Scenic Offers Floriade Cruises in 2012

Europe’s once-a–decade Floriade features stunning gardens and themed zones, along with music, dance, art and food, with more than 100 exhibitors from dozens of countries. Running from April 5 through Oct. 7, it is the focus of Scenic Cruises’ 18-day Flourishing Floriade Jewels of Europe in addition to being included on other itineraries. 

Passengers will be joining visitors from all over the world as they explore the five unique theme worlds at Floriade (Relax & Heal, Green Engine, Education & Innovation, Environment, and World Show Stage) and indulging in culinary treats and concerts.

The four, 18-day cruises, bookmarked by overnights in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Budapest, Hungary, are part of Scenic’s Enrich category, which puts special stress on cultural access and enrichment. Each sailing includes three nights at Floriade, a private medieval banquet in Marksburg Castle, European Village Life for a Day where guests are invited to participate in village life, an exclusive organ recital at Melk’s Benedictine Abbey, and a private Viennese concert of Strauss and Mozart. Pricing for the departures in May, July, August and September is from $8,115 per person, double occupancy, and includes everything plus gratuities. The 15-day Jewels of Europe between Amsterdam and Budapest has departures April-October, with prices from $6,235 per person, double occupancy; it includes a one-day visit to Floriade 2012. 

The sailing between Amsterdam and Budapest takes in some of Europe’s most historical cities and regions — ports include Cologne, Marksburg, Rudesheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, and Passau, Germany, as well as Linz, Melk, Durnstein and Vienna, Austria. Guests have a variety of shore options (all included) to choose from at nearly every port: Scenic FreeChoice possibilities (additional optional activities that can be enjoyed at no additional charge), with experiences including windmills at Zaanse Schans, a tour of Wurzburg’s Prince Bishop’s Residenz Palace and a wine tasting, learning about Nuremberg’s past before meeting with local students and exploring the limestone caves under Castle Labyrinth in Budapest. 

Scenic Cruises operates a new fleet of Space-Ships with unusually large staterooms and suites, more than 80 percent with full-size balconies, all included and optional excursions, private butler service in Junior and Royal Suites, tour leaders, entertainment, meals in a choice of three restaurants and escorted airport transfers.  

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