VANCOUVER — With Scenic Tours nearly sold out for 2014, the company has launched its new, 144-page colour 2015 brochure, detailing all of its truly all-inclusive offerings – including new France itineraries – and new excursions such as a private soiree in a majestic Médoc Château.
Two new ships – Scenic Opal and Scenic Jasper – will usher in the next generation of ‘Space-Ships’ when they join Scenic’s fleet next year.
Some 85% of cabins and suites boast the Scenic ‘Sun Lounges’, large private walk-out balconies that convert into all-weather lounges with just the push of a button.
Cabin amenities include large walk-in showers, Egyptian linens, and a 32-inch Samsung HD TV linked to a Mac mini computer with complimentary Internet access.
Scenic Tours has responded to the rapid growth in French river cruising with this year’s launch of the Seine-dedicated ship, Scenic Gem. In 2015, Scenic will be the only river cruise line to sail the four major waterways of France, with four new French itineraries. The 12-day Bordeaux River Cruise takes in the region’s rich culture – its 18th-century merchant mansions, Gothic churches, historic Quarter Saint-Pierre and, of course, France’s largest controlled wine region with its Médoc, Saint-Ėmilion and Graves varieties.
The cruise is preceded by a night in Paris. The 17-day version adds two more nights in Paris and three nights in the Basque coastal resort town of San Sebastian. A 21-day version combines 2014’s new Seine itinerary with the Bordeaux sailing, while the 26-day Iconic Southern France itinerary traverses from Paris to Bordeaux and Carcassonne and a wide range of highlights in between.
Other new sailings include a 16-day Vienna to the Danube Delta itinerary that traverses six countries. Ports include Vienna, Bucharest, Budapest, Belgrade, Tulcea, the spectacular narrow gorge known as the Iron Gate, and the Danube Delta (home to more than 300 species of birds and a World Heritage site). A new 21-day Jewels of Europe adventure adds three nights in both Prague and Berlin to a 15-day Amsterdam-to-Budapest river cruise.
