Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours - UK
View company profile →
Scenic - a spectacular disappointment.
Just got back from the "Spectacular south of France" cruise aboard Scenic Sapphire. Holiday was booked and paid for some 14 months ago, since then nothing from Scenic. Finally contacted them by phone after a 90 minute wait. The result was to receive tickets and about 60 pages of type to be downloaded on friday pm the 10th June for a 0500 departure on 14th June. The trains to Lyon were good but the transfer arrangements appalling with drivers waiting in the wrong place with the wrong names. The cabin was excellent and the toileteries OK. Considering this was a cruise on the Rhone the food was lacking in choice (one meat, one fish and one vegeretian.), poorly presented ( part raw lamb chops, a piece of rose veal that could not be cut and a spinach pancake that was more like an undercooked dumpling with spinach flakes.) The wine choices were red or white - others may have been available but not offered. Most of the staff were well motivated but lacking in knowledge and skills. Most were nearly new recruits, were poorly supervised and received their training ( what there was of it ) on the job. The excursions were OK but some of the guides were more interested in completing the tour rather than the needs of the clients. In addition the audio system worked with each customers mobile phone and was out of order most of the time - the guides ended up shouting a lot. The entertainment was organised and sometimes presented by Darren and Katie and was very enjoyable, indeed they were the only bright spot on the cruise. Same problems on the way back as on the way out with a 45 minute search for the driver at St. Pancras. He was instructed to meet us at the end of the platform but he was unable to leave his taxi because of parking restrictions. What a cock-up. Altogether a very sub standard cruise, overpriced and very badly organised from start to finish. There was an all pervading air of "cut backs". Avoid using this company at all costs, it would age you quickly. The final irony was that my wife and I both arrived home with Covid.