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Scenic's 2015 brochure features new ships, France itineraries, tours

Scenic's 2015 brochure features new ships, France itineraries, tours
Scenic Cruises'144-page 2015 brochure details all-inclusive offerings, including new France itineraries, and accompanying new excursions such as a private soiree in a Médoc château. Plus, the new Scenic Opal and Scenic Jasper will usher in the next generation of ‘Space-Ships.’

These third-generation ships have a split pool concept on the sun deck—a warm water pool for relaxing and one with a water stream for swimming laps while staying in place. Other new features include a redesign of the Panoramic Lounge and extension of the deluxe Portobello Restaurant that provides the ability to enclose the area during inclement weather using a moving glass wall of windows, which also allows for the expansion of the restaurant.

Eighty-five percent of accommodations have Scenic 'Sun Lounges,' large private walk-out balconies that convert into all-weather lounges with the push of a button. Other cabin amenities include large walk-in showers, Egyptian linens and a 32-inch Samsung HD TV linked to a Mac mini computer with free Internet access.

Other features include electric-assist bicycles and the ability to cruise in near silence, thanks to the fleet's double-insulated enclosures and a new configuration for the engines and propellers that reduces vibration.

Scenic Cruises has responded to the rapid growth in French river cruising with this year’s launch of the Seine-dedicated ship, Scenic Gem. In 2015, the line will 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, including its 18th-century merchant mansions, Gothic churches, historic Quarter Saint-Pierre and 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 Sebastián. 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.

Other new sailings include a 16-day Vienna to the Danube Delta cruise that traverses six countries. Ports include Vienna, Bucharest, Budapest, Belgrade, Tulcea, the spectacular narrow gorge known as the Iron Gate, and the Danube Delta. 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.

Rail journeys are offered as inclusions on specific river itineraries. The Black Forest Steam Train makes a 40-minute journey of yesteryear from Kandern to Haltigen through the scenic Kander Valley, while the Great Continental Train takes in the countryside vistas between Vienna and Bratislava. And on several of the French sailings, the use of the country’s TGV provides high-speed, first-class connections between Paris and Amsterdam, Bordeaux or Dijon.

The company's exclusive included excursion program, Scenic Enrich, includes offerings like a private Viennese concert in Palais Lichtenstein, the home of the princely family, and a 'day-in-the-life-experience' in a German or Swiss village.

Scenic Cruises is part of Scenic Tours.