River cruising has gone mainstream in the last few years. But, frankly, most ships promise as much fun as shuffleboard night at the old folks home. Scenic Luxury Cruises provides something altogether different with river cruises that dive deep into the local scene at each destination with plenty of all-inclusive perks to boot.
What sets Scenic apart from most every other river cruise line is what’s on board. This is luxurious, honeymoon-worthy travel at its finest. Every one of their “Space-Ships” (that’s really what they’re called) offers six dining options, including a topside, alfresco restaurant and a gourmet cafe. The wide outdoor sundeck is a great place to relax in the vitality pool. The guest-to-staff ratio is nearly 2:1 — almost unheard-of in the industry.
Guest cabins are just as luxurious with queen-sized beds, free 24-hour room service, a complimentary minibar with premium liquor, and private balconies. Optional Mac Mini infotainment systems provide up-to-date info on the day’s itinerary and ship services. The five-star treatment includes a personal butler who provides concierge service, whether that’s ordering a late-night snack, getting your suit pressed, or making restaurant reservations before you arrive at the next port of call. As a truly all-inclusive cruise line, most everything on-board (even gratuities) and ashore is included. So, you’ll rarely, if ever, need to pull out your wallet.
On land, Scenic eschews typical group excursions in favor of freeform exploring. Their FreeChoice program includes activities in every port of call that you’re free to explore at your own pace. This includes relaxed activities like visiting local museums and galleries, moderately paced city roaming, and full-on active pursuits like hiking and biking with a local guide. The company even provides its own custom Tailormade devices to help guests explore more than 140 locations with audio commentary.
Their Scenic Sundowners program features cocktails to end the day at some of Europe’s most spectacular locations, including Medieval forts along the Rhine River, Austria’s Wachau Valley wine country, or on the banks of the Rhône River in France. The Scenic Enrich program promises an intensive look into the culture of every stop along the way. Many excursions — exploring ancient castles, taking in a private concert, or enjoying a riverside gourmet dinner — are exclusive to Scenic passengers.
Scenic offers more river-based itineraries than most other cruise lines. In Europe, passengers can explore France, Portugal, Germany, Hungary, and Russia. Those looking to get further afield can opt for a Vietnam itinerary along the Mekong River. For 2018, the company is partnering with National Geographic to develop river cruises that go even deeper.
Eight-day European cruises start around USD $3,000 per person. Book a Scenic Luxury Cruise now at ScenicUSA.com.
Feature image courtesy of Scenic US/Facebook.
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