Scenic Cruises

Scenic Group (shipowner) is the parent company of three travel brands: Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Evergreen Cruises & Tours, and Emerald Cruises (Emerald Waterways, Emerald Yacht Cruises).

Scenic Group's subsidiary company, "Scenic Cruises" (officially "Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours", scenicusa.com), is a brand that primarily operates riverboats on the largest European rivers, including the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, as well as in France (on the Saône, Rhône, and Seine), Russia (Volga), Portugal (Douro), and Southeast Asia (with regularly scheduled itineraries on the Irrawaddy and Mekong rivers).

In February 2018, Scenic Group announced the purchase of Mayflower Tours. The company, now branded "Mayflower Cruises and Tours," continues to operate as a separate entity. Mayflower is based in Downers Grove (Chicago, Illinois, USA).

Scenic Tours also owns the brands Emerald Waterways (established in 2013, operational since 2014) and "Emerald Yacht Cruises," which merged into "Emerald Cruises" in 2021. In July 2020, Scenic Group became a member of IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators).

In May 2021, Scenic Group relocated its headquarters from Boston, MA to Hollywood, Florida, USA. The company's current executive team includes Rob Voss (CEO), Benny Weidacher (VP of Global Cruise Operations), Lisa McCaskill (Vice President), Joni Rein (VP of Sales and Marketing), Ken Muskat (USA Managing Director), Colin Downing (UK Managing Director), Ann Chamberlin (VP of Sales), Donna Kurtz (Charter and Incentive Sales), and Nancy Iovino (USA Regional Sales Director).

In April 2023, Scenic Group USA promoted Robert Castro to VP of Marketing (he had been with the company since 2022 as Senior Director of Marketing) and also made two new appointments: Elizabeth Fettes (VP of Sales, previously with Premier Worldwide Marketing as Chief Sales & Marketing Officer) and Kayla Corbett (Director of Strategic Accounts, previously employed by NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line as Senior Manager of Key Accounts).

In June 2023, Scenic Group announced the fleetwide implementation of high-speed internet provided by SpaceX's Starlink. As of 2023, Starlink consists of more than 4,000 LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites, with plans to deploy a total of approximately 12,000 satellites.

In June 2023, Scenic Group USA signed a partnership with Nexion Travel Group (founded in 1995, a subsidiary of Nexion LLC). Nexion serves North American travel agents/agencies (in the USA and Canada) with ticketing, support, and online booking services.

In May 2024, Scenic Group announced a major project to upgrade its entire riverboat fleet (18 Europe-based boats from the Scenic and Emerald brands). This project will include Main Deck redesigns, renovations (new layouts, furniture, lounge, and specialty restaurants), extensive refurbishments of staterooms and public areas (hallways, staircases), sundeck (flooring, garden furniture), and enhancements to beverage and dining menus and wellness facilities.

2024 became the company's record year, with a 37% growth in passengers (in the USA market) and a 22% increase in bookings.

Scenic River Cruises

Scenic Tours is among the most inclusive river cruise lines in operation today, operating two trademarked brands: "Emerald Waterways" (globally) and "Evergreen Cruises and Tours" (Australia only). Since July 2020, Scenic Group markets its river cruise operations under the Emerald Waterways brand exclusively.

Scenic's river cruise deals offer almost all-inclusive fares that cover meals, drinks, excursions, gratuities, and select excursions. The company's deals feature price-included unlimited drinks, from in-cabin beverages (minibars in staterooms) to alcoholic drinks at all dining and lounge venues onboard. Butler service for passengers in Europe is also included.

The parent company, Scenic (formerly "Scenic Tours" until 2015), was established in 1987 in Australia by entrepreneur Glen Moroney (Chairman, CEO, and Founder). The business started with coach trips along the Australian coast and later expanded to include themed-event tours and operations in New Zealand, Norfolk Island, the USA and Canada, South America, Asia (including China), and South Africa.

In 2007, Scenic Tours opened offices in Canada and the UK, eventually reaching the United States. The inaugural season of the new Scenic river cruise line began in 2008 with the launch of the Sapphire boat—the fleet's first. Thus, the subsidiary brand "Scenic Cruises" was established, operating exclusively in Europe. Scenic Tours' river cruise division has since expanded rapidly, operating new, purpose-built luxury river ships with almost identical designs.

In April 2015, Scenic Tours rebranded as simply "Scenic." The company's product has earned worldwide accolades for its quality, onboard and ashore services, and for the wide variety of land and cruise tour packages available for booking.

All Scenic boats are referred to as "space ships" to emphasize their higher-than-usual space ratio. The line offers upscale river cruising vacations in contemporary surroundings, though in terms of dining, land tours, excursions, and entertainment, Scenic cruises maintain a more traditional approach.

Meals are served in two dining venues: the Crystal Dining room (the main restaurant) and Portobello's (a smaller Italian alternative restaurant). Both offer open seating. Occasionally, a picnic-style lunch or barbecue is served on the sun deck. Table La Rive, the newest dining option, offers a six-course tasting menu with wine pairings. The seating takes place in a curtained-off section of the dining room, and the gourmet selections include regional cuisine specialties. Some lunches and dinners are themed to the countries visited during the cruise.

Each of the Scenic ships has two lounges. The Panorama Lounge & Bar offers after-dinner entertainment, including cocktails, music, and dancing. It's also the venue for daily port talks, local performers showcasing their culture in the evenings, and classical music recitals. Traditional performances by Bavarian dancers or gypsy troupes are also featured. The other lounge area, the Riverview Terrace (at the boat's bow), serves drinks and light snacks. This lounge is covered with an open-air teak deck and seats about 20 guests, located just a deck below the Sun Deck.

About 84% of all Scenic river cruise ship cabins have balconies. All ships (except the chartered-in Russian Scenic Tsar) feature the signature "Sun Lounge" verandas. All passenger accommodations are equipped with flat-screen TVs and five-star hotel luxury amenities. The bathrooms are also larger than average, with fun lighting options that allow guests to choose a changing spectrum of colors while showering.

English-speaking local guides lead all Scenic cruise tours and excursions ashore. Innovative headsets, called "Scenic Tailormade" (GPS devices), allow guests to hear the guide's commentary or choose from organized tours while cycling or walking through the places they visit. These devices also display photos of specific sights and a map of the scheduled cruise itinerary route.

Since 2022, all Scenic river cruises in Europe feature an "Enrichment Manager" to host cooking lessons, wine tastings, painting classes, cabaret nights, themed lectures, and demonstrations (including by local artists boarding the boat during port stays).

Scenic River Cruise Tour Cancellation Policy

Since 2017, Scenic has offered a river cruise travel guarantee, providing refunds for voyage cancellations and delays due to weather, high/low water levels, natural disasters, labor strikes, or mechanical breakdowns.

This guarantee is provided at no charge to booked customers and goes into effect with the ship's departure. Under the new cancellation policy, Scenic Tours cruise passengers receive direct cash refunds (up to USD 750 per person per day, for a maximum of seven days) or USD 5,250 per person (as opposed to the industry standard of offering refunds in future cruise credits). Refunds are offered in the following cases:

• A complete cruise tour halt—the riverboat is unable to move, and Scenic cannot deliver the scheduled tours/excursions ashore (except by bus travel over 3 hours each way).
• Scenic has the option to accommodate all passengers on another Scenic Space-Ship, but the cruise tour itinerary is delayed by over 24 hours.
• A mechanical breakdown on the ship resulting in cruise cancellation, and no alternative Scenic ships are available.
• Industrial action (strikes, riots, or river/canal lock damage/closure) that prevents Scenic from passing through a river lock.

The following unfortunate events and situations are not covered by the new policy:

• Embarkation/disembarkation less than 100 km (60 miles) from the scheduled port.
• Ship swaps that don't result in a delay of more than 24 hours.
• Replacement of scheduled cruise tour activities with alternates of similar quality.
• Short-term delays in the cruise tour itinerary due to high/low water levels.

The new insurance also doesn't cover personal or medical travel issues, so purchasing cruise travel insurance is recommended.

(NEW) Scenic-National Geographic River Cruises

In November 2017, National Geographic Cruises (via a partnership with Lindblad Expeditions) and Scenic Cruises teamed up to launch "National Geographic River Cruises." These new offerings combine Scenic riverboats' all-inclusive luxury experience with NatGeo's expertise in science and exploration.

Each voyage is accompanied by a NatGeo expert who leads the ship's onboard enrichment program, which includes educational presentations, itinerary-based lectures, and informal discussions. All Scenic European river cruises also feature a NatGeo photographer onboard, who leads photography-themed activities and workshops. These voyages also offer themed excursions ranging from hiking and biking to nature, culture, and history.

The new Scenic-NatGeo partnership offers itineraries mainly in Europe—on the Moselle, Rhine, Danube, and Main rivers, as well as on the waterways of Holland and Belgium, in the Bordeaux wine region of France, and in Portugal (on the Douro River). The new NatGeo experience is also available on select Asian cruises on the Irrawaddy River (in Burma). The National Geographic River Cruises program began in Spring 2018.

For the Christmas season in 2019, Scenic Cruises partnered with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions for three new river travel packages. These themed voyages visit Christmas markets along the Danube, gardens in Holland and Belgium, and ports along the Douro River Valley in Portugal.

In June 2023, Scenic Group agreed to pay AU$26 million (~US$ 17.5M / ~EUR 16.2M) in a class-action lawsuit filed in Australia in 2013 by a group of 1,200 river cruise passengers. In April-May 2013, central Europe experienced high water levels and flooding along its inland waterways, which prevented Scenic Group’s riverboats from cruising on the Rhine and Danube. Rather than canceling the scheduled voyages, the company opted to operate the same itineraries on land by bus. Scenic Group also paid AU$3M (US$2M / EUR 1.9M) to reimburse the legal expenses incurred by the plaintiffs' lawyers.

Scenic Yacht Cruises

Scenic's fleet size, vessel capacity, and onboard amenities place the company in direct competition with top luxury brands like Ponant, RSSC-Regent, Norwegian Yacht Voyages, and Ritz-Carlton (main competitors), SeaDream, and Windstar. Luxury brands account for about 5% of the cruise industry's multi-billion-dollar business.

As of 2018, the company has two mega-yachts under construction: Scenic Eclipse (built in 2019) and Scenic Eclipse II (built in 2023). Both ships were constructed by the Uljanik Shipyard JSC in Pula, Croatia. The following YouTube video is a timelapse of the Scenic yachts' construction process.

With the launch of Eclipse 2, Scenic Group established "MKM Yachts" (a fully owned subsidiary) to manage the construction of newbuilds. In late April 2020, Scenic Group also announced plans to build five superyachts at the Maj 3 Shipyard in Rijeka, Croatia) over the next six years (2021-2027). A dedicated section at the Rijeka Maj 3 Shipyard has been allocated for these projects. In early July 2020, MKM Yachts was granted a sub-concession at the Rijeka shipyard, becoming the prime contractor for all Scenic Group's newbuilds.

Scenic Group's Superyachts

These vessels are advertised as the "world's first discovery yachts." Their hulls feature the highest passenger ship ice-class rating (1A Super), allowing for polar cruise operations (Arctic and Antarctic itineraries) for three months each year. During polar expeditions, each ship's passenger capacity is reduced from 228 to 200, allowing for several landing tours per day.

The ships are equipped with helicopters (each with a capacity of 7 passengers) available for private tours (for an extra charge). Helicopter tours allow passengers to get closer to wildlife compared to Zodiac landings. The ships also offer a submarine for onboard use, available at an additional charge.

The vessels have an almost 1:1 passenger-to-crew ratio, and each stateroom is served by a dedicated butler. Other features and all-inclusive amenities (per yacht) include:

• 9 restaurants (including Asian, steakhouse, seafood, French, Italian, poolside grill, and 24/7 room service)
• 4 bars and lounges
• 240-seat Theater Lounge
• 2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), with a heated indoor pool featuring a retractable glass roof
• 5,900 ft² (550 m²) wellness complex with heated indoor pool, outdoor Jacuzzis, swimming pools, Hair Salon, and spa treatment/massage rooms
• Gym (with a separate aerobics studio for classes)
• Staterooms ranging from 345 ft² (32 m²) for a Veranda Suite to 2,660 ft² (247 m²) for the 2-Bedroom Penthouse Suite. The Owners Penthouse Suite is 2,507 ft² (235 m²).
• Each of the ship's 114 cabins has a private balcony and a separate lounge area.

Scenic Yacht Cruise Deals

Scenic Cruises yacht deals are inclusive of:

• Balcony stateroom with 24/7 room service
• Butler service (regardless of cabin category)
• All tips/gratuities
• Discovery leaders (professional tour guides on all cruise itineraries)
• Shore excursions (all landings, shore tours, and organized events at ports of call and beaches along the itinerary route)—expert-led Scenic FreeChoice activities, discovery excursions by Zodiacs (large-capacity inflatable boats)
• Onboard dining (all dining venues are complimentary)
• Onboard entertainment
• E-biking, water sports (sea kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving)

(Coronavirus Crisis) Passenger Shipping Pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Scenic Group travel entities suspended passenger operations (land tours, yacht, and river cruises) by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures from March 14, 2020, through late-July 2021. Scenic Group resumed operations in August 2021, including riverboat services.

For rebooking, Scenic Group provided an FTC (Future Travel Credit) for all canceled departures. Each canceled booking (for river or ocean itineraries) was issued a 110% FTC (equal to the booking's full value), valid for rebooking and travel by December 31, 2022. All booked land tours (including Egypt cruise tours) during the suspension period were given a 100% FTC (for the booking's full value), to rebook and travel by December 31, 2022.

Scenic's FTC was valid for travel departures through December 31, 2022. The FTC can be applied to any existing booking within Scenic Group's travel companies (Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Evergreen Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises/Emerald Waterways) and when rebooking future travel. The FTC is fully transferable to another customer.

Upon the expiration of the Scenic FTC voucher (on December 31, 2022), customers unable to travel may request a cash refund equal to the amount paid. All customers with a booking departing from July 1, 2020, onward, and those considering a booking after July 1, have the option to transfer their booking (up to 30 days prior to departure) to an alternate date without a fee. Scenic will waive all cancellation fees, with the booking value applied as an FTC, and review the timing for full payment when rebooking. Please note that if you choose to cancel, third-party fees may apply, which will be at the customer's own expense. This policy applies to all Scenic Group travel brands.

The list of ships owned by Scenic Luxury Cruises includes:

• Scenic Aura (Irrawaddy River, Myanmar) Asia
• Scenic Amber (Rhine-Main-Danube) Europe
• Scenic Azure (Douro River, Portugal) Europe
• Scenic Crystal (Rhine-Main-Danube) Europe
• Scenic Diamond (Garonne River from Bordeaux, France)
• Scenic Emerald (Rhine-Main-Danube) Europe
• Scenic Gem (Seine River from Paris, France)
• Scenic Jade (Rhine-Main-Danube) Europe
• Scenic Jasper (Rhine-Main-Danube) Europe
• Scenic Jewel (Rhine-Main-Danube) Europe
• Scenic Opal (Rhine-Main-Danube) Europe
• Scenic Pearl (Rhine-Main-Danube) Europe
• Scenic Ruby (Rhine-Main-Danube) Europe
• Scenic Sapphire (Saône-Rhône rivers from Chalon and Tarascon, France)
• Scenic Spirit (Mekong River, Vietnam, and Cambodia) Asia
• Scenic Tsar (Volga River, Russia) chartered, original vessel's name is MS Alexander Grin.
• Scenic Eclipse (2018, superyacht) operates on polar expedition cruises to Antarctica and also in Europe (Mediterranean Sea)
• Scenic Eclipse II (2023, superyacht) seasonal polar expedition cruises in Europe and the Caribbean

Scenic YACHT CRUISES 2025-2026

In August 2023, Scenic Group unveiled bookings for the 2024-2025 ocean sailing season, featuring new itineraries and a comprehensive range of cruises for the newly introduced Scenic Eclipse II, the sistership of Scenic Eclipse. Both ultra-luxury Discovery Yachts will visit over 500 ports across 63 countries, spanning all 7 continents. This extensive coverage provides guests with unprecedented access to numerous global destinations, including many hidden gems.

Highlights of this season include exciting expeditions, such as journeys to the Kimberley Islands in Western Australia, the Indonesian Archipelago featuring the Spice Islands and Komodo Island, explorations of New Zealand and Fiji, and visits to Japan and South Korea. Notably, Scenic Eclipse II's inaugural voyage to Antarctica is set for December 2024, focusing on the continent's east coast and the Ross Sea, while the original Scenic Eclipse will take passengers to the Antarctic Peninsula and below the Antarctic Circle.

In December 2013, Scenic released its Antarctica program for 2025-2026, offering travelers a customizable experience with diverse expedition levels. The "Antarctica Your Way" collection includes voyages tailored for Christmas and New Year's, providing an array of options for exploration.

Key highlights include:

13-day Antarctica in Depth:

• Buenos Aires round-trip aboard Scenic Eclipse.
• Intensive exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula with multiple Zodiac landings daily.
• Opportunities to visit historical sites, witness wildlife, and explore volcanic craters.
• 5 departures from November 2025 to February 2026.

20/23-day Antarctica, South Georgia, and Falkland Islands:

• Departure from Ushuaia, stopping in Montevideo, Antarctica Peninsula, South Georgia, and Falkland Islands.
• Highlights include Gypsy Cove in the Falklands, Zodiac cruises along South Georgia's mountain range, and exploration of Stanley in the Falklands.
• Full exploration of Antarctica over 5 days.

16-day Antarctica in Depth (Dec 21, 2025):

• Witness landscape changes and abundant wildlife in krill-rich waters.
• Scenic Discovery excursions to penguin, seal, and whale habitats.
• Departure on December 21, 2025.

25-day Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast (Dec 13, 2025):

• Follow Douglas Mawson’s Antarctic expedition footsteps.
• Christmas and New Year's celebration in one of the world's remotest areas.
• Journey starts from Queenstown, New Zealand, and concludes in Hobart.

24-day Antarctica’s Ross Sea: Majestic Ice and Wildlife:

• Explore the Ross Sea region onboard Scenic Eclipse II.
• Sailing from Hobart to Dunedin on January 6, 2026, and a round-trip from Dunedin on January 29.
• Highlights include Ross Island, Cape Adare's Adelie penguin rookery, and Franklin Island's volcanic landscapes.

In July 2024, Scenic introduced its 2025 Asia collection, featuring a blend of ocean and river itineraries. Among the highlights is the 28-day ‘Ultimate Journey through Southeast Asia,’ which combines a river cruise on the Scenic Spirit along the Mekong River with an ocean voyage on the Scenic Eclipse II through Indonesia, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

This journey offers unique experiences such as swimming with stingless jellyfish in Kakaban Lake, exploring the world's third-largest coral atoll, and encountering Komodo dragons. Guests can also visit Borneo to see native orangutans and sail to Taiwan to explore the city of Hualien.

For those interested in island-hopping, the ‘Ultimate East Coast, Northern Australia & The Indonesian Archipelago’ on Scenic Eclipse II is a 28-day voyage starting in Auckland, passing through Northland’s Bay of Islands, the Australian islands of the Whitsundays, and the Great Barrier Reef, before heading to the lesser-known islands of the Indonesian Archipelago.

Alternatively, the 17-day ‘Japan & South Korea in Depth’ itinerary covers 16 ports, providing a comprehensive exploration of the region.

For a more intimate experience, the ‘Treasures of the Mekong’ on Scenic Spirit is a 13-day river and land journey. It starts in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with a visit to the 12th-century Angkor Wat temple, then travels to Vietnam. Highlights include a tuk-tuk ride along Phnom Penh's waterfront, a visit to the Royal Palace, and sampan boat trips to the historic towns of Tan Chau and Sa Dec, culminating in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Scenic RIVER CRUISE Itineraries

The line's 2025 Europe River Cruising and Land Journeys brochure presents an array of 23 itineraries spanning 7 rivers and 3 land routes. The updated collection introduces guests to an assortment of fresh Scenic Freechoice excursions and meticulously curated schedules.

Among the notable additions for 2025 are the following Scenic Freechoice Included Experiences:

• Gottweig Abbey (Krems, Austria): Guests have the opportunity to explore the renovated 6th-century Gottweig Abbey, renowned for its exquisite frescoes and Austria's largest Baroque Staircase. This experience is available on Jewels of Europe, Danube in Depth, Christmas Markets, and Christmas & New Year Journeys.
• Craft Beer and Chocolate Pairing (Antwerp, Belgium): Travelers can indulge in Belgian culinary delights with craft beer and chocolate pairings, a quintessential experience in Belgium. Available on the Romantic Rhine & Moselle Journey.
• Düsseldorf's Altbier (Düsseldorf, Germany): Delving into Düsseldorf's rich brewing heritage, guests visit esteemed microbreweries and savor tastings of Altbier, a traditional top-fermented brew. Offered on the Romantic Rhine & Moselle Journey.
• E-bike cycle to Klosterneuburg Monastery (Vienna, Austria): Cyclists can traverse vineyards en route to Klosterneuburg Monastery near Vienna, relishing Danube vistas and the scenic pathway to this architectural gem. Available on the Danube in Depth Journey.

Additionally, a new port, Krems, situated along the Danube River in Austria, has been introduced for 2025 on select itineraries. Travelers can delve into its rich history, medieval fortifications, and renowned wineries through included Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Highlighted Feature Itineraries include:

• 15-day Jewels of Europe River Cruise: Ideal for first-time river cruisers, this itinerary uncovers iconic landmarks, historical sites, and cultural gems.
• 10-day Danube in Depth River Cruise: Exclusively with Scenic, guests can immerse themselves in the wonders of the Danube, enjoying extended exploration time and local delights.
• 11-day Beautiful Bordeaux River Cruise: This immersive journey navigates the picturesque Bordeaux region, renowned for its culinary offerings and breathtaking cycling routes through Medoc and Sauternes.
• 11-day Unforgettable Douro: Cruisers can embark on a deeper exploration of the Iberian Peninsula's culture during this enriching cruise experience.