who owns scenic river cruises

Scenic welcomes end to long-running court case and pledges investment in river cruising

A decade-long court case between scenic luxury cruises & tours has ended in a $26 million settlement, with the line paying $23 million in damages to 1200 passengers and $3 million in their legal costs..

Scenic Group said in a statement that while it was disappointed with the final judgment, the outcome is “in line with our financial provisioning, given the previous court decisions and subsequent appeals”.

“We are pleased that this matter has finally been settled and can confirm that Scenic Group is committed to delivering scheduled itineraries, without compromising on the guest’s safety or the services we provide,” said the statement.

“Whilst the prospect of schedule interruptions is unpredictable, we take nothing for granted and continue to invest in our River Cruise Cover and itineraries for the benefit of our guests.”

The settlement means an average of $19,166 per passenger to those who booked cruises  during a period of adverse weather events that lead to high river levels and flooding. The weather meant river cruise ships could not safely sail on the Rhine and Danube.

 scenic used coaches to move people from ship to ship instead of cancelling the cruises.  somerville legal’s managing director ben hemsworth, who represented the passengers,  described what his clients were offered as ‘second rate bus tours’. .

The case had already been decided against Scenic following decisions in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.  This settlement is the finalisation of proceedings regarding the calculation of damages.

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Established in 1986, we are a proudly Australian-founded company, taking our guests to the most fascinating destinations in over 60 countries and every continent. 

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has more than 38 years of experience creating unforgettable, award-winning river and ocean cruises and handcrafted land journeys.  Since 2008, we have set the benchmark in truly all-inclusive, luxury 5-star river cruises in Europe and South East Asia. In 2019, we introduced Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yacht™, a 228-guest ultra-luxury ship, and our second yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, in April 2023, taking guests to all four corners of the globe.   Today, our handcrafted land journeys take guests to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Alaska, the USA, Africa, Japan and South Korea. 

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Scenic Agrees to Pay $26 Million in Class Action

• June 10, 2023

The Scenic Group agreed to pay $26 million AUD in damages to a group of 1,200 passengers who filed a class action lawsuit against the company.

The payment agreement was reached this past week, according to Lawerly, an Australian website specialized in law news and reports.

Related to the company’s river cruising operations in Europe, the long-running litigation was filed almost ten years ago in Australia.

The lawsuit follows extreme river levels and flooding in April and May 2013, which prevented Scenic’s riverboats from sailing safely in the Rhine and Danube rivers.

According to the plaintiffs, instead of cancelling the cruises scheduled to depart during the period, Scenic chose to operate the routes by land, using buses.

The decision caused affected guests to incur economic losses, in addition to general distress and disappointment, said the law firm who initiated the class action.

The Scenic Group also agreed to pay an additional $3 million AUD towards the legal costs incurred by the plaintiffs.

Operating under two different brands, the Scenic Group sails a fleet of over 25 cruise ships. In addition to river cruising, the company launched ocean cruise operations in 2019, with the Scenic Eclipse.

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From the historic waterways of Europe to the mighty Mekong River in South East Asia, a Scenic 5-star river cruise is in a class of its own. Every detail has been taken care of to the Nth Degree by our world-class crew so you can enjoy the benefits of a truly all-inclusive journey.

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Scenic Tsar

Former names: ms grin, ms alexander grin, ms aleksandr blok.

Cruise line Scenic Cruises (Russian River Cruises)

Scenic Tsar last position

Scenic Tsar last location was at Russia Inland (coordinates 57.55967 N / 39.97046 E) cruising en route to MSRV-MURV. The AIS position was reported 23 hours ago.

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• Cabin grades number: 8
• Total number of cabins: 56
• Restaurants: Crystal Restaurant
• Lounges & Bars: Panorama Lounge (live piano music), Neva Lounge and Bar
• Wellness Centre (Gym and Spa), shop
• The ship is comparatively smaller, with V-shape hull design, and not as high-end as the traditional, company-owned Scenic riverboats. Still, it offers an impressive 93% cabins with full-sized balconies.
• Scenic Tsar cruise deals are inclusive of Internet (Wi-Fi), all tours/excursions, ground transfers, hotel stays, gratuities, port taxes, all beverages consumed on the ship (coffee, tea, bottled water, soft drinks). River cruise fares are also inclusive of alcohol - wine and beer at lunch/dinner, but also of cocktails and liquor offered at the boat's bars.
• Officially named "MS Alexander Grin" (or simply MS Grin), Scenic Tsar received USD 8,2 million stern-to-bow drydock refurbishment and refit. The vessel was relaunched in Russia in June 2012. It's not a new river ship, but the refit was so extensive, that Alexander Grin was registered as a new vessel.
• Be sure to join the Scenic Cruises loyalty program named "Scenic Club". The Scenic Club membership is free and offers numerous benefits, including exclusive deals, booking discount vouchers, members-only river cruise and tour itineraries, complimentary hotel packages and limousine services, unlimited laundry, Scenic-logoed merchandise, gift cards, special (exclusive) onboard events and competitions.
• Note: Depending on departure dates, itineraries and special offers/promotions, sometimes, Scenic river cruise prices may include the airfare.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our  River Cruises  hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there. For other Russia-based ships, you can visit our dedicated to  Russian River Cruises  hub.

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Our river cruises take you to extraordinary regions, while immersing you in the rich history, local cultures, and culinary delicacies to create moments that will be cherished for years to come.

Discover river cruising with Scenic, for unrivalled experiences

From the historic waterways of Europe to the mighty Mekong River in South East Asia, a Scenic 5-star river cruise is in a class of its own. Every detail has been taken care of to the Nth Degree by our world-class crew so you can enjoy the benefits of a truly all-inclusive journey.

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Highlights of Vietnam, Cambodia & Luxury Mekong - 7 or 9 night cruise

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Creating unforgettable, award-winning river and ocean cruises and handcrafted land journeys for over 38 years.

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The Scenic Story

Established in 1986, we are a proudly Australian-founded company, taking our guests to the most fascinating destinations in over 60 countries and every continent. 

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has more than 38 years of experience creating unforgettable, award-winning river and ocean cruises and handcrafted land journeys.  Since 2008, we have set the benchmark in truly all-inclusive, luxury five-star river cruises in Europe and South East Asia. In 2019, we introduced Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yacht™, a 228-guest ultra-luxury ship, and our second yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, in April 2023, taking guests to all four corners of the globe.   Today, our handcrafted and luxury land journeys take guests to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Africa, Japan, Korea, Europe, Egypt and the Middle East.  

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More Access to Wildlife and Glaciers, New Experiences and Tours for All Guests in Denali Highlight Holland America Line’s 2025 Alaska Cruisetours

Seventeen Cruisetour configurations include Denali National Park and Canada’s untamed Yukon

Seattle, Wash., Nov. 8, 2023 —  Following the summer release of 2025 Alaska cruises, Holland America Line’s 2025 Alaska Cruisetours are now open for booking. Offering more access to Alaska wildlife and the chance to see more glaciers in Alaska than any other cruise line, Holland America Line’s Cruisetours continue to be the only way to explore Denali National Park and Canada’s Yukon combined with an Alaska cruise.

For the 2025 season, Holland America Line added a new 14-day Ultimate Denali tour that includes two nights in Denali, an overnight at Homer, Alaska, along with more Alaska city visits and a seven-day cruise. With the addition of a Denali Natural History Tour to all one-night Denali itineraries, all Alaska Cruisetours now include a complimentary tour for guests in Denali National Park.

“We continue to enhance our Cruisetours to ensure we remain the number-one choice for Alaska exploration, from more access to wildlife to the most overland days on a single tour,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer, Holland America Line. “For 2025 we added a new Cruisetour option, and we are now including a Denali National Park tour for all guests. For travelers who want to see the Yukon, we remain the only cruise line to offer this experience to one of the newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites.”

With 17 different Cruisetours in 2025, guests can choose whether to cruise to Alaska or go overland first, and then decide to include one, two or three nights at Denali National Park. Those who want to explore farther into Canada can add a trip to the remote landscapes of the Yukon with stops in Dawson City and Whitehorse. Four ships offer Alaska Cruisetours: Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam and Zaandam.

Have It All Early Booking Bonus

For a limited time, when guests book Alaska 2025 Cruisetours with the Have It All premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi are included — plus the added perk of free prepaid Crew Appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.

Highlights for 2025 Denali Cruisetours:

·         Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam will offer Denali Cruisetours ranging from nine to 14 days between Vancouver, Canada, and Anchorage or Fairbanks, Alaska.

·         All Denali Cruisetours include a seven-day Glacier Discovery cruise featuring Glacier Bay and the Alaskan ports of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, plus either College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier (depending on the direction) and Inside Passage. The land side includes up to three nights at Holland America Line’s McKinley Chalet Resort at the entrance to Denali National Park.

·         NEW : All Single Denali itineraries now include a complimentary Denali Natural History Tour in Denali National Park. Guests can go in search of Alaska’s “Big 5” (bears, moose, Dall sheep, caribou and gray wolves) in their natural habitat.

·         All Double and Triple Denali itineraries include the Tundra Wilderness Tour, which provides the best wildlife viewing through Denali National Park.

·         Holland America Line owns motorcoaches, railcars and hotels, so schedules are preferential. Each Cruisetour gets a scenic ride on the luxury-domed McKinley Explorer, including select itineraries that offer Direct-to-Denali service, taking guests from their ship to their Denali hotel room on the same day.

Highlights for 2025 Yukon & Denali Cruisetours:

• Holland America Line is the ONLY cruise line to offer an Alaska cruise combined with an overland tour to Denali and the Yukon.
• Yukon & Denali Cruisetours range from nine to 18 days and include either a three- or four-day Inside Passage cruise on Koningsdam or Zaandam or a seven-day Glacier Discovery cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam or Noordam; a two-or three-night stay at Denali; and a journey into the Yukon.
• NEW : 14-day Ultimate Denali tour that includes an overnight at Homer, in addition to time in Fairbanks and Anchorage before or after a seven-day cruise.
• Holland America Line Cruisetour guests will experience one of the newest UNESCO World Heritage sites: Tr’ondëk-Klondike. Added in September 2023, the site incorporates Dawson City, which is rich with history and the cultural impact to Indigenous peoples from the Klondike Gold Rush.
• Every Yukon & Denali Cruisetour includes the services of a professional Tour Director who makes time on land easy, convenient and insightful.
• All Yukon & Denali Cruisetours include a ride on the McKinley Explorer full-dome railcars, and select itineraries add on the historic White Pass & Yukon Route railroad from Skagway.
• Yukon & Denali Cruisetours feature overnight calls at Dawson, Denali, Fairbanks, Anchorage and Skagway, depending on the Cruisetour.
• Select itineraries include a tour of Dawson City; in Fairbanks guests will have an included Gold Dredge 8 or Riverboat Discovery tour; and every Yukon & Denali itinerary includes the Tundra Wilderness Tour at Denali National Park.

“Visiting the Yukon is an extraordinary experience for those seeking adventure, natural beauty, cultural enrichment and a connection with the outdoors,” said Eduardo Lafforgue, director of tourism for Tourism Yukon.  “Every season we look forward to welcoming Holland America Line guests back to the majestic Yukon.”

Cruisetour fares begin at $1,479 per person, double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional.

Holland America Line’s McKinley Chalet Resort and Denali Square

Cruisetours include a stay at the McKinley Chalet Resort at the entrance to Denali National Park. The property is Holland America Line’s magnificent 68-acre hotel on the Nenana River. The resort features dining facilities and guest rooms, including a 99-room complex featuring Denali Suites with balconies and larger living areas. Denali Square is a gathering area with restaurants, an amphitheater, fire pits, outdoor seating, retail shops offering local goods, and an artist-in-residence cabin where Alaska native and local artists display and discuss their works.

‘Alaska Up Close’ Immerses Guests in the Local Culture

Holland America Line’s “Alaska Up Close” program deeply immerses guests in the local culture with authentic onboard programming, cruise activities and award-winning shore excursions. The exclusive experiences are delivered through experts leading workshops and lectures from those who know Alaska best, EXC Talks exploring the stories of real Alaskans, tours highlighting the best of each destination, and fine dining events showcasing the culinary traditions of the region.

As the first and only cruise line to earn the distinguished Responsible Fisheries Management certification, guests on all Alaska cruises savor fresh, certified sustainable and traceable wild Alaska seafood on board. Guests who book Cruisetours on Nieuw Amsterdam also can enjoy dinner nightly at new specialty restaurant Morimoto By Sea, which serves Asian-inspired dishes and beverages by famed Chef Masaharu Morimoto, the cruise line’s new “Fresh Fish Ambassador.” Fresh fish dishes inspired by Chef Morimoto are also available for a surcharge in main dining rooms across the fleet and at a new pop-up restaurant to appear on other ships in the fleet.

Voted Number-One Cruise Line in Alaska

No other cruise line had explored Alaska longer than Holland America Line, and throughout the years the brand has collected awards and accolades from the world’s most discerning travelers and cruise experts for Alaska cruising. Holland America Line was named the top pick for Alaska in the Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Awards, AFAR Travelers’ Choice Awards, Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards and TravelAge West Wave Awards Editor’s Pick.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor , call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com .

Editors Note: Photos are available at https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/awg2ldyt .

America’s Most Scenic Small-Ship and River Cruises

Columbia and snake rivers.

T hese nine-day American river cruises on the American Queen Steamboat Company's American Empress sail from Vancouver, Washinton to Portland, Oregon and show you a glimpse at some of the most gorgeous scenery in the Pacific Northwest. From the paddle wheeler, you'll get to see the dramatic waterfalls at the Columbia River Gorge, the pioneer town The Dalles, and sea lions and filming sites from the hit 1980s film, The Goonies in Astoria.

Rivers of Wine Theme Cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers

These seven-night American river cruises on the UnCruise Adventure's S.S. Legacy sail round trip out of Portland, Oregon cruising a similar route to American Empress but focusing on wine. A sommelier and guest wine expert sail with passengers for the week, serving as an onboard resource and hosting tastings. There are also wine tastings, vineyard tours, and wine cave tours in Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla, Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, and the Willamette Valley and guests get to taste old-vine varietals and wines from eco-cultivated vineyards. River cruises are also popular across the pond.

Adventure Theme Cruise on the Olympic Peninsula

Sailing round-trip out of Seattle through Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands on an elegant little yacht, this seven-night cruise on UnCruise Adventure's Safari Quest includes kayaking, paddle boarding, and plenty of hikes. There are also opportunities to spot bald eagles, sea lions, and whales and to enjoy local seafood, including oysters and clams.

Upper Mississippi American Heartland Theme Cruise

This river cruise from Chicago to St. Louis is on American Queen Steamboat Company's newest ship, the American Duchess , a paddle wheeler as majestic as her older sisters, with the same iconic red paddlewheel. You'll see the towering skyscrapers of Chicago and get the perfect photo op of St. Louis's famed arch. The focus of this cruise is American history, and you can see towns that were settled as trading posts by French explorers, visit the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate in Ottowa, Illinois, and check out places from Mark Twain's writings in his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. Want to learn even more of America's backstory? Start with these 16 best cities for American history buffs .

Ohio River Cruise

These 11-day cruise tours on American Cruise Line's Queen of the Mississippi travel from St. Louis to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania visiting Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati (among other towns) along the way. You'll get a behind-the-scenes tour of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and tour the Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. In Cape Girardeau, you'll see everything from Trail of Tears sites to Civil War battlefields. Best of all, expect plenty of bluegrass music and mint juleps along the way.

Music Cruise on the Cumberland River

These seven-night American river cruises from Nashville to St. Louis also on American Cruise Line's Queen of the Mississippi will take you to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Johnny Cash Museum and then heads on to St. Louis for a celebration of blues music.

Mississippi River Bourbon Theme Cruise

Cruise up the Mississippi River from Memphis to Louisville on the American Queen Steamboat Company's American Queen, with private tastings and cooking demos along the way, as well as lectures by historians. This special sailing, offered annually in July, also includes the opportunity to sample rare and vintage bourbons as well.

Lake Michigan

On this eight-day cruise roundtrip out of Chicago on Blount Small Ship Adventures's Grande Mariner , you'll visit Mackinac Island, Michigan, home to historic homes and plenty of rocking chairs as well as Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin's Door County, where you'll see lighthouses and plenty of yachts.

Lower Mississippi from New Orleans to New Orleans

See—and eat—the highlights of New Orleans—from beignets to po' boys—before setting sail on American Cruise Line's America Song . You'll head to Natchez and Vicksburg in Missouri for Civil War sites and St. Francisville and Houmas House, Louisiana for historic plantations with a stop in the middle in Baton Rouge to see the Louisiana State Museum and the capital buildings. Occasionally, the line also offers a food-themed cruise out of New Orleans, too.

Maine Coastal Cruises

Maine Windjammer Association's Lewis R. French is a dramatic 21-passenger schooner that offers two- to six-night cruises in the summer and through the month of September out of the town of Camden, Maine. The schooner, which dates back to 1871 and is a National Historic Landmark, has no engine, and powers through Penobscot Bay just with the wind in its sails. You can help out with the sails, and watch for porpoises and eagles.

Newport, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard Cruise

This sailing yacht, the Arabella , may winter in the Caribbean, but it summers in the northeast, home of lobster rolls, lighthouses, and clambakes. The five-night sailings in July, August, and September let you travel to the area's loveliest beaches under billowing white sails.

Chesapeake Bay Cruise

This seven-night cruise on American Cruise Line's Independence sails round-trip out of Baltimore to Oxford, St. Michael's, and Annapolis, Maryland as well as Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia. You'll visit coastal fishing villages and eat plenty of hard-shell blue crabs, and get to visit Baltimore's famed aquarium.

Hudson River Valley Fall Foliage Theme Cruise

This eight-day American river cruise on American Cruise Line's American Constitution sails round-trip out of New York City before taking you to Hyde Park, the Catskills, and West Point as well as Sleepy Hollow, all in upstate New York. But in addition to the history in the region, the highlight of the cruise is easily the changing colors of the autumnal leaves.

Savannah to Baltimore

Cruise one of our favorite 12-day American river cruises in the Southeast on Blount Small Ship Adventures's Grand Mariner and you'll spend your days exploring Beaufort by horse-drawn carriage and wander the cobblestone streets of Charleston, South Carolina as the port town of Annapolis. Read on to discover the best cruise to take every month of the year .

The post America’s Most Scenic Small-Ship and River Cruises appeared first on Reader's Digest .