Scenic Cruises is expanding its Europe river cruising program for 2014 with five new itineraries, two new ships, new excursions and a new loyalty program. The company’s Europe 2014 Luxury River Cruise Brochure offers details in 144 color pages.
The brochure also highlights Scenic’s “Tailormade” system – the company’s exclusive personal handheld GPS unit that includes full audio and mapping during independent touring ashore on foot or by bicycle. Scenic Cruises is also offering deals on early bookings, ranging from savings of up to $2,000 per couple to free flights to Europe (deadlines for these offers vary). The new brochure is available in hard copy, which includes a DVD that allows for a more visual experience, or in downloadable format at www.sceniccruises.com.
Two new ships, Scenic Jade and Scenic Gem, are slated to launch in 2014, giving Scenic a fleet with no ships older than six years.
Also in 2014, the Scenic Club Loyalty Program is being introduced to the U.S. market. The program offers different levels of membership, with guests reaping rewards after their first trip, earning the ScenicClub Gold status. Member-only savings, $100 discounts and a dedicated help desk are some of the perks. The Platinum level adds free limousine transfers before and after the trip and complimentary pre-or post nights (and more), and the Diamond level – Scenic’s highest – includes wonderful gifts choices and Diamond-level member events.
New European itineraries for 2014 include the 19-day Treasures of Europe between Budapest and Amsterdam, with stops in Bratslavia, Bamberg, Wertheim, Hoorn and Volendam as well as Vienna, where guests enjoy a glass of Austrian Sekt at Palais Liechtenstein followed by a private Viennese concert. Ultimate Holland & Belgium is an 11-day roundtrip from Amsterdam that takes in Antwerp, Bruges, Veere, Arnhem and Hoorn, where local residents act as proud tour guides as they showcase the town’s historical sights and then open their doors to share local dishes. The 17- or 20-day Munich & Passau to the Danube sailing travels to lesser-known Kalocsa, Mohacs, Pecs, Osijek, Velko Tarnovo and Romania’s Tulcea. A classical concert at the Gödöllõ Royal Palace and sailing along the UNESCO Danube Delta with its abundance of wildlife and scenery are among many offerings on this vacation.
The new Scenic Gem is dedicated to France’s Seine River. With the same space ratio as the other ‘Space-Ships’ but for just 126 guests, the Scenic Gem will be the most spacious ship on the Seine – and because of its special design, the only one that can sail directly into Honfleur on the coast of the English Channel. Two new French itineraries that encompass this route are the 11-day Gems of the Seine River and the 23-day Gems of the Seine & South of France River Cruise. The Seine portion is the same on both itineraries – with stops in Les Andelys, Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Vernon and Conflans – while the South of France addition allows guests to extend their stay aboard the company’s other France-dedicated ship, the Scenic Emerald. Ports on this second portion include Tournon, Avignon and Nice, an array of excursions and an exclusive experience at the prestigious Palais-des-Papes.
The Scenic Tsar will sail Russian rivers on a 15-day journey along the fabled Volga River. Many of the country's best sites between St. Petersburg and Moscow are highlighted: St. Petersburg; the museum village of Mandrogi; Yaroslavl, founded in 1010; one of Russia’s most ancient sites - Kizhi Island; the medieval village of Goritsy, with its 600-year-old monastery; Uglich, which dates back to the 10th century; and Moscow, with tours of the Kremlin, the KGB building, Red Square, and the State Armory.
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