Seine Cruises in Paris
 

Hello,
My boyfriend and I (both around 30 years old) are planning a trip to Paris in August. I've been looking into Seine cruises and would love some advice.
-Should I enjoy a dinner cruise and if so which one?
-If I just take a cruise (no dinner) would you recommend Vedettes du Pont Neuf or something else?
-If so, are there good dinner places near that area that you would recommend? (Moderately priced, not overly touristy)
-I've read that I can bring cheese and wine on board with me; is that true?
-How early should I arrive before the cruise to get a good spot on the boat?
-I would like an evening cruise. Is there a good time to start the cruise so the Eiffel tower is more likely to be lit up when we pass it?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Chelsey

>>-Should I enjoy a dinner cruise and if so which one? <<

Not IMO. Have a better meal on land and then take an after dinner cruise.

>>-If so, are there good dinner places near that area that you would recommend? (Moderately priced, not overly touristy)<<

'That area' is the whole center of Paris really. My favorite boat trips are these http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

Places on either island or 4th, 5th, 6th in general would be close enough to walk. "Moderate' could mean anything -- what is your actual budget?

>>-I've read that I can bring cheese and wine on board with me; is that true?<<

yes

If you take the boat after dinner it will be dark so everything will be lit up.

While you are allowed to bring food and drink on board the boat, bear in mind that there are no tables, and the plastic seats are right next to each other, like sitting in the bleacher section.

Best to have everything already prepared to eat, so you don't have someone else's elbow in your pâté en croûte.

Thanks for your help. I think we are likely to just bring some wine to drink.

As for dinner, I didn't realize I was asking such a broad question. I'll have to do some research on my own for that.

If anyone else has advice on whether or not to do a dinner cruise or dinner and then a cruise, I'd love to hear your opinion. Also about good companies. Thanks!

I almost always go on a Vedettes du Pont Neuf Cruise when I visit Paris. I am not interested in dinner cruises, though I did one long ago and it was so awful it may have tarnished my appreciation of such things. People whose opinions I respect have had good things to say about the dinner cruises on Le Calife and Les Yachts de Paris, but I find it hard, even if the food is good and not just warmed over, to imagine paying those prices or having to divide my attention between servers and eating and actually watching what the boat is passing, which to me is what a cruise on the Seine is all about. I'd have to be much more of a multi-tasker than I actually am.

Look for boat discounts on brochures and tourist maps and online- they are ubiquitous.

Definitely Vedettes, and go after dark.

Within a very few blocks of their departure point are dozens and dozens of restaurants from cheap street food to bad street cafes to great street cafes to chains (some good, some not) to luxury restaurants, including at least one that has been internationally famous since my grandfather's day.

See the problem?

If I were you, I would probably have a snack and a glass of wine or beer at a street cafe before the voyage, then a late dinner at a brasserie when the trip is over.

Another vote for Vedettes du pont neuf. Get an internet ticket in advance.

http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

Go just as it gets dark and I agree, not a dinner cruise. Find/reserve a great special restaurant and go afterwards. BTW, I usually see many people enjoying wine and picnic along the banks. You could arrive early with your wine and ??? and just relax nearby as you await your time. It will be an excellent evening. Enjoy!

So what makes the vedettes company floats better than the competitors - seems unanimous here that they are and not disputing that - just what sets them apart?

I would naively be under the impression that all such boats are pretty much like peas in pods?

I have not taken a Seine cruise in ages but what can be different.

The cruises along the Seine then into the locks and then the Canal St Martin - under the Bastille and onto La Villette could also be an interesting float.

Vedettes du Pont Neuf uses much smaller boats.
Bateaux Parisiens and other companies specialize in moving enormous crowds on barge-size boats.

TIP-----Get the Vedettes cruise from the Pont Neuf on the 1/2 hour so that you will be at the Eiffel on the hour when it lights up.

I would aim to do the boat just as the sunsets so you can see the city light up and get up to ET around the top of the hour so you can see it twinkle.

http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/france/paris?month=8

Vedettes du Pont Neuf uses much smaller boats.
Bateaux Parisiens and other companies specialize in moving enormous crowds on barge-size boats.>

OK good enough - does that mean Vedettes are more expensive -if so how much?

>>I would naively be under the impression that all such boats are pretty much like peas in pods?<<

That impression is wrong.

>>does that mean Vedettes are more expensive -if so how much?<<

Nope . . .

Go with what hpeabody and TPAYT have already said....and go after dark to see Paris sparkle. We did it last year on a prepurchased, online ticket ( sale price and open time just nominated a night cruise )and arrived at the Eifel Tower just as it began its light show. Delightful. Snack before you go and grab dinner when finished.
PS. It can get very cold up on top where the view is best.

Great information. It is something we would like to do as well. How bundled up should you be in midOctober? We are desert dwellers so although we seek a respite from the heat, we also chill easily. Also did anyone respond to the question regarding the best time to arrive to ensure a good view or is every seat a good one?

The Vedette boats are small enough that every seat is a good seat. I doubt you'll be battling crowds in mid-October, anyway. The only thing I'd add about seating is that the closer you are to the microphone, the easier it will be to hear the narrative, which is often a bit difficult to comprehend.

I don't think anyone can predict what mid-October weather will be like this year. Be prepared for anything. Have layers and rain gear available.

I like sitting on the right-hand side of the boat as you face the front, right on the railing. I have to confess that there probably isn't much difference, but it seems like it, to me.

If you purchase advance timed tickets, get in the correct line - there's a sign on the ticket window - about 20 minutes in advance.

If you will buy tickets at the dock, allow 30 to 40 minutes before the time you wish to leave.

Check the weather on a live Paris website two days before you leave. Only you can decide how chilly you'll feel with the wind blowing.

If you purchase tickets from the official website, they remain good for one year and you can use them anytime during the morning or evening, depending on what you've chosen. Good idea in case it rains.
http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/tickets/

We enjoyed our cruise; it landed at the dock in front of ET at about 8:58 PM, about Sept 7th. One foot on the dock, and WOW!!!

I had wished that we'd had a little more time to get to a better viewing spot.

I've heard the dinner cruises are unexceptional.

Be aware that ET is in a park; one time we viewed it from a park bench about 500 feet west of it. Is that the Champ du Mars? Then there's a metro stop about 400' east of it.

We enjoy the dinner cruise. Food is not the best, but the food is secondary to the experience. We like having a table to sit at and the ability to just drink wine and chat while we are seeing the sights. It's a pleasant way to spend an evening.