I've read a lot of the postings on this website already about river cruises, but most of them are about 4 years old. Just checking to see if there's any new info out there. We'll probably go with a shorter cruise rather than Batobus, but just checking for new info, if any and if pertinent! People seemed to recommend Bateaux-Mouches, so that looks good, unless someone has some new information... Does anyone know the cruise company used on the Rick Steves tours? Thanks in advance. Susan
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I prefer the Vedettes du Pont Neuf, as they use smaller boats than Bateaux-Mouches. Here's their website: http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/. Note the tab on top labeled "Internet Ticket with Reduction" - reduction is always good!
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10600 posts
Just FYI to eliminate confusion - the batobus is not a river "cruise", it is a boat bus. There is no narration. There are multiple batobus stops on both sides of the river to get on and off as you please. Like a bus.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf is definitely better than Bateaux Mouches, but the one I like best is called Bateaux Parisiens - it departs right by Notre Dame... see here. Cost is 13 euros. I suggest only taking any cruise that has an open top, unless you'd rather be inside. Even in the same river cruise company some boats have open tops and some don't. If one arrives for boarding and doesn't have the open top, I don't take it... I wait for the next one. Just my personal preference. I like being up high in the open air vs down lower looking through dirty windows. I like Bateaux Parisiens b/c they are smaller, less people and a live person speaking into a microphone (rather than headphones, or canned recording over loudspeaker system), and their sound system is better quality than all the others imo.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
Arrive at the departure point one hour minimum, prior to boarding, whichever boat you choose. Buy your tickets a few hours beforehand. Trust me on this. If you wander down there at 15 minutes prior to departure you will be nearly last in line and take an inside seat in the middle of the vessel, along with the screaming kids. Be first in line and head for the bow, upper level open deck, when you board. Don't go all the way to Paris and settle for crappy seats on anything. You do know that beneath the Eiffel Tower is a hop on hop off boat where you can buy a two day ticket for used to be 15 Euros, more now, no doubt. Take that one and ride it as long as you want, when you want, get off and on when and where you want, and view the ET all lit up or the sunset over Paris, or both.
Posted by
Stamford, CT, USA
25 posts
I've usually taken the one from Pont Neuf as I like that the best and isn't as crowded or as many kids as some of the others. Haven't used Bateaux Parisiens before, but will later this week, when I arrive in Paris.