texasdebb

I will be in Paris the last week in April. This time I would like to take a dinner cruise. I've read you have to be very careful because some are rip offs. I look forward to seeing Paris at night from the Seine. Anyone have any recommendations?

Christina

I don't know what you've read, I don't think any are "rip offs" meaning you don't get exactly what you pay for, you do. I think most people just don't think the quality of the food equals the price, that you can do better at a restaurant if your goal is to have a nice dinner. There is nothing secret, you get what you pay for, I presume you've seen the prices? Just don't expect gourmet food, that's all, you are paying for the experience of eating on a boat. To me, a rip off implies you are being cheated.

I can't recommend one as I have never done that, it isn't something I would be interested in doing, eating dinner on a boat cruise, so I've just done the cruises alone which are enjoyable and pretty cheap. I think they all are pretty much the same, actually, just the size of the boat varies. There are a couple small boat companies, and then the Bateaux Mouches company which has a very large boat. I've done both and liked them fine, but I didn't really expect much but a boat trip up and down the Seine.

I've used this company and the cruise was fine, so I'm just guessing the dinner one is as good as any. The location of the docking is very convenient, right at the quay across from Notre Dame on the Latin Qtr side http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/dinn...ise-paris.html

Those are 69-99 euro depending on time of day or something. I certainly would not spend 250 euro for a gourmet dinner cruise, but that's up to you.

This is the company with the big boats http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/en
Theirs are 99-140 euro, so if I wanted to do this, I'd try to find a date suitable for the 69 euro one at Bateaux Parisiens. But I can't really compare the two experiences so I could be wrong.

I don't think the other main company, Vedettes du Pont Neuf, that do cruises have dinner ones, those two are probably the main choices.

mamcalice

I don't think the Seine river cruises should be termed "rip off". I do understand from friends that they are expensive and the food is not all that great. I also don't understand how one can concentrate on the food and also see Paris by night. We have always taken the river cruise at dusk on the Vedettes du Pont Neuf and have then had dinner at a delicious restaurant. This option is probably more cost beneficial.

adrienne

<< I look forward to seeing Paris at night from the Seine. >>

If you're looking at the food on your plate and eating then you're not looking at Paris. If you're facing your dinner partner then you're not facing Paris.

If you want to look at Paris then take a river cruise without dinner or walk along the Seine.

Rich

On the other hand, We enjoy the dinner cruise . . the food is just ok, but the ambiance makes for a great evening. I don't recall the cost so it must not have been outrageous.

I don't recall the name, but it was on one of the biger boats . .

nytraveler

The problem with the dinner cruises is that the food isn't very good and they're very expensive.

Much better to eat dinner early in a real restaurant and then take the boat ride after dark when you can enjoy the sights - and bring along a bottle of wine if you want.

StCirq

The only dinner cruise that consistently gets high marks is Le Calife. I haven't done it and have no desire to, but a lot of people apparently enjoy it.

texasdebb

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I may have miss used rip off. Sorry if I have offended anyone. I've read some less than wonderful reviews of various companies. And really I wanted the experience;not so much about the food. But it is pricey. Mamcaclice--I like the idea of a cruise at dusk then dinner. I should have thought of that. Christina thanks for the recommendation of http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/dinn...ise-paris.html. We are staying I. The Latin quarter--will be very convenient.

IMDonehere

As a rule of thumb whenever you mix food with either:

1. Local boat ride,
2. Music, or
3. Panorama

One or both usually suffer.

Are there are night time cruises on the Seine without the food? As noted by another, we too enjoy enjoy walking along the Seine at night. They excel in the use of light for aesthetic effect.

cathies

I couldn't think of a worse Paris dinner than being stuck inside a boat eating a mass produced meal that is possibly prepped offsite and just reheated on board (I could be wrong about that bit). I'd much rather be outside on deck enjoying the gorgeous views of the Paris sites and the beauty of the bridges with the clear night sky and hopefully twinkling stars thrown in for good measure.

justineparis

Actually Le Calife cruises cook the food onboard.. this is very rare.. as most dinner cruises simply reheat shipped on food. I have only read good reviews of their cruises, and a friend did the Calife cruise and enjoyed it very much.. I am planning to try it myself this summer.

www.calife.com/

jamikins

This is an excellent cruise company with no food, you get a discount for buying tickets online

http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/