Scenic (cruise line)

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours
IndustryTourism
Founded1986
ServicesRiver Cruising, Ocean Cruising, Escorted Tours
Websitehttps://www.scenic.co.uk/

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours is a privately held Cruise Line and Touring Company, established by Australian businessman Glen Moroney in 1986. The company opened its first UK office in 2007, headquarters in Manchester.[1] Scenic's inaugural European river cruise occurred in 2008 with the debut of its first river ship, "Scenic Sapphire".[2]

As of January 2024, Scenic operates 15 river cruise ships, providing services in Europe and Southeast Asia, and previously including Russia.[2] On August 15, Scenic introduced its first purpose-built ocean cruise ship, Scenic Eclipse, which operates in the Americas, Europe, the Arctic, Antarctica, and the Norwegian Fjords.[3] In April 2023, Scenic launched Scenic Eclipse II, a nearly identical sister ship.[4]

Company History[edit]

Scenic was established by Glen Moroney in 1986.[5] The company first offered river cruises in Europe in 2008 with the launch of Scenic Sapphire, followed by Scenic Emerald, Scenic Diamond, and Scenic Ruby in 2009.[6]

In 2012, Scenic launched the Scenic Tsar, which operated on the Moscow-St Petersburg route.

In 2013, Scenic established Emerald Waterways as a lower-cost river cruise line.[7]

In 2014, Scenic expanded its fleet with the addition of the 169-passenger Scenic Jade, operating on the River Danube, and the 126-passenger Scenic Gem, servicing the River Seine.[8]

In 2016, Scenic launched several new ships: Scenic Azure for the River Douro in Portugal; Scenic Amber for Europe's major rivers, and Scenic Aura and Scenic Spirit for the Irrawaddy and Mekong rivers in Southeast Asia.[9][10]

In January 2016, Scenic announced plans to enter the ocean cruise market with the launch of Scenic Eclipse, a 228-passenger ocean liner, which began service in August 2019.[11]

As of 2019, Scenic is redesigning 10 ships, including Scenic Diamond, Scenic Sapphire, Scenic Ruby, Scenic Pearl, Scenic Jasper, Scenic Opal, Scenic Amber, Scenic Crystal, Scenic Jade, and Scenic Jewel.[12]

In March 2022, Scenic suspended all Russian operations following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[13]

Cruises and destinations[edit]

Scenic operates on nine rivers, covering major rivers in Europe and Southeast Asia, and formerly the Volga in Russia.[14]

With the introduction of their ocean cruise ships, Scenic now also operates in Antarctica, the Arctic, the Americas, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the British Isles, and the Norwegian Fjords.[15]

Current Fleet[edit]

Expedition ship

Ship Name Year Launched Type Length Crew Guests Registry
Scenic Eclipse 2018 Ocean Vessel 166m 200 228 Nassau, Bahamas
Scenic Eclipse II 2023 Ocean Vessel 166m 200 228 Nassau, Bahamas

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Place North West | Double deal at Piccadilly Place". 15 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Scenic Cruises 2019: Reviews, Photos & Activities - Cruise Critic". www.cruisecritic.com.
  3. ^ "Scenic Eclipse sea trials 'surpass expectations'".
  4. ^ "Scenic Eclipse II Departs on Inaugural Sailing from Lisbon". cruiseindustrynews.com. 14 April 2023. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Take the Scenic route". Newcastle Herald. 5 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Take me to the rivers". The Australian. 13 October 2012.
  7. ^ Baran, Michelle (19 August 2013). "Scenic Tours' new river cruise line a lower-priced option: Travel Weekly". Travel Weekly. Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Scenic's New Gem". TravelPulse.
  9. ^ "Scenic Building Four Ships for 2016". TravelPulse.
  10. ^ "Scenic Aura and Scenic Spirit Unveil New Design and Asian River Cruise Itineraries". www.cruisecritic.com.
  11. ^ "Scenic Enters Ocean Cruising With New Luxury Cruise Ship". www.cruisecritic.com.
  12. ^ "Scenic Cruises to Redesign Eight European River Ships in 2019". www.cruisecritic.com.
  13. ^ Chua, Bernadette (7 March 2022). "River cruise lines cancel Russian Volga river cruises in support of Ukraine". rivercruise.cruisepassenger.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Scenic Company Overview". River Cruise Advisor.
  15. ^ "Scenic Eclipse Expedition Cruise Ship Successfully Completes Sea Trials". www.cruisecritic.com.