Has anyone been on one of these? I am thinking of doing it for New Year's Eve...incredibly cheesy I know, but I'm hoping someone can tell me about one they've been on that was great!

I have only heard that saving your money for a good restaurant and taking a Seine cruise sans dinner is a better choice.

That time of the year, sunset would be about 5'ish.

We took the sunset cruise only last Valentines day -- Pont du Neuf. It is a BYOB cruise. Bring a bottle of wine, some cheese & bread and enjoy.

The cruise lasted about 1.5 hours. Make a dinner reservation for 8 or 8:30.

I took one once, the food was not very good (and the cornball entertainment )but I'm still glad I went, the people were friendly and it was lovely at night and I won't have to wonder what it was like.

We took one once, with some Parisian friends, one of whom is a food and wine critic for magazines and newspapers and another couple. It was a very small boat, individual , beautifully laid tables , 3 waiters for each table, great wines to choose from and wonderful food...but it was EXPENSIVE!! No commentary, maybe 20 or so other people...but a beautiful evening. I don't remember the name but if you are interested I can find out.

It certainly wasn't a BYOB 400 people , lousy food trip!

We used Bateaux Parisiens. My wife loved it, that made it worth the money. We got the 'Service Premier' and it was great with our own table at the front of the boat. The meal was good not great.
http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/english/fr_diner.html

My comment would be the same as one of the others; do a sunset cruise then have dinner at a fabulous restaurant. But one of my clients just came back and raved about her Anniversary dinner on Bateau Parisianne. It was the highlight of her trip.

We were in Paris New Year's before last and the water was so high that the boats didn't operate... couldn't fit under all the bridges safely. I imagine the NY Eve dinner cruises are incredibly expensive.

Thanks everyone, I think the sunset cruise then dinner after plan sounds great. I will check some of the companies you have listed below. Now for that 'fabulous' restaurant: any ideas? Nothing too extravagant, the boyfriend and I both work for non-profits!

If you really want to save some money instead of paying for a sunset cruise buy a one or two day pass on the Bateaux Bus (a boat that cruises up and down the Seine) You can get on or off at any of the eight stops. I think it cost us about 10 Euros each for two days of unlimited "bussing" or "cruising" - whatever you want to call it. It gives you the cruise you want plus two days of boating. There are stops at the Eiffel Tower, Musee d"Orsay, Louvre, and several other stops. Save your money for dinner at a good restaurant.

We recommend La Gare in the 16th (19 chaussee de la Muette). It's very attractive, pretty much a Parisiens only place. Should be quite festive over NYE!
Here is some more detailed info:
http://www.leclubparis.com/english/r...rie=Restaurant

(it's a long paste, but hopefully you won't have any problems with it).

Here's the website for the pont neuf cruise, if you decide on this one. There is a coupon on the site to save a couple of euro. Just download it and present it when you buy your ticket.

http://www.pontneuf.net/

No Bateaux Bus in the winter