A Relaxed Cruise Down The Seine
A relaxed cruise down the Seine |
17 of 17 people found this review informative
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Reviewed By: Roberts, Lichfield on 15th Aug 2009
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| Cruise Line: VFB River Cruises |
Times cruised before: 3-5 |
| Cruise Ship: MS Seine Princess |
Sailed:
July,
2009 |
| Destination:
Western Europe
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Age: 65+ |
| Cabin: Outside |
Occasion: Annual/regular holiday |
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In late July 2009, we went on a four night cruise down the Seine fom Paris to Honfleur to Paris and back on the Rhone Princess, siste ship to the Seine Princess and both operated by Croisi Europe - though the holiday was booked through VFB who provided Garry a tour manager. He identified himself to us on Eurostar en route to Paris. On arrival we were taken on a two hour coach trip round Paris as you could not board the ship till 6 pm. This tour would be interesting for anybody who did not know Paris, but we would have preferred a chance of having a cup of coffee and/or a toilet visit. Reception at the boat was very friendly and our cabin on the lower level was most agreeable - just as spacious as on the Queen Victoria but with a very large window that gave you excellent views. The bathroom was pretty small - there was a shower but only liquid soap available - next time we will take our own soap - you cannot buy it on board either. Rooms on the upper deck [same as the restaurant] were £50 per person dearer. They looked identical to the lower deck ones: their only advantage was that if you were on the quay side of the boat when moored, you still had a view, not just of the river wall. On the first night, the boat did two round trips of Paris - once in daylight and then again after dinner in the dark to let you see illuminated buildings. En route, the boat stopped briefly next morning at Les Andelys where one could get off and visit a French type of National Trust property by coach at extra cost. The boat continued to Rouen where it stopped for about an hour to pick up the "excursionists". Overnight we carried on to Honfleur. Though we were on the lower deck engine noise didn't keep us awake. Next day we have a morning and early afternoon in Honfleur [which we had visited before by car - we could have paid E13 for a walking tour of Honfleur which we thought a bit "steep".] before setting off on the return journey. This time we arrived in the very centre of Rouen in the early hours of the morning and did not leave until after lunch, so we had plenty of time to wander round the medieval quarter of Rouen. From there the boat carried on to Paris, arriving early on the next morning - where we disembarked after breakfast. Food on board was full board. Breakfasts, buffet style, were excellent with scrambled eggs and sausage on offer as well as cereals, croissants and cold meats and cheeses. On board we also had three lunches and four dinners all three or four course meals- at each meal there was no choice of menu - you just had what chef had decided. One meal was "average", all the others we rated as excellent. Wines with meals were very reasonably priced: you could have a decent 13% white one for €13 - probably half the price we have paid Cunard on ocean cruises - and no service charge on top! You don't pay cash on board. Instead, you buy €15 or €50 cards and as you buy drinks, values are deleted from them - and you are reimbursed for unused credit at the end of the journey. The main deck was a sun lounging area where you could watch the world drift by. Between Rouen and Paris the boat went through six large locks each way and towards Honfleur we went under three magnificient road bridges. On our arrival in Paris we left our boat at 09 30 and went by bus back to the Gare du Nord for Eurostar, stopping en route for a one hour visit to an historic Parisian town house full of excellent funtirure - this was included in the holiday price - and there was time for a cup of coffee! All in all, this was an excellent holiday - you just have to be careful of holiday operators' prices - other companies seemed to be offering an identical holiday on this route with Crosi Europe for significantly more money. One final plus: we were not surrounded by fellow countrymen. On our trip, out of 150 people in the restaurant, about twelve were British - the rest came from various European countries. Boat staff were fluent in French, German, Italian and English.
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