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Cruise Critic Heading Out on Scenic!

Cruise Critic Chris

By Cruise Critic Chris,
in River Cruising

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Cruise Critic Chris "Live from...." Rare

Cruise Critic Chris

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Bonjour! I'm heading out tomorrow to France. On June 9, I'll be boarding Scenic Diamond in Bordeaux for a week-long cruise. I'll be checking out the refit of the new culinary center, as well as the other additions that have been made to the ship. It's my first time on Scenic, and I'll be interested to see how it compares to other luxury river brands like Uniworld and Tauck.

 

If you have any questions about the ship or itinerary, let me know and I'll do my best to answer them!

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caviargal

caviargal

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I would like info on other dining facilities in the evening. Is there anything more casual than the dining room and what kind of menu does it have? Have a great trip.

 

There is the River Cafe open from 10AM-6PM. It is a nice, casual venue located in main lounge but they do not serve dinner.

 

 

The other option is more formal than the dining room.

 

We were aboard last year.

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frantic36 Holiday Sharing Rare

frantic36

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Bonjour! I'm heading out tomorrow to France. On June 9, I'll be boarding Scenic Diamond in Bordeaux for a week-long cruise. I'll be checking out the refit of the new culinary center, as well as the other additions that have been made to the ship. It's my first time on Scenic, and I'll be interested to see how it compares to other luxury river brands like Uniworld and Tauck.

 

If you have any questions about the ship or itinerary, let me know and I'll do my best to answer them!

 

Hi Chris,

 

Well this is timely. We will be deciding in the next few weeks whether to do the 8D/7N Bordeaux cruise next June so we will be very interested to read your thoughts.

 

We are looking at the Junior Balcony Suite and I can't see any benefit to having Diamond over Sapphire but maybe I am missing something.

 

Looking forward to your review.

 

Julie

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Canal archive

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Hi frantic36 although identically suits I don't think you get quite so many butler services on Sapphire deck as you do on Diamond deck, try emailing Scenic they will let you know. We did this cruise last year and realy enjoyed it. Good wine, good tours, great company. Now that Diamond has had its refit it will be even more interesting. CA

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frantic36

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Hi frantic36 although identically suits I don't think you get quite so many butler services on Sapphire deck as you do on Diamond deck, try emailing Scenic they will let you know. We did this cruise last year and realy enjoyed it. Good wine, good tours, great company. Now that Diamond has had its refit it will be even more interesting. CA

 

 

Hi CA, thanks for letting me know. I will check with Scenic. We usually sail on Seabourn but we don't have a butler there so I am not sure whether more " Butlering".......not sure that is a word :D......is needed. This will be a extra to our already booked holiday which has an ocean cruise and land travel.

 

Julie

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Not sure either but it's a great word. Your butler is very useful for morning tea or coffee, getting any laundry done maybe bringing a cocktail or two, making sure your mini bar is stocked with what you want. Actually you can use your butler as much or as little as you like, in the nicest possible way. Over our five cruises so far they have all been brillient we leave for our next Scenic cruise a week tomorrow and I have still to work out how to sneak one into my suitcase, what a boon to the retired woman. CA

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caviargal

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Hi frantic36 although identically suits I don't think you get quite so many butler services on Sapphire deck as you do on Diamond deck, try emailing Scenic they will let you know.

 

We were on Diamond Deck and had a butler, who we very rarely used, and dinner at La Rive, which was outstanding.

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Cruise Critic Chris "Live from...." Rare

Cruise Critic Chris

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Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay, but I was on vacation for a few days.

 

I boarded the ship on Friday. Here's my "live from" about the new features like Culinaire, the cycling tours and the wellness area: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7889.

 

Overall, I've enjoyed the cruise and Scenic. It's a casual luxury, more so than Uniworld and Tauck. The service has been fabulous and friendly. I'm a wino, so going to all the chateaux has been great. The food at the Scenic Enrich - a mulit-course meal at Chateau Giscorne in Margaux - wasn't as good as what they serve on the ship; the director of operations is also on board, and he said they are going to switch it up for 2018.

 

I haven't seen the single cabin or the new Owners' Suites yet, as they are occupied. I'm on the Sapphire deck with limited butler service, but that's all I really need. Vlad has brought me coffee and croissants in the morning when I ask, and the complimentary laundry came back in 48 hours.

 

In terms of casual meals, the River Cafe is only open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Then the area turns into L'Amour, which isn't really more casual than the dining room. The ship has a room service menu available after 6 as well.

 

Happy to take other questions! We're eating at Table La Rive tonight. Usually that's only open to suite passengers, but they are giving our group a look at what it's all about. We also ate at the Captain's Table on the first gala night, and that was nice - same food, but better quality of wine.

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caviargal

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The food at the Scenic Enrich - a mulit-course meal at Chateau Giscorne in Margaux - wasn't as good as what they serve on the ship; the director of operations is also on board, and he said they are going to switch it up for 2018.

.

 

We had our Enrich evening there and were really disappointed as were a lot of the guests. Hopefully they have the dining room open that evening for guests wishing to stay aboard. We wished we had.

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Cruise Critic Chris "Live from...." Rare

Cruise Critic Chris

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A few more thoughts, now that I'm home:

 

Loved Table La Rive! The wine pairings were excellent, with a few varietals that you don't see often in the U.S. (like white Chateauneuf-du-Pape).

 

Also liked the food at L'Amour. There was a pasta dish that I'm still thinking about.

 

Overall, I thought the included wine list on this cruise was among the best that I've seen at sea.

 

Bordeaux doesn't have the same scenery on the river that you have on other rivers. The sailing schedule is also odd, due to the Mascaret, which is a tidal bore that affects the water levels. But the countryside is gorgeous! Loved exploring the different wine regions, and the bike tours in particular were great.

 

If you don't like wine, I'm not sure you would love this sailing. If you do, you will.

 

Bordeaux the city is worth a few days on its own. If you have time, take it.

 

Things that need work include Enrichment and the Spa. There's really no explanation of the Salt Room and it seems like wasted space. And my spa experience was a bit overshadowed by privacy issues with the attendant, who took a European approach to the whole thing (meaning, he didn't turn away or leave the room when i was getting undressed!) The hotel manager told me that he'd talk to him about being a bit more sensitive to us prudish North Americans/Brits/Aussies.

 

Otherwise, the service was outstanding. Loved the butlers, Mandy the cruise director and the captains. Very personable and interacted with the passengers quite a bit.

 

Full review coming soon!

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