Paris and Rhine River cruise with 11 yo granddtr

I think much of the success of your trip depends on your current relationship with your granddaughter and what she thinks and feels about it and what her expectations are and also what your expectations are. I would certainly talk about this with her now. From what I've heard about these river cruises, there are usually few young children on board. This is what seems good preparation to me: Make sure she packs all her portable electronic gear; get her interested in photography now; all of you study some French if you don't already know it; study the appropriate maps; review Paris and the town and city stops on the river cruise, perhaps touch on some historical facts....not too much all at once. If she has special interests or hobbies, tie them in with the trip. Perhaps help her set up a scrap book or diary before you even start. Explain to her how much fun it will be to review it and show it to her family and friends when the trip is over. If she likes to read, get some books about the various aspects of the trip. Get written permission from her parents to take her out of the country and remember that the name on her airline tickets has to match the name on her passport.

Good points above,, have granddaughter well prepared to amuse herself for hours. On river cruises there is almost nothing do to for kids. Mainly because there are almost never any kids on those cruises. At least try and get on a ship that has a pool?

Paris for 6 days will be easy. My 12 yr old dd loved many things. Climbing up the Towers at Notre Dame, and the Arc De Triomphe, going up the Eiffel Tower.
She also enjoyed the Orsay Museum, and even the Louvre. She loved going on the ferris wheel in the Tuilleries Gardens, and visiting Marie Antionettes Hamlet at Versailles( this is an easy daytrip from Paris, do it on your own as most tours rush through Palace and main gardens but don't give enough time to really explore the Hamlet)

In Paris you could also consider a bike trip to Giverny to see Monet Gardens. I did this this past summer there were quite a few kids in our group( group was about 20 , at least 6 or 7 were kids 10-16) the ride is easy, flat and safe, mostly on a bike path along a river and includes a picnic. Google and check out Fat Tire Bike tours, they are an American owned and run company, so language will not be an issue. Age not an issue , we had two multi generational families in our group,, mom, dd and grandparents!

Thanks to you both. Your right the river cruise, without other kids, is probably not a good idea. We will rethink this portion of the trip. Dorsey

Dorsey, have you thoroughly checked the amenities on the boat and how often you will have an opportunity to go ashore and explore? I wouldn't throw out the baby with the bath water here, before finding out what's available and especially, how your granddaughter feels about the cruise and also, what the shipping company's rules are. Would you leave her alone in the cabin at night while you're up on deck or in the salon dancing or whatever - or could she stay up with you? I would definitely relax all the rules! Ask her how she feels about the options when you know what they are and then decide what to do. If she's easily bored and a whiner rethink everything. By the way, I have four grandchildren in their early teens and I think eleven is actually a great age. Anna

Yes, 11 yr olds are nicer than 14 yr olds, as a rule. If she doesn't already have a small digital camera, get her one. My girls were very interested in the differences of things. Cars, toilets, food, all the common everyday things. Let her know that pop will be expensive, and limit her to one a day, but let her have unlimited ice cream. (You are the grandparents!)

I wouldn't worry about finding "kid" activities for her. The bike thing sounds good, maybe the catacombs or sewers. Make sure there are some castles included, and just some quiet strolling time.

If she doesn't always act enthusiastic, she probably will gush about the trip to her friends. You are the coolest grandparents in the world.

Teach her how to travel, carry her own stuff and money, and watch out for her own safety.

With this board's assistance and suggestions, and with whatever you decide, Chloe is one lucky preteen!

A suggestion for Paris...the Luxembourg Gardens has a wonderful playground. My son loved it at age 11. There's a small entrance fee, well worth it. You can sit outside the fence in very comfy chairs and read, people watch, relax. There are bathrooms there and a nice cafe. They also play boules right nearby which we really enjoy watching. They also have marionette shows, donkey rides and a carousel. I think your granddaughter would really enjoy it there.