DAY 1
Having met the group and Danny, our Scenic tour leader at Bristol Airport, we proceeded to Easyjet check-in for our direct flight from Bristol to Bordeaux. We sailed through security to the gate for boarding the aircraft. After a quick, short, smooth flight we landed in Bordeaux and were met by a friendly Scenic representative who showed us to our luxury minivan for the transfer to the Ship.
Once we boarded the luxurious Scenic Diamond ship we were introduced to Mike, our butler! He showed us to our balcony suite cabin with our luggage. The suite was spacious and made up as twin beds. There was plenty of wardrobe and drawer storage. A good size bathroom, with a large shower cubicle and gorgeous thick fluffy towels! Opening the curtains we had huge double sliding doors that opened onto a private balcony with 2 comfy rattan chairs and a table. Other suite services included a mini bar, replenished daily, bathrobe and slippers, in-suite safe, complimentary laundry services, nightly turndown service and a pillow menu including anti-ageing, low allergy and memory foam neck pillows!
Back up to main deck, we were introduced to Mandy, the cruise director, she briefly showed us around the ship and all its facilities. We were left to enjoy the sun deck after having a light lunch with a few nibbles and light refreshments. It was a glorious day and we made the most of the sunshine! A welcome meeting was arranged before dinner with Mandy in the Panorama Lounge. This is a regular event they do on arrival of all customers. We were introduced to the 2 captains who were a father and son duo! They talked through the itinerary for the next few days. We also met the head chef who introduced himself and spoke about some of the delicious food encounters we were going to experience including oysters and snails!
The lounge is a popular hub on the ship for meeting with comfortable chairs, tables and complimentary drinks at any time of day while onboard the ship. There are daily onboard papers. Scenic also provide an additional specialised tea and coffee service at no additional charge. This self-service facility is available in the Panorama Lounge 24/7 also with delicious fresh cookies or fresh pastries to try!
The Crystal dining restaurant was the main dining area with plenty of tables made up for 2, 4, 6 or 8 guests. They operate an open seating service. Having a free choice of seating allows you to join friends for dinner as you wish. It is waiter service with a choice of a set chefs recommended dining options or a full menu with alternative choices of your own. There is also a fully self-service buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch. We enjoyed some delicious food and fine wines before ending the evening back in the Panorama lounge with music.
DAY 2
Breakfast is served daily in the Panorama restaurant from 7-9.30am. There is plenty of choice from fresh fruits, pastries, bread, porridge, cereal and cheese and meats. With fresh juices and yoghurts. We also all enjoyed a hot cooked breakfast of eggs, beans, sausages, bacon, tomatoes and hash browns!
The whole ship had to attend a morning drill on the sun-deck for 9.30am. Given life jackets to try a brief was spoken about safety and emergency equipment onboard. At 10am Mandy the cruise director did a talk for all to attend in the Panorama Lounge to highlight the days itinerary, excursions and activities.
Departing Bordeaux we sailed along the Garonne River to Cadillac. We once again relaxed on the sun deck allowing us interrupted views of the passing landscape, some of the most picturesque in the Bordeaux region. We moored in Cadillac and after a light lunch of local fresh fish and salad our group had chosen to explore by coach a visit to Château Rayne Vigneau. We ventured into the Sauternes region by coach which had stunning views of the local vineyards, I have never seen so many grapevines in mass. Row after row in field after field of vines!
The Château was beautiful. The surrounding views were divine. We experienced a great tour learning the history of winemaking and the process involved in production from time of harvest, grape to wine, length of maturing and of course the tasting pleasure! We returned with an extended coach tour around the beautiful countryside pointing out many more Château’s and vineyards before boarding back onto the ship. The ship departed Cadillac and we cruise back to Bordeaux. Dinner again served at 7pm we met for another delicious 4 course meal with fine wines.
DAY 3
After an early breakfast we met at 9am in the Panorama Lounge for our daily brief from the cruise director. The group had opted for a guided coach/walking tour of Bordeaux. We joined a local guide to discover the highlights of the city by coach. It is a fascinating city with beautiful old architect and buildings. The rest of the tour was on foot, we walked to the magnificent Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse, which is home to the famous ‘water mirror’. It was great to experience some of the pretty streets and public gardens and check out the local famous making of ‘Canele’ a custard cake! The rest of the time we had free time to explore more delights of the city making our own way back to the ship.
We were so lucky that also on the side of the river by the ship we were able to experience and take in the smells and sample some local produce at the weekly food market. Back on ship we enjoyed a light lunch before some more free time to enjoy the ships facilities. As the weather was still glorious, we sat enjoying the views on the sun-deck before departing Bordeaux to our next stop Blaye. We also got the chance this afternoon to try Oysters onboard, still not a fan! This evening, we were treated to a speciality dining experience at L’Amour restaurant. With only 16 guests dining, we were treated to a five course menu of local French cuisine paired with elegant wines for each course. We felt truly spoiled and even tried snails!
DAY 4
Had a later breakfast today as we were moored already in Blaye. It was a small town with a rich military history surrounded by vineyards known for red wine production. We then took a relaxing walk around the Fortress and contained within the walls of the 17th century Citadel of Blaye, a world Heritage listed monument that overlooks the Gironde Estuary. We also stopped at several shops before boarding the ship for lunch. Back at the Crystal restaurant we enjoyed a BBQ lunch including chicken, sausages and more… After, we went back up onto the sundeck to enjoy more river cruising this afternoon heading towards Pauillac. We sailed towards Fort Medoc for the evenings classical concert. An early dining option was arranged for all attending the concert at Chateau d’Agassac. What a wonderful experience in beautiful surroundings we had listening to a string quartet performing some classical masterpieces. Great end to the day!
DAY 5
Woke up this morning in Fort Medoc, located between Bordeaux and Pointe de Grave, at the northern end of the Medoc wine growing region. This appellation grows some of the world’s most famous and expensive wines including Cabernet sauvignon. After breakfast our excursion this morning took us by coach through the beautiful countryside in the Medoc region known for its extensive winemaking with more than 16,000 hectares of vineyards across eight appellations. The epic ‘Route de Chateaux’ which translates to the ‘Route of Castles’ winding through the undulating countryside. We ended at a local winery and enjoyed more wine tasting!
Back on board for lunch as we cruised to Bourg. Our free choice afternoon we took a guided walking tour. Bourg was a pretty town with a maze of ancient alleyways, moats and bell towers. We also visited a carriages museum situated inside the grounds of Bourg Castle. Here we discovered the unique collection of horse-drawn carriages on display in addition, visited the 16th century passageway to the guards rooms and WWII oil tanks. This evening during dinner the ship continued its journey towards Cadillac stopping overnight in Bordeaux.
DAY 6
Today was our last day. After an early departure packing and leaving the ship at 7am we headed back to Bordeaux airport to travel back to Bristol via Dublin with Aer Lingus. After a smooth transfer in Dublin, we were back at Bristol airport late afternoon. I will treasure my first ever river cruise experience with Scenic and could not fault the ship, attentiveness of all involved. If you haven’t already done a river cruise, do try, you will not be disappointed!
