Scenic Opal

The Comprehensive Itineraries: Scenic Opal offers a variety of 7- and 14-night sailings on the Rhine, Moselle, and Danube and their tributaries that visit some of the world’s most captivating cities and small towns — from Vienna, Budapest, Antwerp, and Amsterdam to charming hamlets such as Rudesheim, Germany, and Veere in the Netherlands. This makes these cruises ideal for travelers who want to sample an array of European cities and cultures. Just know that the time allotted in each port — generally six to eight hours, but on occasion as few as four — may have you wishing you had a bit more time to explore on your own.

The Lounge: Comfortable and inviting, with intimate seating areas and big views, the Panorama Lounge offers complimentary cappuccino, yummy snacks, and open bar service. It is also the setting for evening entertainment and port talks.

Electric Bicycles: Scenic Opal carries a number of e-bikes, which have a small motor to provide a boost when climbing hills as you cycle to explore ports or pedal along riverfront paths while the ship is docked. 

All-Inclusive Rates: Scenic Opal offers a truly all-inclusive experience, with shore excursions, unlimited wines and spirits, in-cabin minibar, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and butler service all covered in the cruise fare. Alas, you will need some euros to buy souvenirs for the grandkids. 

Relaxed Onboard Ambiance: Scenic is an Australian company and its cruises attract a fair share of Aussies along with guests from New Zealand, Great Britain, the United States, and Canada. This makes for a relaxed, collegial, and lighthearted vibe. You can expect evening entertainment that ranges from local talent — a classical trio to a Dixieland band on a recent Romantic Rhine & Moselle sailing — to rousing trivia and Family Feud-style games hosted by the onboard enrichment manager. You won’t find any formal lectures on history or culture onboard Scenic vessels, but the cruise director does provide daily briefings on the ports with some sightseeing details and local context.

Choices, Choices: Scenic Opal generally offers two or three shore excursions in each port, all included in the cruise fare. On a Danube cruise, for instance, guests can select an excursion to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic or, on the same day, an alternative tour to Salzburg, Austria. On the Rhine, options range from wine and beer tastings to city walking tours and castle and palace visits. There are also e-bike touring options and guests can also take out the e-bikes in certain ports to explore on their own.

Travelers Who Don't Like End-of-Cruise Surprises: If you don’t want to be “nickel-and-dimed to death,” you'll appreciate Scenic Opal. Order a drink, and you won’t have to sign for it. Nor will you have to choose shore excursions based on their cost, or fill up tip envelopes. Unless you book a spa appointment for a massage for facial, you won’t incur a penny of extra charges while onboard.

It’s Expensive: All that inclusiveness comes at a price — Scenic Opal is one of the more expensive river cruise ships in Europe.

You Will Gain a Few Pounds: The excellent cuisine aboard Scenic Opal will have you filling your plate at the buffet at breakfast and lunch — the freshly prepared salads, pastas, regional specialties, and desserts at lunch are irresistible — and enjoying a choice of three appetizers plus soup, three entrees, and at least two desserts, all of which change nightly, at dinner. The ship’s waiters will refill your wine glass before it’s empty (with reds and whites, both regional and from other top wine regions) and deliver your favorite wine or cocktail to the Sun Deck as you enjoy the passing scenery. Guests of Scenic Opal will also be invited to enjoy a deck barbeque (weather permitting) and a more intimate, multicourse Italian-themed dinner at Portobellos, located adjacent to the Panorama Lounge. Guests who book Diamond Deck suites for 10 nights or more, as well as Royal and Junior Suite guests staying for up to nine nights, will enjoy a special six-course Table La Rive dining experience with the Executive Chef. There is a small gym and a walking track to help you offset your caloric intake.

Aft Suites Can be Noisy: While spacious, light-filled, and beautifully designed, the two 325-square-foot Royal Panorama Suites, located aft on the Diamond Deck, might not be the best choice for light sleepers. Guests can expect some vibration and noise from the engines during overnight cruising. The 520-square-foot Royal Owner’s Suite, which is the top accommodation, and the 315-square-foot Royal Balcony Suites, all located mid-ship on the Diamond Deck, are better options for travelers seeking additional space without aft engine noise.