Scenic (cruise line)

Cruise line and tour company

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Scenic Luxury Cruises and ToursIndustry| Tourism

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Founded| 1986
Services| River Cruising, Ocean Cruising, Escorted Tours
Website| https://www.scenic.co.uk/

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours is a privately held Cruise Line and Touring Company, established by Australian businessman Glen Moroney in 1986. The company opened its first United Kingdom office in 2007, its headquarters in Manchester.[1] Scenic's inaugural European river cruise occurred in 2008 with the debut of its first river ship, "Scenic Sapphire".[2]

As of January 2024, Scenic operates 15 river cruise ships, providing services in Europe and Southeast Asia, and previously including Russia.[2] On August 15, Scenic introduced its first purpose-built ocean cruise ship, Scenic Eclipse, which operates in the Americas, Europe, the Arctic, Antarctica, and the Norwegian fjords.[3] In April 2023, Scenic launched Scenic Eclipse II, a nearly identical sister ship.[4]

## History

[edit]

Scenic was established by Glen Moroney in 1986.[5] The company first offered river cruises in Europe in 2008 with the launch of Scenic Sapphire, followed by Scenic Emerald, Scenic Diamond, and Scenic Ruby in 2009.[6]

In 2012, Scenic launched the Scenic Tsar, which operated on the Moscow-St Petersburg route. In 2013, Scenic established Emerald Waterways as a lower-cost river cruise line.[7] In 2014, Scenic expanded its fleet with the addition of the 169-passenger Scenic Jade, operating on the River Danube, and the 126-passenger Scenic Gem, servicing the River Seine.[8]

In 2016, Scenic launched several new ships: Scenic Azure for the River Douro in Portugal; Scenic Amber for Europe's major rivers, and Scenic Aura and Scenic Spirit for the Irrawaddy and Mekong rivers in Southeast Asia.[9][10] In January 2016, Scenic announced plans to enter the ocean cruise market with the launch of Scenic Eclipse, a 228-passenger ocean liner, which began service in August 2019.[11]

As of 2019, Scenic is redesigning 10 ships, including Scenic Diamond, Scenic Sapphire, Scenic Ruby, Scenic Pearl, Scenic Jasper, Scenic Opal, Scenic Amber, Scenic Crystal, Scenic Jade, and Scenic Jewel.[12] In March 2022, Scenic suspended all Russian operations following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[13]

## Cruises and destinations

[edit]

Scenic operates on nine rivers, covering major rivers in Europe and Southeast Asia, and formerly the Volga in Russia.[14]

With the introduction of their ocean cruise ships, Scenic now also operates in Antarctica, the Arctic, the Americas, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the British Isles, and the Norwegian Fjords.[15]

## Current fleet

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Expedition ship

Ship name  | Year launched  | Type  | Length  | Crew  | Guests  | Registry

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Scenic Eclipse | 2018  | Ocean Vessel  | 166 m  | 200  | 228  | Nassau, Bahamas
Scenic Eclipse II | 2023  | Ocean Vessel  | 166 m  | 200  | 228  | Nassau, Bahamas

## References

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1. ^ "Place North West | Double deal at Piccadilly Place". 15 March 2019.
2. ^ a b "Scenic Cruises 2019: Reviews, Photos & Activities - Cruise Critic". www.cruisecritic.com.
3. ^ "Scenic Eclipse sea trials 'surpass expectations'".
4. ^ "Scenic Eclipse II Departs on Inaugural Sailing from Lisbon". cruiseindustrynews.com. 14 April 2023. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
5. ^ "Take the Scenic route". Newcastle Herald. 5 October 2016.
6. ^ "Take me to the rivers". The Australian. 13 October 2012.
7. ^ Baran, Michelle (19 August 2013). "Scenic Tours' new river cruise line a lower-priced option: Travel Weekly". Travel Weekly. Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
8. ^ "Scenic's New Gem". TravelPulse.
9. ^ "Scenic Building Four Ships for 2016". TravelPulse.
10. ^ "Scenic Aura and Scenic Spirit Unveil New Design and Asian River Cruise Itineraries". www.cruisecritic.com.
11. ^ "Scenic Enters Ocean Cruising With New Luxury Cruise Ship". www.cruisecritic.com.
12. ^ "Scenic Cruises to Redesign Eight European River Ships in 2019". www.cruisecritic.com.
13. ^ Chua, Bernadette (7 March 2022). "River cruise lines cancel Russian Volga river cruises in support of Ukraine". rivercruise.cruisepassenger.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
14. ^ "Scenic Company Overview". River Cruise Advisor.
15. ^ "Scenic Eclipse Expedition Cruise Ship Successfully Completes Sea Trials". www.cruisecritic.com.