De Wilde
We’re very excited about our new offering. We’ve invested $100 million in a revolutionary fleet of new “space ships” that are significantly roomier than traditional river cruise vessels. The Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Emerald will debut next June, and the Scenic Diamond and Scenic Ruby will join the fleet in 2009. Standard European river cruise ships are just 110 yards long, but our ships are 135 yards long. That gives our ships 25 percent more space than other ships which is why we’ve dubbed them our “space ships.”
Describe the staterooms in the new vessels.
Our ships will offer the largest staterooms in the European river-cruising market, and 82 percent have private balconies. Ours have 25-square-foot teak balconies with teak tables and chairs, so you can sip a glass of wine and watch magical Rhine castles and villages pass by from the privacy of your own balcony. There’s nothing like our ships in Europe.
What led to Scenic Tours’ decision to build its new “space ships”?
Glen Moroney, our founder, started the company 20 years ago offering coach trips in Australia before becoming one of the biggest tour operators in Australia and New Zealand. We’re now a global leader in the international luxury leisure tour market. We started offering European river cruises in 2005 by chartering vessels, but Glen discovered that guests wanted outside balconies, and none were available. So he decided to build his own vessels.
Guestrooms Scenic Tours will debut
two new river vessels.
Our aim is that everything we offer will be at the highest standard available. We’ll have the highest crew-to-guest ratio at 3.84 guests per crew member. Many staterooms will have a private butler who will press your clothes every day or bring you tea or coffee to your balcony. Dining will be fine dining. Discerning couples, aged 45 and older your upmarket cruise client will be very interested in our cruises.
Your prices are all-inclusive. What specifically is included?
There are no optional extras. Accommodation and meals, guided shore excursions and sightseeing, complimentary European wines at dinner, airport transfers and tips are all included in the cruise price. But despite offering more, we’re no more expensive than other European river cruises.
How is Scenic Tours aiming to attract the North American market?
We think this product is ideal for North American clients. They want the outside balconies and they also want to travel in luxury. English will be the spoken language onboard and on all shore excursions. All hotel staff will be Swiss and the naval staff are Dutch. We also have an office in Switzerland to make sure everything runs smoothly for your clients while in Europe.
What will you be doing to help West Coast agents sell these European river cruises on your new “space ships”?
Well, first, agents should know that they can start booking our cruises now the first cruise is June 2, 2008. We have an office in Vancouver, B.C., and we’ve just expanded our operations there. Our call center is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PST. We currently have four sales reps in the U.S., and our plan is to have a full range of representation soon in the U.S. we’ll be at the Luxury Travel Show in Las Vegas this December. To help agents, we can offer training. However agents would like us to help, we’re happy to work with them.
| SCENIC TOURS INTRODUCES DELUXE “SPACE SHIPS” ON NEW 2008 EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES European River “Space Ships”: Staterooms on Scenic Tours’ 169-passenger river ships are contemporary in design and feature queen-size beds, Internet access, mini-bars, and flat screen TV’s presenting over 1,000 movies on demand. Over 82% have private balconies. Most staterooms are 200-square-foot balcony suites. Each ship also has six 250-square-foot junior suites and four 300-square-foot royal suites. A few 160-square foot standard staterooms with picture windows can also be booked. Itinerary: The Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Emerald will sail 14-night cruises between Amsterdam and Budapest on the Rhine and Danube rivers, from June to November, 2008. Ports-of-call include Cologne, Rudesheim, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna and Bratislava. Land package add-ons include Paris, Prague and Croatia. Shore Excursions: In addition to guided tours in each port-of-call, clients have a choice of excursions in Amsterdam, Vienna, Wurzburg and Passau (for example, visiting the Schonnbrunn Palace in Vienna or enjoying coffee and cake in one of its famous coffee houses). Price: Starts at $2,995 p.p. for 14-night cruise (November). Balcony suite starts at $1,120 extra. Commission: Basic commission 10%; preferred commissions available. Scenic Tours: 1.866.689.8611
www.scenictours.com |
