The luxury cruise line has announced that 18 Scenic and Emerald Cruises river ships will receive a design update following major investment

Following the announcement that Scenic Group will add a brand-new luxury yacht to the Emerald Cruises fleet in April 2026, the company has also revealed it is investing in its river offering.

The update will be rolled out across Scenic’s European fleet and will refresh the ships’ main deck areas, with new layouts and contemporary furniture, taking inspiration from the ultra-luxury aesthetic of Scenic Eclipse I and Scenic Eclipse II and Emerald Cruises’ yachts.

“The design update of our river fleet integrates the elegance and innovative features of our ultra-luxury and luxury ocean yachts into our river cruise ships, elevating and enhancing the guest experience onboard,” said Karen Moroney, director of project design, Scenic Group.

“It’s a testament to our dedication not just to luxury, but to leading the way in sustainable and thoughtful design within the industry.”

Design updates to the groups’ river fleet will embody a ‘Cherish the Planet’ ethos and will incorporate a variety sustainable elements, with the help of esteemed designers Missoni and Freifrau.

Last month, CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Ellen Bettridge told Cruise Trade News that the ever-improving luxury offering of the river sector means it is in prime position to attract overspill from the ocean sector. 

“Right now, [passenger numbers] are going from 600,000 to 1 million for people who will luxury ocean cruise this year, to me that’s an opportunity for the luxury space in river. We are going to run into capacity restraints of people who go on Explorer, Silverseas and Seabourne. They want that all-inclusive experience.”