TPAYT

This will be our 12th trip to Paris...so, yes, we have been on Seine cruises several times. But never on a dinner cruise.

I've always wanted to do this even though I know it's very touristy, etc. etc. etc.

What we would want is:
A nice table by the window...no huge bench tables or rounds of 6 or 8 or really packed in dining rooms
Nice food & wine choice (Yes, I know it won't be as good as a fabulous restaurant)
Nice music & service
You notice that I say "nice" so that probably means more expensive which is OK

Now it's your turn to tell me why we don't want to do this. OR. Maybe there is someone out there that really enjoyed this.

Christina

I haven't done one but don't see why you couldn't enjoy it as long as you are realistic about it.

From what I've seen, I would personally choose between Le Calife and Bateaux Parisiens. The first one is about 65 euro and the second one is 65-85 or something, the higher price getting you a seat in the bay window. Le Calife has all tables small and with window views, it appears. I've taken Bateaux Parisiens and liked them, but it wasn't a dinner cruise. I like their boats, you can see from the photos.

The others can have large group tables, I believe (Vedettes de Paris and Bateaux Mouches) and Bateaux Mouches is most expensive, anyway.

Now I don't know about music, you'll have to check websites.

I think this article gives you a good idea of possibilities.
http://www.timeout.com/paris/en/food...-dinner-cruise

RonZ

The best of the best is reputedly Yachts de Paris, €270 including drinks. That's nuts, but you asked.

TPAYT

Christina.......Calife gets really good reviews.
It looks like Calif the drinks are extra which is fine as MDH really doesn't drink but I do like my wine & it looks like some nice choices. From what I can see, about 109 Euros.

I like the looks of Parisiens (at 168 Euros for window seating on the 8:30 dinner cruise.)

MDH remembers seeing a long (aren't they all) boat, new, modern, with darkly tinted windows. He looked inside & liked the look of it but didn't remember the name.
So, I've been looking at boats for a few hours but can't come up with it.
Anyone, anyone????

RonZ....yes, Yachts de Paris is the best, but I agree that the price is way up there.

fuzzbucket

We took two dinner cruises on Bateaux Parisiens, when we were younger and a little foolish.
The food and drink were just average - obviously prepared elsewhere and heated up on-site, slightly better than First Class airline food, and we each got only 2 glasses of wine - the service was a little rushed, and the music consisted of one woman warbling while we ate, followed by "dancing" with a DJ afterwards (nobody did). We paid a higher price for a table for two at the side windows, but it rained, so we couldn't see much. In my opinion, it's not a good value for the money.

Christina

I would agree that it wouldn't be a good value if you go when it is raining, although if you must prepay, it may be hard to predict that.

I presumed the music on Bateaux Parisiens was for atmosphere, not that people were supposed to dance, and that it wouldn't be a "DJ". I presumed it would be that old-time chanson music, accordions, etc. I think that's what people might want music-wise, as you said, no one danced anyway. Bateaux Parisiens needs to re-think that idea.

TPAYT

Good point about the weather.
We are going to wait until we are in Paris & if the weather is good just see what we can get. It's just something I've always wanted to do.-----

We've been very lucky with the weather on all of our Paris trips....except 1 when it rained day & night the whole time. Much different trip but still it WAS PARIS.

fuzzbucket

Someone was singing while we dined - no accordion, no violins, just a woman warbling "La Vie en Rose". The DJ set-up was after the dinner was over with. Most people opted to leave.

Bateaux Parisiens insists that people "dress for dinner" - we dressed in business casual and were fine, though others were wearing sequins and dinner jackets. We did see people in shorts and jeans who were turned away at the door.

mdinbc

Do you think the dinner/dance is a distraction from the actual tour?

For first-timers to Paris, would you recommend just the tour, or a dinner-tour?

fuzzbucket

During the dinner cruises we went on, there was no guided tour, just dinner and someone singing while we ate. The dancing started after the boat docked, after dinner. Most people opted to leave at that point.

A first-timer would probably want to hear a description of what he is seeing, so I would recommend taking just the tour, during the day or evening.

You can find a better meal for a lot less money elsewhere.