Seine dinner cruise (or lunch)

The bateau Calife is the dinner cruise I've seen mentioned most often, but we've never done it. I'd rather not have my attention divided between the gorgeous views and the food.

We prefer to cruise after sunset. The boats time their cruises so that you have a good view of the Eiffel Tower when it sparkles. Whether we eat before or after depends on the time of year.

As CJean says, you can do a cruise without food by day or by night.

For the Seine dinner cruises, Calife actually prepares the food on board; some of the others prepare it on land and reheat it on board. I've never taken any of them so I have no direct recommendations.

I have done Le Calife dinner cruise and would definitely do it again. No problem sharing my attention between the fabulous views and the food, which was very good. The cruise is timed to be at the Eiffel Tower when it sparkles and goes down river to the 1/4 scale statue of Liberty. There are at least 2 different fixed-price menus that include a glass of champagne. You can book online 30 days prior to your desired date. Overall, I thought it was a memorable experience and a good value.

We're in the camp with those who recommend the sunset cruise to catch the lights on the Eiffel Tower, without the distraction of dining on board. Plenty of fine eating available nearby on shore, before or after.

We've taken several cruises on the Seine during the day and at night. The company know as Les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf is, in our opinion, the best. The night cruises when the lights of the city are on are much better than those during the day. Personally we prefer to have dinner prior to the cruise.