Scenic can always be relied on to provide excellence in all areas. The crew were friendly and knowledgeable, their service was great throughout. Our cabin (205) was comfortable, clean and well looked after and the balcony was an asset. The itinerary was based around Bordeaux and we cruised the Garonne, Gironde and Dordoigne visiting many chateaux and tasting many wines. The guides were fantastic especially Marie who really knows her history. All the crew were good but some deserve a special mention; Tamara, Marina and Daisy kept us well supplied with food and drink and the two Daniels and Ricardo and Teodor made sure no glass or plate was left empty. Marieta our cabin steward kept us clean and tidy and our butler Armin although not overworked was there when we needed him. The food was well cooked and presented and Tania the Cruise Director was everywhere making sure that all the guests knew what was happening, where and when. Read Less

We love the mediterainan coast, Portugal to Salamanca Spain fabulous , The Portuguese staff highly trained lovely calm people, all down to the Hotel Manager Joao Paula Oliveira. we felt comfortable from getting on and getting off at the end of the tour, the cruise down the river Duro was green and calming with houses dotted amongst the hills , you could do as much or as little as you wished at each place they anchored. The director Of touring staff Carla you felt you had know for years, and anyone of the staff who took you on tours was knowledgeable and looked after each person and answered all questions. We have learned more about Portugal and there history than I ever could imagine. and I am so grateful for that . Not forgetting all the other staff who are there to make your cruise a happy relaxing time, Butlers, Bar staff, Cabin attendants , Managers of dinning rooms, Chefs, Waiters, cleaners. plus all above and below deck, most important of course the Captain , not forgetting the evening entertainment . None of our 1st. Time experience would have been so good but for all those people pulling together. All we did was enjoy each and every moment of it and let them guide us to what we could achieve to make this our cruise. not knowing how hard they must have worked together to make such a lovely cruise. Thank you scenic Azure.x Read Less

My husband was drawn to the cruise because his college alumni was a sponsor and we were happy to learn that many other college alumni groups were aboard, all of which were very interesting to talk to and we very much enjoyed meeting new people. We enjoyed the fact that there were only a little over 150 people on the cruise, which made it much more enjoyable to us than the larger cruise ships of 2000 or more people on board. While we enjoyed the variety of shore excursions offered, some of the descriptions were not clear enough to address the time and distance involved requiring a coach ride to get to the destination. Also, several of the older people on board required canes or walkers and had difficulty navigating the uneven cobblestone streets, long walks from the ship to the coach and I felt they should have been advised of the difficulties they would have beforehand so they could have made another choice or just stayed on board. Dining was excellent; ALL crew members were well spoken, efficient and pleasant to be around at all times. Our cruise director, Andrea, was wonderful; competent, efficient, friendly and outgoing and and excellent cruise director. We will definitely go on another river cruise and hope to find one in the USA to see more of our own country! A. Piland Read Less

Having cruised the Rhine also with Scenic, we needed another holiday where we would also be spoilt, and so we decided to go with them on the river Seine, visiting WW1 and 2 battlefields, and many other interesting historical places. The crew of the Gem are brilliant, and there is honestly nothing bad that can be said about them, they are attentive, dedicated staff who will do anything for you. Lots of great wine and cheese to be tasted. Watch your waistline on this cruise, as France is famous for it food, and the Gem's chefs are brilliant, and produce some absolutely great meals, and of course if you don't like what's on the menus they will make you anything. Once your on-board put your wallet and CC's in the safe, you will not need them. Everything on this cruise was included, including alcoholic drinks, and by the way there is a massive range of cocktails, which can be skippered or slurped on the upper deck in a light breeze as you sail down the river. Scenic Gem can get into harbours other cruise ships can not visit, so you are alone sometimes whilst docked, brilliant! Try this you will not be disappointed, but you will be spoilt. Read Less

I did explore Paris before embarkation. Saw all the local attractions and enjoyed the local restaurants. Did not like having people smoking in restaurants, hopefully this will be addressed in the near future. Welcome dinner was lovely with the beautiful city as a backdrop. . Dining experience was very good. Entertainment was good and enjoyed Chef’s cooking experience. Service was excellent. Some of the ports were littered with rubbish but that was not Scenic’s problem, local authorities should look into this problem. Shore excursions were very good , except the day of the Somme Battlefields excursion, the restaurant that day was not up to standard, food was terrible and were not offered anything other than the local cheap red wine. Embarkation and disembarkation went very smoothly, thanks to the Cruise Director. Cabin was clean and very comfortable , servicing the cabin was prompt , with friendly service by staff. All in all, a very enjoyable cruise and I would highly recommend this trip. Read Less

This cruise was from Basel to Amsterdam. Unfortunately, a Viking ship had hit a lock and the Opal had to end the previous journey in Strasbourg, so that is where we caught the ship. Emails were immediately sent to inform us that our pick up and transfers would happen as planned only we would be driving to Strasbourg from Zurich and not Basel. Once on the ship we were escorted to our room. Within 30 minutes I was invited to go talk to the chef about my allergies. All week I received menus in the morning for lunch and dinner where I could select my food and they would prepare it for me without my triggers (peppers). On a tour of the galley I saw my picture on the wall with a not about the allergy and to watch if I sat in their area. All the waitstaff was aware at every meal and let me know it. I have never had that kind of treatment on any other cruise. The excursions were varied in terms of interest, length and physical difficulty. Bikes were available for those daring to ride them. Night time entertainment was very good. The Cruise Director, Yvonne, was beyond helpful and professional. There was not one staff person who spoke anything but English when guests were around and all were obviously helping each other get work done if they had free time. The cleanliness was outstanding not just in our cabin but all over the ship. Our private transfer at the end to the Amsterdam airport was a Mercedes Benz limo- we were expecting a taxi. The whole cruise far exceeded our expectations. Read Less

Had been on Ama (wonderful), Uniworld (good) and wanted to try Scenic. Also wanted Danube cruise that went to Salzburg. The service was excellent, room kept very clean, and excursions good. Wine far better than we were expecting but food was a disappointment. Beate, the cruise director went out of her way to help everyone but she was leaving at the end of our cruise for a private job opportunity. Some of the excursions groups were too big and they should have hired another guide or 2 to keep the groups smaller. The new system for the headset didn’t work well all the time, but that was due to too large groups. The biggest disappointment was the food. Breakfast was a 10 but lunch and dinner fell short. Sometimes the food was lukewarm. The veal schnitzel was almost inedible. There were no wow factors. The salmon and tenderloin that you could always order were under seasoned. The gala night had Canadian lobster tail and beef Wellington and it was very good. Then the closing night was turkey. The turkey was good but it doesn’t seem like a luxury dinner on the last night of a luxury cruise. They could Improve by doing a grill on deck with bratwurst and cheeseburgers! Soups were generally pretty good. Desserts were average except for ice cream. We are excellent home cooks so food is very important to us. I will stick with Ama for future cruises. Or try Crystal. But Scenic and Uniworld are out. If you are a foodie, go with Ama. I’ve attached pictures of menus and wine lists and daily plans. I wish I could have received this information in advance so hope it helps others. Mark, the musician, was excellent. The dancers were ok. The concert in Vienna was very nice. Portobellos had excellent appetizers and desserts but mediocre entree. Have to submit photos separately because they don’t attach from an iPad. Read Less

We went to one of their presentations here in Victoria and what they said sounded really good. Both my husband and I wanted to experience a five star experience on a smaller cruise ship going down the rivers from Amsterdam to Budapest. The food was mediocre!! We sent a steak back to the kitchen, it was cold inside and slightly charred on the outside with a frozen glob of butter on top. If the steak was hot the butter would have melted. Also I have a mushroom allergy, of which they were informed of and they didn't always remember to inform me of the menu for the lunch and dinner. I found out by chance on one occasion that mushrooms were in the dinner menu because I was in the entertainment room when the chef announced what he was cooking that evening and that mushrooms were in the food that evening. I was very upset that I was not informed and could have had a very bad reaction and hospitalized had I injected the uninformed ingredients. For the money put out, honestly we would have been better off with a cheaper carrier where the company doesn't portray itself as five star but gives you this kind of service. Also the entertainment was a joke, truly, a joke. First of all there was little of it and our evening entertainment was someone that as long as he didn't sing we could listen to the music, which was not that impressive. The few days that entertainment was brought on the ship only two were good the rest was not acceptable in the least. The daily excursions were excellent, the tour guides, buses, sites, amazing. You have to remember that was off the ship. The scenery was really great. The Captain was very good at his job as was Darinka, our tour director, made sure we were aware of the daily schedule and was herself very entertaining. The crew in general were excellent and wanting to please at every moment. In summary, we have had a much better experience with a standard (or even economy) cruise line. Scenic was not good value for the money. 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

Trip of a lifetime. And it was made possible by the world class service of Scenic From the moment we were greeted by our chauffer at the airport in Zurich and driven by Mercedes to our hotel. To our butler service and comfortable cabin. To the unlimited beverages available 24 hrs between the lounge service and our mini bar. To the evening entertainment. To the white linen table service in the dining room as well as the snacks in the cafe. To the wide variety and choices of daily tours. To the tour device available on the ship and land for site discoveries. To the farewell dinner of lobster and the serenade by all the staff in the lounge. To the bus trip to the airport going home and being escorted to the proper airline desk. And it really was all inclusive!!! Kudos to Scenic. A wonderful memory to cherish. Read Less

After spending 3 days exploring Siem Reap, the second larges city in Cambodia, we joint the Scenic Spirit for what I can only describe as a wonderful experience. Our first time on a river cruise did not disappoint. The choice of excursions was wide and there was one to suit everyone. As we sailed down the Mekong river from Cambodia to Vietnam we experience 5-star service on the ship. The food was excellent, you had your own private butler who looked after you every need. We met wonderful new friends and the ship was truly luxurious. The trip finished with 2 days in Saigon, Vietnam, again with many excursion options. The highlight for was was the Vespa foodie ride through the mad streets of Saigon as well as a Gala Dinner at a beautiful temple ruins in Cambodia. We recommend anyone who is looking for adventure combined with luxury to take this trip. 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

This is our third Scenic Cruise both previous ones were in Asia and were outstanding in ALL RESPECTS. We were a little taken aback atvthe sizebof alm the ships on the Danube as ours and all others seemed to have over 150 passengers which to me was like a cruise line with 4000 plus passengers! Having said that the organisation of the cruise was outstanding and our every wish was accommodated! It was hard to understand why do few cruises go through to the Black Sea as the further north we went the demands of more and more tours became apparent and quality deteriorated! And we travelled in April! The staff in our ship were equivalent to the outstanding crew we had experienced in Myanmar and The Mekong! Our butler service by ATI and Stat made the journey so much more enjoyable and they are to be commended similarly the joviality of the senior butler Chris was appreciated by all! The Cruise Director was happy to meet our needs as because of a disability I cannot walk far and we had all our requests accommodated! The cruise on the Danube was relaxing and enjoyable the countries visited were historically interesting and we enjoyed the experience! I would not want to further up and suffer the issues of overwhelming Numbers! Each passenger has their own expectations we had ours met by the splendour of the Riger and countries the absolute attention to detail by our Bali butler ATI and the help of our support butler from Serbia Stat who was a source of great local information to us! Thank you staff we enjoyed The first night at The Marriot in Bucharest is best forgotten and the company should look for a better venue! Read Less

Recommended by friends this cruise did not disappoint. Great activities, who could not be impressed by Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon Temple.Scenic pay particular attention to the finer detail, arranging trips not experienced by other cruises in particular the themed gala dinner at an Angkor temple where we were entertained by Apsara dancers, and Wat Hanchey where we had the opportunity to talk to a novice monk. Their enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides ensure you are informed in terms of the history but also relate personal and family experiences that really give everything a context. The ships facilities are superb, cabins offering plenty of space, light and storage, food that challenges the senses, with wine/beer constantly on tap. The onboard staff are the icing on the cake they are attentive, and display genuine enjoyment at ensuring you are having a good time. All of this is packaged with a social consciousness that you do not often experience. It was great to feel that some of the money from this cruise was going directly to local communities. This was not gifted but earned which ensured that there was respect between all parties. Not cheap but bearing in mind everything is included, I would highly recommended it Read Less

For the first time ever, we actually got separation anxiety about disembarking the beautiful ship and it’s amazing crew. The cabin, 304, was spacious and extremely comfortable. Most excellent beds and facilities. Service with finesse and an ever present smile. Dietary requirements were no problem. Each detail of the cruise was managed with finesse. Our Tour Manager was brilliant in his knowledge, humor and understanding. Thank you Huy. Thanks to Tobias, Cruise Director for being ever present and always available to handle requests of all kinds. The food and beverage product was of a high standard and extremely varied. Did not encounter any disgruntled guests during our stay. Would have happily stayed on board to be looked after by our most excellent Butler, Vibol. Ports showed us real life on the Mekong and excursions provided enabled choices that helped to inform and entertain. Embarkation and disembarkation was handled seamlessly. The whole experience was one to be treasured. Note that the journey from disembarkation to Siem Reap is a long one. Do not recall seeing that mentioned anywhere in the brochure. However as with all other Scenic managed activities, it was managed very well. Praise to Scenic’s product on the Mekong. Read Less

We have been on several cruises both river and sea since 1980. This was the very best so far for many many reasons. The itinerary was spectacular. Sailing the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia. If you are thinking of doing this. DO IT NOW. 5 years from now you will not be able to experience the personal level of meeting local people doing what they do from working on the river, selling in markets or making silver or silk. The Scenic crew was one of the best. You could not want for anyone anytime. The ship was excellent and the staterooms were two times as big as any I have ever seen. We bought the regular fare not the premium but I cannot imagine what else you would need. The food was very different but if you wanted standard fare, it was always available. I could write 10,000 words describing each day but I won’t. JUST DO IT! Read Less

My wife & I chose Scenic & the Scenic Gem as a retirement celebration & going to places on our bucket list in France. The entire experience was superb starting from the pickup at our hotel in Paris at the time designated thru to the final disembarkation. The meals were well done with choices at every meal, great service, friendly polite & professional staff. Our cabin was very clean & looked after every day. The tours were as stated, on time, well organized, with very professional & knowledgeable guides. Off ship meals were well done & with no hiccups. The cruise director was on top of everything & kept the passengers updated daily on the next days activities, in addition to printed itineraries delivered each evening with the turn down service. There is entertainment every evening with some being a resident pianist & other nights bringing other groups on board. Scenic seems to aim at the retired market & hits the mark. Read Less

I believed that we were booking a 5 star cruise, we ended up on the worst experience in25 plus ocean cruises. Communication from Scenic was non existent. The day that we were flying to Budapest I called the Scenic office in Vancouver and the rep. Promised to call me when he got into the office. Well, he never called me, but I did receive a call from Nat. Geo. Who told me that we would be transferred from the airport in Budapest to a meeting room at the Marriott hotel where we would await others before we would be bussed to Vienna, a three hour bus ride after an overnight flight from North America. He told me that we would be on the Scenic Amber, which I knew was impossible as she was in Amsterdam, not Budapest. After that the cruise was downhill all the way. No daylight in the stateroom as we were moored to other ships in Vienna. The food was the worst I have experienced, poor choices, very poor quality. The farewell dinner was spaghetti with tomato sauce. I couldn’t believe it! We experienced only 3 hours of daylight sailing. The excursions were not what we were advised when we booked. The Butler was a joke as he was a butler/ waiter/ sailor. The Captain never showed for the Captains welcome cocktail party or the Captains farewell party, yet we did get to see him very often outside the wheelhouse on the sun deck having a smoke. This felt like a Mickey Mouse outfit, my apologies to the mouse, but it felt like we were sailing with a company that was in financial trouble. Read Less

Chose this cruise as I wanted to cruise on the Danube from Nuremburg to Budapest. When we got picked up at Munich aiprort we were told that due to low water we would be bused to Passau so missed a large part of the cruise down the Danube. Then the ship only cruised for half a day during daylight hours. I thought there would be a lot more cruising during the day not at night and the tour descriptor did not make it clear that 90% of the cruising would take place in darkness. Once we got to Vienna again we were told the water was low so we would have to be bussed to Budapest which meant we had to retire early at night to pack our luggage to be taken off the boat at 0800hrs and board the buses at 0830hrs for a three and a half hour drive to Budapest. At Budapest we were taken on a rushed bus tour of Budapest and then taken to a hotel. Our luggage arrived later and again we were rushed to go onto a boat on the Danube for an evening meal. The boat was poor as was the meal. To say we were disappointed from start to finish with this cruise is an understatement. I am sure Scenic would have known about the low water levels on the Danube, the water just does not drop overnight. Scenic should have cancelled this sailing or we should have been made aware that changes would take place before we left the UK with the option to arrange other dates. Very poor Scenic, you put money before your customers. Read Less

Water levels were low so we ‘swapped’ ships twice. Started on Scenic Pearl, then Scenic Opal then Scenic Amber. Opal and Amber were newer ships so larger rooms. Service was excellent. Food great. Tours organized very well and cruise director Andreea was amazing. The swaps were handled very well and pretty painlessly for us, with the exception we had to pack up twice but all luggage was handl d by the crew and in our rooms when we reached the new ship. Weather for October was well above normal so we were able to st on the top deck as we crises te rivers. Rm 234 at te back of the ship was very noisy on the Pearl but not so on the newer Opal ad Amber. Etertanmet rought on board was ver good. String quartet delightful. Would have enjiyed ports more had we been able to dock closer to town centres but low water levels found us needing to shuttle into centre of towns. Would definitely travel wt Scenic again. Read Less

This was our trip of a lifetime to enjoy the scenery, the people, the culture, the history and the food in a relaxing worry-free way. The crew on the Opal were a spectacular lively and charming group. The crew on the Pearl was charming as well but more reserved. We had an exceptional cruise activity director "J-J" who went above and beyond to make this cruise special for everyone while having to deal with the low levels of the rivers and changing ships. He made sure the transitions went smoothly and everyone was treated with utmost respect. It may have been a nightmare to organize new visits and make sure the travelers were satisfied. Service was excellent in the dining rooms and the choice of menus were appetizing and of perfect proportions. Ports and shore excursions were made interesting with knowledgeable guides and time to explore the areas was just the right length of time. The change of ships from the Opal to the Pearl was a surprise but again, JJ the cruise director made arrangements for a pleasant change over. The new crew was a little surprised to see us but we felt well received and they were as charming as the crew of the Opal. Things went really smoothly with the both crews and the trip was just so splendid. Read Less

We had been on one before and were very happy with it. The service is excellent and we wanted to see places that we had never been to before. We knew that the shore excursions would be interesting and the service on board would be good. There was only one little thing that we found fault with, and that was at breakfast we often had to wait some time before our tea and coffee was served. Other than that the service was excellent. The entire staff on the ship were always friendly, helpful and courteous. In fact one of the waiters, Marko went overboard in providing us with not only good service but he was always entertaining us with quick little stories. We were also always informed of any changes that had to be made and also were always given information about each day’s activities. All our wishes were met and we had a wonderful time. Read Less

Friends recommended Scenic Jewels of Europe (Amsterdam to Budapest), we travelled Sept. 17-Oct.1, 2018. It was our first River Cruise so we had high expectations and we were not disappointed. We booked in April 2017 not knowing there would be a European drought in 2018 but we decided to see it as an adventure and that it was. Before we left Canada we were informed that there was a water level problem but the cruise was still on. The crew were fantastic and our cruise director Patrick went out of his way to keep everyone informed. Unfortunately we ended up having to change ships two times before we reached Budapest. Yes it was tiring to pack and unpack twice and leave our ships and crews but they did everything to keep us happy. We went twice by bus with a guide but that ended up as a bonus because we were able to see beautiful countryside that we couldn't have seen from the ship and we were put up in a 5 star hotel one night in Vienna. All the off ship tours were wonderful, the food and service were excellent. The onboard entertainment was beyond what we expected- string quartet,ballet,opera., folkloric show. We had 20 C. temps the entire time but it could have been constant rain or a total cancellation. We were quite tired listening to ship mates complaining about Scenic. I asked most of them if they had read the terms and conditions of the cruise(especially 5 and 7.1a) and no one answered yes. If they had they would have seen that Scenic was not responsible for the water levels and changes in itinerary were possible. Some people see the glass half empty and some see it half full, so sad that they couldn't adapt to the circumstances and were trying to make those around them miserable also. We have no regrets about our trip and would certainly book with Scenic again. Always take negative comments with a grain of salt, if you can't adapt to extenuating circumstances, then don't travel. Read Less

We boarded the Scenic Jewel in Amsterdam for this 14 day itinerary. In each port, Scenic gives guests a choice from at least 2 excursions. First port was Antwerp, and we chose the excursion to Bruges. This town was quaint and interesting. Next stop was Veere, and we were quite impressed with the excursion to the Delta Works. We were treated to a "Dixie-land Band" after our Delta Works tour. In Arnhem, we found the Open Air Museum informative. In Maastricht we did a walking tour, then cruised the Maas River in the afternoon. When docked in Emmerich, the excursion to the Roman ruins of Xanten was awe-inspiring. Our next port was Koblenz, where we did a city tour. Then we headed down the Moselle River and delighted in the steep hills covered with vineyards and small towns along the way. First port on that river was Cochem, where we visited the fully-furnished Reichsburg Castle. We next briefly stopped at Traben-Trarbach to let the Electric-Bikers off the ship, as they were biking 15 miles to meet the ship in Bernkastel. While docked in Bernkastel, we took the excursion to Trier for an impressive city tour. We then headed back to the Rhine as quickly as possible as water levels were dropping. The ship diverted to Andernach until water levels rose enough we could enter the Rhine Gorge. The Rhine Gorge was dotted with hillside castles, impressive cathedrals, and riverfront towns. Gorgeous! Due to the delay from the low water, we had to skip our scheduled stop in Rudesheim. In Mannheim, we toured Heidelberg castle and the old town. The ship then docked in Rastatt, where guests toured Rastatt Palace and were entertained by a classical music concert. We docked next in Kehl, and took a city tour of Strasbourg and spent time in Le Petite France area. Next was Breisach, where we took coaches to the Black Forest. Unfortunately, it was windy that day, so we were unable to take the cable car gondolas to the top of the mountains. During our hike in the hills, we toured a farmhouse museum and sampled Black Forest cake. We disembarked in Basel. In addition to daytime excursions, we had 5 evenings where local musical entertainers came onboard. Overall, the excursion guides were top-notch, and Scenic arranged so only about 25 people were with each guide. We wore "Tailormade" devices, which were headsets to hear the guides. But these devices also serve as GPS locators, if you want to self-tour with the city maps they provided for each location. The food on the Jewel was excellent, with a wide variety of choices at each meal. All types of alcohol are included in Scenic's price, and with the well-stocked bar, drinks flowed generously. Regional red and while wines were offered at each meal. Service was prompt. The staff was always pleasant and welcoming. The electric-assist bikes make treks along the shore enjoyable. Also, while cruising, the "Tailormade" device clicks on to describe points of interest along the shore. Scenic also provided complimentary maps and a tour book of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. The map showed landmarks and bridges, so it was easy to follow the ship's progress. The tour book detailed pertinent information about towns along the river. We had a butler to attend to our every need. Room service was complimentary. We were on the Sapphire deck, so included was one small bag of laundry per cabin. Those on the Diamond deck also had complimentary pressing services. We felt Scenic filled this 14 day trip with a satisfying blend of sightseeing and entertainment. There were 169 passengers onboard (majority being Australian & Canadian), and demographic was 60+. We met many lovely, outgoing, well-traveled people. Overall, Scenic really looked after their guests. I would not hesitate to cruise with this company again. Read Less

I will openly admit that I was sceptical about why anyone, myself included, would want to take a 10-day Scenic cruise up the Seine River from Paris to the coast, when you can drive it in 2 hours! I thought it would be boring with too much time doing nothing… How wrong I was… Scenic Cruises have once again exceeded my expectations, as has the countryside and places we visited throughout Normandy on this very leisurely ‘must do’ river cruise. Full credit to Scenic for making this a 10-day cruise and not a 7 day, as most other river cruise operators do. Those extra few days turn a short getaway into a genuine relaxing holiday, one that will be remembered for many years to come. The itinerary is very well thought out with a mix of culture, cruising, experiences and diversity that I wouldn’t have thought possible in just the one ‘department’ (state, county) of France. Normandy has so much to see and do. From quaint inland villages to coastal seaside towns. Rolling hills to tidal flats and chalk cliffs. There is something for everyone on this cruise. As always Scenic do it in style. That’s why they are the leaders in River Cruising, all others simply copy. It’s the staff that make your holiday a truly great experience, with attentive care, attention to detail and a smile whatever the time, day or night (do they ever sleep I wonder?). I came on with an old pair of shoes and left with what looked like a new pair – a tribute to the butler service. Some travellers are initially put off by the price but believe me it works out better value than many of the competitors when you take into account all the inclusions. You could give the moths in your wallet a well-earned holiday as everything is included, from meals, drinks, tips, to choices of excursions you could easily go the full ten days without opening your wallet nor spend a single Euro. I was particularly impressed with Scenic’s attention to detail. Their ship ‘The Scenic Gem’ is purpose built for this river, made slightly shorter, with less cabins solely so it can dock in Honfleur instead of Le Havre as many of the other companies are forced to do being as their vessels are too long. Honfleur was a highlight of the cruise and being able to moor up in the quaint historic coastal town centre was a plus. (Le Havre is a major industrial port, no comparison!). The evening concert at the Chateau was also a great experience not to be missed, so unique, something not possible anywhere else in the world. This was my forth Scenic River Cruise and it did not disappoint. I came away feeling totally relaxed and satisfied that I had tasted all Normandy had to offer – and done it in style. Note: If you are under 60 years you will enjoy the cruise but do not expect to meet too many new friends of your age group. It primarily attracts an older crowd, perhaps due to the excellent excursions to WW1 & WW2 battle fields (Somme & Normandy Landing) which catered to not only Australians, but Canadian and American history buffs. But don’t despair, as with all Scenic Cruises there is always a choice of day tours so if these did not rock your boat then you could go explore the spectacular Chalk cliff coast line and its delightful seaside towns, or perhaps a Castle or a culinary experience. The onboard meals are of the highest standard, all made from local produce complimented by a range of fine French wines. The fresh seafood from Honfleur was up there in the ‘yum’ stakes, as were the scrumptious desserts. This raises the question: ‘Has any Scenic passenger ever got off the ship lighter than when they boarded?’ I seriously doubt it. If you did you were a temptation diehard freak with the world’s greatest will power to resist the local French delicacies and pastries on offer every day. This cruise comes highly recommended and would be an ideal add on to any European tour, a great way to end any visit to the continent. Don’t forget to book a couple of extra nights at the beginning or end of your cruise so you can do Paris justice, there is so much to experience in this captivating city. Where to go next on Scenic? Read Less