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LUXURY EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES
2009|2010
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“Travelling on the river is a wonderful way to see Europe” John Sievers
ms Scenic Sapphire cruising the Danube River
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WELCOME to Europe’s finest river cruising
Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
ms Scenic Sapphire in Miltenburg, Germany
Statue of Johann Strauss in Vienna, Austria
Scenic Tours invites you to join us on a magnificent river cruise, visiting Europe’s grand cities and charming villages with awe-inspiring scenery, fairytale castles and lush vineyards around almost every bend. You’ll cruise through beautiful landscapes and stop in the heart of each town for comprehensive included sightseeing. We’re delighted to present the Scenic Tours 2009 Europe programme, our most extensive yet. Our two new Scenic “Space-Ships”, ms Scenic Emerald and ms Scenic Sapphire, were launched in July 2008 with the aim of providing the ultimate river cruising experience. Our guests have told us that this is exactly what we have achieved and that cruising onboard surpasses all their expectations. Every aspect of these superb ships, from the elegant interiors to the faultless service, has been created from scratch to provide you with the best river cruise experience in the world.
EVEN MORE ENTICING CHOICES For those planning their European holiday, we know that river cruising is often the centrepiece, so we are adding two new sister ships to the fleet in 2009; ms Scenic Diamond and ms Scenic Ruby. We look forward to welcoming you on board.
THE SCENIC TOURS DIFFERENCE – EXCEPTIONAL FEATURES AND BENEFITS We include what other river cruise companies leave out Bespoke, spacious, modern river cruise Scenic “Space-Ships” Luxurious suites and staterooms – up to 25% larger than average Flexible touring with exclusive Scenic FreeChoice inclusions, so you can tailor-make your activities
Contents 4 See Europe from a Scenic “Space-Ship” 6 Exclusive Private Balcony Suites 8 Deluxe Junior & Royal Suites 10 Fine Dining & Entertainment 12 Ultimate Service & Scenic FreeChoice 14 Ship & Flight Information 16 Amsterdam to Budapest Jewels of Europe River Cruise 26 Booking Conditions
Excellent fine dining with complimentary wines Professional Cruise Directors with a wealth of local knowledge No optional extras – fully inclusive cruises include all shore excursions A flexible range of airlines and departure airports to choose from – with free transfers Glen Moroney Managing Director Scenic Tours
No hidden costs – all tipping and gratuities included, saving on average £350 per couple With Scenic Tours you are guaranteed to have a fabulous holiday that is simply great value for money. 3
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Stunning views greet you at every turn
ms Scenic Sapphire
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LUXURY SCENIC “SPACE-SHIPS” Setting new standards of excellence
ms Scenic Sapphire bell
Lounge and bar
Junior Balcony Suite
SEE EUROPE FROM A SCENIC “SPACE-SHIP” Trace the history of the stunning waterways of Europe by embarking on a cruising holiday on board a Scenic “Space-Ship”. We have designed the ships from the ground up, incorporating a revolutionary new design and first class interiors. Add to this our own crew and service values and we believe we have set standards to which others can only aspire.
MORE SPACE GUARANTEED Wherever you go on board our Scenic “Space-Ships” there’s plenty of room, and you’ll be delighted to find lots of light and airy places to pass the time without feeling cramped or crowded – with up to 25% more space in public areas and staterooms. Our lounge is 31 metres in length, much larger than on other ships, and the additional space of the open-air Panorama Lounge makes this a perfect venue to sit back and watch the world glide by.
Indulge in tempting desserts
SIMPLY THE BEST Our Scenic “Space-Ships” truly are in a class of their own, from the spacious decks and lounges to the classic interior design and custom-made furnishings. No detail has been overlooked, with everything in place to satisfy your sense of luxury and comfort.
YOUR FLOATING FIVE STAR HOTEL
Enjoy a massage in the wellness spa
Your ship’s deck plan flows from one spacious public area to the next. There’s a walking track plus plenty of outdoor lounge areas on the Sun Deck and Horizon Deck. The open-air Panorama Lounge is just outside the bar with its floor-to-ceiling windows. Crystal Dining has panoramic windows so you won’t miss a thing while sampling the finest of cuisines. Luxuriate with a treatment in the wellness spa and salon, or browse for mementoes in the gift shop. When the ship is docked, you’re free to make use of the complimentary bicycles on board to go exploring.
DOCK IN THE HEART OF EUROPE’S TOWNS AND CITIES At every destination we pre-book the very best docking places available, so you will be close to the heart of town for easy access to your included sightseeing.
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“We enjoyed every part of our holiday and wouldn’t change a thing” Ronald Bartlett
Balcony, ms Scenic Sapphire
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EXCLUSIVE BALCONY SUITES Enjoy the river views from your own private balcony
Fresh fruit platter
Five star comfort
L’Occitane bathroom products
EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE BALCONY SUITES Because we have designed our Scenic “Space-Ships” from scratch, you will benefit from an average of 25% more space in every stateroom, while having your own balcony adds a whole new dimension – you’ll feel as though you're aboard your own exclusive yacht. At any time of the day or night you can walk out from the sliding glass doors of your suite and settle back in one of the chairs with a book and enjoy a glass of wine. As you survey the ever-changing countryside and river traffic, you’ll soon find it difficult to concentrate on reading!
FIVE STAR AMENITIES Your stateroom boasts all the facilities you would expect plus more; climate control, hairdryer and personal safes are standard. A fully-stocked minibar is checked by your cabin steward daily and replenished as needed. The fittings and finishes in your en-suite bathroom match those in a five star hotel, and there’s a selection of L’Occitane toiletries and bathrobes for you to use during your voyage. Keeping in touch with home is easy with individual internet access in every stateroom. If you like to be up to date with world events or love watching a great movie, you’ll appreciate the latest flat-screen TV and state-of-the-art infotainment system which presents over 1,000 movies on demand.
Watch the waterways glide by
SLEEP SOUNDLY Your oversized queen size bed has a thick pillow-topped mattress and fluffy duvet. It’s so comfortable, we call it the “Scenic Slumber Bed”. If you like to sleep on a special pillow, no problem, simply select one from our extensive pillow menu.
Relax on your private balcony
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Relax in the elegance and sophistication of your private suite
Royal Suite
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JUNIOR & ROYAL SUITES The ultimate in luxury river cruising
The finest on board food and drinks
Royal Suite balcony
Private butler service
DELUXE JUNIOR AND ROYAL SUITES Standard staterooms aboard our Scenic “Space-Ships” are already rated five star, so just imagine what our super-luxurious suites are like. Spoil yourself and upgrade to the ultimate in accommodation in one of our Junior or Royal Suites. These elegant suites are lavish personal domains designed with modern sophistication in mind. All suites are situated in prime positions on the ship, for the utmost enjoyment of the passing scenery.
EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE BUTLER For those who expect a higher level of personal service, guests on our superior Danube Deck will be attended by a private butler. They will be happy to bring tea and coffee to your balcony whenever you please. Need some garments pressed or shoes cleaned? Perhaps breakfast in bed takes your fancy. Or host an impromptu gathering with pre-dinner drinks and canapés in your suite. Just call your butler and it will be done in no time; it’s all part of the service at no additional cost.
In-room refreshments
EXTRA SPECIAL SERVICE If you wish to dine in private then you can indulge in our full room service menu for breakfast and dinner. Guests in Royal Suites enjoy a complimentary bottle of mineral water each day and a half bottle of French champagne on arrival. And guests can even have their butler draw a relaxing bath for them.
COMPLETE WITH ALL THE FINER TOUCHES
Enjoy delicious pre-dinner canapés
You’ll hardly believe the grand proportions of our suites – the external walls are virtually all glazed with floor-to-ceiling glass and feature double sliding doors which open onto spacious private teak balconies. Relax or entertain in the separate lounge area, complete with comfortable chairs and a coffee table. Even the exquisitely finished bathrooms are oversized, with double vanity basins, bathtubs and separate showers. Junior Suites offer 250 sq ft / 23 sq m of pure luxury with breathtaking views from your extended private teak balcony. Our exclusive Royal Suites represent the ultimate in indulgence with 300 sq ft / 27.5 sq m of immaculately appointed living space.
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Experience the ultimate in European river cruising
Portobello’s restaurant
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FINE DINING & ENTERTAINMENT Five star cuisine and evenings at leisure
Fine complimentary wines
On board entertainment
Wait staff
MOUTHWATERING MEALS Your five star river cruising experience also extends to meal times. For early risers, fruit, pastries, tea and coffee are available in the Lounge. If you love a good cup of coffee, our espresso machine has three blends to choose from and brews each cup individually. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the elegant Crystal Dining Room and our friendly maitre d’ will greet you and escort you to your preferred table. The restaurant with its panoramic windows can seat all guests at the same time and you’re free to dine with whoever you please.
Enjoy delicious gourmet cuisine
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE Unique personal service
The breakfast buffet selection will satisfy even the heartiest appetite. Order minute steak or eggs any style, and your waiter will deliver it to your table. Extravagant buffet lunches have daily specials which are cooked to your liking by our chefs, while some days you will enjoy lunches out on a shore excursion. In the evenings, the restaurant sparkles with lively conversations, fine china and glassware. Dinner is always a four course affair, accompanied by complimentary regional wines.
PORTOBELLO’S – EXCLUSIVE ITALIAN RESTAURANT You even have the choice on selected nights of your cruise to dine at our second restaurant, Portobello’s. Our fine dining Italian restaurant is an intimate affair with just 30 guests per evening. Fine food, the best Italian wine and outstanding views from the very front of the ship come as standard. This alternate dining choice is not available on any other river cruise ship in Europe.
EVENINGS TO REMEMBER
A range of drinks are available from the bar
Enjoy a performance at Vienna’s Opera House
We invite you to retire to the Lounge after dinner for music and dancing. On many evenings we’ll bring the best of the local culture to you when our guest musicians and entertainers come aboard. Depending on where the ship is docked you may see a rollicking gypsy troupe, a demonstration of exquisite glass blowing or a Viennese string quartet. You can also enjoy a private Viennese concert of music, singing and ballet at the Palais Liechtenstein.
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“As expected, a first class tour with Scenic” Kenneth Walsh
Private butler service
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ULTIMATE SERVICE & SCENIC FREECHOICE Select what you want to do – at no extra cost!
Salzburg
Scenic cruising
Cabin attendant
IMPECCABLE SERVICE Scenic “Space-Ships” are fully owned and operated exclusively by us. This enables our team to take charge of every aspect of your river cruise so that the service standards are the finest to be found on Europe’s waterways. From the moment you’re welcomed aboard, every member of the ship’s crew is dedicated to ensuring your total enjoyment.
TAKING CARE OF YOU ALL THE WAY From the very first day your Cruise Director will impress with their friendly welcome and professional manner. No request is too difficult, your luggage will be delivered promptly to your room and local guides are ready to go when you are. Your Cruise Director has your best interests at heart and because they are not compelled to sell optional tours or arrange shopping visits, they can dedicate all of their efforts to you. They really will excel in every way, enhancing your holiday experience tenfold – after all, it’s what they love to do.
SCENIC FREECHOICE
For full details on our
included activities, please refer to your chosen itinerary page
Our exclusive inclusions offer you the freedom to personalise your river cruising experiences to suit your individual taste. We understand that our guests’ interests differ from one person to the next, so we give you the opportunity to tailor your holiday. Simply select the option you would like to do and we will take care of the rest – it’s all part of our all-inclusive touring, with no extra cost to you.
EXCLUSIVE TO OUR RIVER CRUISES
Take a guided city tour
In Vienna there’s a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the imperial family, considered one of Europe’s most beautiful baroque palaces. Or join your guide to soak up the elegance of Vienna with coffee and cake in one of its famous coffee houses. There are three appealing choices in Passau, starting with a full day excursion to southern Bohemia to explore the town of Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You could also visit Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and setting for ‘The Sound of Music’, or take a guided tour of the graceful arcades and cobblestone streets of Passau.
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DECK PLANS ms Scenic Sapphire, ms Scenic Emerald, ms Scenic Diamond and ms Scenic Ruby
DANUBE DECK
RHINE DECK
MOSELLE DECK
CRYSTAL DINING
SUN DECK
HORIZON DECK
LOUNGE/ BAR
PANORAMA LOUNGE
SUN DECK 2
4
3
1
DANUBE DECK 336
334 332 330 328 326 324 322 320 318
316
314
312 310 308 306 304 302
337
335 333 331 329 327 325 323 321 319
317
315
311 309 307 305 303 301
9 5
6
8 7
RHINE DECK 234 232 230 228 226 224 222 220 218 216 214 212 210 208 206 204
12
202
11
10
235 233 231 229 227 225 223 221 219 217 215 211 209 207 205 203 201
MOSELLE DECK 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 100
14
115 111 109 107 105 103 101
Please note: Moselle Deck on ms Scenic Emerald differs slightly from plan shown above.
TECHNICAL DATA
DECK PLAN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Built: 2008/2009 Length: 135 metres Passengers: 169 Cabins: 85 Crew: 48
CABIN CATEGORIES
Observation Wheel house Sun Deck Walking Track Forward Deck Lounge and Bar Gift Shop
8 9 10 11 12 14
Reception Elevator Kitchen Restaurant Elevator Wellness Area
DANUBE DECK
RHINE DECK
R Cat. Royal Balcony Suite S Cat. Junior Balcony Suite RJ Cat. Junior Balcony Suite P Cat. Balcony Suite A Cat. Balcony Suite
BJ Cat. BS Cat. B Cat. C Cat.
MOSELLE DECK
Junior Balcony Suite Balcony Suite (single) Balcony Suite Balcony Suite
D Cat. Standard stateroom E Cat. Standard stateroom
Shower
Bath
Book case
Lounge area
Flatscreen TV
Lounge area
Spacious Bathroom
Spacious Bathroom
Rotatable Flatscreen TV
Safe
Bedside Table
Flatscreen TV
Superior Queen Size Bed
Minibar Bedside Table
Desk with seat
Bedside Table
Bathroom
Safe
Spacious Bathroom
Bedside Table Book case
Junior Suite 250 sq ft (S, RJ, BJ Category)
Private Balcony Suite 200 sq ft (P, A, B,C Category)
The cabin layouts, cabin sizes and deckplan are correct at the time of printing but may vary.
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Bedside Table
Minibar
Book case
Royal Suite 300 sq ft (R Category)
Minibar
Safe
Desk with Chair
Plenty of space for twin beds
Flatscreen TV
Superior Queen Size Bed
Bedside Table
Superior Queen Size Bed
Desk with Chair
Bedside Table
Bedside Table
Moselle Deck 160 sq ft (E,D Category)
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SHIP & FLIGHT INFORMATION All the finer details you need to know
Nuremberg
ms Scenic Sapphire
Pursar
SHIP INFORMATION All of our vessels are sister ships and benefit from the same layout both inside and out, as well as the same facilities. Detailed opposite are the deck plans, which illustrate each different deck on all of our ships, as well as the approximate layouts to each standard of stateroom.
YOUR AIRLINE CHOICE Fly from your local airport with KLM or Air France - we include all taxes and fuel supplements so there is nothing extra for you to pay*. Our selected airlines offer regular flights on a range of routes throughout Europe, ensuring that you arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to enjoy your Scenic Tours river cruising experience. Speak to the experts in our Manchester office who have travelled aboard our selection of cruises and can offer detailed advice on the best options for you.
Travel with your choice of airline
*correct at time of going to press
FLY FROM YOUR LOCAL AIRPORT AT NO SUPPLEMENT Choose your local airport from the map below:
Lounge and bar service
1
London Heathrow
2
London Gatwick
3
London City
4
Aberdeen
5
Birmingham
6
Bristol
7
Cardiff
8
Durham Tees Valley
9
Edinburgh
10
Glasgow
11
Humberside
12
Leeds Bradford
13
Manchester
14
Newcastle
15
Norwich
4
10
9 14 8 13 12 11 5
7
6
15 1 3 2
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NETHERLANDS AMSTERDAM GERMANY Cologne Rhine
R端desheim Miltenberg Bamberg
Main
W端rzburg
MainDanube
Nuremberg CZECH REPUBLIC
Canal Rothenburg Regensburg
Cesky Krumlov Danube
Passau Linz Salzburg
D端rnstein
SLOVAKIA
Danube
Melk
AUSTRIA
Vienna
Bratislava BUDAPEST HUNGARY
Cruise the magnificent waterways of Europe, taking in the awe-inspiring scenery and experiencing the very best that these exciting cities have to offer
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JEWELS OF EUROPE 15 Day Escorted River Cruise
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Explore the quaint canals and charming streets of Amsterdam
Amsterdam
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JEWELS OF EUROPE Days 1-4 • Amsterdam • Cologne • Rhine Gorge • Rüdesheim
Days 1-4
NETHERLANDS AMSTERDAM
Cologne Rhine
GERMANY
Rüdesheim
Rüdesheim
Amsterdam
DAY 1 | AMSTERDAM
Day 1
Fly from one of 15 UK airports into Amsterdam with KLM with no supplements to fly from the airport of your choice. A full list of UK airports is available on page 25. On arrival, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your luxury Scenic Tours river cruise ship, where a warm welcome awaits you from the crew. Meals: Dinner Enjoy the history and culture of Amsterdam
DAY 2 | AMSTERDAM Today is a Scenic FreeChoice day where you choose what you’d like to do from the following Scenic FreeChoice inclusions: an exploration of Amsterdam’s maze of quaint canals lined with stately buildings and elaborately decorated residences on a sightseeing cruise aboard a glass top canal boat; or a visit to the Van Gogh Museum, home to the largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh paintings in the world. This evening, enjoy the Captain’s welcome dinner onboard as we set sail for Cologne. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Day 2
Set sail for Cologne this evening
DAY 3 | COLOGNE Founded by the Romans, Cologne is one of Germany’s oldest cities. Towering cathedral spires, cultural treasures, superb museums and galleries all reflect its 2,000 years of history. Join your guide this morning and explore the city including the Old Town with its beautiful squares and historical monuments. There’s free time this afternoon to enjoy some shopping or visit a tavern to taste the famous local beer, Kölsch.
Take in the mesmerising sights of Cologne
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 | RHINE GORGE – RÜDESHEIM Today’s cruising will be a highlight of your trip, as we cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge with its stunning vistas of castles perched above steep vine-covered slopes. We’ll also pass the infamous Lorelei Rock where sailors are said to have been lured to their doom onto treacherous rocks by enchanted temptresses. In the afternoon we arrive at Rüdesheim. Here we will board the Winzerexpress mini train and visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum before taking a cable car trip to the Niederwald Monument.
Day 4
Cruise through the Rhine Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 19
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Relax on your private balcony as you cruise through the waterways of Europe
Private balcony
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JEWELS OF EUROPE Days 5-8 • Miltenberg • Würzburg • Bamberg • Nuremburg
Days 5-8 Rüdesheim Rhine
GERMANY Miltenberg Main Bamberg
Würzburg
MainDanube Canal
CZECH REPUBLIC Nuremberg
Rothenburg
Enjoy guided tours
Day 5
ms Scenic Sapphire at Miltenberg
DAY 5 | MILTENBERG A picturesque village on the Main River, Miltenberg creates an imitable feeling of Bavarian life in medieval times with its Old Town lined with wellpreserved half-timbered buildings. You will visit the gothic Merchant Hall, an impressive symbol of past affluence created by trade from river traffic. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Miltenberg’s Old Town
DAY 6 | WÜRZBURG Today is a Scenic FreeChoice day where you choose what you’d like to do from the following Scenic FreeChoice inclusions: a guided tour of Würzburg and the magnificent Prince Bishop’s Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site acclaimed for its baroque architecture and manicured gardens; or a Romantic Road excursion to Rothenburg, considered to be the best preserved medieval city in Europe. Here the town walls with their fortified battlements form a protective circle around the precious relics of bygone ages. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Day 6
Take a guided tour of Würzburg as one of two Scenic FreeChoice inclusions
DAY 7 | BAMBERG Feel the magic of the past and explore this UNESCO World Heritage city with your guide today. Boasting one of Europe’s largest intact medieval town centres, Bamberg is bursting with original character and charm. At the centre of the town is the largest preserved old quarter in Europe. Approximately 2,400 listed buildings and the centuries-old garden quarter form a special cultural heritage.
Enjoy a beer tasting in the vault of a private brewery in Bamberg
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 | NUREMBERG
Day 8
Today we explore this city which has a medieval feel resulting from 950 years of history. You’ll see the Justice Palace and Imperial Castle which is enclosed by thick walls punctuated with 80 towers. This afternoon join a guided tour of the fascinating Nuremberg Trial Sites – exclusive to Scenic Tours. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Nuremberg’s Imperial Castle and Justice Palace are a magnificent sight
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Cruising the Scenic way – ultimate luxury guaranteed
ms Scenic Sapphire
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JEWELS OF EUROPE Days 9-12 • Regensburg • Passau • Linz • Melk • Dürnstein • Vienna
Days 9-12 GERMANY MainDanube Canal
Nuremberg
CZECH REPUBLIC Cesky Krumlov
Regensburg
Danube
Passau Linz Salzburg
Sun Deck, ms Scenic Sapphire
Dürnstein Danube
Melk
Vienna
AUSTRIA
Opera House, Vienna
DAY 9 | REGENSBURG
Day 9
Dating back to a settlement in 500BC, Regensburg is one of Germany’s most well preserved cities and its architectural gems are testament to its long history and past grandeur. The medieval stone bridge across the Danube is a wonderful place to view the cityscape of red roofs, churches, towers, turrets and townhouses from the 12th to 14th centuries. Your guided tour includes Thurn and Taxis Castle and we’ll visit the Old Chapel. Tour the ancient city of Regensburg
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10 | PASSAU – LINZ
Day 10
Today is a Scenic FreeChoice day where you choose what you’d like to do from the following Scenic FreeChoice inclusions: a guided tour of the graceful arcades and cobblestone streets of Passau; or a visit to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and setting for ‘The Sound of Music’; or a full day excursion to southern Bohemia to explore the town of Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 11
Explore picturesque Salzburg
DAY 11 | MELK – DÜRNSTEIN Discover the magnificent Melk Benedictine Abbey, with its ornate gold leaf walls, 640ft Imperial Corridor and spectacular fresco ceilings. Later the ship sails through the spectacular Wachau Valley and on to Dürnstein, which is the site of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the crusades in the 12th century. This evening arrive in Vienna.
Watch an exclusive short organ recital at Melk’s stunning Abbey
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12 | VIENNA Explore the famous sights of Vienna, including the Hoftburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House and the Ringstrasse. Scenic FreeChoice inclusions, choose from: a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the imperial family and one of Europe’s most beautiful baroque palaces; or enjoy the elegance of Vienna with a visit to the Opera House followed by coffee and cake. You can also enjoy a Viennese concert performed by musicians, opera singers, and enchanting ballet dancers
Day 12
Enjoy a Viennese concert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Enjoy the breathtaking river views of Budapest
Budapest
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JEWELS OF EUROPE Days 13-15 • Bratislava • Budapest
Days 13-15 CZECH REPUBLIC
SLOVAKIA Bratislava AUSTRIA
Vienna Danube
BUDAPEST HUNGARY
Classical musicians on board ms Scenic Sapphire
Budapest
DAY 13 | BRATISLAVA Today you’ll discover the young and vibrant capital of Slovakia, Bratislava. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin. Later take time out and join the locals promenading through the elegant streets. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14 | BUDAPEST Flight Information Fly from your local airport We operate flights with KLM/Air France. Therefore you can fly from your local airport at no extra charge. All taxes and fuel supplements are included* Choose from the following: London Heathrow London Gatwick London City Aberdeen Birmingham Bristol Cardiff Durham Tees Valley Edinburgh Glasgow Humberside Leeds Bradford Manchester Newcastle Norwich *correct at time of going to press
On the embankment of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities. Enjoy a guided tour of the city sights including the Royal Palace of Buda, the medieval town on Castle Hill and the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest. In the afternoon enjoy free time to explore and shop for local crafts. This evening, enjoy your farewell dinner to the sounds of classical music being played on board. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 15 | BUDAPEST - RETURN TO UK After breakfast it’s time to disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK. Meals: Breakfast
DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES Amsterdam - Budapest Departures Oct 08 6, 20 Nov 08 3, 17 Dec 08* N/A Mar 09 9, 23 Apr 09 6, 13, 20 May 09 4, 11, 18 Jun 09 1, 15, 22, 29 Jul 09 13, 20, 27 Aug 09 3, 10, 17, 24 Sep 09 7, 14, 21, 28 Oct 09 5, 19, 26 Nov 09 N/A
Budapest - Amsterdam Departures 6, 20 3, 17 1 23 6, 20, 27 4, 18 1, 8, 15, 29 6, 13, 27 10, 24 7, 21 5, 12, 19 2, 9
CABIN UPGRADES Prices Per Person £1,995 £1,995 £2,395 £2,495 £2,795 £3,295 £3,345 £3,395 £3,395 £3,345 £3,195 £2,695
Prices are per person, including return flights from the UK, and are based on two sharing a category D or E standard stateroom on the Moselle Deck. Full terms and conditions apply - see pages 26-27 for details. *Dec 08 departure is the “Grand Christmas Time Adventure”, which visits European Christmas markets and is 16 nights in duration
RHINE DECK Cat. Suite Type
Add
C
Balcony
£695
B
Balcony
£795
BJ
Junior
£1,245
DANUBE DECK A
Balcony
£925
P
Balcony
£995
S
Junior
£1,345
RJ
Junior
£1,445
RJ
Royal
£1,995
What’s Included Flights Flights from your local airport including all taxes and supplements* Superb Meals Superb meals including full buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners Quality Cruise Inclusions All meals, air-conditioned coach for shore excursions, nightly piano music Guided Sightseeing Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Mainz, Rüdesheim and more Special Highlights Folklore performances, lectures, theme dinners, local activities and more 14 Night Luxury Cruise On board luxury all the way – sit back, relax and only unpack once! Tipping All tipping and gratuities are included
Prices are per cabin.
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BOOKING CONDITIONS Please read carefully before booking IMPORTANT: The following booking conditions together with the general information contained in our tour brochure form the basis of your contract with Scenic Tours (UK) Limited t/as Scenic Tours. Please read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations. By asking us to confirm your booking, we are entitled to assume that you have had the opportunity to read and have read these booking conditions and agree to them. Except where otherwise stated, these booking conditions only apply to tour arrangements shown in this brochure (including pre and post tour accommodation, activities and other services) which you book with us in the UK and pay for before departure from the UK and which we agree to make, provide or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you. All references in these booking conditions to “holiday”, “booking”, “contract”, “package”, “tour” or “arrangements” mean such tour arrangements unless otherwise stated. In these booking conditions: “Force Majeure” means means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events are likely to include (actual or threatened) war, terrorism, fire, flood or any other extreme weather conditions, loss of power, epidemics or pandemics, industrial disputes, slow-downs or other strike activities, riots or civil disturbances, acts of government, semi-government or other authorities, inability to obtain any necessary licence or consent and any other event or circumstances beyond the control of us or any supplier of any part of your tour. “You”, “your” and “yourself” means each person who makes a booking with us for a tour and/or who is named on the booking (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later stage) and, where appropriate, all such persons. “We”, “us” and “our” means Scenic Tours (UK) Limited t/as Scenic. Bookings 1. All bookings are made pursuant to these terms and conditions. 2. It is a condition of booking that you are fit and able to take care of yourself for the duration of the tour. We welcome passengers with disabilities or special needs provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all assistance required. If you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your tour or has any special requirements as a result of any medical condition or disability (including any which affect the booking process), please tell us before you confirm your booking so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and/or making the booking. We reserve the right to refuse to carry any person who we deem cannot fully care for themselves on tour without assistance or whenever we reasonably feel unable to accommodate the needs or restrictions of any particular passenger. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a passenger for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches or other transportation vehicles or other personal needs. Passengers who need such assistance must be accompanied by a qualified companion. You must also notify us of any changes or deterioration in the disability or medical condition or development of any disability or medical condition after booking. We further reserve the right to cancel your booking and impose cancellation charges if we are not fully advised of any relevant disability or medical condition at the time the booking is made and/or promptly notified of any development, change or deterioration occurring after booking. On occasions, the decision to cancel can only be made at the time the person concerned joins the tour as it may only be apparent at this stage that their disability or medical condition cannot be accommodated. Any passenger affected by a disability or medical condition must ensure they have notified this to their travel insurers and that their travel insurance will cover it. We may refuse to allow you on the tour or may have to terminate your participation in your tour if your mental or physical condition is such as to render you, in the reasonable opinion of any representative of ours or any carrier or any other person in authority, incapable of caring for yourself or a hazard to yourself or other passengers. We will not be liable for any expenses arising from such persons being precluded from joining or completing the tour for any such reason and no refunds or compensation will be paid. 3. The operation of all tours is conditional on us securing the minimum number of bookings required to operate the tour and to ensure an enjoyable group atmosphere. Where sufficient numbers cannot be achieved, we reserve the right to cancel or change a scheduled tour. Please also see clauses 19 and 20. We will endeavour to make any decision to cancel or suspend a tour no less than 60 days prior to the scheduled departure date of the tour but in any event will notify you no less than 30 days prior to the departure date of the tour. 4. If your booking is not a twin-share booking you must also pay the applicable single supplement rate at the time of booking. At your request, we will endeavour to match you with another single traveller of the same gender. If we are successful and you share with that person for the entirety of the tour, you will be refunded the single supplement you have paid within two weeks of completion of the tour. We accept no responsibility for the suitability of the rooming partner. If a passenger at any time during the tour considers the rooming partner to be unsuitable, we will, using the pre-paid single supplement and subject to availability, attempt to arrange single accommodation for the remainder of the tour. 5. If your have any special request (including dietary requirements) you must notify us in writing at the time of booking. Please note special requests cannot be guaranteed. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract by us. Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier of any service(s) or the inclusion of the special request on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed by us in writing, all special requests are subject to availability. We cannot accept any conditional bookings, i.e. any booking which is specified to be conditional on the fulfilment of a particular request. All such bookings will be treated as “standard” bookings subject to the above provisions on special requests. Payment 6. To secure any booking, you must pay the applicable deposit of a minimum of £100 per person or full payment if booking 75 days or less before the start of the tour. The deposit or full payment, as applicable, must be received by us within 7 days of booking to ensure a place on the tour is held. Bookings will be automatically cancelled if the applicable deposit or full payment, as applicable, is not received by us within this 7 day period and we will have no further liability to you. 7. Deposits are non-transferable and non-refundable except as expressly set out in these terms and conditions. 8. The balance of the tour price (after deduction of the applicable deposit) must be received by us no less than 75 days prior to the start of your tour. A fee of £25 per booking is payable for bookings made within 21 days of the start of the tour. If we do not receive all payments due (including any surcharge where applicable) in full and on time, we are entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your booking. In this case, we will be entitled to keep all deposits paid or due at that date. If we do not cancel straight away because you have promised to make payment, you must pay the cancellation charges shown in clause 7 depending on the date we reasonably treat your booking as cancelled. 9. For all bookings made through one of our authorised travel agents, all monies you pay to your travel agent in relation to your tour will be held on our behalf until paid to us or refunded to you.
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Your contract 10. Subject to availability we will confirm your booking verbally (if you have made a telephone booking) or by email (if you have made an email booking). For all other bookings we will confirm your booking by issuing our confirmation invoice. NB Even if you have received verbal confirmation or email confirmation we will also send you a confirmation invoice. This invoice will be sent to the lead name on the booking (“Lead Name”) or your Travel Agent. Please check this invoice carefully as soon as you receive it. Contact us immediately if any information on the confirmation or any other document appears to be incorrect or incomplete as it may not be possible to make changes later. We cannot accept any liability if not notified of any inaccuracy in any document within 14 days of our sending it out (5 days for tickets). We will do our best to rectify any mistake notified to us outside these time limits but you must meet any costs involved in doing so. 11. A binding contract between you and us comes into existence when we confirm your booking verbally (for telephone bookings) or when we despatch our email confirmation to you (for email bookings) or when we despatch our confirmation invoice for all other bookings. We both agree that English Law (and no other) will apply to your contract and to any dispute, claim or other matter of any description which arises between us (except as set out below). We both also agree that any dispute, claim or other matter of any description (and whether or not involving any personal injury) which arises between us must be dealt with by the Courts of England and Wales only unless, in the case of court proceedings, your live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. In this case, proceedings must either be brought in the courts of your home country or those of England and Wales. If proceedings are brought in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you may choose to have your contract and any dispute, claim or other matter of any description which arises between us governed by the law of Scotland/Northern Ireland as applicable (but if you do not so choose, English law will apply). Tour price 12. We reserve the right to increase/decrease our advertised tour prices at any time before your booking is confirmed. We also reserve the right to correct any errors in any tour price. We will advise you of any error of which we are aware and of the then applicable price at the time of booking. Once the tour price has been confirmed at the time of booking, clause 13 below will apply. 13. Once your tour price has been confirmed at the time of booking, then subject to the correction of errors, it will only be increased or decreased in the following circumstances. A surcharge or refund (as applicable) will be payable, subject to the conditions set out below, if transportation costs or dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or airports increase or decrease or our costs increase or decrease as a result of any changes in the exchange rates which have been used to calculate your tour price. Price increases or decreases after booking will be passed on by way of a surcharge or refund. Even in the circumstances set out in above, only if the amount of the increase in our costs exceeds 2% of your tour price (excluding insurance premiums and any variation fee) will we levy a surcharge. If any surcharge is greater than 10% of your tour price (excluding insurance premiums and any variation fee), you will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us (except for any variation fee) or alternatively purchase another tour from us – see clause 19. You have 14 days from the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice to tell us if you wish to cancel or purchase another tour. Otherwise, we are entitled to assume that you do not wish to do so and will pay the surcharge. Any surcharge must be paid with the balance of the tour price or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice, whichever is the later. Please note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the tour price due to contractual and other protection in place. A refund will only be payable if the decrease in our costs exceeds 2% as set out above. Where a refund is due, we will pay you the full amount of the decrease in our costs. No surcharge will be levied within 30 days of departure. No refund will be payable if any decrease in our costs occurs during this period either. Tour features 14. The features of the tour are set out in the tour brochure. 15. We make no representations about the features of any tour other than those expressly set out in the tour Brochure and these terms and conditions. Brochure validity 16. The tour brochure and these terms and conditions are valid for the departure dates as stated in the tour brochure unless otherwise expressly advised by us. Variation or cancellation by us 17. Subject to clauses 19, 20 and 21, we reserve the right to alter or change the accommodation, carriers, vehicles, vessels or any other service(s) which form part of any tour at any time for any reason and cancel or alter the itinerary and/or tour at any time without notice as we consider necessary for any reason whatsoever including road, weather or traffic conditions, non performance of suppliers, industrial action, operational conditions and requirements, water level problems, excessive winds or Force Majeure. Errors in the details of advertised and/or confirmed tours and/or other details occasionally occur and we reserve the right to correct these whenever they occur. 18. In the event of industrial action affecting air, rail, cruise or other tour related transportation we will make every effort to contact the lead name and advise of alternative arrangements (if any). However, if contact is not made, you should phone 0161 2362444. 19. Most changes made to a confirmed tour are minor. Occasionally, we have to make a significant change to or cancel a confirmed tour and we must reserve the right to do so. A significant change is a change made before departure which, taking account of the information you give us at the time of booking or which we can reasonably be expected to know as a tour operator, we can reasonably expect to have a significant effect on your tour. If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, you will be offered the choice of the following options:(a) (for significant changes) accepting the changed arrangements or (b) purchasing alternative arrangements from us, of a similar standard to those booked if available with us paying a refund if the alternative arrangements are more expensive than those originally booked or (c) cancelling or accepting the cancellation and receiving a full refund of all monies you have paid to us. Please note, the above options are not available where any change made is a minor one. 20. If we have to make a significant change to or cancel a confirmed tour, we will in addition to the options set out in clause 19 pay you reasonable compensation if and as appropriate subject to the following exceptions. Compensation will not be payable and no liability beyond offering the options set out in clause 19 can be accepted where (1) we are forced to make a change or cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) we have to cancel because the minimum number of bookings necessary for us to operate your tour has not been reached – see clause 3.
No compensation will be payable and the options set out in clause 19 will not be available if we have to cancel as a result of your failure to comply with any requirement of these terms and conditions entitling us to cancel (such as paying on time). A change of flight time of less than 12 hours, airline (except as specified in clauses 48-51 “Flights”), type of aircraft (if advised) or destination airport will all be treated as minor changes. 21. Very rarely, we may be forced by Force Majeure to change or terminate your tour after departure but before the scheduled end of your time away. This is extremely unlikely but if this situation does occur, we will be unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain any refunds from our suppliers), pay you any compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result. Amendment or cancellation by you 22. If you wish to make any amendments to your confirmed booking you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. It may not always be possible to make such amendments. Where we can, an amendment fee of £50 per person/per booking will be payable together with any costs incurred by ourselves and any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers. A change of tour dates will normally be treated as a cancellation of the original booking and rebooking in which case cancellation charges will apply. Changes may result in the recalculation of the tour price where, for example, the basis on which the price of the original tour was calculated has changed. 23. You may cancel your booking by notice to us in writing and payment of the applicable cancellation fee as shown below. Cancellation notifications are not effective until received by us in writing (if received by us on a weekend day or public holiday the notification will be treated as having been received by us on the next working day). The following cancellation fees apply to each individual person on cancellation and where shown as a percentage are based on the total cost of the arrangements which are being cancelled excluding any insurance premiums, amendment fee or previously incurred cancellation charges which are all non refundable in the event of your cancellation: CANCELLATION FEES Period before your tour commences within which written notification of cancellation is received by us Cancellation charge per person cancelling FEE PER PERSON 91 days and over Loss of Deposit 90 days to 60 days 35% of tour price 59 days to 30 days 50% of tour price 29 days or less 100% of tour price NB Transferring to another date is treated as a cancellation and the cancellation fees above will apply. Depending on the reason for cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these cancellation charges (less any applicable excess) under the terms of your insurance policy. Claims must be made directly to the insurance company concerned. Our liability 24. We will ensure that the tour arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide as applicable as part of our contract with you are made, performed or provided with reasonable skill and care. This means that, subject to these terms and conditions, we will accept responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal injury or your contracted tour arrangements are not provided as promised or prove deficient as a result of the failure of us, our employees, agents or suppliers to use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or providing, as applicable, your contracted tour arrangements. Please note, it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers). 25. We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for example loss of enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever which results from any of the following: - the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of their party or - the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your tour and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable or - Force Majeure. 26. We cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of our contract with you. This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities which any hotel or other supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facilities are not advertised in our tour brochure as part of your tour and we have not agreed to arrange them and any excursion or other services you purchase during your tour. Where any such excursion or services are purchased through or with our assistance, please note that we act only as booking agent. Your contract will be with the operator or provider of the excursion or services in question. We have no liability in relation to the same. In addition, regardless of any wording used by us on our website, in any of our brochures or elsewhere, we only promise to use reasonable skill and care as set out above and we do not have any greater or different liability to you. 27. The promises we make to you about the services we have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract and the laws and regulations of the country in which your claim or complaint occurred will be used as the basis for deciding whether the tour arrangements in question had been properly provided. If the particular arrangements which gave rise to the claim or complaint complied with the then applicable local laws and regulations, the services will be treated as having been properly performed or provided. This will be the case even if the arrangements did not comply with the laws and regulations of the UK which would have applied had those arrangements been provided in the UK. The exception to this is where the claim or complaint concerns the absence of a safety feature which might lead a reasonable tour participant to refuse to take the tour in question. 28. As set out in these terms and conditions we limit the maximum amount we may have to pay you for any claims you may make against us. Where we are found liable for loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions (including money), the maximum amount we will have to pay you is £1000 per person affected unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under this clause or clause 29 below. For all other claims which do not involve death or personal injury, if we are found liable to you on any basis the maximum amount we will have to pay you is twice the price (excluding insurance premiums and amendment fees) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under clause 29 below. This maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong and you have not received any benefit at all from your tour. 29. Where any claim or part of a claim (including those involving death or personal injury) concerns or is based on any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on and/or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea, rail or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, the maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay you will be limited. The most we will have to pay you for that claim or that part of a claim if found liable to you on any basis is the most the carrier or hotelier concerned would have to pay under the international convention or regulation which applies to the travel arrangements or hotel stay in question (for example, the Warsaw Convention as amended or unamended and the Montreal Convention for international travel by air
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and/or for airlines with an operating licence granted by an EU country, the EC Regulation on Air Carrier Liability No 889/2002 for national and international travel by air, the Athens Convention for international travel by sea, the Berne Convention for international travel by rail). Please note: where a carrier or hotelier would not be obliged to make any payment to you under and in accordance with the applicable international convention or regulation in respect of a claim or part of a claim, we similarly are not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim or part of the claim. When making any payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you have received or are entitled to receive from the carrier or hotelier for the claim in question. Copies of the applicable international conventions and regulations are available from us on request. 30. Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by ourselves or our employees or, where we are responsible for them, our suppliers. Additionally we cannot accept liability for any business losses. 31. You must provide ourselves and our insurers with all assistance we may reasonably require. You must also tell us and the supplier concerned about your claim or complaint as set out below. If asked to do so, you must transfer to us or our insurers any rights you have against the supplier or whoever else is responsible for your claim or complaint (if the person concerned is under 18, their parent or guardian must do so). You must also agree to cooperate fully with us and our insurers if we or our insurers want to enforce any rights which are transferred. Carriers 32. The carriers (including airlines, rail carriers and sea carriers used in association with the tours) are not responsible for statements in the tour brochure or any of its features. 33. The applicable conditions of sale / carriage in use by the carriers will apply to you. These may limit or exclude the carriers’ liability to you. Copies of these are available on request. Force Majeure 34. Except where otherwise expressly stated in these terms and conditions we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our obligations under our contract with you is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of Force Majeure. Risk and travel insurance 35. You acknowledge and accept that there are inherent risks associated with our tours for example events of Force Majeure, hazards of travelling in undeveloped areas, travel by boat, train, automobile, aircraft or other means of transportation particularly in underdeveloped or to or in more remote locations, forces of nature, political unrest and accident, illness, epidemics or pandemics in regions without means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities; baggage is entirely at your risk during the tour. We cannot accept any liability regarding the provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. 36. Except as expressly set out in these terms and conditions you agree that we cannot accept any liability for, and you discharge and release us from all claims arising from or in connection with any loss or harm suffered by you arising from any risk referred to in clause 39 or any other risk which you should have reasonably recognised as being inherent to your tour. 37. We strongly advise you to take out adequate and appropriate travel insurance to cover as a minimum cancellation by you, loss of luggage, early return following death of a relative as defined in the respective proposal forms or emergency repatriation in the event of accident or illness for example. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on your tour. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. Itinerary changes and travel advice 38. During local or national holidays, certain facilities such as museums and restaurants, sightseeing tours and shopping may be limited or not available. Alternatives will be offered if possible. 39. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office may have issued information about your tour destination. You are advised to check this information on BBC2 (Ceefax) page 470 onwards or on the internet at http://www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo. Alternatively, you can contact the FCO Travel Advice Unit on 0870 606 0290. Smoking 40. Smoking is not permitted inside tourist coaches or indoors on any ship and such other places prohibited by us from time to time. Smoking is not permitted on the balconies of our river cruise ships. We will use reasonable endeavours to ensure there are frequent stops on any coach trip and there are permitted areas outside decks on board some cruise vessels which are available for smoking, however we cannot guarantee these facilities will be available. Baggage allowance 41. You are entitled to carry one suitcase per person with the total sum of its length, width and height not exceeding 160cm (62 inches) and weight 20kg (42 lbs). Personal and valuable items such as make-up, cameras, medication, money/credit cards etc. should be carried in a travel bag or on your person. You must ensure that luggage meets the weight requirements as overweight or oversize items will not be carried. Some carriers may impose a small surcharge per day for a second suitcase per person. Excess baggage is always at your cost. Young travellers 42. Travellers who are less than 21 years old on the departure date must be accompanied by and share a cabin/room with an adult aged 21 or over. Children under 8 years of age are not accepted. This is a condition of carriers and cruise operators. Complaints 43. If a problem occurs during your tour, you must advise our representative immediately so that steps can be taken to resolve the matter and you can continue to enjoy the remainder of your tour. If you remain dissatisfied, any complaint must be made in writing to us giving full details within 30 days of the end of the tour. If you fail to follow this simple procedure, your right to claim compensation you may otherwise have been entitled to may be affected or even lost as a result Tour price and duration 44. All prices in this brochure are quoted in English pounds (Sterling). All prices in this brochure are believed to be correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing but errors may occur and prices are subject to change. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen tour (including the price) with us or your travel agent at the time of booking. The number of days duration stated in each itinerary includes day of departure and day of return. Included in your fare 45. All airfares from the UK (unless specified at the time of booking), coach travel, all cruise travel, service of a Cruise Director (if applicable), airport transfers, meals, accommodation, sightseeing and admissions and other services as expressly indicated in the itinerary, all gratuities and tipping on land tours and river cruises except as set out below.
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NOT included in your fare 46. Gratuities and tips to your Cruise Director and other staff on cruise ships not operated by us ourselves (unless otherwise expressly advised), port charges, meals not specified in the itinerary, drinks, laundry, passport fees, expenses of a personal nature and any other items which are not expressly included in the cost of your tour. Changes to flight schedules may require additional overnight accommodation at either commencement or completion of tour which is at your own expense. Airfare conditions 47. Discounted airfares are subject to availability and conditions apply. Your reservations consultant will book the most appropriate fare for your tour. Please note that some discounted airfares have conditions which make them unsuitable to be used in conjunction with these tours. Full details and conditions may be obtained from your travel consultant. Changes to original tickets will incur amendment or cancellation fees, are subject to availability and surcharges may apply. Please see clauses 22 and 23 above. Please note: all airfares are subject to routing restrictions. Airfares and applicable taxes are subject to increase without notice due to fare and tax changes, surcharges dependent on class available at time of booking and other factors outside our control. Please contact your travel consultant for the applicable rules and regulations. Flights 48. For flight inclusive tours, the flight timings given on booking are for general guidance only and are subject to change. The latest timings will be shown on your confirmation invoice. However, the actual flight times will be those shown on your tickets which will be despatched to you approximately two weeks before departure. You must accordingly check your tickets very carefully immediately on receipt to ensure you have the correct flight times. It is possible that flight times may be changed even after tickets have been despatched - we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs. 49. In accordance with EU Directive (EC) No 2111/2005 Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a “Community List” which contains details of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban within the European Union. The Community list is available for inspection at http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm In accordance with EU Regulations we are required to advise you of the carrier(s) (or, if the carrier(s) is not known, the likely carrier(s)) that will operate your flight(s) at the time of booking. Where we are only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of booking, we shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this. Any change to the operating carrier(s) after your booking has been confirmed will be notified to you as soon as possible. Any change in the identity of the carrier, flight timings, and/or aircraft type (where advised) will not entitle you to cancel or change to other arrangements without paying our normal charges except where specified in these conditions. If the carrier with whom you have a confirmed reservation becomes subject to an operating ban as above as a result of which we/ the carrier are unable to offer you a suitable alternative the provisions of clause 22 to 23 will apply. 50. If you suffer a delay in your outbound travel arrangements, we will do our best to ensure you make the start of your tour or, if this cannot be achieved, join it as soon possible. Any costs we incur in making any alternative arrangements in this situation will be your responsibility. In the event of a flight delay, the airline concerned may provide refreshments and/or other assistance depending on factors such as the length of the delay, time of day and number of passengers affected. We cannot accept liability for any delay which is due to any of the reasons set out in clause 28 (which includes the behaviour of any passenger(s) on the flight who, for example, fails to check in or board on time). 51. If your flight is cancelled or delayed, your flight ticket is downgraded or boarding is denied by your airline in circumstances which would entitle you to claim compensation or any other payment from the airline under EC Regulation No 261/2004 - the Denied Boarding Regulations 2004, you must pursue the airline for the compensation or other payment due to you. All sums you receive or are entitled to receive from the airline concerned by virtue of these Regulations represent the full amount of your entitlement to compensation or any other payment arising from such cancellation, delay, downgrading or denied boarding. This includes any disappointment, distress, inconvenience or effect on any other arrangements. The fact a delay may entitle you to cancel your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any other arrangements even where those arrangements have been made in conjunction with your flight. We have no liability to make any payment to you in relation to the Denied Boarding Regulations or in respect of any flight cancellation or delay, downgrading of any flight ticket or denial of any boarding as the full amount of your entitlement to any compensation or other payment (as dealt with above) is covered by the airline's obligations under the Denied Boarding Regulations. Airport transfers 52. These are only available on the day your tour commences and the day your tour terminates at designated times. Transfers outside these times will be at your expense and arrangement. If you have purchased pre and post tour hotel accommodation through us, you will be provided with airport transfers to/from your hotel to the relevant gateway airport. If your airline booking is not made by us, you must ensure your flight details are provided to us (this can be entered by Tour Personaliser at www.scenictours.com. Please note: No refund will be given for unused transfers. Transfers cannot be routed to other pick-up points or destinations. Passengers who miss the pre-booked transfer will be responsible for making their own way to/from the ship or hotel at their own expense. Transfers must be booked and flights advised to us a minimum of 60 days prior to travel otherwise transfers cannot be guaranteed. Hotel accommodation 53. IMPORTANT: Unless otherwise expressly stated in the description of the tour in question or expressly advised by us to you overnight accommodation required to meet tour and/or flight connections is not included in the tour price and is at your own expense. Passports and visas 54. You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from return date. It is your responsibility to ensure any visas required for countries to be visited on the tour have been obtained prior to the tour departure date. Failure to obtain correct documentation will mean you may be unable to participate in particular shore excursions and may be denied boarding and/or entry into certain countries. Passport and visa entry requirements and costs are your sole responsibility. We cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry correct documentation. If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges or other financial penalty being imposed on us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly. 55. The passport, visa and health requirements applicable at the time of printing to British citizens for the tours we offer are shown elsewhere in this brochure. A full British passport presently takes approximately four to six weeks to obtain. If you are 16 or over and have not yet got a passport, you should apply for one at least six weeks before your departure from the UK. The UK Passport Service has to confirm an applicant’s identity before issuing their first passport and will ask them to attend an interview in order to do this. If you are not a British citizen or hold a non British passport, you must check passport and visa requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country(ies) to or through which you are intending to travel. Please note, all requirements may change and all clients must check the up to date position in good time before departure with the Embassy or consulate of the country(ies) you are travelling through and to.
56. Information on health is contained in the Department of Health leaflet T7 (Health Advice for Travellers) available from the Department of Health on 0870 1555 455 or via its website www.dh.gov.uk and most Post Offices. Advice may change and you should check the up to date position with your GP or local health / travel clinic in good time before departure Financial security 57. The tours we feature in this brochure are all flight inclusive. We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 9294). When you buy an ATOL protected air inclusive holiday* from us you will receive a confirmation invoice from us (or via our authorised agent) confirming your arrangements and your protection under our ATOL. In the unlikely event of our insolvency the CAA will ensure that you are not left stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. *The air inclusive holidays we arrange are ATOL protected providing either the person who pays for the booking is present in the UK when the booking is made or the first leg of any flight or flights we arrange for you commences in the UK. For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk Tour participation 58. Additional to clause 2, you acknowledge that some cruise ships do not have elevators and where there is an elevator onboard it may not access all decks. Cabins and bathrooms have significant thresholds and cabin doors and some bathrooms are not wide enough to allow access by standard wheelchairs. Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be carried on motorcoaches due to space limitations. For safety reasons, passengers in wheelchairs cannot be carried on ramps in ports where the ship is at anchor. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to passengers for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches or other transportation vehicles, or other personal needs. Travellers who need such assistance must be accompanied by a qualified companion. Clothing 59. We recommend casual and comfortable clothing. Please bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing. Dinner attire is casual – open-neck shirts, trousers and dresses. Coats and ties may be worn but are not required. The Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Dinners are dressy but not formal. For the winter months, we recommend a warm coat, gloves, water-resistant footwear and an umbrella. Laundry facilities are available enroute for a fee. Cruise cabins 60. Tour price is based on the cruise cabin category as indicated on each tour page. Upgrades to other cabin types are available at additional cost. Please note that generic cabin requests are a request only and cannot be guaranteed. Currency and credit cards 61. Most countries visited use the Euro, although some still have their own currency. For small purchases ashore or in small town, local currency is advantageous. Many locations accept major credit cards. Cash machines are located on shore at some stops. Prior to departure you should confirm that your card and PIN will work in your destination countries. All purchases onboard are charged to your shipboard account. The onboard currency is the Euro. Shipboard accounts may be paid in Euros or by credit card. Deck plan 62. The deck plan and cabin sizes are correct at the time of printing but are subject to change. Cruise Director 63. An experienced English-speaking Cruise Director accompanies every cruise. They are there to ensure your comfort, answer your questions and make your holiday relaxed and memorable. Cruise Directors are employed by us. River cruise dining 64. Dining rooms are single, open-seating – dine at the table of your choice. Electricity 65. Onboard electricity is 220v – you may need a plug adaptor to use your electrical items. 66. All river cruise ships have hairdryers available. Cruising itinerary changes 67. In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach. The cruise companies and we reserve the right to cancel, advance or postpone any scheduled cruise/tour and/or sailing date and may, but are not obligated to substitute another vessel. Except as otherwise expressly set out in these conditions we shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to tour/cruise participants by reason of any such cancellation, advancement or postponement. The cruise companies and we reserve the right to change the itinerary whenever conditions, in the opinion of the Master of the Ship or local waterways regulations, render it advisable or necessary. The cruise companies and we will not be responsible for any loss or expense caused by reasons of such changes except as otherwise expressly set out in these conditions. River cruising medical services 68. Ships do not carry a doctor onboard, however due to close proximity to land, medical services can usually be called rapidly. Medical costs are at client’s own expense. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND SUITABLE AND ADEQUATE TRAVEL INSURANCE. River cruising onboard language 69. The language onboard is English. All staff, crew and tour guides speak English and all announcements and lectures will be made in English. Minibars and safes 70. Most of our river cruise ships have minibars and safes in all cabins but please be aware that a few ships do not. Single accommodation 71. One dedicated single cabin is available on each ship. A limited number of E and D category cabins are available at a single supplement rate for each cruise. Please contact us for price information. Sightseeing tours 72. It is not possible for large motorcoaches to be used for some city sightseeing. Many towns and cities will be visited by way of walking tours and accordingly, a reasonable level of fitness is required. For river cruising, clients must be able to climb ramps. For ship embarkation/disembarkation depending on river levels, these may have a number of steep steps. Images, photographs and information 73. The photographs in the brochure and information provided represent typical scenes and descriptive detail for each tour, but it is possible that the subject matter may not be seen or experienced whilst on the tour itself. Some pictures may have been digitally enhanced. 74. All offers and pricing are subject to availability at the time of booking. 75. These terms and conditions may be subject to further changes by us from time to time and are shown on our website.
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Scenic Tours extensive range: Australia and New Zealand Canada South Africa South America China European River Cruising
Contact us 0161 236 2444 www.scenictours.co.uk ukoffice@scenictours.com
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