Correspondence from Cruise Line

[mapsd]

Do most lines send information periodically?

 

We're about a month from our departure & still have never received any mail/email from Scenic regarding our trip.

We can log in and see our reservation/trip details, but it seems odd to never hear from them.

 

In previous experiences, we'd usually  get a message at the  90 day, 30 day,...point.  Usually just auto-generated confirmations, or tips about our destination, etc..

I get that they're busy with COVID protocols, but robo-generated messages don't take much effort, especially now, when lots of passengers are interested/worried about their trip (and the majority haven't discovered Cruise Critic).

[sbjornda]

I know the feeling. My only advice: If you haven't received your package from them by two weeks prior to departure, you should give them a call. If I recall correctly, they don't promise it earlier than that, though last cruise (2019) it came a month prior to departure, which was a nice stress-reducer. 

 

Best wishes,
Sterling

[Canal archive]

Having traveled with Scenic eight times, don’t worry, if you hear, worry! You’ll get your full information as sbjornda says and as Scenic says within two weeks of departure. You’ll need that time to wade through the info. Which trip are you doing I’m green with envy.

[Wings55]

@mapsd You may be correct the current situation is delaying any updates. We didn't get our E-docs from Ama until late last week, nine days before our flight to France. 

We sailed with Scenic only once (very jealous of Canal archive's record 😉 ) but we were impressed by the package of information they sent as well as some nice bonus items. I'm sure you will enjoy your cruise with Scenic. Have a great trip!

Paul

[loriva]

Slightly off topic, but I've tried getting answers to the following two questions directly via an email to Scenic as well as through our TA and have had no luck.  So, it's "technically" about correspondence from the cruise line...

 

    --Did you buy your flights from Scenic?  If so, at what point could you reserve flights (usual is 270 days before boarding) and who did you call to arrange them?  I've been trying to find a quote for them  for business-class to use as a point of comparison for what we can arrange on our own, but no response.

    --When are "Free Choice" excursions posted and available for reservation?  We could get into our booking on Scenic's website to fill in our guest information forms but the excursion tab is not available (grayed out--can see the tab but not open it).

 

 

 

[Wings55]

It's been five years since our Scenic cruise so I'm not sure our experience has much meaning. 

We booked our own flights because my of wife's history with a particular domestic carrier gave us advantages to book on our own. 

I don't believe we booked excursions before we boarded the Jasper. Maybe we had the option to do so, but if so we didn't realize that. We were new to river cruising at that point.  All I can say now is that we were very impressed by our excursions especially the 'special' nights and Sundowner cocktail parties. 

[Canal archive]

Being from the U.K. so not over the pond but maybe the stream we get the choice of flying or if available the euro tunnel, the later very useful so cannot comment there. All excursions not pre booked are allocated at your port talk, depending on the length of your cruise half then later the last half. You get a list and mark your preference. It’s quite useful doing it this way as your CD will have explained each excursion, I have osteoarthritis so climbing is a no no, so having in my mind decided on a particular excursion then finding it’s a steep walk quickly alters my mind. I’ve also found that although you have already chosen an excursion you more than welcome to change your mind. In Portugal our choice was rejected my husband queried this and soon got it sorted. Scenic will bend over backwards to make things right. On our Seine cruise, admittedly their inaugural cruise one of the excursions we were the only participants, so - Mercedes car, chauffeur, tour guide with assistant and us, wonderful. This excursion is still offered. Wings55 I concur sundowners are the best, first encountered on safari (not with Scenic) in South Africa, super for meet and mingling.

[loriva]

Thanks Wings55 and Canal Archive for your responses.  We'll certainly look forward to those sundowners as we also first encountered on safari in South Africa, but also enjoyed in Scenic's home of Australia.

 

Our TA finally reached Scenic yesterday.  Here are responses in hope they can help others in the future.

     --Scenic says excursions should be posted to the cruise personalizer in about two months.  We're on an Oberammergau cruise tour in mid-June 2022 so that would make it about 8 months prior to the trip.

     --Scenic provided a few flight options for us, but the pricing did not seem any different from what I am seeing via Google Flights.  And they said the prices could change at any time.  Wondering if Scenic does not have contracts for airfare from the United States as other lines do.  Anyway, it provided what we were looking for--a baseline we can use while tracking prices.

 

Thanks again!

[Canal archive]

Lucky you I went to Oberammergau many many moons ago on a school trip it was not a Passion Play year so we got to stand on the stage and try out the acoustics and you can whisper on stage and be heard in the back seats just about. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

11 hours ago, Canal archive said:

On our Seine cruise, admittedly their inaugural cruise one of the excursions we were the only participants, so - Mercedes car, chauffeur, tour guide with assistant and us, wonderful.

Which excursion was that?  Might be worth signing up on our Scenic Seine cruise in the spring and hope for a similar low turnout!

[Canal archive]

It was the textile museum at Bolbec the museum was a textile factory specialising in Jacquard weaving absolutely fascinating for anyone interested in machinery, textiles and fabrics used in some of the most famous of French palaces and chateau. Everyone else went to taste Cognac and - well we were on Scenic I could drink it all night if I wanted to. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

19 minutes ago, Canal archive said:

It was the textile museum at Bolbec the museum was a textile factory specialising in Jacquard weaving absolutely fascinating for anyone interested in machinery, textiles and fabrics used in some of the most famous of French palaces and chateau. Everyone else went to taste Cognac and - well we were on Scenic I could drink it all night if I wanted to. 

Lucky me!  That is the excursion we are planning to take that day [also includes a cider farm], although our alternative of Fécamp and Étrétat may win out.  [No Cognac tasting option on our cruise.]

[Canal archive]

I think when we were doing the photo game I posted a photo of a guy driving a tractor holding an umbrella that was the cider tour excellent Normandy cider nearly as good as our Somerset cider.

[notamermaid]

Ah, yes, I remember that photo!

 

Thanks for the excursion info, I have added that museum to my wish list for Normandy places that I want to see - hopefully a trip next year.

 

notamermaid

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

While we're off topic 😉 I'll add a note about a unique shore excursion that Scenic offers on Douro cruises.  At the furthest point from Porto, as an alternative to the long drive to/from Salamanca, you can visit Freixo de Espada à Cinta for a guided tour and visit to their silk museum plus lunch in a local home.

[Canal archive]

Oh Jazz that was an awful decision to make in the end I chose Salamanca for several reasons, not least I’m a bit of a peninsula war buff (blame Bernard Cornwalls Sharp novels) but also it’s  history. 
The people at Bolbec are lovely they saved the museum their enthusiasm was special.

Edited August 12, 2021 by Canal archive

[loriva]

You're all making me look forward to cruising with Scenic for the first time.  I'll hope the Danube excursions are as interesting as your Seine and Dourno ones.  And gives me food for thought for booking future cruises with Scenic!

[sbjornda]

In terms of booking flights, Scenic told me the SOONEST one could book was about year prior to your RETURN flight. If you book early you may get a series of changes, as airlines re-jig their schedules periodically, but at least you've got a spot. If you leave it too late, your choices may have already been taken. 

 

For booking directly with Scenic vs. a travel agent, part of it depends on the complexity of your plans. If you're adding in stops in other cities, Scenic may suggest you get your own travel agent. If you're just adding a few hotel days in your starting and/or ending cities, Scenic can usually arrange that for you (though not necessarily the most economical option). I like to add a few days in advance, partly to get used to the time zone and partly so there's less chance I'll miss the sailing date if there's a significant flight disruption. 

 

In terms of booking "Free Choice" options, the first one or two days' worth are made available on the Trip Personalizer web site usually a couple of months before the sailing; the rest of the options are made on board as Canal Archive described. 

[CPT Trips]

Jazzbeau, does the Fécamp excursion include the Bénédictine Palace? 

[mapsd]

I went ahead and initiated contact myself & got a reply from Scenic in about 15 minutes:

-Will get the welcome packet at 2-3 weeks

-No onboard testing, just a questionnaire prior to boarding

-Our cruise is booked at ~70% of capacity

-As of now, no restrictions on excursions (will depend on local rules though).

 

All good news IMO! 

Edited August 12, 2021 by mapsd

[Host Jazzbeau]

1 hour ago, CPT Trips said:

Jazzbeau, does the Fécamp excursion include the Bénédictine Palace? 

Yes.  "Visit Fécamp and its mighty palace. Situated in spectacular surrounds, the city’s natural setting contrasts perfectly with its architectural centrepiece, the Bénédictine Palace. Afterwards visit the beautiful seaside town of Étrétat, sitting proudly between dramatic rock faces. With steep limestone cliffs that plunge dramatically towards the emerald waters of the English Channel below, the beauty of the Alabaster Coast will leave you breathless.

or Or, travel to the hilltop village of Bolbec and view fabrics at the fascinating Textile Museum before visiting a traditional Normandy [cider] farm nearby.

[or bike trip to Villequier and visit the Victor Hugo Museum]

[notamermaid]

1 hour ago, mapsd said:

I went ahead and initiated contact myself & got a reply from Scenic in about 15 minutes:

-Will get the welcome packet at 2-3 weeks

-No onboard testing, just a questionnaire prior to boarding

-Our cruise is booked at ~70% of capacity

-As of now, no restrictions on excursions (will depend on local rules though).

 

All good news IMO! 

Great! Good customer service from Scenic I find. I should look into that company, also from what Canal archive has told us about her experience.

 

notamermaid

 

[Wings55]

12 minutes ago, notamermaid said:

Great! Good customer service from Scenic I find. I should look into that company, also from what Canal archive has told us about her experience.

 

notamermaid

 

Absolutely! We were completely 'wowed' by the level of service and the extras they included throughout the cruise (Budapest to Amsterdam). They aren't the cheapest by any means but we couldn't have been happier and felt we got a great value for the price. 

[Canal archive]

Wings55 spying your picture are you a Mini fan? Mine at the moment is a Countyrman Mini on steroids.

With Scenic a couple of times we’ve arrived on board and after a bit been approached by staff we’ve met before, the girls especially seem to remember my husband, he doesn’t mind a bit he just gets a bit more pampering.

[Wings55]

2 hours ago, Canal archive said:

Wings55 spying your picture are you a Mini fan? Mine at the moment is a Countyrman Mini on steroids.

 

@Canal archive Guilty as charged!! I've driven 'new MINIs' since 2003 and my current daily driver is a loaded, chili red '13 JCW Hardtop. My avatar photo is Matchbox, a 1991 Mini Cooper S I found in Seattle ten years ago. Makes absolutely no sense but, it's RED, it's LOUD and it's a cute as can be. Thank for noticing! 👋