Scenic’s Redesign of French River Ships Wins Cruise Critic’s “Best Ship Refurbishment” Award

Scenic'€™s Redesign of French River Ships Wins Cruise Critic'€™s '€œBest Ship Refurbishment'€ Award Salt Therapy Rooms, Cooking Emporium, Reduced Guest Count are Highlights Boston & Vancouver, December 2017 '€" Scenic'€™s redesign of two of its France-based Space-Ships (Scenic Diamond and Scenic Sapphire) have received Cruise Critic Editor'€™s 2017 Pick Award for '€œBest Ship Refurbishment.'€ Quoting the editors of the industry'€™s leading cruise review site: '€œOn its French "Space" ships, Scenic Cruises took a good thing and made it better. Passenger counts were reduced from 167 to 155, and brand-new Owners Suites were put in. The line also added hot tubs and a demonstration cooking bar for its new Scenic Culinaire enrichment program; it also expanded its spa and fitness, with a gym and a first-in-the-industry salt room.'€ The numerous improvements include reducing the number of cabins/guest to 78/155 while keeping the same crew count for even greater personal service; adding Culinaire - a private cooking emporium offering tailored cooking classes; two new 510 ft'² Royal Owners Suites; larger wellness centers; and a vitality pool. And as it continues its history of leading the industry with new possibilities, Scenic is now the first and only river cruise line to offer a therapeutic Salt Lounge and a dedicated cooking emporium. The three-station Salt Lounge offers guests a non-invasive way to feel energized and healthier while relaxing. The humidity and temperature-controlled room is handcrafted from salt bricks and creates a micro-climate of a natural salt mine. And with its low-level lighting and calming music promotes the natural relaxing effects of the salt. The new and exclusive Scenic Culinaire utilizes a dedicated space to offer immersive courses in the culinary wonders of the Rhône, Saône and Bordeaux regions. Featuring cooking stations and a cheese and wine cellar, guests are exposed to the fresh ingredients sourced from local markets as the cooking instructors introduce regional recipes based on the itinerary. And as with all Scenic programs, everything is included in the fare. French river cruise itinerary choices range from eight to 16-days (longer when combined with land options) with the Scenic Sapphire sailing along France'€™s Rhône and Saône Rivers and the Scenic Diamond exploring the rivers of Bordeaux in Southern France. Guests on the Bordeaux sailings take in numerous wineries including the Grand Cru desert wines of Château Guiraud, and during a cycling tour, the Sauternes of the 500-year-old winery, Château de Myra. They learn about foie gras at a local farm in Bergerac; and indulge in a Mademoiselle de Margaux chocolate and wine pairing. Highlights on the Southern France sailings include visits to the beautiful Château de Cormatin, with its magnificent gardens and water features, and the 60-hectare Parc Ornithologique in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer; and exploration of the 4th-century secret passageways of Lyon. The 5-star Scenic Space-Ships offer truly all-inclusive luxury experiences - from private butler service and unlimited complimentary beverages and spirits including mini-bar re-stocked daily, to full-size private balcony staterooms '€" all making use of Scenic'€™s unique Sun Lounge technology '€" where the walkout open-air balcony can convert to an all-weather lounge with a push of a button. On board cuisine allows for up to six dining options, including the tradition of dégustation at Table La Rive, fine dining at L'€™Amour and the more casual fare at the River Café. As with all Scenic river cruises, guests will never have to reach for the wallet or purse as everything is included (except a haircut or massage): tips and gratuities, expert local guides, all Scenic Freechoice activities that allow for a more personalized vacation, plus Scenic Enrich events which are exclusive to Scenic and its guests, transfers, all meals, etc. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has grown over its 30-year history to include award-winning, all-inclusive escorted tours that take participants to many of the world'€™s most fascinating destinations; two award-winning river cruise lines '€" Scenic and Emerald Waterways; and, in 2018, the world'€™s first Discovery Yacht '€" Scenic Eclipse. Award-winning Emerald Waterways' seven Star Ships offer deluxe cruises in Europe, and the Mekong, while Scenic'€™s 15 Space-Ships offer truly all-inclusive, five-star river cruises in the same destinations as well as the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar.