Book by October 31 for Free Air or $900 in Savings per Couple
 

On April 14, 2014, Scenic Cruises guests embark on the Dutch Sights and Belgian Delights river cruise, a spectacular springtime journey that explores Holland and Belgium during the height of flower season. The eight-day roundtrip sailing from Amsterdam includes such highlights as wandering among more than seven million flowering tulips at Keukenhof Gardens, and touring the picturesque canal city of Bruges, known as "The Venice of the North" because of its intricate canal system. Until October 31, Scenic Cruises is offering either free flights for those booking standard staterooms or $900 in savings per couple for balcony cabins (subject to availability). Prices range from $2,735 to $3,960 per person, double. All Scenic Cruises itineraries are truly all-inclusive, meaning unlimited beverages - from premium alcoholic to non-alcoholic selections; all meals; daily minibar replenishment; personal butler service; all excursions, events and entertainment; Wi-Fi throughout the ship; airport transfers; and all tipping and gratuities, both while guests are on board one of Scenic Cruises' luxury 'Space-Ships' and while they're touring ashore. There are no out-of-pocket expenses, with the exceptions of spa or salon services on board and personal gifts.

Scenic Cruises guests experience the sights of Europe through the company's signature "Scenic FreeChoice" activities, which combine the camaraderie of group travel with the flexibility of individual travel. One of many examples of how the company provides the ultimate flexibility in shore excursions is in Amsterdam, where guests can experience a canal cruise highlighting the city's 17th-century architecture or travel to the village of Zaanse Schans to visit a working windmill and enjoy traditional clog and cheese-making presentations. Other "Scenic FreeChoice" activity options are also available in Antwerp, Brussels, Veere and Middelburg. Those seeking greater independence can head off on a self-guided walk or use one of the ship's electric-assist bicycles while taking advantage of Scenic Cruises' new and exclusive "Scenic Tailormade" system. This GPS-guided handheld device includes full audio and mapping and comes preloaded with tours that include a growing range of possible themes - food and wine, gardens and nature, history, arts and culture, architecture and more, and direct you back to the ship from wherever you end up.

Dining aboard Scenic Cruises 'Space-Ships' has also taken on a whole new flavor - with more options than any other river cruise company. The Italian-based Portobello's restaurant offers five-star, five-course meals in an intimate setting in the forward part of the ship. Table La Rive, reserved for guests of the Danube deck, is a chef's degustation experience for 10, where the head chef matches six courses with premium wines. The Crystal Dining Room offers multiple menu choices accompanied by high-end wines, while guests wishing either a quiet night to themselves on their balcony or breakfast in bed can make use of room service, available 24 hours a day. In addition, light fare can be enjoyed anytime during the day at the River Café, with its assortment of tempting breakfast foods, sandwiches, soups, burgers, fish, custom pizzas, and delicious pastries and gelati. And on select days, the Sun Deck turns into an open-air barbecue experience, allowing guests to enjoy the river's warm breezes as conversations flow like the wines. 

To highlight Scenic Cruises' commitment to maintaining the highest level of guest experience, owner Glen Moroney opted to spend $10 million for a near complete rebuild of five 'Space-Ships' earlier this year. This project involved updating all interior components and technologies to match the Scenic Crystal and Scenic Jewel, the company's newest ships (launched in 2012 and 2013). This is one more way that Scenic Cruises has set itself apart from other river cruise companies, as it's standard practice in the industry to simply add new river ships to an existing mix of older ships in the fleet. Interestingly, Scenic Cruises' "older" ships - Scenic Diamond, Scenic Emerald*, Scenic Pearl, Scenic Ruby and Scenic Sapphire - ranged in age from only 18 months to four years at the time of the rebuild, so they were already prime examples of top design among luxury ships traveling the Main, Rhine, Moselle and Danube waterways in Europe.

Scenic Cruises was recently named "Top Luxury Cruise Line" by the New York Travel Writers Association and received an "Award of Excellence" from renowned guidebook author Steven B. Stern after achieving the highest rank of any river cruise company in his book, Guide to European Riverboats and Hotel Barges. Scenic Tours, parent company of Scenic Cruises, offers all-inclusive escorted tours in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas and elsewhere. Additional information on these and other cruises, brochures, and reservations can be obtained via travel agents; the company's visitor-friendly website, www.sceniccruises.com; phone (855)-517-1200; or e-mail: info@sceniccruises.com.
*Not all features are available on Scenic Emerald in France.