RiverLuxuryIndustry tier: River All-inclusive

Scenic (River)

PremiumSee how Scenic (River) describes itself vs how we list it

Official site Deck plans (CruiseDeckPlans.com) Agent portal: Scenic Travel Advisor Hub See where they sail

What to say on a call

Best for

Guests wanting a true all-inclusive luxury river fare (drinks, tours, and more bundled in)Guests who want butler service on a river shipTravelers who want both Europe and Southeast Asia river options from one brandGuests who also want Scenic's Eclipse ocean/expedition yachts under the same loyalty program

1Scenic markets itself as 'truly all-inclusive': the official river-experience page states 'All beverages are included on board except for a very small number of fine and vintage wines, champagnes, and spirits'
2Scenic Space-Ships include both curated Scenic Enrich experiences and personalized Scenic Freechoice excursions, so guests can customize their daily touring
3Scenic & Emerald Rewards is a shared loyalty program across both Scenic and sister brand Emerald, so points/status carry between the two brands

Payments & cancellations

Final payment

Per cruise line

90 days before departure (Full Fare)

Final payment depends on the fare type: Full Fare 90 days before departure; Select Fare 120 days before departure; Preferred Fare 10 months before departure (for sailings within 10 months, within 30 days of booking or at the standard final payment date, whichever comes first).

Applies to: Full Fare bookings on Europe and Southeast Asia river cruises (US residents).

Deposit

Per cruise line

$500 pp, due within 48 hours of booking

A deposit of USD 500 per person (river cruises) is due within 48 hours of booking. Otherwise the booking is cancelled automatically. Deposits are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to other journeys, except as required by law. This replaces the earlier suggested text, which said the amount was not published.

Cancellation penalties

Per cruise line

Over 90 days: loss of deposit; 89-60 days: 35%; 59-30 days: 50%; under 30 days: 100%

Standard per-person fees for European and Asian river cruises: over 90 days before departure, loss of the booking deposit; 89-60 days, 35% of the journey price; 59-30 days, 50%; under 30 days, 100%. Changing the departure date or a guest's name counts as a cancellation. An optional Penalty Relief Program ($295 pp per river cruise, bought at booking) gives refunds or credit up to 15 days before travel.

What's included on board

Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.

Guests per ship: Up to 163 guests (Europe Space-Ships); up to 68 (Scenic Spirit, Mekong)Per cruise line
Gratuities: IncludedPer cruise line
Beer & wine: IncludedPer cruise line
Premium drinks: Included (except a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, champagnes and spirits)Per cruise line
Wi-Fi: IncludedPer cruise line
Dining: IncludedPer cruise line
Premium dining: Included; Table La Rive (Europe) and Chef's Table (Mekong) are by invitation for higher suite categoriesPer cruise line
Included tours: Included (Scenic Freechoice excursions and Scenic Enrich events)Per cruise line
Extra tours: A few extra tours available for additional chargePer cruise line
Transfers: Included when flights are booked with ScenicPer cruise line
Air program: Available (flights booked by Scenic)Per cruise line
Pre/post land tours: Available (City Stays & Extensions; land journeys in Southeast Asia)Per cruise line

Accessibility & special needs

Open the cruise line's accessibility pageScenic's River Cruise FAQs have an Accommodation & Accessibility section: wheelchairs and mobility scooters, which excursions suit guests with limited mobility, and Southeast Asia. Scenic has no dedicated accessibility page.

Wheelchairs & scooters: Folded wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be stored in the suite but can't be used on board or on the gangway. Some excursions aren't suitable (narrow gangways, cobbled streets), and Scenic says it may not be able to give fully wheelchair-bound guests the help they need. Wheelchairs aren't recommended in Southeast Asia. Per cruise line

Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): how to tell the cruise line, blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, service animals, guests of size, medical equipment & pregnancy. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.

Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium

Loyalty program

Scenic & Emerald RewardsPer cruise line

1Gold — Entry level (on enrollment)
2Diamond — 15,000 Status Points
3Emerald — 30,000 Status Points
4Chairman's Club — 50,000 Status Points (by invitation)

Guests may say

“Scenic & Emerald Rewards”, “Scenic Club (old name)”

Scenic Club and EmeraldEXPLORER were merged into one Scenic & Emerald Rewards account, and earlier Status Points were combined into a single balance. It is one shared program, not a reciprocity arrangement: travel with either brand (river, ocean and land) earns toward the same tier.

Military & veterans

We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.

How military rates work → Premium

Airport transfers

We couldn't find this line's transfer rules on its site. Call the cruise line to ask whether they offer transfers for this sailing.

What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.

Cruise family

Scenic Group

Scenic Eclipse (Scenic Luxury Ocean Cruises)Emerald Yacht Cruises Emerald Cruises (River)

Loyalty between brands: Scenic & Emerald Rewards (launched Feb 2026) is one shared program across Scenic and Emerald yacht, river, and land journeys, plus Mayflower.

Per cruise line

See the whole family →

Good to know

No doctor on board
Per cruise line
Scenic river ships carry no doctor. The crew are trained in first aid, and in a medical emergency the ship docks at the next port, where medical help meets it.
Onboard currency and cards
Per cruise line
The few extras (a small number of fine wines, wellness services) are charged in EUR on the Europe Space-Ships and in USD on Scenic Spirit. Visa and Mastercard are accepted; AMEX, Travelex cash passports and travel money are not.
Wheelchairs cannot be used on board
Per cruise line
Folded wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be stored in the suite but cannot be used on board or on the gangway. Some excursions are unsuitable, and in Southeast Asia wheelchairs are not recommended.
Laundry by suite category (Europe)
Per cruise line
In Europe, every guest gets one complimentary laundry concierge per cruise. Diamond Deck guests also get two items pressed daily, and Royal Suite guests get unlimited laundry. Scenic Spirit has unlimited self-service laundry.
Dress code
Per cruise line
Europe: smart casual, with no special dress code. Jackets and ties are never required, but shorts and thongs (flip-flops) are not allowed at the evening meal.
Penalty Relief Program
Per cruise line
An optional Penalty Relief Program costs $295 per person per river cruise. It must be bought at the time of booking, is not insurance, and does not apply within 14 days of travel.
Chairman's Club free river cruise
Per cruise line
Chairman's Club members, who join by formal invitation, get one complimentary 7-night river cruise in a lead-in balcony suite on select itineraries (Bordeaux Affair, Gems of the Danube or Luxury Mekong). It includes airport transfers and port charges but not airfare.
Loyalty benefits on river cruises
Per cruise line
On river cruises, Emerald and Chairman's Club members get complimentary laundry (Emerald 2 pieces per day, Chairman's Club unlimited), a personalized welcome and suite amenity, and an invitation to Table La Rive/Table d'Or (Europe) or Chef's Table (Asia). Gold and Diamond members get no river-specific onboard benefits.
Loyalty pre/post-cruise perks
Per cruise line
Diamond and higher members get private home or airport transfers (limits apply; available in select markets) or a transfer credit. Diamond and Emerald members get a complimentary pre- or post-cruise hotel night on journeys of 20+ days; Chairman's Club members get it on any journey length. Emerald and higher members also get upgraded pre/post hotels when available.

Fleet

Ships: 13 river ships, growing to 16 with additions planned for 2027 and 2028Per cruise line
Newest ship: Scenic Azure and Scenic Amber, both launched in 2016Per cruise line
Ship classes: Space-Ships

Coming soon

All new ships

Scenic AriaSeptember 2027 · Douro Not yet on salePer cruise line
Scenic AuraOctober 2027 · Hooghly River, India (Kolkata) Now selling Per cruise line
Scenic Spirit IIearly 2028 · Mekong Not yet on salePer cruise line

Where they sail

DanubeRhineRhoneDouroMekong

Learn these regions

Danube River Rhine River Main River (Rhine tributary)Seine River Rhône & Saône Rivers Douro River Dordogne/Garonne/Gironde (Bordeaux)Nile River Mekong River Po River (Venice area)Lower Ganges (India)

Last full review: 28 Sep 2026·Last updated: 2 Nov 2026

A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.

"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.

Something wrong or missing?

"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.

"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.