My Experience On Board Scenic Opal

I’ve just returned from an incredible stay aboard Scenic Opal, one of Scenic’s ultra-luxury Space-Ships in Europe and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share my experience with anyone who is yet to experience River Cruising for themselves.

From the moment I stepped on board, the ship felt spacious, modern and elegantly designed. I was warmly welcomed at reception and guided to my Royal Balcony Suite on the Diamond Deck. The suite was impressively spacious, featuring a plush queen-sized bed, separate lounge and an oversized bathroom with a separate shower and bathtub, complete with ESPA  amenities. My favourite part of the suite was the balcony – especially at dusk when the sky turned vibrant shades of pink and the gentle sound of the water created the perfect sense of tranquillity as we sailed.

Staying in a Royal Balcony Suite comes with a host of luxurious perks, including a welcome bottle of champagne, a daily replenished mini bar, butler service and a bathrobe with slippers. After settling into my suite, a special surprise awaited me – a gold envelope revealing an exclusive invitation to a six-course tasting menu at Table La Rive, reserved only for guests of Royal and Junior Suites.

Before dinner I headed up to the sundeck to soak up some spring sunshine by the pool. As we set sail, I sipped on a cocktail admiring the neo-gothic Hungarian Parliament Building, an impressive piece of architecture that looks out over the Danube River.

It was then time to head down to the Crystal Dining Room to experience Table La Rive. This exquisite fine dining event, limited to just 10 guests, showcased an expertly crafted tasting menu paired with sommelier-selected wines. A truly memorable and special moment on the trip.

The next morning, we arrived in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. One of the things I love most about river cruising is the convenience of docking right in the heart of the destination. This meant we could step straight off the ship into a walking tour excursion which was both informative and insightful.

After the tour, I returned to the ship for a relaxed lunch at the Riverview Terrace. Later, I couldn’t resist the therapeutic Salt Therapy Lounge. Mimicking the environment of a salt cave, this experience is known for improving respiration and boosting the immune system, leaving me feeling refreshed.

I had a fabulous time sailing the Danube on board Scenic Opal, a trip I would highly recommend if you’d like to experience a Luxury River Cruise for yourself. To make your choice of river cruise a little easier, take a look at my top pick below:

Gems of the Danube

Scenic Opal | 18 August 2025 | 7 nights

Itinerary: Nuremberg | Regensburg | Regensburg | Passau | Schlögen | Dürnstein | Melk | Vienna | Bratislava | Budapest | Budapest

Balcony Suite WAS £5,035pp NOW £2,520pp

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Now couldn’t be a more perfect time to book as you’ll enjoy exclusive extra savings when you call our Cruise Concierge on 0808 163 3075 and quote SHOW5% by 31st March!