economy Experience

Review for Europe River Cruise on Scenic Amber
flviking
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Apr 2023
Cabin:

Scenic definitely over promises and under delivers. On the web site for our cabin class they offer among other things a EUR200 OBC. They offer private transfers in Europe. Note, actual terms and conditions ARE NOT available until months after a $2000 non refundable deposit is required. The much later fine print restricts the OBC to spa services only. It was booked up after day two. The same late fine print provides private transfers only between the airport and the ship only on the days the cruise begins or ends. Scenic was inflexible about us arriving early or providing a transfer from our hotel. Then Scenic “forgot” to book our transfer from the ship to the airport. The cruise director was not empowered to make a booking. At 0900 departure day we were finally told a transfer was arranged. We were provided a cramped taxi which did not fit two airline size suitcases and two backpack so we ended up with the backpacks on our laps for the ride. The taxi reeked of smoke. We couldn’t open the windows as it was 42 degrees. So my DW had an asthma flare up during the ride. Our ride was shortened somewhat as the driver went through three stop signs. Not a slowdown rolling stop. Just straight through. Our USD14,000/week Royal Panorama Suite was a great location and view though the floor plan for the ship showed it as two rooms. Nope, one single room with the bed rotated 180 from the web depiction. The Heat and a/c never worked. After wasting two days with ship staff playing with the thermostat and telling us we need to be patient to let the temperature adjust it was clear it doesn’t work and nothing would be done. To be fair the ship staff were generally kind and attentive. It appears they work under great restrictions. For example, they only offer one white and one red at meals. I do not care for Zinfandel. I requested a wine list to select another wine. I was told they don’t have a wine list. So we were off on an Easter egg hunt to find a red wine I was permitted to have. On an “all inclusive” sailing. Our butler was wonderful. He worked extremely hard as he had probably 20 or more cabins. And he served meals in Portobello and in Table le Rive. And he handled luggage for departure so no room service breakfast last morning. And he folded napkins, set tables, etc, etc. The shore excursions were top notch as were the busses and drivers. Except the local tour guide in Salzburg who decided she would leave the meeting place 15 minutes early as rain was imminent. Thankfully another guide told us how to get to the bus. We are determining if we will book Scenic again with much lower expectations. We liked the room with rear and side views. The staff were very good within their constraints. Tours were very good. Food was good but IMO does not match up with Celebrity Luminae. We just will have to accept paying twice for certain services which in the grand scheme of things are small dollars but surely an annoyance. So many reviews we’ve read state Scenic corporate is terrible but on board staff are very good. That was surely our experience.

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First visit. Amazing sights to be seen. Friendly people

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