De Hoop-built Scenic Gem specially designed for Seine

It has 65 cabins, with capacity for 130 passengers. The suites on Danube and Rhine decks include a balcony.

Built specifically to sail the Seine up to Honfleur, Scenic Gem had to meet a number of special requirements.

The 2.5-deck design features a reduced ‘half-deck’ height at the forward part of the top deck, allowing all deck equipment, furniture and the wheelhouse to remain in place when the ship passes under low areas. The reduced air draught is achieved by means of water ballast and hinged masts.

Since Scenic Gem sails all the way to Honfleur, very near to the inside of the seaward entrance and the coastal waters of France, a different set of more demanding rules apply than to ‘inland waters only’ vessels.

This has affected the structural strength, freeboard, watertight integrity, damage stability, life-saving equipment and facilities. In meeting stricter rules and regulations, the vessel is also suitable for most other European rivers, canals and lakes.