Is it necessary to book a cruise ahead of time on the Bateaux Parisiens leaving from the Eiffel Tower or can you do the same day?

We like the ones leaving from Pont neuf. No need to book ahead. I think they are the same?

I know I'm reviving an old thread...but I'd just like verification of this again. There will be 11 in our group and there is just one day that will work for us in late May...and we'd prefer the 8:30 or 9:30pm boat (last 2 I believe). I went online to research buying tickets and it appeared we could only buy tickets for the day we want...but not a specific tour. Is that correct or did I just not get far enough through the ticket purchase process. I got all the way to credit card number and hadn't been able to pick a time yet.

Or does Gretchen's advice still stand and we don't need to prepurchase? I'd just hate to get there an hour ahead of time and see a massive line in front of us.

Thanks

Bateaux Parisiens leaves from the Pont Alma, I believe. We took the dinner cruise last Oct. It was "sold out" - but we purchased tickets 2 months ahead.

There seems to be some changes to their schedule. They have more departures for dinner cruises:
6PM 1 1/2 hrs
8:30 2 1/2 hrs
9PM 1 1/2 hrs

Click on the time you want
http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/en/m...cruise.html#b7

Stu Dudley

We were planning on taking the cruise with commentary...not dinner (sorry I didn't indicate that). So it doesn't appear we can pick a time. I was just wondering if there was a need to buy the tickets in advance. It would be nice if we could reserve the cruise we want. With it being later in the evening we wouldn't have any options if the one we want is full.

I took an evening (non dinner) cruise in May 2011, booked well in advance, and watched dozens of people turned away. That's all I can tell you.... Good luck!

I do not recommend Bateaux Mouches. Their layout allows passengers to stand near the railings, blocking the views of anyone sitting behind them.

Vedettes du Pont Neuf boats do not have this visibility problem and they will give you a discount if you purchase tickets in advance:

http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

The current website only shows the winter schedule.

It´s very easy to start a new thread rather than adding to one that is 3 years old and requiring those wanting to help you to read through various old posts just to find where you new post is.

I've taken Bateaux Mouches and it was fine, I don't recall views being blocked or being bothered in any way by that. There are other companies than Vedettes du Pont Neuf, I have also taken Bateaux Parisiens (leaving from in front of Notre Dame, from the Left Bank quai) and it was a much smaller boat and it was fine also. http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/english.html

I never bought a ticket in advance for either, at least not far in advance. I may have bought the Bateaux Parisiens one in the afternoon when I was in the area, but I think it's mainly a first-come, first-served line thing. I don't think you can reserve a time with them, anyway. I don't think you can reserve a time with any company, you can't with Vedettes du Pont Neuf, either.

Bateaux Parisiens does not leave from Pont de l'Alma at all, they leave from near Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. I think Stu may be confusing that company with Bateaux Mouches.

I don't do dinner cruises, just regular ones, and don't really listen to the commentary, I just do it for the views and to take a break.