Cruise Lines on the Seine River, Northern France
Paris to Normandy on Peter Deilmann, Viking, or CroisiEurope Boats
Jan 23, 2009
The Seine River in Northern France offers an alternative to the Saone and Rhone Rivers in Southern France for luxury riverboat cruises. Many all-inclusive package deals are available for Seine cruises but for individuals keen on a less organized or structured cruise, Peter Deilmann, Viking, and CroisiEurope sell cruises to individuals without necessarily including compulsory excursions or transportation options.
Always read the fine print when comparing special cheap deals and offers on luxury Seine riverboat cruises. Cruises sold in different markets, even for similar departure dates, may include or exclude certain excursions and other pricey options. A cheap cruise can quickly become expensive if excursions and transfers have to be added later on. Also compare different online reservation services – not all agents can book special discounts, e.g. for children, third cabins, and major anniversaries.
- Seine River cruises are mostly available from late March to early November.
Peter Deilmann’s Luxury MS Cezanne on the Seine River, Northern France
The MS Cezanne is Peter Deilmann’s luxury riverboat on the Seine. Peter Deilmann is famous for its luxurious and classy cruises – jackets and ties are the recommended dress for dinner. Peter Deilmann cruises have up to six meals per day, a remarkably low passenger to personnel ratio of only 2.5:1, and a medical doctor aboard all riverboats.
The Cezanne was built in 1993 and refurbished in 1999. It can accommodate up to a hundred passengers. The main language aboard is German but all major announcements and information are available in English too.
- Peter Deilmann offers mostly one-week cruises on the Seine from Paris to Rouen return, although occasionally one-way cruises are offered that go all the way to Le Havre.
Viking River Cruises’ Luxury Viking Seine from Normandy to Paris
The Viking Seine is a luxury boat operated by Viking River Cruises. It was built in 2000 and can accommodate up to 152 passengers. In contrast to most other boats on the Seine, it does have a whirlpool (hot tub) on the sundeck.
The Viking Seine does mostly one-week trips either from Paris to Le Havre or vice versa. Viking cruises are often sold in international markets with excursions and transfers included. Excursion and drinks packages (with or without alcoholic drinks) can be purchased in advance in markets where non-inclusive tours are also sold.
CroisiEurope’s Luxury Boats on the Seine River in Northern France
CroisiEurope is a large French riverboat operator. Its boats and cruises are generally slightly less luxurious and opulent than those of Peter Deilmann and Viking but also much cheaper.
CroisiEurope has three boats on the Seine: the Renoir, the Seine Princess, and the Rhone Princess. All three are new (post 2001) with the Renoir accommodating 158 and the two Princesses 138 passengers.
CroisiEurope cruises on the Seine River range from three to ten nights. The shortest cruises are three-night cruises from Paris to Conflans Sainte Honorine and back but even the full route from Paris to the coast of Normandy can be squeezed into a four-night cruise.
- Cruises on the Seine River on CroisiEurope boats are often also sold by other tour operators under their own names.
Uniworld’s Luxury River Baroness Sailing from Paris to Normandy
The River Baroness is a luxury riverboat used by Uniworld for cruises on the Seine. Cruises are mostly all inclusive with all transfers and excursions included. Cruises are usually nine days from Paris to Normandy and back.
The River Baroness offers a very high standard of luxury. It was built in 1994 but refurbished in 2005 to accommodate 140 passengers.
- Cruises on the River Baroness are also sold by other tour operators such as Brendan and Trafalgar.
Cruise itineraries for Seine riverboats are mostly return trips from Paris to Normandy and back but some operators use more relaxing one-way cruises. The Saone and Rhone Rivers offer alternatives to the Seine for luxury riverboat trips in France while numerous further cruise options are available on various rivers in Germany.
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