Scenic has launched its 2021 European river cruising programme and new flexible booking options.
New for 2021 are visits to World War I sites in Ypres and Passchendaele and two culinary itineraries: Tastes of Southern France on the Rhône and the Flavours of Bordeaux itinerary cruising the Garonne.
Culinary cruises include an onboard dinner prepared by Michelin star chef Didier Goiffon and a cooking class at three-star Michelin chef Georges Blanc’s restaurant. Guests can learn the family secrets of regional recipes with Scenic’s new ‘Ancestry of the Kitchen’ programme, which includes a series of cooking classes held in the homes of locals including Dutch Apple Pie baking in Hoorn, Bulgarian Banica in Vidin and a traditional Portuguese bread-making experience.
The brand has also unveiled a four-night sailing from Vienna to Budapest along the Danube, including a classical concert at Budapest’s Godollo Palace.
Guests booking before July 31, 2020, will save £1,200 per couple, have private door-to-door chauffeur transfers, and access Scenic’s new Deposit Protection Plan, which allows guests to change their travel dates or itinerary up to 90 days before departure.
UK managing director Colin Downing said: “We’re seeing our loyalty members and new customers look to the future with high engagement levels on our digital marketing and upward trends in bookings. Our Book with Confidence program offers flexibility and peace of mind combined with certainty, reassuring those ready to plan their Europe river cruise next year.
“While the world may have changed, we are confident consumers will increasingly look to smaller ship experiences like those on Scenic’s Space-Ships. There is also a clear trend towards true personalisation and once-in-a-lifetime moments, which is why we continue to enhance our Scenic Freechoice and exclusive Enrich experiences.
“Our entire feet of Scenic Space-Ships are perfectly suited for exploring the historic waterways of Europe. The innovative Scenic Sun Lounges in our spacious suites, up to five dining venues and a holistic range of well-being options, including the first on board Salt Therapy Lounge, provide a luxurious new perspective as European landscapes float by.
“Our global management team is also working closely with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and government health agencies around the world to continue to provide each and every guest with the uttermost confidence while on board with us.
“The cruising industry is used to adapting to change and here at Scenic we are agile enough to continue to ensure any new guidelines introduced are met, and our guest experience stays at the heart of everything we do, as we all navigate this unprecedented time.”
The brochure is available to view online.