Joni Rein parts company with Scenic

A Scenic spokesman confirmed Rein is no longer with the company, and said a decision had not been made about her replacement.

During an interview a few months ago, just after her first anniversary with Scenic, Rein said there was more awareness of the brand stateside, cited new partnerships and products, and added travel agents were getting additional support since Rob Huffman had joined as VP trade sales following several years with Viking Cruises and, before that, many at Carnival Cruise Line.

A veteran of Carnival, where most recently she was VP worldwide sales, and of Costa and Renaissance Cruises, Rein said she had immersed herself in the 'whole different world of river cruising.' 

Some recent Scenic developments were a partnership with National Geographic Expeditions to brand a line of National Geographic River Cruises and introducing to the US market Scenic's luxury escorted land tours of Egypt and Jordan, with the Egypt program featuring a five-day Nile sailing.

Two ocean-cruise yachts on the way

Scenic also offers river cruises on the fast-growing Emerald Waterways, and this year the company is branching out to operate its own ocean-cruise programs on newbuild Scenic Eclipse, scheduled to enter service in August, with a 228-passenger sister ship due to follow in May 2020.

Founded 30 years ago in Australia by Glen Moroney, Scenic has branched out its customer sourcing as it grew and, in November, Rein said Americans now comprise 25% of the business, a percentage that was expected to grow.