Jul 26, 2019
From admiring the picturesque scenery on the Sun Deck to enjoying delicious, local cuisine at breakfast, lunch and dinner, there's always something to do on your Europe river cruise with Scenic. Here's a closer look at what you can expect both on board and onshore.
What to expect onboard
On a 5-star, truly all-inclusive Scenic river cruise, everything is included. You can simply relax as you gaze at the many wondrous sites to see on your European journey. Place yourself in the comfort of the Scenic Sun Lounge and tune in to the Scenic Tailormade app that provides expert commentary on places of significance while you sail past. With Scenic, it’s more than a 5-star cruise – it's a journey and small-ship experience in a class of its own.
On a spacious and beautifully-appointed Scenic Space-ship, all guests will enjoy butler service and laundry concierge. It’s more than having a butler there to call on, it’s our expert team remembering your personal preferences, such as ‘whisky, no ice’. Choose where to dine each meal from casual to fine dining. It’s more than good food and wine, it’s your choice of up to five dining venues with a dedicated team creating dishes inspired by the regional cuisines of the countries you sail through. Sip on complimentary beverages served all day, every day, including your mini-bar that is restocked daily.
Watch enthralling on board entertainment and make use of the wellness and fitness areas, including the walking track on the spacious Sun Deck where there are panoramic views to take in around every turn. Your Cruise Director and Enrichment Manager are both readily available to help, as are all our friendly staff and crew
What to expect onshore
An exclusive range of handcrafted experiences are all included when you disembark along the cruise route. Delve deeper and get to really know your destination with an exclusive Scenic Enrich experience such as a Viennese concert at the opulent Palais Liechtenstein. It’s more than special events, it’s enriching experiences paired with a level of luxury only Scenic can offer. Explore Europe's sights at a pace that suits you as part of our all-inclusive Scenic Freechoice program.
With small group numbers to ensure a personal experience, and led by expert local Tour Guides, we take care of everything, even tipping. We offer more than standard shore excursions, it’s days exploring to a pace that suits you. To make travelling even easier, your return airport transfers are included, so you can simply relax and enjoy the journey. With Scenic, it’s more than all-inclusive – you can leave your wallet in a safe place and relax knowing that everything is taken care of.
A Typical Day River Cruising
Breakfast
Begin your day with coffee and pastries hand-delivered by your Butler to your suite and watch the sunrise from your own private Scenic Sun Lounge. Early risers can settle in for a light breakfast at the River Café from 6:30am to 7:30am, whilst the Crystal Dining Room begins breakfast service from 7:30am.
Choose from a selection of cereals, fresh fruit, cold meats, cheese, breads and hot breakfast items or indulge yourself with eggs benedict or lamb chops from the à la carte menu, washed down with a glass of champagne.
Morning
After breakfast, you will typically have a morning Scenic Freechoice activity. Enjoy a guided city tour of Vienna, hike up Buda Hill for amazing views over Budapest and the Danube River, or cycle between Dürnstein and Melk on a 32km guided e-bike tour, following the Danube River.
On sailing days, head upstairs to the Sun Deck for panoramic views of the breathtaking scenery, enjoy a slice of cake from the River Café for morning tea or catch up on the news with the complimentary newspapers.
Lunch
After a morning of sightseeing, return to the ship for a hearty lunch in the Crystal Dining Room. Catch up with your fellow guests and compare your morning's activities over a glass of wine or beer and admire the stunning scenery through the floor to ceiling glass windows.
Afternoon
After lunch, enjoy the freedom of spending the afternoon however you wish. Relax in the Salt Therapy Lounge to enjoy the healing benefits of salt crystals, or you may like to return to shore for further site seeing and shopping. Take one of our e-bikes with you and let the bike do all the hard work as you meander around charming cobblestone laneways, with the added assurance of the Scenic Tailormade App in your pocket to act as a guide when you need it. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink on your return before getting ready for dinner and listening to your Cruise Director provide the daily Port Talk to learn about tomorrow's exciting activities.
Dinner
Dinner commences from 7pm in the Crystal Dining Room where you can enjoy a mouthwatering five course à la carte dinner of entree, soup, main course, dessert and cheese, all inspired by the cuisines of
the local regions in which you are cruising. For those less hungry, or after something lighter, the alternative menu includes choices such as Chicken Breast, Fillet Steak or Hamburger with French Fries with daily side dishes.
Once per cruise, you will receive an exclusive invitation to dine at our Italian restaurant Portobellos which showcases flavoursome regional specialties from fresh and locally-sourced produce, paired with local wines from the region’s best vineyards. Diamond Deck guests can also enjoy an intimate degustation meal at Table La Rive, limited to just 10 guests per evening.
Evening
One evening you will be transported to a magical location for your Scenic Enrich classical concert and wander the lavish halls of sites such as Palais Liechtenstein. Return to the ship and enjoy drinks and live entertainment in the Panorama Lounge.
It’s time to set sail. Admire the towns and villages as you pass while they are all lit up and sparkling at night as your ship bids farewell and journeys to your next port of call. You may want to chat with new friends, get to know the staff or dance the night away before returning to your suite for a restful night’s sleep, ready for tomorrow’s day of wonder.
Featured Itinerary
15 Day Jewels of Europe
Discover Europe's majestic waterways with an all-inclusive 15-day Jewels of Europe river cruise along the Rhine, Main & Danube.
Starting from wonderful Amsterdam to beautiful Budapest (or vice-versa), cruise through five countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.
Highlights include a Scenic Enrich event at Motorworld in Cologne which is home to Michael Schumacher’s private car collection, a guided e-bike ride along the river from Melk to Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages in the region and a private Scenic Enrich classical concert featuring the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart in Vienna.
Top 10 Reasons to Love a Scenic River Cruise
1. All-inclusive, nothing to pay
From the moment you step on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship you won’t need to spend a thing (unless you’re after a hair appointment, massage or vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits). Whether on board or during shore excursions, it’s all taken care of. It’s more than all-inclusive, it’s truly all-inclusive luxury in a class of its own.
From the moment you step on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship you won’t need to spend a thing (unless you’re after a hair appointment, massage or vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits). Whether on board or during shore excursions, it’s all taken care of. It’s more than all-inclusive, it’s truly all-inclusive luxury in a class of its own.
2. Majority of suites on board have balconies
Our ships feature some of the largest and most luxurious suites on the rivers, with no inside-facing suites. This means that everyone has a view. Our Balcony Suites feature innovative technology, transforming each balcony to a Sun Lounge at the touch of a button, allowing you to enjoy the luxury of extra space and fresh outside air as you take in the unfolding landscapes. It’s more than a suite, it’s a generously-sized luxurious space, with all the comforts of a 5 star hotel
3. All beverages complimentary
Enjoy your favourite cocktail on the Sun Deck or the finest red wine at dinner. With our impressive selection of complimentary premium beverages, including your in-suite mini-bar – the choice is yours, all day, every day.
Enjoy your favourite cocktail on the Sun Deck or the finest red wine at dinner. With our impressive selection of complimentary premium beverages, including your in-suite mini-bar – the choice is yours, all day, every day.
4. All meals complimentary across a range of dining options
From café-style snacks to our fine dining degustation menu, there’s gourmet fare for every taste. Drawing inspiration from the regions travelled through, all our food is seasonal and freshly prepared. It’s more than fine dining, it’s a full epicurean experience in a class of its own
From café-style snacks to our fine dining degustation menu, there’s gourmet fare for every taste. Drawing inspiration from the regions travelled through, all our food is seasonal and freshly prepared. It’s more than fine dining, it’s a full epicurean experience in a class of its own
5. Handcrafted and comprehensive range of activities and experiences
5. Handcrafted and comprehensive range of activities and experiences are all included Our onshore Scenic Enrich and Scenic Freechoice programs offer you the chance to delve into the topics that actually interest you - everything from history to culture and cuisine to nature. It’s more than standard excursions, it’s captivating visits to castles, galleries and museums after-hours being guided by cultural experts. There’s something for everyone to discover, at a pace that works for you. Absolutely everything is included, even entrance fees, tipping and gratuities.
5. Handcrafted and comprehensive range of activities and experiences are all included Our onshore Scenic Enrich and Scenic Freechoice programs offer you the chance to delve into the topics that actually interest you - everything from history to culture and cuisine to nature. It’s more than standard excursions, it’s captivating visits to castles, galleries and museums after-hours being guided by cultural experts. There’s something for everyone to discover, at a pace that works for you. Absolutely everything is included, even entrance fees, tipping and gratuities.
6. Dock in the heart of towns and villages
You simply walk off the ship right into the centre of the beautiful towns and villages along the rivers. It’s more than a standard river vessel, it’s a custom-built luxury ship created to access smaller ports for its maximum of 163 passengers while sailing.
You simply walk off the ship right into the centre of the beautiful towns and villages along the rivers. It’s more than a standard river vessel, it’s a custom-built luxury ship created to access smaller ports for its maximum of 163 passengers while sailing.
7. Small numbers of guests on board
With only up to 163 guests on board, we can provide you with a safe, intimate and exclusive experience.
With only up to 163 guests on board, we can provide you with a safe, intimate and exclusive experience.
8. Butler service
Our butlers are experts at ensuring every need is taken care of. From the first warm greeting to remembering your preferences, our butlers are always on hand. They won’t be happy unless you are. It’s more than butler service, it’s remembering that you like a twist of both lemon and lime in your G&T.
Our butlers are experts at ensuring every need is taken care of. From the first warm greeting to remembering your preferences, our butlers are always on hand. They won’t be happy unless you are. It’s more than butler service, it’s remembering that you like a twist of both lemon and lime in your G&T.
9. Local guides
Our local guides have a wealth of inside knowledge to ensure you’ll get to experience both the highlights and hidden gems of your destination.
Our local guides have a wealth of inside knowledge to ensure you’ll get to experience both the highlights and hidden gems of your destination.
10. No seasickness
The combination of cruising the meandering river routes and the world-class engineering of our fleet of Space-Ships ensures smooth sailing for the duration of your cruise.
*Some rare and special vintage wines and spirits are not included.
Your First Time Wonders River Cruising Guide
If you’re new to river cruising, take a look at our guide which has been tailored to answer all your questions and help you choose a cruise that’s right for you. There are so many reasons to choose a river cruise, the scenery is constantly changing. From villages to castles, there is always something new around the corner. You can also rest assured that you won’t be standing in long queues waiting to get on and off the ship. As we are able to dock in the heart of most towns and villages, you can simply walk off the ship right into the centre of beautiful destinations and begin exploring.
Why cruise with Scenic?
We understand the importance of maintaining your health and wellness whilst travelling. Our team has worked closely with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and government health agencies to implement a full range of health and wellness measures for our river cruise operations. Read further information on these policies: Cruise with confidence | Our commitment to your health & safety - Scenic°