Scenic (cruise line)

Last updated

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

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

Contents

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 maiden purpose-built ocean cruise ship, Scenic Eclipse, which navigates in the Americas, Europe, the Arctic, Antarctica, and the Norwegian Fjords. [3] In April 2023, Scenic Eclipse II, a nearly identical sister ship was delivered. [4]

Company History

Scenic was established by Glen Moroney in 1986. [5] Scenic first offered rivers of Europer in 2008, with the launch of Scenic Sapphire. This was followed shortly by the Scenic Emerald, with the Scenic Diamond and Scenic Ruby arriving in 2009. [6]

In 2012, Scenic launched a new ship, the Scenic Tsar, registered on the Moscow — St Petersburg passage.

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

In 2014, Scenic added two ships to its fleet, with the addition of the 169-passenger Scenic Jade, operating on the River Danube, and the 126-passenger Scenic Gem, which services the River Seine. [8]

In 2016 these ships were launched: the Scenic Azure, to cruise the waters of the River Douro in Portugal; Scenic Amber, scheduled for Europe’s major rivers; and two new ships for the Irrawaddy and Mekong rivers in Southeast Asia, the Scenic Aura and Scenic Spirit. [9] [10]

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

As of 2019, Scenic is in the process of redesigning 10 ships. These ships include Scenic Diamond, Scenic Sapphire, Scenic Ruby, Scenic Peal, 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

Scenic operates on nine rivers, encompassing major rivers in Europe, Southeast Asia, as well as formerly serving the Volga in Russia. [14]

With the launch 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


Expedition ship

Ship NameYear LaunchedTypeLengthCrewGuestsRegistry
Scenic Eclipse 2018Ocean Vessel166m200228 Nassau, Bahamas
Scenic Eclipse II2023Ocean Vessel166m200228 Nassau, Bahamas

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References

  1. "Place North West | Double deal at Piccadilly Place". 15 March 2019.
  2. 1 2 "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.