Scenic Opal

Like its public spaces, Scenic Opal’s cabins are decorated in an understated contemporary style with a focus on clean lines and neutral hues, mainly shades of pale and dark gray complemented by blonde wood. The ship features seven categories of accommodations. All are called suites, but only the top three categories feature separate living and sleeping areas in the true sense of the word “suite.”

The most numerous and most popular options are the balcony suites and deluxe balcony suites. Located on the ship’s sapphire and diamond decks, these are 205 and 226 square feet, respectively, and feature a spacious marble bathroom with a large walk-in shower and a sun lounge with folding glass doors that can be left open for added space and a balcony window that lowers with the touch of a button. Wall-length cabinets offer ample storage, although the mini-fridge’s location between two closets sacrifices a bit of drawer space.

The opening accommodations are standard suites, which are located on the lower Jewel deck and offer 161-to-172 square feet of space with a slender window at eye level, but otherwise feature the same amenities as balcony suites.

Junior suites, located on the sapphire and diamond decks, are ideal for travelers wanting a bit more space. They measure 248 square feet, with an added seating area beyond the balcony sun lounge.

Scenic Opal also features three categories of royal suites, all located on the diamond deck. Royal balcony suites, at 315 square feet, have a small separate sitting area with river views and a spacious bathroom. The two royal panorama suites are at the very aft of the ship and offer 475 square feet of space, divided between a living room and bedroom with a large adjacent bathroom, as well as a larger sun lounge/balcony, while the 520-square-foot royal owner’s suite is located mid-ship and features abundant natural light and a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower and free-standing soaking tub.

Guests who book a junior suite or royal suite category also receive daily savory and sweet canapes or fruit as well as an exclusive invitation to dine at Table La Rive and enjoy a specially prepared menu. The two royal suite categories also include complimentary private airport transfers, a bottle of champagne in the suite upon arrival, and a $200 credit for use in the onboard spa.

An elevator offer access to all interior public areas of the ship on the two main sapphire and diamond decks, but the only way to access the sun deck is via exterior stairs and stairs are also required to access the Jewel deck’s fitness center, spa, and Salt Therapy Lounge.  There are no accessible staterooms or suites equipped with special features, such as zero-entry showers and larger maneuverable floorspace for guests who require the use of wheelchairs.

Scenic Opal features a main Crystal Dining Room, where most meals are served, along with Portobellos, a smaller space forward of the Panorama Lounge that transforms into an intimate, candlelit Italian eatery at night, where guests are invited to dine on specific nights during the cruise (everyone gets an invite).

Breakfast is served buffet style, with some a la carte options cooked to order upon request, and features an omelet station, yogurt, fresh fruits, cheeses, smoked fish and sausages and hot and cold cereals, along with several kinds of juices.

Lunches, which are also served buffet-style with four a la carte options available, are especially noteworthy, featuring a variety of delicious, freshly-made salads that change daily, incredible soups, a pasta of the day, regional specialties that offer a taste of the port being visited that day. Wine (including terrific local Rieslings from the Rhine and Moselle) or beer is also served, and the dessert selection will make you glad you packed your stretchy pants.

Weather permitting, Scenic Opal’s crew also pulls off a fabulous sun deck barbecue with grill-prepared steak, burgers, chicken, and fish, and classic sides such as corn on the cob and macaroni salad.

Dinner is open seating and menus change nightly, offering a choice of three appetizers, three mains (always with meat, fish or poultry, and vegetarian options), and two or three desserts. On the Rhine sailing, some exceptional edibles included a truffle-scented chicken cassoulet appetizer, forest mushroom risotto, grilled barramundi Niçoise, and slow roasted duck breast with tangy orange sauce, pumpkin, and broccoli. Of course, all dinners are accompanied by complimentary wine, and Scenic offers a robust menu of varietals from the region being sailed as well as international options. Certain specialty wines and rare spirits will incur an extra charge.

Guests who book a junior suite or one of the three royal suite categories are invited to a special Table La Rive dinner featuring a multi-course, wine-paired gourmet menu prepared by the Executive Chef and served by tuxedo-clad butlers.

There’s just one bar, the Panorama Lounge, aboard Scenic Opal, which is typical of river ships. It is the ship’s social hub, serving as a quiet spot by day to read or watch passing scenery in air-conditioned comfort, enjoy cocktails pre- and post-dinner, and listen to local entertainers or team up with your fellow cruisers to win first place in a trivia contest.

When guests are up on the sun deck, whether it’s for a refreshing dip in the Vitality Pool or post-dinner star-gazing, they can just let the bar team know their preferred drink and it will be delivered to them.

River cruise entertainment tends to fall into two categories: music by an onboard performer, usually a keyboardist or DJ, and entertainers brought onboard in certain ports to sing or dance in local folkloric or region-specific custom. Scenic Opal offers a twist on the first category, while also embracing the latter.

On my sailing, we enjoyed husband-and-wife bell ringers from Switzerland, a talented violinist from Ukraine who was living in Germany, and a highly entertaining Dixieland jazz quintet from Belgium, among others. But we were also treated to the vocal talents and creative antics of the ship’s Enrichment Manger, Jonathan, who performed an Elton John tribute, hosted a dance party, and teased our brains with frequent pop culture trivia contests themed to music and movies.

Every Scenic Opal itinerary also features a special entertainment excursion ashore, called Scenic Enrich. For example, on 14-night Romantic Rhine & Moselle sailings, it is a classical concert in the UNESCO-listed Liebfrauenkirche church in Trier, Germany.

Scenic Opal’s lower Jewel deck is home to a fitness center with standard exercise equipment (guests can also exercise on the Sun Deck by doing laps on a walking track while enjoying the view) and an adjacent wellness center offers massage therapy and salon services. There’s also a sauna-like salt therapy lounge for relaxation.

E-bikes are available free of charge (reserve them 24 hours in advance at the reception desk) and can be used to explore independently while ashore. In addition, Scenic offers group tours by e-bike in many ports.