Beginning in 2017, Scenic River Cruises will offer a River Cruising Travel Guarantee for every guest at no added charge. The new insurance plan automatically covers every guest at the start of their cruise for any delays or cancellations due to weather, natural disasters, mechanical breakdowns, labor strikes or high/low water issues. Instead of the industry standard of future cruise credits, approved claimants will receive direct refunds of up to $750 per day with a maximum of seven days or $5,250 per guest.
If a Scenic cruise is delayed or cancelled once it has commenced and before disembarkation, guests will be reimbursed for some or all of their cruise fare (up to the aforementioned cap) if Scenic has the ability to accommodate guests on another Scenic Space-Ship due to high/low water, but the original itinerary is then delayed for more than 24 hours; there has been a complete halt to the itinerary where the ship is unable to sail and where Scenic cannot deliver the scheduled shore excursions except by way of coach rides of greater than three hours each way; there is a mechanical breakdown on the ship that results in it not being able to continue the cruise and there are no alternative ships available; or Scenic is unable to pass through a lock, stopping the cruise from continuing due to industrial action (strikes, riots, river or canal lock damage or closure). Because this insurance is designed to insure guests for unforeseen events rather than minor delays or deviations, embarkation or disembarkation less than 62 miles from the scheduled port, ship swaps that do not incur a delay of more than 24 hours, replacement of scheduled itinerary activities with alternates of similar quality, and short term delays in the itinerary due to high/low water issues are not covered.
It is recommended that guests also purchase personal travel insurance as the River Cruise Guarantee does not cover travelers for the cost of trips should they be unable to commence or finish a trip due to their own personal or medical issues or for medical needs or evacuation during the cruise. For more information, call (844) 788-7985 or visit scenicusa.com.
