Scenic Cruises sends Scenic Emerald to south of France 2013

Scenic Cruises announces new south of France river cruise itineraries aboard the “Space-Ship” Scenic Emerald to begin in April 2013.

Guests will enjoy wine tasting in Burgundy, explore Roman cities and charming villages, visit a typical French family homestead and be treated to a home cooked meal by a family in Tournon. Those who choose the longer river cruise will also have an opportunity to visit a working farm in La Camargue, the ‘wild west’ of France where cowboys tend to herds of bulls destined for bullfighting in Spain.

The Scenic Emerald will cruise the Saône and Rhone rivers for nine- to 23-day cruises. The 11- and 14-day “Paris to Nice & France” itineraries combine time in the Paris with a 9-day cruise from Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles. The 14-day “South of France” sailing adds four days and additional ports to the similar 10-day itinerary. A 15-day Rhine and Rhône cruise visits cities such as Amsterdam, Basel, Lyon and Avignon. The 23-day “Normandy, Loire Valley & France River Cruise” combines the 10-day cruise with two nights in the Loire Valley and time to explore in Paris, Rouen and Normandy Beach.

The Scenic Emerald was launched in 2008 when Australian Scenic Tours expanded into European river cruises with their new Scenic Cruises company. Their first two ships, the Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Emerald, featured true step-out balconies on over 80% of the their cabins, private butler service and a choice of dining venues. Scenic Cruises was also the first river cruise line to add specialty restaurants to their ships, similar to the popular dining venues aboard the ocean cruise ships.

The pre-release of the 2013 Scenic Cruises brochure can be viewed on their website.