Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours announces river product booking growth, new launches and upcoming advancements to its river fleet

Scenic (www.scenic.com), the ultra-luxurious and truly all-inclusive cruise and land operator, has reported bookings were up by a third in Q1 year-on-year on river product, with a spike in popularity in sailings on the Danube and a sales uplift on the Douro-specific sailings on forward year departures.

The uplift follows the addition of Scenic’s collection of new itineraries to its 2024 season, featuring extended time in ports to Europe’s hotspots including Bordeaux, Nuremberg, Vienna and Budapest, and new cultural experiences as part of the Scenic Enrich programme which allow for an elevated experience that offers a deeper cultural immersion into Europe’s rivers, as well as further afield waterways.

Scenic’s website recently underwent a refurbishment, with the new website launching in the middle of Q1. Since the launch, the luxury operator reported that website traffic has been up year-on-year.

Scenic Group recently unveiled a design update to the luxury river cruise ships across Europe, reflecting a major investment and ongoing commitment to elevating its fleet. The comprehensive refresh of the ships' main deck introduces new layouts and modern furniture. Aligning with the sophisticated design and amenities characteristic of the ultra-luxury Discovery Yachts Scenic Eclipse I & Scenic Eclipse II, the newly enhanced river ships now offer a taste of the group’s ocean cruising experiences.

‘The design update of our river fleet integrates the elegance and innovative features of our ultra-luxury and luxury ocean yachts into our river cruise ships, elevating and enhancing the guest experience onboard,’ said Karen Moroney, director of project design, Scenic Group. ‘It's a testament to our dedication not just to luxury, but to leading the way in sustainable and thoughtful design within the industry.’

Scenic’s river fleet design updates aim to embody the Cherish the Planet ethos, guided by the brand’s commitment to incorporating sustainable elements alongside exquisite design. Partnerships with renowned designers such as Missoni and Freifrau underscore this approach. ‘Sustainability isn’t just a feature – it's foundational to the beauty we create,’ Moroney stated, ensuring that each ship reflects a responsible yet luxurious sensibility.

Nick Hughes, sales, strategy and partnership director at Scenic Group commented: “It has been great to see growth in Scenic river product in Q1, particularly with Danube and Douro sailings. With the new design updates and our commitment to innovation within the river fleet, we are looking forward to continued growth in 2024 and beyond to the 2025 season.”

launched its new ultra-luxury Europe river cruising brochure for its 2025 season, with new ports added to its deployment in Krems, Regensburg, Mohacs and Bratislava and a plethora of new exclusive Scenic Freechoice excursions, across 15 sailings.

All Scenic River cruises are truly all-inclusive, meaning guests can leave their wallet in a safe place and relax, knowing everything is taken care of. Flights, transfers, fine dining experiences, premium branded beverages** and once in-a-lifetime immersive experiences are all included in the total price. 

For more information or to book visit www.scenic.co.uk or contact your local travel agent. Cherish the Planet can be found here.

** Except for a selection of rare, fine, and vintage wines, champagnes, and spirits