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The Seine: Holiday Magic
Has anyone been on this trip that can offer feedback/insight? We will be arriving early and I'm trying to plan which sites to see before our Tauck portion of the trip begins. For the city tour on the first full day did you see the Eiffel Tower? The Louvre? Notre Dame? Arc de Triomphe?
Any other tips/thoughts are welcome!
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We're on the same cruise this year as well though we've taken a different Seine cruise before and other tours that include Paris. The Day 2 itinerary is a little vague for the morning but may include a drive by tour of Paris. The rest of the time its either Saint Chapel or Cluny and two different markets. If you want actual guided tours of sights I'd recommend booking them pre and/or post cruise. We're thinking of a night time Christmas lights bus tour and have plans to stay in Paris a few days after the tour ends.
Just an FYI a Tauck rep told us that on Christmas day there are no planned activities (despite what the itinerary states). I'm planning on visiting Notre Dame and Saint Chapel and dinner at the Moulin Rouge, but not sure how the crowds will be or if transportation will be difficult to find...
You, of course, are free to plan your own dinner but you will probably miss a very wonderful feast on Christmas evening. When we did a different holiday cruise, we had fine dining experiences on Christmas Eve and Christmas evening on the ship. Both dinners were excellent.
Our tour directors had arranged for guests to attend their choice of Mass times at a cathedral in Antwerp where we were docked.
The cruise director can arrange a cab for you if you choose to do your thing, but at your expense.
Kmayj, Assuming the ship docks where it has in the past at Quay Grenelle close to a metro station you should be able to use it though it will be on a limited schedule - more time between arrivals. The CD could call you a cab for part of your travel. Good luck. Just paid our final balance for this and doing my own planning.
Thanks kfnknfzk! My MIL, (we are traveling with her) has been obsessed with going to the Moulin Rouge (not my interest, but to each their own)--but it sounds like there is good reason to skip it!
Kmayi, I have not done this specific Seine River tour but did do a different one and have been to Paris 5 times. Some of what to do is based on your interests, if you have been to Paris before or plan to go back, and your/traveling partners mobility. You will be docked overnight in Rouen. Typically the ship will dock by the Boedldieu Bridge, which is 10 minute walk to the cathedral area. It is the night of your Chef's dinner which should not be missed. At this dinner you will all be seated at the same time. Either stay later in town and be ready for dinner at 630 ish or go back out after dinner to see the magic of the city with the lights on.
Paris is a much larger topic and you will need to prioritize what is important to your group. Your bus tour will be a drive by tour. You will need to make arrangements to see those sites on your own. If you are there on Christmas Day, some of the sites and more importantly the food establishments may be closed. However a number of sites will be open.
If you are staying in the pre-stay hotel, Intercontinental Grand, you arr are close to two Metro stops, Madeline and the Opera House so you can easily get around the city. You can take the number 12 metro to Sacre Coeur and the Montmartre area or take the 7 from the Opera House to Notre Dame area. The Opera House does have tours. 5 minutes from the hotel is the Galeries Lafayette which is an upscale shopping building with great views of the city from the roof. Skip the Moulin Rouge. Try Classictic.com for an evening concert. We have done this at Sainte Chapelle and Madeline and they look totally different at night.
As mentioned by Claudia, the ship is close to the Javel RER and metro stations as well as the Bir Hakein metro station which is a little farther away. The Eiffel Tower is a very short walk 20 minutes along the river. You will need to pre book tickets and decide how high you want to go up. You will want to take the lift. It can be blustery if the weather is not cooperating. You could either do this pre tour, skip the morning bus tour of the city or do this late afternoon or evening. If you want a smaller museum than the Louvre and Osray, try the Marmottan which is not to far from where the ship typically docks
kmayj - You are most welcome. Since the focus is on the holiday markets and wonderful festivities both on and off the ship, you are bound to have a most wonderful time doing what Tauck has in store for you. There are going to be many little surprises along your journey, especially since you will be onboard 24-25 Dec.
If staying pre/post tour, perhaps you can arrange for self-guided activities then. You can always return to Paris!
I wish you and your family all the best. Please consider providing a critique of your experiences upon your return.