Scenic has unveiled a preview of its 2028 European river cruise season, expanding its offering with new itineraries, land extensions and combinations designed to broaden the possibilities for exploration. The aim is to provide a more complete way of experiencing each destination, combining sailing along Europe’s great rivers with extended stays in some of the continent’s most iconic cities and regions.
The programme reinforces Scenic’s ultra-luxury and truly all-inclusive positioning, with a strong focus on the quality of experiences, personalised travel and the discovery of the cultural, scenic and culinary heritage of each region.
Among the new offerings is Monte Carlo & the French Riviera, a four-day extension designed to be enjoyed before or after cruises along the Rhône and Saône. The stay includes accommodation at the prestigious Fairmont Monte Carlo and guided tours exploring the Principality. The experience can be tailored through Scenic Freechoice activities, with guests able to choose between a visit to Èze, including a traditional perfumery, or an excursion to Menton, complemented by a tasting of local limoncello. The extension combines the elegance of the French Riviera with experiences centred on local traditions and regional products.
Another itinerary focuses on the Grand Châteaux of the Loire, a five-day journey through the Loire Valley that can be combined with Seine cruises and river itineraries departing from Bordeaux. The journey explores some of the region’s most significant castles and gardens, including Villandry, Blois, Chenonceau and Chambord. A particular highlight is a visit to the Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise, the final residence of Leonardo da Vinci. The itinerary therefore offers an opportunity to delve deeper into France’s history and architectural heritage through some of its most remarkable landmarks.
The new Brittany Discovery offering introduces a four-day coastal journey through Brittany, connected with Seine itineraries. The experience highlights the region’s dramatic coastline and distinctive cultural identity, with a visit to Dinard and the option, through Scenic Freechoice experiences, to explore either Mont-Saint-Michel or Saint-Malo. The itinerary provides an opportunity to discover one of France’s most iconic landmarks while also exploring Saint-Malo’s maritime history and historic fortifications.
In Central Europe, Scenic is also introducing a new three-day extension in Munich, available on selected departures of Gems of the Danube. The programme combines visits to the city’s main landmarks with time to explore its historic centre and Bavarian culture, while also allowing guests leisure time to discover Munich independently.
One of the key highlights is Spectacular South of France, one of Scenic’s most popular river cruise itineraries. For 2028, the journey has been redesigned to offer a more relaxed pace and a deeper exploration of the destinations along the route. The cruise will operate between Lyon and Tarascon, in both directions, with six overnight stays in port and two late departures. The itinerary will also travel further upstream along the Saône to Chalon-sur-Saône, providing greater access to the charming towns and landscapes of Burgundy.
Scenic’s signature experiences will remain an integral part of the journey, including Scenic Enrich experiences at the Palace of the Popes in Avignon and the Chapelle de la Trinité, complemented by exceptional culinary experiences and selected wine tastings.
Scenic Group’s 2028 programme further strengthens the integration of river cruises and land journeys, offering itineraries designed to extend both the duration and depth of the overall travel experience. The aim is to go beyond the river itself, giving guests the opportunity to explore destinations, cities and landscapes in greater depth through carefully curated stays that can be seamlessly combined with their cruises.
Among the enhanced offerings is Majestic Britain & Ireland, an escorted journey through Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. The programme now includes a longer stay in Galway and two nights in Donegal, along with a visit to the iconic Giant’s Causeway. The itinerary combines dramatic coastal landscapes, historic and characterful towns, iconic landmarks and exclusive Scenic Special Stays, creating a comprehensive journey through some of the most distinctive destinations across the British Isles. The journey can be experienced as a standalone tour or combined with selected departures of the Highlights of Normandy & Seine and Jewels of Europe river cruises.
Another particularly rich offering is Iconic Switzerland, a 13-day journey dedicated to discovering Switzerland. The programme includes a stay at the Kempinski Palace Engelberg, at the foot of Mount Titlis, two nights in St. Moritz, and full-day rail journeys aboard the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, widely regarded as two of the most spectacular scenic rail experiences in the Alps. These experiences are complemented by a new overnight stay in Montreux, on the shores of Lake Geneva, further enhancing the journey through some of the country’s most distinctive landscapes and towns.
Eastern Europe Explorer has also been reimagined to create a more seamless connection between land-based exploration and river cruising. The journey can now be combined with selected departures of the eight-day Gems of the Danube cruise, creating a more extensive itinerary through Central and Eastern Europe. This format allows guests to combine overland discovery with the experience of cruising the Danube, creating a more comprehensive and immersive journey.
The offering is further enhanced by new combinations featuring stays in some of Europe’s leading cities. Budapest can now be combined with Jewels of Europe and Gems of the Danube, while Amsterdam will be available as a pre- or post-cruise extension for Jewels of Europe. Paris has also been added to the programme as an extension to Romantic Rhine & Moselle, while Vienna is now connected with the Eastern Europe and Balkans Unveiled itineraries.
The Scenic extensions go far beyond simply adding a few extra nights. The programme includes five-star hotel accommodation with breakfast, Scenic Freechoice excursions and transfers to and from the Scenic Space-Ships, creating a seamless connection between the river and land components of the journey. The aim is to allow guests to build more comprehensive itineraries, combining their river cruise with stays in the cities and destinations that are most significant to each journey.
With its 2028 programme, Scenic Group is taking the concept of river cruising a step further, transforming it into a more complete and personalised travel experience.
Angela Messineo
