Scenic achieves approved partner status with CARP

As the popularity of expedition cruising has surged by 81 per cent among Canadians since 2019, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) has named Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours as a new CARP Approved Partner.

With 38 years of experience in creating award-winning exceptional river and ocean cruises and handcrafted land journeys, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours will offer CARP members exclusive discounts and access to elite-level services.

This partnership comes at an optimal time for CARP members as travel industry research cites the growing popularity of yacht and river cruising, with increases of 60 per cent and 30 per cent respectively since 2019. More and more, travellers are seeking luxurious, yet intimate, cruising experiences.

“With this strategic partnership, we aim to enrich the lives of our members through travel experiences that cater to their taste for adventure and relaxation,” said CARP president, Rudy Buttignol. “The significant rise in interest in cruising makes this an ideal time to welcome Scenic as an Approved Partner.”

Founded in 1985, CARP, a leading advocacy group for older Canadians, with 23 chapters nationwide, is committed to offering the highest quality of products and services to its more than 220,000 members.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours boasts an impressive fleet of 13 ultra-luxury “Space-Ships,” so named for their expansive public areas and larger suites. Since 2008, they have set the benchmark in truly all-inclusive, ultra-luxury five-star river cruises in Europe and Southeast Asia.

In 2019, they introduced Scenic Eclipse, the World’s First Discovery Yacht™, a 228-guest ultra-luxury ship, and their second yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, in April 2023. Today, their bespoke journeys take guests to such destinations as Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Alaska, the USA, Africa, Japan and South Korea.

“We’re delighted to provide CARP members exclusive opportunities to travel across over 60 destinations on our 5-star and 6-star ships. From the cultural richness of historic Europe to the pristine wilds of Antarctica, our guests enjoy unparalleled ultra-luxury and service throughout their journey with us,” said Lisa McCaskill, vice-president of sales and marketing at Scenic Canada.

Dragan Rusimovici, marketing director for River Cruises at Scenic Canada, noted the growing popularity of celebrity-hosted cruises. “Integrating renowned personalities into our cruises further elevates the overall guest experience, blending first-class travel with exceptional entertainment and why celebrated figures from various fields choose to join our sailings.”

Jo-Lee Shantz, Scenic’s Director of Marketing for Ocean Cruises, highlights the unique experiences available on their luxury yachts. “Traveling on our ultra-luxury Discovery Yachts provides unforgettable adventures, whether it’s cruising through the pristine waters of Antarctica, kayaking alongside humpback whales, flying in a helicopter over the Australian outback or exploring underwater ecosystems in our submersible. These are truly life-changing experiences,” Shantz stated.

For additional information about this partnership and the exclusive benefits for CARP members, visit carp.ca, and for further information about Scenic’s ultra-luxury experiences, visit scenic.ca.