Night Cruise on Seine

Hi,

Just looking to get some information about doing a night cruise on the Seine. Is it best to have this pre booked? Can anyone suggest any good operators? Also, would you advise getting a meal while on board?

Finally, we would prefer if the guided tour was not headset based; are there any operators who provide the tour in English by a tour guide in person?

Thanks!

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Bateaux Bedettes Pont Neuf would meet your requirements. They usually have discount tickets on line: www.vedettesdupontneuf.com

From all I%26#39;ve read the advice is to take the cruise and eat elsewhere.

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We took an evening boat cruise last month with Vedettes du Pont Neuf. The commentary was given in French and English by a travel and tourism student. The only downside to this though was that we had a large group of German (I think) high school kids who didn%26#39;t understand the commentary in either language so they all talked rather loudly through it, so some of it we couldn%26#39;t quite make out. We did enjoy the cruise, and opted not to take a dinner cruise because we have heard that the food is not usually great on these cruises and you are probably better off dining at a restaurant either before or after your cruise.

Also, by taking the cruise without dinner, the cost was only 12 euros per person, and I think you can print out a coupon on their website for 2 euros off.

The cruise starts and finishes at the Pont Neuf (take the staircase down from the bridge). That was one of the big factors in our choosing that company, since we didn%26#39;t have to make our way over to the Eiffel Tower where a few of the cruises start and finish. The Pont Neuf was within walking distance from our apartment so for us it was ideal.

Here%26#39;s the website:

www.vedettesdupontneuf.com

Last year, we took a Bateaux Parisien daytime cruise which we also enjoyed, but that one had the large individual speakers that looked like a really big telephone receiver that you held up to your ear. It was fine, but I would have preferred a commentary from a person. On the Bateaux Parisien however, they were then able to offer it in several different languages on different channels so I guess that%26#39;s why they go with that set up. Bateaux Parisien you catch at the base of the Eiffel Tower, and you return to that spot to disembark.

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At night definitely Bateaux Parisiens, with dinner...

Great boats, 97 euro includes the boat ride of course, a dinner that is quite nice in fact inclusive of a Kir for aperitif, wines, mineral water and coffee. Live comments if I am not mistaken and live music. With the fabulous backdrop of Paris by night, the city of light, listening to La Vie en Rose! Bonus: avoids noisy student groups...

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There is a 5E discount for booking online with vedettes du pont Neuf. You print out the voucher to turn in, along with your passport or other valid form of identification to the ticket office.

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I%26#39;ve been onto the Vedettes du Pont-Neuf website and not sure about the 5E discount as it mentions dates in red 24 %26amp; 30 December?? Does this mean those dates are not included? Very confused.

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I think it just says that the last cruises on Christmas Eve and New Year%26#39;s Eve depart at 6:00 p.m. It doesn%26#39;t indicate that the 5 euro off booking doesn%26#39;t apply on those days - I could be wrong though.

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Thanks pmmcTO, I will contact the operator direct with my query.

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Hi,

Thanks for all your replies on this.

We%26#39;re still not fully sure which one we%26#39;ll go for! We%26#39;re thinking we%26#39;ll probably do the cruise on Sunday night rather than Saturday as we%26#39;d expect it to be less busy. Would you need to book these cruises in advance or is it ok to just show up on the night and expect to be able to join the cruise?

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I have taken Bateaux Mouches and Vasdettes de Pont Neuf and also would also recommend the latter. Get there early to board. They start to board the boat right after one boat leaves, and the open top level filled up quickly. There is a bar there if you want to bring a beverage on with you. I had no trouble printing or using the discounted online tickets. Our guide was charming.

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We just did the Vedettes boat cruise last week for the 2nd time. Both times we purchased tickets online and then just showed up whichever day/time we felt like going. We brought the printout, which they stamped, but they never asked for ID. It can get chilly at night, so I would suggest bringing a sweater or light jacket.