I am in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Paris next April. Originally I was thinking of booking a dinner cruise for my husband and I. Two issues-one they are expensive, and two the dinner is kind of late for us, starting at 9pm or so. Due to health reasons I usually have to eat earlier than that. But...we do want to see the lights at night from the river. So my thoughts are now leaning toward just having a early dinner and then taking one of the hour cruises at 9 or 10pm. My question is do we have to book these ahead of time or can we buy them the same day at the pier? And is one company better than the rest for the hour cruises? Thanks
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15791 posts
I enjoyed the cruise on Vendettes des Pont Neuf (spelling?). If you prepay online, you get a discount. Just take the voucher to the ticket office whenever you want to take the cruise. I timed mine to start just after sunset and thought that was perfect timing.
Posted by
OP
Sedona
85 posts
Thank you both for your replies. I think that is the better way to go for us rather than the entire dinner cruise. Thanks again.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
I'd take Chani's advice and go with Bateaux Les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf. The boats are smaller than those of other companies so you'll feel less like you're in a crowd.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
We did one of the nite cruises as a walk-up and it was fine. One thing to note is that it can get cold with the wind sweeping over the deck, so bring a nice coat!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15791 posts
To add, at the boat dock, there were 2 ticket windows, one for walk-ups (had a line) and one for reservations (no line).
I thought was unlucky to just miss a boat, but it meant I was one of the first on board the next one so I got a front row seat.
Thanks for the correction, Tim. My French teacher would cringe.
Posted by
OP
Sedona
85 posts
Thanks for the hint about the two lines. Sounds like I should have no problem when we get to Paris. Thanks
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Chani - Tell your French teacher it was just a typo! :)