Scenic Tours launched its newest European river ship, the Scenic Crystal, in April 2012. I sailed a section of the Rhine River on the ship and enjoyed the entire experience, especially the spacious cabins with their innovative balconies that can be transformed into a cozy sun room with the flip of a switch.

Even Americans who have taken a European river cruise may not know much about Scenic Tours. The Australian travel company has done land tours for many years, and introduced river cruises to its portfolio in 2008. Scenic Tours markets its river cruises under the Scenic Cruises name in the USA. Scenic has rapidly expanded its river cruise business, adding six ships in the past five years. The company plans to add another ship, Scenic Jewel, in 2013. All the ships (except the Scenic Emerald, which sails in France) will be retro-fitted to include most of the innovative features found on the Scenic Crystal and Scenic Jewel.

The company has also planned a major change in its cruise fare structure for 2013. In addition to the new builds, Scenic Tours and Scenic Cruises will be the first in the industry to make its river cruises truly all-inclusive. In addition to drinks, transfers, and tips, this all-inclusive policy will include special shore excursion adventures such as an evening tour and dinner at Rastatt Palace in Germany. I love touring palaces, and they look so much more elegant at night! And, who doesn't love a candlelit dinner, followed by a concert in a grand ballroom?

More on the Scenic Crystal

• Scenic Crystal River Ship Tour
• Scenic Crystal Photo Gallery - 36 pictures of river ship
• Interior Common Areas
• Exterior Common Areas
• Dining
• Cabins

Scenic Crystal (c) Linda Garrison

Tipping on a cruise ship has to be one of the most discussed topics about cruising. When do you tip? How much do you tip? Whom do you tip? These questions baffle most travelers, but cruisers are particularly challenged since tips are handled differently than in hotels or restaurants.

Cruise lines either have a no tipping policy, add a suggested tip onto your bill, or provide suggestions to passengers on how much gratuity to give to the staff. It is important to know that on most ships, tips represent a large portion of a crew member's salary, and you need to factor in this cost when planning your cruise. Let's take a look at tipping in general and tipping on cruise ships.

The Flying Dutchman pirate ship from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean used to be one of the first things seen at Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas. Unfortunately, since the ship was a movie prop, the weather took its toll, and the old ship had to be removed. Many fans of Castaway Cay hope it will someday be replaced by a similar ship.

Castaway Cay Photo (c) Linda Garrison

The Seabourn Odyssey is the first in its class of ships for The Yachts of Seabourn. She has two sister ships, the Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest.

The 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey is over twice as large as the other ships in the Seabourn fleet, but the company has managed to continue the exceptional service, delicious cuisine, and casual onboard atmosphere that past Seabourn cruisers love and expect.

I sailed a 7-day Adriatic cruise itinerary from Venice to Athens on the Seabourn Odyssey and loved everything about the ship. Join me on a tour of the suites, dining venues, and public areas of the Seabourn Odyssey.

Let's take a pictorial tour of the Seabourn Odyssey.

Seabourn Odyssey at Anchor in Fiscardo, Greece (c) Linda Garrison