We are planning to do the river cruise after our Eiffel tower visit (4 pm slot). My question:
I do see lots of tours but none have a time slot unless its a lunch or dinner cruise.
Appreciate your feedback
Nothing is easier than a Seine Cruise. You just walk up, buy a ticket and board. If the next boat is full there will be another along within the half hour. I wouldn't worry about it.
Walk across the street from the Eiffel tower - towards the river, down the stairs and you will see a couple Seine River Boat Cruise companies. We went at night because we wanted to see the city illuminated. You buy tickets out of a machine and it will show the times of the departures (pretty frequently), We had to wait about 20 - 30 minutes and then boarded the boat. We sat on the top (there are lots of benches) and the tour lasts 1 hour. It is magical to see the city at night with all the beautiful lights.
We've taken a river cruise from there. We've also taken the one named Vedettes Pont Neuf. That would require you to leave from another location altogether (Pont Neuf) but it is definitely the better one, in our opinion. Just food for thought.
We did the Beauteax Parisien lunch cruise that leaves near Eiffel tower. Booked it thru Viator. highlight of the trip... Not sure about booking when there..but recommend the company.
Viator is a middleman vendor; it is just not necessary to use such things when buying things so easily purchased on the spot in Paris. Especially don't book tours that way as if there is a problem you are in the position to be batted back and forth between the people providing the service and the ticket middleman.
I was happy to book with viator from home prior to my trip. I read reviews and chose the company based on that. I am the type of person that likes to have a plan. Reps from Viator were there during my Eiffel tower tour making sure we got thru security in time for the reservation so they do do a bit more.
We used Vendettes de Pont Neuf - you can buy ahead of time online and save a few euro. The tix are good for a year. We just printed out our email (or whatever they sent us) and showed up when we were ready to go (they do have time of day - mornings are a diff price).
I also took Pont Neuf, more convenient because I was in the Marais. I expect Parisiens will also offer a few euro discount if you buy online before your trip. For Pont Neuf you could do it just before leaving your lodging, on the way to the boat, then catch the next boat leaving when you got there.
When we did Vedettes Pont Neuf the rules were the tickets were good for a year too but I am pretty sure they have changed that now and you have to book a specific date and also morning or evening. If that is so it is not worth saving a couple of Euro to then be stuck with a rainy day.
Ah yes Janet - I see that now...
Vedettes du Pont Neuf offers you exceptional discounts on the online tickets tickets usable all along the selected day.
You’ll beneficiate a "cut queue pass" access access to go directly to the boat no passing by the cashier.
It does say there are two types of tickets...
The "OPEN" Ticket usable on all our departures (seasonal timetable)
- Depends on the boat availability
- Non modifiable and non refundable
- 1€ less for the 10.30, 11.15 and 12 o’clock departures
The "AVANTAGE" ticket only usable for the selected date and time
- Guaranteed seats on the selected departure and date
- Modifiable tickets but non refundable
If that is so it is not worth saving a couple of Euro to then be stuck
with a rainy day.
Very good point, Janet. That's a risk I personally wouldn't want to take in case of less-than-optimal weather!
