Scenic Crystal Review

4.5 / 5.0
88 reviews
See all photos
Editor Rating
4.5
Very Good
Overall
Erica Silverstein
Contributor

Scenic Crystal, launched in 2012, is one of Scenic's popular “space ships.” If you're an American, you might wonder why you've never heard of this luxury river line. It's because its Australian parent company has not marketed to Americans until recently. European menu (items like fish and muesli at breakfast and a wide selection of cheese offered at every meal, for example).

Now a staple of Scenic's stable, the “space ship” class nods to a design that offers plentiful public and cabin space – among the highest passenger space ratio in the industry. Standout features include the "Sun Lounge" balconies, which simultaneously make cabins feel large and airy and make the balcony space usable in fair and inclement weather; multiple dining options teased out of just two main public areas (the restaurant and the lounge); and a spa and fitness center -- small but certainly not standard on all river ships.

And the luxurious amenities can't be overlooked: Scenic is one of the most all-inclusive river lines. All meals, all drinks (minus the highest-end liquors and French Champagne), excursions, Internet and butler service in all cabins are included in the fare.

No detail is too small to be carefully considered, from a gorgeous selection of loose-leaf teas in the lounge to combination television-Mac computers with Internet in every cabin. The glassed-in showers might be the largest we've ever had in a standard balcony cabin, and you can lather up in L'Occitane shampoos and lotions before drying off in fluffy bathrobes. Even the included excursions go beyond the river cruise staples with your choice of walking, biking or museum tours in every port. Plus Scenic's exclusive GPS devices allow for independent exploration with a virtual guide and map, as well as narration during scenic cruising portions of the trip.

If there's a lot about Scenic that pleases, one downside on our trip was the quality of service. We were surprised at how many glitches there were. Our butler never introduced herself while the butler for the cabin across the hall was checking in on my neighbor daily. The waitstaff couldn't handle simple requests (no prosciutto on my antipasto or an off-the-menu request for morning oatmeal); The ship's state-of-the-art electrically assisted bicycles kept getting flat tires or running out of battery power; and we never managed to get the TV or Internet working in our cabin.

Because Scenic Crystal is not an American ship; you'll find lengthy itineraries (15-day sailings can be common) catering to Australian travel styles, European and Australian power points, and a more European menu (items like fish and muesli at breakfast and a wide selection of cheese offered at every meal, for example). But if you're looking for an upscale, all-inclusive river experience, Scenic Crystal is definitely worth checking out.

About

Passengers: 167
Crew: 50
Passenger to Crew: 3.34:1
Launched: 2012
Shore Excursions: 91

Sails To

Fellow Passengers

Scenic historically has attracted Australians and Brits, but a growing number of Americans, Canadians and Germans are coming aboard. Passengers are typically aged 50 to 80, well traveled and financially comfortable. Passengers also tend to be fairly active; while Scenic Crystal does have an elevator, the focus on walking tours along cobblestoned streets in European towns means the tours aren't so suitable for wheelchair-bound or travelers with significant mobility issues.

Scenic Crystal Dress Code

Dress is casual during the day (bring sturdy, comfortable shoes for all the walking tours) and smart casual at night. Ladies would wear dressy pants outfits, skirts or dresses, while men donned nice slacks and button-down shirts (jackets optional). People dolled up a bit more for the Captain's Welcome and Farewell dinners or for dining at specialty venues Portobellos and Table La Rive.

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More about Scenic Crystal

Where does Scenic Crystal sail from?

Scenic Crystal departs from Amsterdam, Budapest, Prague, and Paris

How much does it cost to go on Scenic Crystal?

Cruises on Scenic Crystal start from $4,757 per person.
Scenic Crystal Cruiser Reviews

Beautiful sail up the Danube, Main and Rhine

Due to high water levels we started our cruise on the Scenic Ruby from Budapest. We joined the Scenic Crystal in Rudesheim. We we were therefore able to compare the two ships.Read More
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Sandebr

many10+ Cruises

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All inclusive river cruise on a budget

If you read other positive reviews about the Crystal, I won't add any more to the praises.Read More
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many10+ Cruises

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Scenic Cruise on the Moselle

The scenery along the Moselle was spectacular and Scenic Crystal made our experience most enjoyable.Read More
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CCCameron2023

couple2-5 Cruises

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Scenic not up to the standard expected

023 Scenic Cruise from Basel to Amsterdam DEPARTURE DATE 25/9/2023 COMMENTS.Read More
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