seine river sight seeing cruise

Good idea for a first day

Any particular operator to choose over the others?

We've taken two different ones and Vedettes Pont Neuf is definitely the better one in our opinion.

I liked taking that cruise at night...departed from Pont D'Alma....there are other ports and tour companies...while you do get an overview, it is limited to what you can see from the river itself and won't give you the lay of the land much... I think taking a bus tour is better on the first day because it really give you a better overview....then take a river cruise later on in the trip..

Doing a night cruise after dark after you visit the Eiffel tower all lit up is very nice. Maybe on night #2.

I have been traveling to Paris for 25 years...and lived there as well...often taking friends and relatives around the city.
There is no right or wrong way to do it...but being on the bus/streets gives you so much more to see then the night cruise will be a magical and easy way for a large group to see it after dark.

I looove me an evening (after sunset ) cruise on the Seine. I'm afraid I'd soon fall asleep on an arrival day cruise, because of jet lag. I agree that for a first timer, a bus tour plus a short walking tour like the one in Rick's book might be better. Then do the cruise another day or evening. I prefer the Vedettes du Pont Neuf. The Bateaux Mouches are the ones that leave from Pont d'Alma. They all cover the same route, though. Pont Neuf is just closer to our hotel.

We did the Bateau Mouche from Pont D'Alma, it was nice but basic.

We did it on our last day in November 2015 2 days after the attacks so we were just happy they were open cause not much was.

it was good value for money.

I'd recommend this website, because you can purchase tickets online and won't have to stand in line. The line for internet tickets is off to the side, don't get in the cash line.
http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

If you are coming off an international flight, I wouldn't recommend wasting your tickets on the first night. Walk around, get oriented, eat, and maybe take a nap.
The night cruise is really magical, and that's what I'd hold out for on the second day.
Check the sunset times before booking your ticket.

Thought One. You don't really need to book these. You can show up and take the cruise - but you do save some on each ticket by booking ahead online. If you have wifi, you can do it ten minutes before you leave your lodging. I took the Pont Neuf boats. From viewing the other companies' boats along our route, Pont Neuf seemed like a good choice.

Thought Two. Not sure this is a good day one activity. I once flew into A'dam with three kids in tow. The middle child hadn't slept at all on the plane and was out on his feet our first day on the ground. I thought a canal cruise might make it easier. Within minutes, I was the only one awake - and I was fighting it. Walking is probably the better way to stay awake.

If sunset is around 10, what is a good time to take the cruise? 9:30?

I'd take the last cruise that is available for maximum effect.

If official sunset (called civil sunset) is at 10, it will stay light for a good 30 minutes afterward. If you start at 9:30 it will just be getting dark by the time you're done. If it's getting dark at 10, civil sunset is probably 9:30. About half way through the Pont Neuf tour is the Eiffel Tower, so starting on the half hour will get you up there about the time it's lighting up. I don't know when they start lighting the Eiffel. I watched it from the Arc de Triomphe last visit and it wasn't completely dark.