Royal Panorama Suite 337. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
I spent six nights on Scenic Jasper, sailing from Budapest to Vienna. Along the way I met the company’s owners, Glen Moroney and his wife Karen; key executives; and a slew of North American travel agents and journalists. The consensus, and I am in agreement, is that Scenic serves up a quality experience at a high level.
The Australia-based company may already represent the most-inclusive river cruise company in the marketplace, though Scenic must contend with the likes of Tauck and Uniworld. In addition to a long list of inclusives, Scenic bundles in all gratuities, even those for guides ashore. Scenic isn’t skimping either. Champagne is poured, not sparkling (except Prosecco in the alternative dining venue, Portobello), top shelf spirits are included, single malts, for example. You can belly up to the bar for a bottled European beer or a draft, at no extra charge. About the only thing you can dig into your wallet for is a massage.
There are five dining venues if you include room service, something rare on river cruisers but offered on Scenic. The company’s FreeChoice program offers guests a wide-range of excursions, all free of charge. And Scenic’s electric-assist bikes are arguably the best in the business.
Yep, we like this company, and we’re looking forward to what is to come. Here’s a look back at my coverage for the week.
Scenic Jasper, Day 7, Vienna & Christening In Photos
April 21, 2015
By Ralph Grizzle Leave a Comment (Edit)
Today, I disembarked Scenic Jasper, but I wasn’t done with her yet. After a morning excursion to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, I checked into the Hilton Waterfront and walked along the dock where Scenic’s newest ship was being prepared for its naming event. Tents were set up outside with cooking stations and cakes, bottles of champagne and wine, and all decked out wearing their best duds. There were a few speeches, including one from Scenic Jasper’s godmother, Kathy Lette, an Australian novelist and comedienne. Then, a bottle of bubbly broke across the bow, and Scenic Jasper was named. Here’s the day in pictures. Tomorrow, a summing up. [Read more]
Scenic Jasper, Day 6, Viennese Waltz & One Last Ride
April 20, 2015
By Ralph Grizzle Leave a Comment (Edit)
Again today, Scenic offered several complimentary tours for guests who wanted to explore Vienna. I had been to this lovely city several times and thought rather than join one of the city tours, I’d take a bike and pedal along the Danube. I’m 6’5” and I do push Scenic’s electric-assist bikes to their limit. But with the seat and handlebar fully extended, the bike fits me. Taller than me and I’m not so sure the rider would be comfortable, although Scenic does have access to bigger bikes that the company stores in warehouses along the river. [Read More]
Scenic Jasper, Day 5, Excursions From Linz & A Dinner To Remember
April 20, 2015
By Ralph Grizzle Leave a Comment (Edit)
What a gorgeous day in Linz, Austria. Again, as was the case yesterday, Scenic Jasper offered several complimentary tours. Some of the guests headed off for a full-day excursion to the Czech Republic, where they would explore the 13th-century town of Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Others headed to Salzburg, the setting for “The Sound of Music” and birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Me? I straddled a saddle for one of the best bike rides yet, but since I’ve written extensively about biking on Scenic Jasper, I thought I’d focus on a topic everyone seems to appreciate: food. [Read More]
Scenic Jasper, Day 4, Durnstein To Melk By Bike
April 19, 2015
By Ralph Grizzle 0 Comments (Edit)
I’ve heard it said that true luxury is about choice. Whether or not that’s true, I do know that as a traveler, I appreciate choice. One of the arguments against cruising, in fact, is that it can be too confining, too restrictive, too few choices, especially when it comes to river cruises. The herd is forced to follow the lollipop (the signage that the tour guide holds up to keep the group together), and the pace of the tour becomes as fast (or more often, as slow) as its lowest common denominator. I’m an active 57-year-old, and the pace of such tours often is too slow for me. [Read More]
Scenic Jasper, Day 3, A Comprehensive Look At Suites & Staterooms
April 18, 2015
By Ralph Grizzle 0 Comments (Edit)
Scenic Jasper features a mix of staterooms and suites, ranging from 160 square feet (15 square meters) to 475 square feet (44 square meters). The major distinguishing factor of a Scenic stateroom is the “Sun Lounge,” a mix of open-air balcony/solarium in all but the baker’s dozen of standard staterooms. Uniworld’s S.S. Catherine and the newer S.S. Maria Theresa feature retractable windows, but not with the step-out balcony feature found on Scenic ships.Within the Scenic fleet, Scenic Jasper represents evolutionary enhancements when compared to its fleet mates. Some of the biggest changes on Scenic Jasper. [Read More]
Scenic Jasper, Day 2, Focus On The Sun Lounge
April 17, 2015
By Ralph Grizzle 0 Comments (Edit)
After a gorgeous night of sightseeing last night in Budapest, I had a chance to explore Scenic Jasper today. She’s a beautiful vessel from a company that aspires to be to river cruising what Regent Seven Seas is to ocean cruising, which is to say that Scenic wants to be the most-inclusive luxury player in the river cruise segment.With that goal in mind, Scenic differentiates itself in a few key areas. [Read More]
Scenic Jasper: Day 1, Boarding In Budapest
April 15, 2015
By Ralph Grizzle 0 Comments (Edit)
Shortly before 4 p.m., I boarded Scenic Jasper. She’s a beautiful ship that I’ll be telling you more about this week. For now, I’d like to share a video with you from last night’s one-hour sailing along the skyline of Budapest. This is one gorgeous city, as spectacular at night as it is during the day. [Read More]
Scenic Cruises, Christening Scenic Jasper & A Cruise Along The Danube
April 15, 2015
By Ralph Grizzle 0 Comments (Edit)
Today, I am in Budapest to board the new Scenic Jasper. Our cruise takes us to Vienna, by way of Linz, Durnstein and Melk, for christening events on April 21. What can I expect while on board? Well, Scenic is hanging its hat on a couple of key differentiators: to be the most all-inclusive of all river cruise… [Read More]
Filed Under: Austria, Budapest, Destinations, Europe, Hungary, Linz, Vienna
The post Scenic Jasper, End Of Cruise, Summing Up appeared first on River Cruise Advisor.