by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 11:10 AM ET, Mon October 5, 2026
Scenic Group has opened early access to its 2028 Europe river cruise and land journeys, introducing new itineraries, expanded land extensions and additional ways for travelers to combine river cruises with longer stays on land.
The collection from Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours is designed around growing demand for longer trips and more immersive regional experiences. Early access pricing and Super Earlybird offers are now available, allowing travel advisors to secure preferred sailing dates and suites before the collection’s general release.
“Europe is one of the world’s most immersive regions to explore by river, and for 2028 we have expanded the ways guests can experience it,” says Elisabeth Sadler, vice president of river cruising product for Scenic Group. “Every season we look at how our guests are traveling and where we can provide more meaningful journeys.”
Scenic Group has reworked some of its popular river and land itineraries with longer stays, new destination combinations and expanded extension options.
Among Scenic’s changes is a redesigned 11-day “Spectacular South of France” itinerary, which will operate between Lyon and Tarascon, or in the reverse direction. The itinerary includes six overnight stays in port and two late departures, along with extended cruising to Chalon-sur-Saône that provides access to more towns in Burgundy.
The itinerary continues to include Scenic Enrich experiences at the Pope’s Palace in Avignon and Chapelle de la Trinité, as well as regional wine tastings, culinary experiences and a hosted dinner aboard the ship by Michelin-starred chef Didier Goiffon.
Scenic is also adding several land extensions. A new four-day “Monte-Carlo & French Riviera” extension includes a stay at Fairmont Monte-Carlo and touring options in Èze or Menton. A five-day “Grand Castles of the Loire” journey can be paired with select Seine and Bordeaux river cruises, while a four-day “Brittany Discovery” extension can be added to Seine itineraries. Selected Gems of the Danube departures will also offer a three-day Munich extension via Regensburg.
Emerald is adding a new itinerary to its 2028 collection: “Danube Capitals & Crossroads,” a 10-night cruise from Passau, Germany, to Belgrade, Serbia.
The 11-day itinerary travels through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia, visiting destinations including the Wachau Valley, Vienna, Bratislava, Esztergom, Budapest, Novi Sad and Belgrade. It will operate on select departures in March, April and August 2028.
The itinerary combines visits to major Danube cities with experiences focused on local food, wine and culture. Highlights include a Bavarian beer experience, wine tasting in the Wachau Valley, an overnight stay in Vienna and Budapest, wine tasting beneath Esztergom Basilica and a Serbian folklore evening aboard the ship.
Travelers can also choose from EmeraldACTIVE excursions and optional DiscoverMORE tours. Active options include hiking, cycling and e-biking in destinations along the route, while optional tours include Salzburg, Schönbrunn Palace, Mauthausen Memorial, the Carpathian Wine Route and Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Museum.
Late departures in Passau, Linz, Bratislava and Novi Sad will give guests additional time to explore those destinations.
The new Danube itinerary joins Emerald Cruises’ existing European river cruise offerings and includes the line’s all-inclusive features, such as meals, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, guided excursions, airport transfers and gratuities.
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