SEINE cruise
 

Is it worth it?

seeing that it only cost about 7 or 8 euro a person (the one w/out dinner) you get what you pay for. I got exactly what I expected. It's very similar to the harbor lights cruise in NYC if that helps...with taped narration on what you pass along the way.

Worth the price? Worth the experience?<BR>Depends what you are expecting.<BR><BR>I didn't take one until after I'd been to Paris a few times before. It's a nice relaxing experience and at night the monuments and buildings are lit up. You are looking up at them from quite a ways below. In the daytime you'd be better able to pick out some landmarks and see where they are, but I don't really think of it as an orientation tour, just a pleasant ride.<BR>I used the Vedettes de Pont Neuf, smallish boats.<BR><BR>

A correction on a previous posting: Most of the Seine cruises have live, not taped, guides.

I think it's worth it for the small price. The evening cruise is better than the day cruise only because you will see a different dimension on the buildings &amp; monuments lit up against the night sky.

The Vedettes de Pont Neuf cruise -- does the boat begin and end at the same place or does it drop you off somewhere down or up the river?

I didn't care for our day cruise (it was ok, not great) during our first visit. I really enjoyed our night cruise on our 3rd visit.

I agree with Elaine, it's just a one hour boat ride at a cheap price, so why not. I thought it was a pleasant way to relax for an hour, but didn't expect much out of it. I also don't think the guides are live, but taped, at least on most of them because Bateaux Mouches is the biggest company and they are taped -- they have individual receivers so you can hear the commentary in whatever language you want. There is a live host or hostess who may comment on the microphone, but the main commentary is taped, I believe. I don't know about other companies. It doesn't matter really because it's not a personal guide, regardless. I think the night cruise would be better because you can't see that much in the day time from down on the river, anyway, it's not a great scenic view to me.

I went on the vendettes in November on an evening cruise, it had live commentary from a guide who said everything in French and English. It was a fun way to sit and rest our feet and enjoy a glass of wine while saying goodbye to the sights of Paris! It starts at the pont neuf and ends there as well. They sell beer and wine right at the boat as you enter. They have downloadable coupons on their website.<BR>

We'vew taken two Seine cruises and both times the narration was live.

I believe the live versus taped narration depends on which company you choose - there are several. <BR><BR>I've been on the Vedettes du Pont Neuf nighttime trip twice, and commentary was done live, in French and charmingly accented English. It's a relaxing way to spend an hour before dinner, and have the chance to rest your weary feet. Boats depart and return to the same landing.

I really like the cruises and take them nearly every time I'm in Paris. The one time I didn't care for it was when it was raining and we had to sit inside. The windows fogged up so much you couldn't see anything and the gas fumes were terrible.<BR><BR>I prefer Bateaux Mouches. I think both day and night cruises are worthwhile.

We take the vedettes at the Pont-Neuf each time we go to Paris. They have a cozy little cafe/bar where you can have an aperitif or hot chocolate while you wait before boarding. We like to sit outside in the evening for the fullest effect.And yes, they return you to your departure point. Its a fun thing to do at the end of the first or second day when your feet are starting to complain!