Suggestions for a French River Cruise ( our 1st cruise ever)
Jul 16, 2018, 8:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 8,964
Suggestions for a French River Cruise ( our 1st cruise ever)
This would be our first cruise ever. To celebrate a 65th birthday. 2020. Probably late spring or mid Fall.
Would spend a few days in Paris then take the train down to Provence to meet our cruise.
I have done some preliminary research but have begun to get over focused and confused and would love some suggestions for which cruise line to take and even ship recommendations to refocus our search. We like casual not to fussy but comfortable. Food is critical and all-inclusive is good.
We are not wine drinkers but I would think that a southern France cruise would have beauty and history as well.
At the moment budget is not a concern.
Thanks for any insight.
Would spend a few days in Paris then take the train down to Provence to meet our cruise.
I have done some preliminary research but have begun to get over focused and confused and would love some suggestions for which cruise line to take and even ship recommendations to refocus our search. We like casual not to fussy but comfortable. Food is critical and all-inclusive is good.
We are not wine drinkers but I would think that a southern France cruise would have beauty and history as well.
At the moment budget is not a concern.
Thanks for any insight.
Last edited by david55; Jul 16, 2018 at 8:58 am
Jul 16, 2018, 8:59 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,914
I have taken the Uniworld Bordeaux cruise; wine focused. Have also cruised Uniworld for "Castles Along the Rhine," very nice scenery along the way.
I would recommend this:
https://www.uniworld.com/en/river-cr...non/day-to-day
Since you mention this is for a special occasion, most of your luxury end products will be all-inclusive down to the many shore excursion choices, well worth the money in my estimation.
Some other choices, but I have not cruised these lines...
https://www.avalonwaterways.com/Rive...s/Seine-River/
https://www.emeraldwaterways.com/riv...cruises-france
https://www.scenicusa.com/river-crui.../cruises-tours
I would recommend this:
https://www.uniworld.com/en/river-cr...non/day-to-day
Since you mention this is for a special occasion, most of your luxury end products will be all-inclusive down to the many shore excursion choices, well worth the money in my estimation.
Some other choices, but I have not cruised these lines...
https://www.avalonwaterways.com/Rive...s/Seine-River/
https://www.emeraldwaterways.com/riv...cruises-france
https://www.scenicusa.com/river-crui.../cruises-tours
This would be our first cruise ever. To celebrate a 65th birthday. 2020. Probably late spring or mid Fall.
Would spend a few days in Paris then take the train down to Provence to meet our cruise.
I have done some preliminary research but have begun to get over focused and confused and would love some suggestions for which cruise line to take and even ship recommendations to refocus our search.
We are not wine drinkers but I would think that a southern France cruise would have beauty and history as well.
At the moment budget is not a concern.
Thanks for any insight.
Would spend a few days in Paris then take the train down to Provence to meet our cruise.
I have done some preliminary research but have begun to get over focused and confused and would love some suggestions for which cruise line to take and even ship recommendations to refocus our search.
We are not wine drinkers but I would think that a southern France cruise would have beauty and history as well.
At the moment budget is not a concern.
Thanks for any insight.
Last edited by fozziedoggie; Jul 16, 2018 at 9:04 am
Jul 16, 2018, 11:48 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
Tauck is another high end all-inclusive river cruise line. (only RC I've been on was Avalon, and it was NUE-BSL for the Christmas markets so not the itinerary you're looking for). The river cruise forum on Cruise Critics has some articles on river cruising in general as stickies at the top of the forum - might be useful for you to peruse as you start your research.....
Uniworld ships' decor will be fussy, but as far as I know (and I've read a lot of reviews ;-) no river cruising line in Europe is going to be dressy/formal - all will be casual on board. Perhaps not all will be "jeans and a tee for dinner" casual, but - no formal nights, coats & ties not required etc.
Uniworld ships' decor will be fussy, but as far as I know (and I've read a lot of reviews ;-) no river cruising line in Europe is going to be dressy/formal - all will be casual on board. Perhaps not all will be "jeans and a tee for dinner" casual, but - no formal nights, coats & ties not required etc.
Jul 16, 2018, 4:56 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
I forgot to mention Crystal too - they're new to river cruising but appear to be jumping in wholeheartedly. That said - not sure they have France itineraries yet, as they just don't have many ships yet.....The Rhine and Danube are the most popular itineraries and that's where they've started.
Jul 17, 2018, 7:42 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ATL
Posts: 802
Here are 2 good river cruise web sites to search.
www.rivercruise.com
www.affordabletours.com
Personally, I like a bargain and my favorite river cruise line for that is Gate 1
www.gate1travel.com
www.rivercruise.com
www.affordabletours.com
Personally, I like a bargain and my favorite river cruise line for that is Gate 1
www.gate1travel.com
Jul 17, 2018, 8:59 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
In the upscale / 4*+ category AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways are arguably the best options in Europe (outside Europe, I'd also include Viking River Cruises in that category)
In terms of luxury river cruises, I would suggest looking into the following:
Uniworld
Crystal
Tauck
Scenic
The best choice will somewhat depend on your exact preferences (e.g. regular stateroom vs. one-bedroom suite; outside balcony vs. "sliding windows", ship amenities etc.), and each of the cruise lines has multiple ships with different cabins, amenities etc., so it's worth carefully comparing the offering.
In terms of luxury river cruises, I would suggest looking into the following:
Uniworld
Crystal
Tauck
Scenic
The best choice will somewhat depend on your exact preferences (e.g. regular stateroom vs. one-bedroom suite; outside balcony vs. "sliding windows", ship amenities etc.), and each of the cruise lines has multiple ships with different cabins, amenities etc., so it's worth carefully comparing the offering.
Jul 20, 2018, 10:12 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Lawrence, MA USA
Programs: Delta Gold
Posts: 273
I've only done one river cruise, so its hard for me to compare. But I loved the one I took from Paris to Marseilles on Vantage Cruises!
https://www.vantagetravel.com/
https://www.vantagetravel.com/
Jul 22, 2018, 9:08 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
anyone noticed what river cruise ships have biggest/best top/owners cabins?
do any 'packages' include some lunches/dinners at top restaurants?
do any cruise companies offer better than average bespoke tour options?
do any 'packages' include some lunches/dinners at top restaurants?
do any cruise companies offer better than average bespoke tour options?
Jul 22, 2018, 9:37 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
The largest suite I'm aware of is the 480 sq.ft. "Royal One Bedroom Suite" onboard select Scenic ships.
I'm not aware of any river cruise line offering complimentary tailor-made, private tours/excursions, though the small group tours offered by Tauck and Scenic probably are a notch better than those offered by other cruise lines.
Jul 23, 2018, 10:26 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
sorry i meant cruiselines that can do great private tours regardless of cost, vs booking separately from cruise
unfortunate crystal stopped that, they have certainly been exploring some interesting things
interesting they do not offer larger suites like ocean cruises
unfortunate crystal stopped that, they have certainly been exploring some interesting things
interesting they do not offer larger suites like ocean cruises
Jul 23, 2018, 10:42 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417