My husband and I recently returned from France where we enjoyed an 11-day vacation on the Seine River with Scenic Cruises. Scenic offers luxury river and ocean cruises around the world, along with hand-crafted land journey tours throughout Europe, Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. As someone who’s been on several cruises, I can confidently say that a Scenic river cruise is perfect for any luxury travel enthusiast seeking a unique blend of relaxation, cultural enrichment, and world-class hospitality. We wanted to explore more of France so their “Normandy & Gems of the Seine” river cruise was the perfect choice. Scenic took us on a mesmerizing adventure through the heart of France, with one of the highlights being the exquisite Scenic Gem – a ship that epitomizes opulence and refinement on the water. 

A Jewel on the Seine: Scenic Gem Ship

From the moment you step aboard the Scenic Gem, you’ll realize you’re in for a truly exceptional experience. This ship, specifically designed for the Seine River, exudes elegance and sophistication in every detail. Its intimate size ensures a sense of exclusivity, with just over 60 cabins that accommodate a maximum of 124 guests. This creates an atmosphere of camaraderie and allows the crew to provide personalized service that goes above and beyond. I always say that a river cruise ship is like a floating boutique hotel, and the Scenic Gem is no exception! 

The ship’s contemporary design seamlessly marries comfort with innovation. The interior spaces are tastefully adorned with stylish furnishings and modern artwork, creating an ambiance that’s both inviting and luxurious. The Scenic Gem boasts a range of onboard amenities, including a wellness area, fitness center, walking track, panorama deck and a spacious sun deck, perfect for taking in the breathtaking landscapes along the Seine. The wellness area is small, but they offer facials and massages on board which I thoroughly enjoyed. They’re the perfect way to unwind after a long day of exploring.

Truly All-Inclusive: Scenic’s Luxurious Offerings

I was impressed to learn that Scenic is the only true all-inclusive luxury river cruise line. This means you won’t encounter any hidden (and costly) surprises. One your booking is confirmed, you only need to worry about bringing spending money for onshore shopping. I especially how all the airport/hotel/boat transfers were included so we did not have to worry about transportation at the start or end of our trip. Everything was seamless. All of their excursions are included as well, and there’s such an incredible range of tours to choose from for any type of traveler. They even offer e-bikes if you’re a more active person who prefers to cycle rather than just walk. 

Of course, all meals onboard are included and you can enjoy casual to fine dining at any of the five dining venues on the Scenic Gem. Premium beverages are included all day, every day, and not just at meal times. They also make sure to keep the complimentary mini-bar in your rooms fulled stocked. Let’s just say, you won’t go hungry (or thirsty) when you’re traveling with Scenic Cruises. 

One of my favorite parts about cruising with Scenic is their Scenic Tailormade App for guests who want to listen to river commentary throughout the day. Their app is also for those who want more independent exploration on land, perhaps if you’ve opted out of a guided excursion or simply want extra information while you explore on foot. Just bring your own headphones, browse the map, press play, and enjoy a local guide explain to you the history of each destination!

Culinary Delights: Gastronomy Afloat the Scenic Gem

I think most travelers would agree that one of the best aspects of any luxury cruise is the dining experience, and the Scenic Gem truly shines in this regard. The ship offers a variety of dining options, including the Crystal Dining Restaurant, where you can savor gourmet meals crafted from locally-sourced ingredients. This is the ship’s main restaurant where we enjoyed most of our meals. From classic French dishes to international delicacies, the culinary team ensures that every meal here, and throughout the ship, is a culinary delight.

For a more intimate dining experience, the Riverview Terrace provides an al fresco setting where you can enjoy panoramic views while indulging in delectable treats. And for those who seek a more casual atmosphere, the River Café offers a range of lighter fare and snacks throughout the day. I love that even on a more intimate ship, there are plenty of places to enjoy a nice bite to eat. In terms of fine dining, Table La Rive and L’Amour Restaurant are two special options. Both restaurants are included with your cruise, however, you can only make a booking one time at each place. Please note that Table La Rive is available only to Diamond Deck, Royal or Junior Suite guests and L’Amour is invitation only.

One of the highlights for us was a dinner at Table La Rive where we enjoyed a seven-course set menu (two options for each course) paired beautifully with local wines. They are accommodating of allergies if you tell them ahead of time, which I very much appreciated. A few stand-out dishes were French onion soup, vol-au-vent with veal ragout, duck breast marinated in cider, and a classic crème brûlée.

Five-Star Hospitality: Scenic’s Unparalleled Service

The hallmark of a Scenic cruise is their commitment to five-star hospitality. From the moment we stepped aboard the Scenic Gem, the attentive staff made us feel like a valued guest and friend. The excellent crew-to-guest ratio ensures that your every need is anticipated and met, providing a level of service that is unparalleled. Whether it’s the dedicated butler service in every suite, the concierge assistance for off-ship activities, or the personalized attention from the dining staff, every Scenic member made sure that our cruise was characterized by comfort and care. I want to give a special mention to our Cruise Director Mandy who was absolutely amazing; she went out of her way to make sure everything was perfect for each guest and she even entertained us one evening with her beautiful singing.

Scenic’s Balcony Suite Retreat: Your Oasis of Luxury

Staying in one of the Private Balcony Suites aboard the Scenic Gem is a true indulgence. These spacious and elegantly appointed suites  are located on the Sapphire and Diamond decks. They offer a private and full-length outdoor balcony, allowing you to take in the ever-changing scenery from the comfort of your own oasis. These suites also feature the exclusive Scenic Sun Lounge system which transformed our balcony into an all-weather conservatory style space. We enjoyed waking up to the gentle sound of the river every morning and enjoying a cup of coffee on our balcony as the picturesque towns of Normandy drifted by. 

The Private Balcony Suites are meticulously designed, featuring lavish furnishings, modern amenities, and luxurious linens. You can also enjoy more room, as these suites are larger than the standard river cruise cabin’s in Europe. Although you spend the majority of your time outside of your room, our balcony suite really offered us a retreat where we could unwind, relax, and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the Seine Valley. 

French Exploration: Scenic Gem’s Itinerary 

While the Seine isn’t the largest river in Europe, it’s certainly one of the most renowned. This magnificent waterway goes through the heart of Paris, where we started and ended our Scenic cruise, then meanders through some of the most iconic sites in northern France. I’ll detail each land excursion in another blog article, however, I do want to share the highlights of our Gems of the Seine & Normandy river cruise. 

A few of our French adventures included exploring the quaint village of Les Andelys, admiring the architecture and fascinating history in bustling Rouen, and soaking up the relaxed coastal atmosphere in Honfleur – the Gateway to the English Channel. A very meaningful and deeply moving excursion was visiting the beaches of Normandy to commemorate those who lost their lives during the World War I Battle of the Somme. On a lighter note, Scenic organized an exclusive, classical concert at the beautiful Château de La Roche-Guyon. We ended our Gems of the Seine journey with visiting artist Claude Monet’s stunning former residence and gardens before heading back to Paris where we could choose from several excursions in and around the city. 

In Conclusion: An Unforgettable Voyage

From the moment we stepped aboard the Scenic Gem, we were enveloped in a world of elegance, comfort, and exceptional attention to detail. The ship’s five-star hospitality, sumptuous culinary offerings, and luxurious suites create an atmosphere of indulgence that’s second to none. They make it so easy to enjoy the tranquil waters of the Seine River and immerse in the beauty of Normandy’s landscapes and culture. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone embarking on your first luxury cruise, Scenic promises an unforgettable voyage that will leave you with cherished memories to last a lifetime.

Disclosure: I was a guest of Scenic, but all opinions here are my own.