Scenic Luxury Cruises has built a global reputation for creating unforgettable river and ocean journeys that blend elegance, adventure, and five-star service. Yet, even the most carefully planned trips can require changes. Whether due to personal scheduling conflicts, family matters, or a newfound travel inspiration, passengers often ask: “Can I change my Scenic Luxury Cruises destination after booking?”
This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about changing destinations on a Scenic cruise — including Scenic’s policies, timelines, potential fees, and expert strategies to make changes smoothly and affordably.
Scenic Luxury Cruises is known for its Flexibility Promise, which allows passengers to modify their bookings under specific conditions. This includes the ability to:
Change travel dates
Change the cruise destination or itinerary
Transfer bookings to future sailings
The degree of flexibility depends on when and how the booking was made, as well as whether it’s part of a promotional fare or special offer.
A destination change means switching your cruise to an entirely different route or region — for example:
Changing from a European River Cruise (e.g., Danube, Rhine, Seine) to an Asian River Cruise (e.g., Mekong)
Switching from an Ocean Cruise (e.g., Arctic or Mediterranean) to a River Cruise
Moving from one specific itinerary (e.g., “Jewels of Europe”) to another (“Romantic Rhine & Moselle”)
This is more complex than a date change, as it may affect the cruise cost, cabin availability, and flight arrangements.
Yes, you can change your Scenic Luxury Cruises destination, but the process depends on:
The timing of your request
The type of fare you booked
The availability of the new itinerary
The terms and conditions of your booking agreement
You can typically change your destination before final payment or before a certain cutoff period, such as 90 or 120 days prior to departure (varies by cruise type and region).
River Cruises: Generally more flexible due to shorter itineraries and frequent departures.
Ocean Cruises: May have stricter timelines, especially for expedition-style journeys with limited capacity.
Check your booking documents and payment terms. Identify:
Whether your fare is “Flexible,” “Super Earlybird,” or “Non-Refundable.”
Any clauses related to “date or destination changes.”
Reach out to:
Scenic’s reservations team directly (via phone or email)
Your travel advisor or agency if you booked through them
Explain your desired change, preferred new destination, and travel window.
Scenic’s representative will check availability on your desired itinerary. If the new destination is:
More expensive, you’ll pay the fare difference.
Less expensive, you may receive credit or partial refund (depending on policy).
Scenic may charge an administrative fee for changing the destination. These fees can vary by region, but typically range from $100–$250 per person.
Once confirmed, Scenic will issue new booking documents reflecting the updated cruise itinerary, payment schedule, and cabin assignment.
In cases where you want to delay travel instead of changing immediately, Scenic may offer Future Travel Credit (FTC). This allows you to:
Cancel your current cruise and rebook later for a different destination
Use the full value (or a percentage) of your original fare toward the new booking
Introduced after global travel disruptions, this policy offers:
Flexible rebooking up to 60 days before departure
Option to transfer to any itinerary of equal or greater value
Waived fees under special circumstances (e.g., flight cancellations, health emergencies)
As mentioned, Scenic may charge a change fee per passenger.
If your new cruise destination has a higher fare, you’ll pay the difference.
Promotional or discounted fares often have stricter change rules. For example:
“Super Earlybird” fares may lose discount eligibility if altered
Non-refundable deposits may not be transferable
If you’ve booked flights, pre- or post-cruise hotels, or transfers through Scenic or separately, changing destinations may trigger separate airline or hotel fees.
If your original sailing conflicts with work, family, or other commitments, Scenic’s flexibility policy allows rebooking to a future date or destination.
Passengers with medical documentation may be allowed to change destinations without penalty under Scenic’s compassionate policy.
Global events, port closures, or weather conditions can necessitate destination changes. Scenic often provides alternate itineraries in such cases.
You might simply wish to explore another region — swapping a European river cruise for an exotic Mekong journey or a polar expedition. Scenic supports this, subject to availability.
OptionWhat It MeansCost ImplicationFlexibility
Change DestinationModify to a different cruisePay fare difference + small admin feeModerate
Cancel and RebookCancel current trip and book new oneMay lose deposit or pay cancellation feeModerate
Future Travel CreditApply existing fare to future cruiseOften no loss in valueHigh
The sooner you request the change, the more options and lower costs you’ll have.
Moving your cruise to the same year may help maintain pricing and promotional offers.
Changing from one region to another of similar length and class (e.g., 10-day Europe to 10-day Asia) helps minimize fare differences.
Always request written confirmation of the new itinerary, updated costs, and terms before finalizing.
If your reason for changing is covered under your insurance policy (e.g., illness), you may be reimbursed for certain fees.
Email: info@scenic.co.uk / info@scenicusa.com / info@scenic.com.au (varies by region)
Phone (Example):
UK: +44 161 602 7600
USA: +1 857 216 8400
Australia: 1300 554 918
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (local time)
Your booking reference number
Names of all passengers on the booking
Original itinerary and desired new destination
Flexible travel dates
Cruise LineDestination Change PolicyFlexibility Rating
Scenic Luxury CruisesPermitted before final payment or under flexible fare★★★★★
Uniworld River CruisesChanges allowed up to 120 days before departure★★★★☆
Viking River CruisesDestination changes subject to cancellation terms★★★☆☆
Seabourn CruisesLimited flexibility post-final payment★★★☆☆
Scenic ranks among the most flexible luxury cruise operators for destination modifications, especially under their “Flexibility Promise.”
Q1: How far in advance should I request a destination change?
Ideally, 90–120 days before departure. Earlier is better to secure space on your preferred new cruise.
Q2: Will I lose my deposit if I change destinations?
Not necessarily — if done within permitted timelines. Non-refundable deposits may convert to future credits.
Q3: Can I change to a cruise in a different region (e.g., Europe to Asia)?
Yes, subject to availability and fare difference.
Q4: What happens to my flights and hotels?
If booked through Scenic, they will adjust arrangements accordingly (additional costs may apply). If self-booked, you must contact your providers directly.
Q5: Does Scenic offer compensation if I downgrade to a cheaper cruise?
Sometimes, a credit may be issued for future use, depending on terms.
Scenario:Jane booked a 14-day Scenic Danube River Cruise for August 2025 but later decided to explore Southeast Asia instead.
Action Taken:She contacted Scenic’s customer service 110 days before departure, requesting a switch to a 14-day Mekong River Cruise.
Outcome:
Paid $150 per person administrative fee
Covered fare difference of $300 per person
Retained early-bird discount
Received new documents within 48 hours
Jane’s destination change was successful, saving her from cancellation fees and ensuring her travel dreams continued uninterrupted.
Book Flexible Fares: If you value flexibility, choose fare types that allow modifications.
Avoid Non-Refundable Deposits: Unless certain, skip early promotional fares with rigid policies.
Stay in Touch with Scenic: Subscribing to newsletters keeps you informed about new destinations and offers.
Consult a Travel Advisor: Agents familiar with Scenic can navigate destination change rules effectively.
Secure Travel Insurance: Always protect your investment in case of unforeseen changes.
Yes — you can change your Scenic Luxury Cruises destination. The process is designed to be flexible, reflecting Scenic’s commitment to exceptional guest experiences and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re shifting from the serene Danube to the exotic Mekong or trading Europe’s castles for the Arctic’s icebergs, Scenic’s customer service team ensures a smooth transition.
By acting early, understanding your booking terms, and communicating clearly, you can adapt your travel plans with minimal stress and cost. Scenic’s flexibility allows you to follow your wanderlust wherever it leads — without compromising the luxury and excellence that define every Scenic journey.