Scenic Group Travel Policy and Advisory Update: COVID-19

PLEASE NOTE: If your booking has been affected, our reservations team with be in contact shortly
Scenic Group UK 
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises
September 2021

On behalf of all the Scenic Group team, we hope that your families, friends and you are all well. 

Whilst there has been encouraging progress made with vaccination programs in UK, United States and Canada over the past few months, including many other countries, the timeframes for the vaccination roll-out continues to vary significantly for each region.
 
Based on the continuing international travel restrictions, emergence of new COVID variants, quarantine requirements, attraction closures and extension of lock-downs impacting international travel, it is currently impossible for us to offer some of our schedule Europe and Asia river cruises and international land journeys in 2021.

European River Cruises that will be operating:

Scenic
• Unforgettable Douro (DOUR) sailings from 31 July 2021
• Delightful Douro (DOUS) sailings from 29 August 2021
• Bordeaux Affair (BORD) sailings from 29 August 2021
• Beautiful Bordeaux (BOD) sailings from 12 September 2021
• Romantic Rhine & Moselle (AMBL) sailing 30 August 2021
• Rhine Highlights (AMBS) sailings 13, 20 & 27 September, 4, 11, 18 & 25 October 2021
• Jewels of Europe (STC) sailing 4 October 2021 & 8 November 2021
• Delightful Douro (DOUS) sailings 8 & 15 November 2021
• Rhine Christmas Markets (XAMB) sailings 6 & 13 December 2021
• Danube Christmas Markets (XNBU) sailings 29 November, 6 & 13 December
• Christmas & New Year (CHAA) sailing 20 December 2021

With the exception of the above all other river cruises and land tours have been suspended as follows:
 
Asia River Cruising: 1 September to 31 March 2022 departures*
For guests with a Mekong River Cruise departing from 1 September 2021 to 28 Feb 2022 or an Irrawaddy River Cruise departing from 1 September 2021 to 31 March 2022, we will provide a Future Travel Voucher (FTV) for the full amount that has been paid to date. The flexible conditions for your FTV are as follows:
• Valid for travel commenced through to 30 June 2024.
• The FTV is based on the amount paid for your reservation to date.
• The FTV can be applied to any land tour, river or ocean cruise booking within the Scenic Group (Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises and Evergreen Cruises & Tours), subject to availability and any FTV capacity limits applicable to your selected land tour or cruise.
• The voucher can be applied to any existing booking or when re-booking your future travel*
• Is fully transferrable to another guest.
• Upon the expiry of the FTV on 30 June 2024, guests who choose not to travel may contact us to receive a cash refund equal to the amount paid.

Russian River Cruising: 1 July to 31 December 2021 departures*
For guests with a Russian River Cruise departing from 1 July to 30 September, we will provide a Future Travel Voucher (FTV) for the full amount that has been paid to date. The flexible conditions for your FTV are as follows:
• Valid for travel commenced through to 30 June 2024
• The FTV is based on the amount paid for your reservation to date.
• The FTV can only be applied to any river or ocean cruise booking within the Scenic Group (Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises and Evergreen Cruises & Tours), subject to availability and any FTV capacity limits applicable to your selected cruise.
• Is fully transferrable to another guest.
• Upon the expiry of the FTV on 30 June 2024, guests who choose not to travel may contact us to receive a cash refund equal to the amount paid

Scenic Eclipse: 1 October to 31 December 2021 departures*
For guests with a Scenic Eclipse 2021 Central America, South America and Antarctica Voyages departing between 1 October to 31 December 2021 we will provide a Future Travel Voucher (FTV) for the full amount that has been paid to date:
• Valid for travel commenced through to 31 December 2024
• The FTV is based on the amount paid for your reservation to date.
• The FTV can be applied to a river or ocean cruise booking within the Scenic Group (Scenic Luxury Cruises and Emerald Cruises).
• The credit can be applied to any existing booking or when re-booking your future travel.
• Is fully transferrable to another guest.
• Upon the expiry of the FTV on 31 December 2024, guests who choose not to travel may contact us to receive a cash refund equal to the amount paid.

*The FTV cannot be applied against stand-alone products or upgrades from third parties or Service Providers (as defined in our Terms and Conditions) in conjunction with the standard tour itinerary.


Alternatively, if you would prefer to receive a full refund of your reservation rather than the Future Travel Voucher, please feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience and we will be happy to arrange this.

Future Travel Voucher Protection
In order for the Future Travel Voucher to be bonded by ATOL it can only remain valid for a relatively short period of time. We felt that this did not give our guests enough flexibility. Therefore, we have chosen to give your client’s the option of an unbonded Future Travel Voucher valid up to June 2024. 
When you do re-book and apply your Future Travel Voucher, your reservation will be fully ATOL protected.
 
Guests Holding Future Bookings
The safety of our guests and crew remains our first priority and we are closely monitoring this constantly evolving situation. New updates relating to the suspension of operations will be provided approximately three months prior to your cruise or tour departure date. You can stay up to date with the policy information on this page, and if your booking is affected by a future suspension, you will be contacted as a priority.

Re-booking using a Future Travel Voucher
With many people now planning and looking forward to travelling in 2022 and 2023, we have started to see increasing demand for popular cruise and tour destinations, departures and suites. 

To re-book your preferred departure with your FTV or if you have any questions regarding the above or the FTV process, please contact your Travel Advisor or the Scenic Group Reservations team.

Our Flexible Booking and Cancellation Policy
All guests with a booking scheduled to depart from 1 July 2021 to 31 December 2022 (or 31 December 2023 for Scenic Eclipse), have the option to defer their booking to an alternate date or cancel without the Scenic Group fee, up to 60 days prior to departure. For cancellations, the value of the booking will be applied as a Future Travel Voucher which is valid for 24 months. 

Please note, the final payment is due as per your booking conditions, and if you choose to cancel or transfer there may be third party fees applicable, which will be at your own expense. This flexible booking and cancellation policy excludes Canada, Russia, South America, Australia and New Zealand land touring.
 
We will continue to monitor the changing global situation and remain committed to doing our best to assist with your concerns and adjusting travel plans.  

On behalf of the Scenic Group team, we are here to support you to plan and re-book your journey, using the Future Travel vouchers. We all look forward to welcoming you on your next journey with us soon.
Q. What should I do next?
A. If we cannot operate your departure as scheduled, then Scenic Group will send you an auto notification letter, for the booking with the applicable Future Travel Voucher details. We will automatically apply the Future Travel Voucher on your record so there is no need to take any immediate action. Our reservations team will be working through these bookings in departure date order and would appreciate your patience in waiting for us to contact you. This will ensure we process the changes as quickly as possible. However, if you would like to secure your reservation now for a future travel date please contact your Scenic or Emerald Cruises/Evergreen Travel Agent or our reservations team.
Q. What is the current situation and when do you expect to operate again?
A.
We are closely monitoring the changing global situation and will continue to take guidance from Government advisory notifications and travel restrictions (including port and border closures). The inability to operate our schedules applies to all Scenic Group cruise and tour departures up to 30 July 2021, and for Scenic Eclipse Artic and Americas season departures up to 5 October 2021. 
Q. What is your policy if I cancel my booking for a cruise or tour which remains scheduled to depart
A. If you choose not to take up the option of the Future Travel Voucher for any cruise or tour that remains scheduled to depart, you may opt to cancel your booking under our standard terms and conditions. You can then consult with your travel insurance company to enquire if you are eligible to lodge a claim. If required, we can provide a letter to assist you in making your claim.
Q. Is there a flexible booking policy for Future Travel Voucher holders?
A.
The below flexible booking policy applies when using a Future Travel Vouchers (FTV) to re-book: 

•  Included flexible cover means you can re-book with confidence and protection. 
•  You can defer travel after re-booking up to 60 days prior to travel*, with no Scenic Group fees (3rd party fees may apply).  
•  Should you need to cancel your re-booking, you can do so up to 60 days prior to travel*, with no Scenic Group fee (3rd party fees may apply). Your FTV will then be held for a further 24 months to use on a future departure. 
•  Final payment is due as per your booking conditions. However, changes can be made up to 60 days prior to travel*, with no Scenic Group fee (3rd party fees may apply).  

This policy applies to guests who have been affected by a booking that has been unable to operate or who have cancelled their booking voluntarily under our COVID policy. 

*Excluding Russia and South America
Q. What is a Third Party Fee?
A. Third party fees are incurred by Scenic Group when we contract with other travel partners to help package your itinerary. This may include airlines, hotels, Russian River cruises, Dalmatia Ocean Cruises coach and limousine transfers, exclusive access to venues and charters. In these circumstances, Scenic is subject to the third party terms and conditions and needs to make a claim for the costs incurred to deliver the services within your booking. For example, an airline may apply an amendment or cancellation fee on your air ticket.
Q. What is a Future Travel Voucher?
A.
The Future Travel Voucher (FTV) provides flexibility for you to re-book a land tour, river or ocean cruise for travel in 2021 to 2024 as outlined in communication provided for the date of departure of your suspended reservation.
 
The FTV Vouchers are also fully transferrable to another guest, booking or other Scenic Group brand.
Q. Is my Future Travel Voucher combinable with all other offers available at the time of booking?
A. Some conditions may apply to the use of your FTVC and they may not be combinable with limited promotions, such as Deposit Protection Plan, Super Earlybird Offers and Early Payment Discount.
Q. What if I choose not to take a Future Travel Voucher?
A. You can request a full refund.
Q. Do I Still Get Scenic Group Status Points for the booking that is unable to proceed?
A. No, as guests will receive a Future Travel Voucher this is not applicable. However, upon re-booking you will accrue Scenic Group Status points on the selected departure once your journey has been completed.
Q. Can I extend my final payment? (All departures and all destinations)
A. Yes, we understand your concerns around payment final payment in the current environment. Please contact our reservations team to request a final payment extension review.
* Excludes Russia, South America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Q. What are your on board safety and health protocols?
A.

Scenic Group will ensure that we adhere to the highest standards of hygiene and cleaning protocols on all ships and all tours when operating. Thorough cleaning will be conducted regularly, and hand sanitisers are located throughout the ship to ensure the highest level of personal hygiene whilst on board. For further information, refer to our Cruise with Confidence information for:-

River Cruises

Ocean Cruises

Land Tours

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