Canal archive

After a few hiccups the tailor made that Scenic use are excellent we our first cruise with Scenic they had different devices that were quite hit and miss.

The next cruise was the first year with them and they did have a few teething problems it was a great learning curve with both the passengers and crew working it out together. The next cruise all things sorted they are very, very good, as previously said you can wonder some distance from your tour guide (who have all been excellent) excellent for photographers. They are also loaded with information about the various ports etc so you can wonder off and do your own thing. They also come in handy on board as you cruise they occasionally wake up with information about points of interest that you cruise past.

Scenic tours are split into groups of fast moderate and slow walkers if necessary, they also do not cancel a tour if there are only a couple of people who elect for it. Last year this happened to us, so a car not a coach a driver a tour guide plus a young lady learning to be a cruise director with Scenic, fascinating tour and we all stopped on the way back for an ice cream, it was so hot.

CA

Hi Duct tape, there are various reviews in that section but not of the newer ships as CC has not added them yet, a lot of info on river cruising roll calls under various Scenic headings. Personally I think they deliver a superb product we are soon to take our fourth cruise with them but we have not cruised with any other company although friends have I cannot do a direct comparison. The staff are superb the food excellent the decor smart warm and uncluttered the rooms comfy and roomy with plenty of storage space and charging points, water replaced daily, mini fridge restocked daily and you can specify what you want in it. Tailor maid devices that are GPS enabled so you can listen to your guide from a distance or wonder off on your own. I could go on but read for yourself any questions just ask.

Happy cruising CA

Sorry must have had a senior moment yes Evergreen and they are different to Emerald in one at least important fact Evergreen leased their boats Emerald own theirs. CA

Note although the company involved was owned by Scenic it was Emerald Waterways that the complaints where about. I didn't want to start this again and we have still not heard any outcome.

CA

Okay I admit to being a pariah, but if anyone lite up anywhere other than the one designated area on a Scenic cruise they were very politely told where to go. There is no way I would lite up and upset any of my fellow passengers. Last year I asked if I could use my electronic cigarette inside and they had to get back to head office, the answer was no. We have noticed that mainland Europe in some cases does not follow the no smoking indoors rules as we do in the UK and I fully agree with this edict, I don't see why I should inflict my addiction on others and upset their holiday.

CA

We used our butler on our first two cruises but not on on our third, our room steward on all our cruses cleaned and refurbished our cabin at least twice a day. The Scenic Taylormaid devices ensured that you can either do your own thing or follow the always superb Scenic guides. Check the itinerary of the various cruise companies and what is included. Some say one company is more expensive than another but decided what you want, river cruiser has quite a good comparison guide.

CA

Please be very careful with Wikipedia there are inacuricies in some cases quite serious I know as In some respects have tried to correct in my field and they have been changed back to completely inaccurate, just a gentle warning.

CA

If you want to get the most out of the Seine cruise don't go in November we did the cruise with Scenic earlier in the year when everything was open. The weather will not be of the best quite dismal in fact, we are just over the channel and know how to wrap up but you will not see Normondy at its best. Just think this is someone English recommending that this is not the best time to visit an area of France!

CA

I'm counting the days to your cruise to you are both so positive. Just waiting for our final paperwork and still researching. The lists are getting longer, what to pack what not to pack. The odd cocktail on the balcony delivered by our butler. We start on my birthday, yippee! Last year was my DH 70th, not that he acts or looks it, the year before my ? birthday, the year before that our 40th wedding anniversary. Now just got to think of an excellent excuse to persuade DH for next year. We travel to Lyon by Eurostar then change trains for Chalon sur Saone then transfer by Scenic, return all the way by Eurostar we do love trains.

CA

I to recommend Scenic, all inclusive Butler for all cabins and loads of excursion choices, staff fantastic. The passenger range is Australian, Canadian, American and British the Aussies certainly make the cruises work, friendly wise although we have made many friends across all nationalities. The age range well just lets say that it doesn't matter when everyone is together why worry, good food, convivial atmosphere, great staff, enjoy.

CA

Check out Scenic as well they to are all inclusive. Compare the itineraries decide what you like best whoever you choose enjoy your cruise but be warned it can be adictive.

CA

On YouTube search for 'Shipping Emerald' three river cruisers moved from Rotterdam very clever. I tried to find film of a Narrowboat crossing the channel but no luck I have seen it on TV very scary in a flat bottomed boat only 7 foot wide across what is supposed to be one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

I think I will stick to the rivers and canals. CA

From memory Scenic Gem has a slightly different construction to the other Scenic vessels as she was built to sail the Seine estuary. Mind you on VE Day remebrance and thinking of the 'Little Ships' that relieved Dunkirk most of them where in no way meant or built to cross the channel but they did, thanks be.

CA

When Scenic Emarald and later Scenic Sapphire where moved to France they where transported on the sea equivalent of a low loader see YouTube. When Scenic Gem was moved from her builders to the Seine she was towed by tug. Most river cruisers are either flat bottomed or very shallow v hulled so are extremely unstable under seaway conditions look for English narrowboats on YouTube doing the channel crossing. The boats also have to be marinised i.e. all glass boarded up and crockery etc packed away. Then don't mention the hoops that have to be jumped through to get the required maritime permissions. Just think this is Europe all i's dotted and t's crossed it would be a brave captain wishing to lose his licence who would try it.

Happy boating CA

Hi jklc123 what ship are you on?

CA

From memory the Scenic devices are called TailorMaid and these ones are specific to Scenic. They are pre-loaded with guided walks around the areas you visit and also if you sit in the lounge they start up as you pass points of interest. When you are on a tour you link with your guide, very easy, it means you can be some distance from your guide and still hear perfectly what is said, great for photographers. Then of course they get you back to the boat GPS works. It hangs on a lanyard or put in a pocket only one ear piece is needed new when you get on board, you put them into the charger in your cabin each evening then they are ready for use the next day. When we first went with Scenic they had different sets the news ones are vastly superior this will be our third cruise with them. I usually hate these kind of gizmos but I am happy with these.

CA📷

Cannot work out how to do a link but it is on All River Roll Calls, Paris/Normandy All Ships, page 14

Hope you find it and they do dock in Honfluer now. Hope you enjoy your cruise as much as we did.

CA

We did the first Paris to Paris with Scenic last year, it was superb apart from a slight hiccup at the start everything was just as one would expect from Scenic. I did a report on the all Scenic cruises forum as CC does not list Scenic Gem yet on its list of Scenic ships. Gem is slightly smaller than there other European cruise ships and will be until the new ship for the Douro is launched. The passenger mix was good obviously more Australians but that's no bad thing we have made many friends and their life attitude is superb as an American guest said you certainly know where you are with them. (Whoops nearly used a British expression there which would not have translated well across the world). On one excursion we were the only takers it was not cancelled so no bus but a car a personal tour guide and a member of Scenic staff learning the ropes. The butler situation is interesting on this cruise we hardly used ours but on previous cruises we have, they do tend to worry slightly if they are not used but they are unfailingly helpful and expert.

We have not cruised with Uniworld so cannot make a comparison but would definatly recommend Scenic.

CA

We have been on Emerald, Diamond, Gem and this year Emerald again but different river and country. We have seen the ships upgraded and Gem was brand new, first cruise. The upgrades were superb although there was nothing wrong before, we sailed before all inclusive as well so that's an interesting comparison. Enjoy your cruise.

CA 📷

Hi I'm not creative, yes there is a light on the balcony, it's very pleasant to sit read a good book with a beverage of your choice after a tiring touring day, bliss.

Enjoy your cruise we start ours on the Scenic Emerald on the same day.

CA 📷

I must admit spreadsheets aren't my thing although research is. I like to choose which route then do a pro's and con's list. So far for 4 cruises Scenic has come out on top what will happen when we choose a route that Scenic does not do is in the lap of the gods could be interesting.

CA 📷

Well said Franski.

CA

On our Scenic cruise in 2013 a fellow lady passenger had a couple of severe allergies that she had previously informed Scenic about, the hotel manager and chef made a point of discussing with her about her exact requirements and accommodated her with no problem. All the waiting staff knew about her and all made a point of ensuring that she was served correctly. There may have been others on that or other of our cruises I don't know but we were impressed with this incidence. So phone your chosen cruise line and discus with them you will soon find out if they will accommodate you or not.

Enjoy whichever cruise you choose. CA

I really like Gary & Lisa's enthusiasm and I have sailed with Scenic the new ship they will be sailing on looks superb. From my humble experience they will have a wonderful cruise. I have no problem at all with the layout and font type that Gary uses, these digital days to some extent has thrown out many of the so called norms. I am used to decifering 17th, 18th and 19th century writting beautiful script and indifferent scribbles were f's are used for an s and the other way round so clear and concise works for me.

Happy cruising all whichever cruise line you choose. CA😉

Hi mozfiz there is another thread discussing Viking, I really think that the majority have no problem. There are many many threads about Viking there are bound to be because of the number of ships they have there will also be a vast difference in the reports because they have so many more passengers than other companies. I as a choice I would not choose Viking for many reasons one being I like all inclusive but I have nothing against Viking. My friends cruised with them last year and he became very ill and Viking could not have been more helpful or caring. Now I know that any company would most probably do as well but it's a gold star in my book.

CA 📷