I have just returned from a fabulous 3-night trip on Scenic Amber. I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to experience and sail on such a luxurious ship, stay in such a beautiful cabin and eat such delicious food. This was my first river cruise and I can now see why this way of sailing has become so popular.
An overview of Scenic Amber
The ship and facilities:
The public areas onboard Scenic Amber were very open and spacious with plenty of places to sit. It didn’t feel cramped and I never had to queue for anything. The decor was modern and fresh and felt very luxurious. The pool on the top deck was a real treat and unusual for river cruise ships. The spa area, salt relaxation room and gym were all located on the lowest deck and, although small, were never congested.
The cabin:
I stayed in a Deluxe Balcony Suite which was spacious and modern. The bed was comfortable and boasted the added bonus of an adjustable mattress, a balcony with a large window that opened, a bathroom with ESPA products and a minibar that was filled on a daily basis. The cabin also included bath robes, slippers, hiking sticks and an umbrella. The were no tea and coffee-making facilities, but the butler was only a phone call away.
The food:
We were lucky enough to eat at Portobello’s, Scenic Amber’s Italian speciality restaurant. Situated on Diamond Deck, every guest gets the chance to eat here at least once during their time onboard. At Portobello’s, you experience a 5-course dinner and each course is paired with a different wine. The whole experience was incredible and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
On Sapphire Deck, Crystal, the main dining room, offered a buffet breakfast, lunch and table service dinner with a fantastic selection of food from the local area. A lady in our group had specific dietary requirements and the chef was more than happy to cater for her.
Every evening before dinner, the chef would talk us through the upcoming menu while recommending certain dishes. Similarly, the sommelier would recommend certain wines for each option. There were many local dishes to choose from and all the food was locally sourced.
The staff:
We were welcomed onboard with a glass of champagne and a hot towel, which was a lovely touch. The staff worked extremely hard and nothing was too much trouble. There was always a bartender on hand to take drinks orders and, as time went on, they got to know our favourite tipples. The cabin stewards were friendly and having our own butler was an added luxury.
The excursions:
Before departure, I was given the option to select a shore excursion as part of the free choice range. Scenic River Cruises recommends picking shore excursions ahead of time, but they can easily be changed once onboard.
The night before my shore excursion, the Cruise Director gave a brief outline of all the excursions taking place and advised us what we would need to pack and the timings etc.
I had chosen the Scenic Free Choice Hike to Buda Hill which was a hike up to the World Heritage site, Buda Hill. The bus that transferred us from Scenic Amber was modern and our tour guide was extremely informative with just the right amount of wit and charm. On our walk around the city, which lasted three hours, we enjoyed great views of the Danube River as our guide acted as a fountain of knowledge.
I was also lucky enough to experience a Scenic Enrich excursion at Palais Liechtenstein. We were welcomed to the classical concert with a glass of fine Austrian Sekt and enjoyed the music of Strauss and Mozart performed by a renowned orchestra. I had never experienced such a thing before but it was absolutely breathtaking, I’ll remember it fondly for a lifetime.
Follow in Anna’s footsteps below:
