Luxury European tour and river cruise company Scenic Cruises has released its 127-page 2013 Europe River Cruise Brochure, detailing its 25 cruise and cruise-tour offerings in Europe and Russia, its new truly all-inclusive pricing, new excursion programs - both guided and self-guided, again, all included, Paris, Prague and London extensions, and its new exclusive GPS guided tour system - Scenic Tailormade.

Scenic Cruises is also offering savings for those booking by November 30, 2012; possibilities include free air to Europe and Russia, and cabin savings of $400 to $2,000 per couple.  Fares range from $2,460 to $15,535 per person, double, before savings; higher prices are for suites.

Just as exciting is the announcement of Scenic Cruises new truly all-inclusive policy - applicable to all cruises except Russia.  2013 sees the addition of unlimited beverages including the cabin mini-bars, private butler service for every guest, free Wi-Fi, new themed dinners with entertainment, new dining venues on board* and Scenic Riverview* - a personal onboard GPS-guided tour system device (*not available on the Scenic Emerald or Scenic Tsar).  This is in addition to the larger staterooms and suites, more than 80% with full-size balconies, private concerts, exclusive performances, onboard entertainment, tour leaders, complimentary electric-assist bicycles, escorted airport transfers - even gratuities and baggage handling.  All of the company’s ships except the Scenic Emerald in France and the Scenic Tsar in Russia will have the unique Scenic ‘Sun-Lounges’, allowing guests to convert their private balconies into an indoor lounge with a push of a button, as well as a number of innovative new technical ship upgrades including a ‘silent drive’ system, which significantly reduces noise and vibration, and the most sophisticated and powerful air conditioning system ever fitted to a river cruise ship.

Itineraries include popular favorites such as the 15-day luxury “Jewels of Europe River Cruise” from Budapest to Amsterdam with a medieval night of entertainment at Marksburg Castle, a cruise along the Rhine Gorge, a tour of Melk Abbey and an exclusive Viennese concert at Palais Liechtenstein; and new sailings such as the eight-day Amsterdam to Basel River Cruise, taking in historic Cologne, scenic Rüdesheim and medieval Mannheim, among other stops.  There are also three new French river cruises as the company moves one of its deluxe ‘Space Ships’, the Scenic Emerald, to the Saône and Rhône rivers.  Guests partake in Burgundy wine tastings, explore Roman cities and the Ardeche countryside, and experience a typical French family homestead with a home-cooked meal in Tournon. 

The launch of the Scenic Tsar in June, 2012 brings Scenic Cruises high standard of guest experience and luxury service to the Russian rivers.  Guests aboard Russia’s most deluxe river ship head off on fascinating journeys to many of the country’s best sites between St Petersburg and Moscow: St Petersburg; Svirstroy, a quaint historic Russian village; Petrozavodsk, where guests enjoy the Karelian Folk Show; one of Russia’s most ancient sites—Kizhi Island; the medieval village of Goritsy with its 600-year-old monastery; Uglich, which dates back to the 10th century; and Moscow with tours of the Kremlin, the KGB building, Red Square, and the State Armory.

All excursion programs - Scenic Cultural, Scenic Enrich, Scenic FreeTime and Scenic FreeChoice - as well as private concerts and exclusive performances are included in the pricing.  New for 2013 is the exclusive Scenic Tailormade.  This custom-developed bespoke GPS guided tour system allows guests to choose from independent walks or cycling tours to explore interest areas such as food, wine or history while full commentary is heard over the headset and live mapping is viewable so as to never been concerned with going off course.

Scenic Cruises’ parent company, Scenic Tours runs all its own excursions - never using subcontractors or doing commissioned shopping tours.  Award-winning English-speaking staff welcomes the guests and tend to their every need while professional Scenic-employed tour leaders offer a host of insight into the excursions.