Cruise Frog guide

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Scenic is an Australian-founded cruise and tour company best known for all-inclusive river cruises in Europe and Southeast Asia, and since 2019 for two small ocean-going expedition ships it calls Discovery Yachts. It belongs to Scenic Group, which also owns Emerald Cruises.

Official site

Style

River

riverboats through towns and cities, a port most days

Best for

  • Couples
  • History and culture
  • Food lovers
  • Adventure seekers

Fleet rating

No ships rated yet.

About Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

The business began in 1986 as Warrnambool Scenic Tours, running coach trips along Victoria's Great Ocean Road, and grew into an international escorted-tour operator by the late 1990s. It chartered river ships in Europe from 2006 before building its own fleet of 135-metre "Space-Ships" from 2008; France followed in 2013, the Mekong ship Scenic Spirit in 2016, Scenic Eclipse in 2019 and Scenic Eclipse II in 2023. Today the river fleet counts eleven Space-Ships on the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Rhône, Seine and Bordeaux's rivers, Scenic Azure on the Douro and Scenic Spirit on the Mekong, with Scenic Aura being refitted for India and more ships, including the 270-guest Scenic Ikon, on order for 2027 and 2028.

Fares are sold as all-inclusive: drinks are included apart from a few rare wines and spirits, shore excursions are chosen through the Scenic Freechoice program, private Scenic Enrich events add concerts and similar outings, and butlers are part of the crew. River ships carry up to 163 guests in suites, most with an enclosed Sun Lounge balcony, and offer up to five dining venues. The Discovery Yachts add helicopters and a submarine, at extra cost, for polar and warm-water voyages.

What Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is known for

Scenic is regularly ranked among the top river cruise lines, including Condé Nast Traveler readers' choice listings in 2018 and 2021 to 2023, and its ships draw praise for space, all-suite accommodation and inclusions that leave little to pay on board. Scenic Spirit was named Asia's best river cruise ship at the 2022 World Cruise Awards, and Scenic Eclipse II was a Cruise Critic pick for best new expedition ship in 2023. Things travelers weigh against that: fares sit at the top of the river market because so much is bundled in; several Europe ships date from 2008 to 2011, though the whole Europe fleet was refurbished in 2024; river itineraries can be altered by high or low water, as Scenic's own terms note; and the yachts' helicopter and submarine outings cost extra and are not allowed in many countries.

Who it's for

Scenic suits couples and experienced travelers who want a polished, all-in price, with drinks and excursions settled before departure, and who value roomy suites over onboard entertainment. Food and wine lovers will find several dining venues on each ship and, on the France ships, a cooking school. The Discovery Yachts fit travelers who want Antarctica, the Arctic or the Kimberley with expedition gear but hotel-level comfort. Travelers who want kids' clubs, nightlife or big-ship activities, and anyone shopping on price alone should look elsewhere; Scenic Group's own Emerald Cruises sells a similar river product with fewer inclusions.

Couples
romantic dining, quiet spaces, balcony cabins
History and culture
port-intensive itineraries, lectures, included excursions
Food lovers
dining is a reason to sail
Adventure seekers
active excursions, remote places

How it rates

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None of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours's ships has been rated yet. A line's rating is the average of its ships' scores.

Where Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours sails

Ships in service

Ships

16 in service
Scenic Amber on the Danube above Erlau, Austria, 2022Scenic Amber2016 · 2,721 GT · 163 guests · Rhine · DanubeScenic Amber, delivered in 2016, is the youngest of Scenic's 135-metre Central Europe Space-Ships and the third of a trio with Scenic Jasper and Scenic Opal. She carries up to…Scenic Aura2016 · 44 guestsScenic Aura is a 44-guest river ship that Scenic introduced in 2016 for cruises on the Irrawaddy in Myanmar, following Scenic Spirit on the Mekong. She is not sailing as of late…Scenic Azure in Porto, Portugal, June 2024Scenic Azure2016 · 1,780 GT · 96 guests · DouroScenic Azure is Scenic's Douro river ship, an 80-metre ship built in 2016. She takes up to 96 guests in 48 suites, from 15-square-metre standard rooms to a pair of Royal…Scenic Crystal moored in Budapest, Hungary, 2012Scenic Crystal2012 · 2,721 GT · 163 guests · Danube · RhineScenic Crystal, built in 2012, is the first of three sister Space-Ships, followed by Scenic Jewel and Scenic Jade on the same 135-metre plan. She has 82 suites for up to 163…Scenic Diamond under way near Cologne, Germany, 2011Scenic Diamond2009 · 2,721 GT · 147 guestsScenic Diamond is a 2009 Scenic Space-Ship based in Bordeaux, where she sails the Garonne and Dordogne through the region's wine country. She shares her layout with Scenic…Scenic Eclipse at Hook of Holland, Netherlands, August 2019Scenic Eclipse2019 · 17,545 GT · 228 guests · Antarctica · MediterraneanScenic Eclipse is the first of Scenic's ocean-going "Discovery Yachts", an all-suite expedition ship of 17,545 gross tons with a Polar Class 6 rating and room for 228 guests, cut…Scenic Eclipse II in the Solent, seen from Cowes, England, June 2023Scenic Eclipse II2023 · 17,545 GT · 228 guests · Australia and New Zealand · South PacificScenic Eclipse II is the sister of Scenic Eclipse: a 228-guest, all-suite expedition yacht of 17,545 gross tons and about 168 metres, with 114 suites and a Polar Class 6 hull…Scenic Gem, 2019Scenic Gem2014 · 2,200 GT · 122 guests · SeineScenic Gem is a shortened Space-Ship built in 2014 for the Seine: at 110 metres she was designed to reach the upper Seine and also the Normandy port of Honfleur. She carries up…Scenic Jade in Cologne, Germany, 2014Scenic Jade2014 · 2,721 GT · 163 guests · Danube · RhineScenic Jade, from 2014, is the last of the Crystal, Jewel and Jade trio of 135-metre Scenic Space-Ships, carrying up to 163 guests in 82 suites with a crew of 57. Her suites run…Scenic Jasper2015 · 2,721 GT · 163 guests · Rhine · DanubeScenic Jasper is a 135-metre Scenic Space-Ship from 2015, one of a trio with Scenic Opal and Scenic Amber. The three are the newest of Scenic's Central Europe ships, with 82…Scenic Jewel in Cologne, Germany, 2015Scenic Jewel2013 · 2,721 GT · 163 guests · Rhine · DanubeScenic Jewel is a 2013 Scenic Space-Ship, the middle sister between Scenic Crystal and Scenic Jade, with 82 suites for up to 163 guests, a crew of 57 and the same 135-metre…Scenic Opal on the Rhine near Assmannshausen, Germany, 2023Scenic Opal2015 · 2,721 GT · 163 guests · Rhine · DanubeScenic Opal is a 2015 Scenic Space-Ship, built to the same 135-metre plan as Scenic Jasper and Scenic Amber with 82 suites for up to 163 guests and a crew of 57. Her sun deck has…Scenic Pearl in Cologne-Stammheim, Germany, 2014Scenic Pearl2011 · 2,721 GT · 159 guests · Rhine · DanubeScenic Pearl entered service in 2011 and is the sister of Scenic Ruby, sharing the same 135-metre Space-Ship plan with 80 suites for up to 159 guests and a crew of 57. Her top…Scenic Ruby on the Rhine at Koblenz, Germany, 2014Scenic Ruby2009 · 2,721 GT · 159 guests · Rhine · DanubeScenic Ruby, completed in 2009, is one of the older 135-metre Scenic Space-Ships and shares a deck plan with Scenic Pearl. The pair carry up to 159 guests in 80 suites, a few…Scenic Sapphire at the landing in Cologne, Germany, 2011Scenic Sapphire2008 · 2,721 GT · 147 guests · RhôneScenic Sapphire, from 2008, is the oldest ship in Scenic's river fleet and one of its first own-built Space-Ships, now assigned to France. She and Scenic Diamond carry fewer…Scenic Spirit2016 · 68 guests · MekongScenic Spirit is Scenic's Mekong River ship, launched in 2016 as the company's first vessel in Southeast Asia. She is 85 metres long and carries only 68 guests in 34 suites with…

Coming soon

Every new ship
Debuts Sep 2027Scenic Aria2027 · DouroScenic Aria is an upcoming river ship for Portugal's Douro, announced by Scenic Group in March 2026 as one of three new river vessels marking the company's 40th year. She is…Debuts Apr 2028Scenic Ikon2028 · 270 guests · Mediterranean · AntarcticaScenic Ikon is Scenic's third Discovery Yacht, under construction for delivery in 2028 and larger than Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II, with 135 suites for 270 guests…Coming 2028Scenic Spirit II2028 · MekongScenic Spirit II is an upcoming second Scenic ship for the Mekong River, announced in March 2026 after what the company described as strong growth in demand for its Vietnam and…

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Quick answers

What is Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours known for?

Scenic is regularly ranked among the top river cruise lines, including Condé Nast Traveler readers' choice listings in 2018 and 2021 to 2023, and its ships draw praise for space, all-suite accommodation and inclusions that leave little to pay on board. Scenic Spirit was named Asia's best river cruise ship at the 2022 World Cruise Awards, and Scenic Eclipse II was a Cruise Critic pick for best new expedition ship in 2023. Things travelers weigh against that: fares sit at the top of the river market because so much is bundled in; several Europe ships date from 2008 to 2011, though the whole Europe fleet was refurbished in 2024; river itineraries can be altered by high or low water, as Scenic's own terms note; and the yachts' helicopter and submarine outings cost extra and are not allowed in many countries.

Who is Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours best for?

Scenic suits couples and experienced travelers who want a polished, all-in price, with drinks and excursions settled before departure, and who value roomy suites over onboard entertainment. Food and wine lovers will find several dining venues on each ship and, on the France ships, a cooking school. The Discovery Yachts fit travelers who want Antarctica, the Arctic or the Kimberley with expedition gear but hotel-level comfort. Travelers who want kids' clubs, nightlife or big-ship activities, and anyone shopping on price alone should look elsewhere; Scenic Group's own Emerald Cruises sells a similar river product with fewer inclusions.

Where does Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours sail?

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours's ships in service sail Rhine (8 ships), Danube (8 ships), Northern Europe (2 ships), South America (2 ships), Antarctica (2 ships), Mediterranean (1 ship), Australia and New Zealand (1 ship), South Pacific (1 ship), Seine (1 ship), Rhône (1 ship), Douro (1 ship) and Mekong (1 ship).

Does Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours have new ships coming?

Yes: Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has 3 new ships on the way: Scenic Aria (debuts September 2027), Scenic Ikon (debuts April 2028) and Scenic Spirit II (due 2028).

How many ships does Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours have?

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has 16 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Scenic Amber, Scenic Aura, Scenic Azure, Scenic Crystal, Scenic Diamond, Scenic Eclipse, Scenic Eclipse II and Scenic Gem, and 8 more.

Who owns Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours?

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is part of Scenic Group.

Where is Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours based?

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. It has operated since 1986.

What is Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours's loyalty program called?

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours's past-guest loyalty program is Scenic & Emerald Rewards.

What is the largest Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours ship?

Scenic Eclipse is Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours's largest ship at 17,545 gross tons, carrying 228 guests.

Cruising with children

Scenic’s river and discovery-yacht products need separate checks for children. A suite and inclusive fare do not, by themselves, establish age acceptance or a children’s program.

Read the Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours family guide →