Scenic offers 2020 river cruise season with new cruises, 2019 pricing, free air and the Passion Play

Scenic Opens 2020 European River Cruise Season Sales With New Cruises, 2019 Pricing, Free Air and the Passion Play 2020 fares remain at 2019 levels for bookings made by April 30, 2019 Boston, February 2019 – Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has kicked off its 2020 river cruise opportunities with a host of new opportunities, deals and 2019 pricing. The recently released 2020 Preview Brochure details many of the possibilities and is available online (www.scenicusa.com) and by mail. Leading the news items is a new South of France sailing. The 12-day adventure focuses on food, wines and iconic sights – guests visit the estate of Château Meursault to enjoy some of its acclaimed wines; shop with the chef at a local Avignon food market followed by a cooking class in the ship's Culinaire; take an e-bike ride through the countryside from Andance to Tournon; and enjoy a private classical concert in the historic Palais des Papes. April through Oct. departures start at $7,045 per person, double. Scenic is also offering several incentives for those who plan early. All 2020 Scenic Europe and Russian river cruises are being offered at 2019 prices if booked by April 30, 2019. Itineraries of 11 days or longer come with free premium air for guests staying on the Diamond deck and free economy air for all others; and eight- to 10-day sailings include air at only $395 additional – must be booked by April 30. Or guests can elect to arrange their own air and enjoy savings of $1,500, $1,000 or $750 off their fare, respectively. Celebrating the decennial performance of the Passion Play, which began in Oberammergau, Germany in 1633, Scenic is offering a series of six- to eight-day touring itineraries between May 20 and Sept 21, 2020, which include tickets to the play and a seamless link to a selection of river cruise itineraries including Rhine and Danube sailings. Scenic also offers land extensions on many of their sailings. New in 2020 is Basque Highlights – a four-day exploration of Spain's Bay of Biscay coastline that takes in Biarritz in France and Spain's San Sebastián and thriving city of Bilbao, that can be added to the Bordeaux river cruises. Other possibilities include Paris, Prague, Transylvania, Monte Carlo, Turkey, Switzerland, Madrid, Berlin and Lisbon. Scenic is the only river cruise company to offer a river cruise guarantee. Backed by Chubb Insurance, a top global insurance firm, the guarantee automatically covers every guest on the commencement of their cruise for any delays or cancellations due to weather, natural disasters, mechanical breakdowns or labor strikes. Even high/low water issues that plague the industry every year. And just as impressive is that approved claimants will receive direct monetary refunds, up to $750 per day with a maximum of seven days or $5,250 per guest, instead of the industry standard of future cruise credits. The 5-star Scenic Space-Ships offer all-inclusive luxury experiences - from private butler service and unlimited complimentary beverages and spirits including mini-bar re-stocked daily, to six on-board dining options and a wellness area and fitness center. And guests will never have to reach for the wallet or purse as everything (except a haircut or massage) is included: 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. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has grown over its 33-year history to include award-winning, all-inclusive escorted tours that take participants to many of the world's most fascinating destinations and, since 2008, truly all-inclusive, five-star river cruises in Europe, SE Asia, Russia and Egypt on its 15 Space-Ships. In 2019, Scenic is introducing the world's first Discovery Yacht, the 228-guest Scenic Eclipse. Sister brand Emerald Waterways has seven Star-Ships offering European river sailings with an eighth (Emerald Harmony) launching this year for SE Asia's Mekong River. Exclusive charters are offered on SE Asia's Irrawaddy River; the Volga River in Russia; yacht cruises out of Croatia; and Egypt's Nile River.