I’d love to do an evening boat cruise on the Seine. But all I’m seeing is ones that have a lot of complaints about the food, the line at the bars, the quality of the “free” champagne.
If you’ve been on one that you’d enjoyed (I’d prefer one that didn’t include dinner) please give a recommendation.
I would just get an hour cruise -- there are several lines and docks but the routes are all the same. I would not get one with 'free champagne' (yeah that is going to be good and how is it 'free' since you are paying for it) or a meal. If you have your face in your plate you are not getting the pleasure of seeing the sights glide past. Get a cruise -- they are fun, cheap and easy -- just go when you feel like it. Then get a decent meal at a nice restaurant on shore where you choose your own wine.
Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf does a one-hour cruise from early morning till late evening. No reservation needed. It's excellent, with good narration. The website offers a pre-booking discount, but I'd suggest foregoing that small saving for flexibility re your schedule and the weather.
There are other companies too, just google "paris seine cruise" or some such. I think you're wise not to try combining a meal with taking in the sights. (Champagne, if you want to spring for it, may not be such a distraction.)
I second the suggestion for Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf. I like their smaller boats and, there is usually someone handing out discount coupons for the boats on the sidewalk in front of Notre Dame.
You can bring your own bottle of champagne. It's cheaper and better quality than what they sell.
We've used several and Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf is, in our opinion, the best of the bunch. We prefer to not do dinner cruises. It's difficult to really enjoy the views while trying to eat at the same time.
Vedettes du Pont Neuf is fine, but there is also a dock at the Eiffel Tower and one just upriver on the right bank from Pont d'Alma with the flatter larger boats. You should pick the one that is convenient to your hotel or where you are when you decide to go. They are all pretty cheap and much the same. The bigger flat boats have bars on board and in my experience with Pont Neuf, you can buy a drink on the dock and carry it on board if you want one.
