See the Scenic Difference

Written By: Joelle Davis, VP Brand Management, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours 

 

 

View the Full Feature in the eMagazine by Clicking Here

Our award-winning brand has a lot to look forward to in 2018. We will continue to focus on our Europe River Cruise products, offering guests a truly all-inclusive, 5-star luxury experience. Our list of inclusions is long and we are happy to provide our guests with butler service, unlimited drinks, airport transfers to and from the ship, complimentary WiFi, in-suite mini-bar restocked daily, nightly turndown service, the finest in Egyptian cotton linens, premium bath amenities, 24-hour room service, in-suite Apple® infotainment system, ALL tipping and gratuities, a selection of dining options, a choice of shore excursions with local guides, e-Bikes, Scenic Tailormade – GPS driven self-touring device, Scenic Enrich events and Scenic sundowners.  In fact the only time guests need to take out their wallet is if they decide to get a haircut or a massage. 

 

While sailing the rivers of Europe, guests will enjoy relaxing on board our modern fleet of ships “Space-Ships.” Compared to ships of similar size, our fleet boasts suites and staterooms that are 24% larger than our competitors and 84% of our cabins have balconies called the Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’. This private space converts at the press of a button into an indoor sunroom or outdoor balcony.  

 

All of our ships have been built or refurbished since 2012, with the most recent being last year with the Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Diamond.   These ships have been reconfigured with the finest of interiors and amenities including a vitality pool, larger gym and spa area, complete with an industry first, the Salt Therapy Lounge.  This unique lounge offers guests a non-invasive way to feel energized and healthier while relaxing. The humidity and temperature-controlled room is handcrafted from salt bricks and creates a micro-climate of a natural salt mine. Its three inclined lounging chairs are separated by light curtains for privacy, low-level lighting and calming music to help promote the natural relaxing effects of the salt.  These relaxation rooms have proved so popular, that we are looking to add them to more ships in our fleet. 

 

Also new to our Europe program, is the introduction of our National Geographic River Cruises. These nine departures in 2018 will combine the luxury river cruise experience guests have come to expect from Scenic, with National Geographic’s 130-year legacy of science, conservation, and exploration to create a truly unforgettable experience for your clients. In addition to our truly all-inclusive amenities, each sailing will be enhanced with talks and excursions with a National Geographic expert and a National Geographic photographer who will be on board select departures to share techniques and help guests hone their photography skills. We’re excited for your clients to experience these special sailings focused on a 5-Star luxury river cruise with a focus on the natural world, culture and history. 

 

In addition to our popular river cruise offerings in Europe & South East Asia, we are now excited to offer something new to guests – Nile river cruises.  Included in our Egypt escorted land tours, guests spend four nights cruising the Nile in style on board the exclusively chartered and fully refurbished Sancutary Sun Boat III. This tailormade itinerary will visit Egypt’s ancient wonders from the Valley of the King to the lesser-known Temple of Hathor at Dendera.  Excursions will be led by expert Egyptologists and on board guests will enjoy the services of a Tour Director, entertained by belly dancers, whirling dervishes and treated to first-class dining and beverages included with lunch and dinner.   

 

This is all part of our 11 Treasures of Egypt escorted land tour.  This itinerary can also be combined with the 10 day Kingdom of Jordan Unveiled, to create a journey through two countries, experiencing countless treasures. 

 

Our most exciting endeavor in 2018 is the introduction of the World’s First Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse.  Debuting in August, this ships combines luxury and discovery. Home to a wealth of facilities and amenities this “6-star” ultra-luxury mega yacht will carrying just 228 guests, 200 in the polar regions of Arctic and Antarctica. Guests will be able to explore above and beyond what was previously possible from a cruise ship. Scenic Eclipse’s intimate size allows for docking in unique locations and smaller ports; its GPS dynamic position technology allows it to ‘anchor’ in areas where the use of a real anchor would make it off-limits; and its onboard seven-seat helicopters and submarine takes guests to the furthest reaches of remote regions. 

 

Our signature truly all-inclusive philosophy extends to Scenic Eclipse. The list of inclusions includes spacious all-verandah suite accommodations, a 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio, 10 dining experiences from casual to fine dining, a personal butler for every guest, unlimited drinks all day and night, Spa Sanctuary and plunge pools, gym, yoga and pilates studio, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, expert Discovery Leaders on all cruises, daily entertainment and discovery presentations, complimentary self-service guest laundry, airport transfers to and from the ship, complimentary WiFi throughout the ship, in-suite mini-bar restocked daily, nightly turndown service, ALL tipping and gratuities, all meals, local guides, shore excursions, e-Bikes for independent adventure, exclusive Scenic Enrich events, Zodiac excursions, kayak, snorkeling and snowshoeing adventures, bottled water for all shore excursions and chef-prepared picnics. In fact the only time our guests need their wallets is if they decide to get a haircut or a massage. 

 

Setting the benchmark for river cruising is now joined by setting a new standard of ocean-cruising suites. Every one of the 114 spacious and beautifully designed suites feature a private verandah and lounge area. Akin to the finest hotels in the world, the suites range in size from the generous 345ft² Verandah Suites to the 2,659ft² two-bedroom Penthouse Suite. 

 

Four new dining options have been added since Scenic first announced  Scenic Eclipse last year, bringing the total to ten. Guests can choose from restaurants featuring Italian, steaks and seafood to French fine dining to Asian Fusion to poolside grilling or 24/7 room service. For truly unique experiences, there is a Chef’s Table as well as Epicure – a chef-led dedicated cooking emporium. Menus feature the finest fare, including regional specialties sourced from local suppliers. 

 

Eight spacious bars and lounges offer unlimited complimentary beverages. Options range from the intimate Champagne Bar to the elegant Lobby Lounge and the Azure Bar & Café, where a plate of oysters would go well with a glass of Pinot Gris. Specialty teas are served in the Observatory and every suite has a complimentary mini-bar that is stocked and refreshed daily or as needed. 

 

Exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences range from a private performance in the elegant Salle Garnier at Opéra de Monte-Carlo to authentic cultural music and dance events on the beaches of Columbia and Greece, while guests will choose from dozens of expert-led Scenic Freechoice activities and discovery excursions by Zodiac, kayak, e-bike, snorkeling and more, without paying anything extra. 

 

Inspired by the sleek contours of a sailing yacht and designed to easily glide through ocean currents, Scenic Eclipse is built to the highest international safety standards, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and a host of safety features, including innovative zero-speed stabilizer fins that are than 50% larger for even greater stability. A rating of Ice Class 1A (Polar Class 6), the highest of any luxury vessel, enables the safest navigation through Arctic and Antarctic waters, while redundant kitchen, engine and navigation systems ensure additional peace of mind. 

 

Thanks to seven-seat on board helicopters and a seven-seat submarine capable to depths of 200 meters, Scenic Eclipse will take guests to places previously thought inaccessible, offering a whole new dimension of wonder – from above and below. Scuba diving experiences take in the coral reefs of the Caribbean, the beauty of the Mediterranean, and an abundance of sites in between. Additional fees will apply to the helicopter and submarine excursions. 

 

From the top of the world to Antarctica and everywhere in between, ocean cruising has never felt like this. With 365 days a year to explore 4 of the world’s continents, encourage your clients to travel on board Scenic Eclipse as we strive to exceed all expectations.