Cruise to France

[MrMezentsev]

Last year we went and visited St. Petersburg. We think about France cruise next. Any recommendations?

[mom says]

Where in France? Ocean (Mediterranean  cruises that include French Ports)? Or river cruises on the Seine or Rhone?

Edited December 27, 2019 by mom says

[Suzanne123]

My recommendation would be to take the Rhône River Cruise through Provence with Avalon or Uniworld the first week of September.  

[MrMezentsev]

14 hours ago, mom says said:

Where in France? Ocean (Mediterranean  cruises that include French Ports)? Or river cruises on the Seine or Rhone?

I was thinking more of a Mediterranean cruise but which would be better ? I'd like to make that cruise to France unforgettable for my lady and I .Thank you for the help.

[CruiserBruce]

6 minutes ago, MrMezentsev said:

I was thinking more of a Mediterranean cruise but which would be better ? I'd like to make that cruise to France unforgettable for my lady and I .Thank you for the help.

"Better" is a subjective judgement based on your interests, which we don't know. What are you interested in seeing and doing in France? Why are you focused on France? Med cruises will hit 2 or 3 ports in France, along with a few in other countries, like Italy, Spain or Greece. A river cruise, on the other hand, will probably only be in France, unless you do a major river like the Rhine.

 

A knowledgeable travel agent can help a lot here.

[MrMezentsev]

7 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

"Better" is a subjective judgement based on your interests, which we don't know. What are you interested in seeing and doing in France? Why are you focused on France? Med cruises will hit 2 or 3 ports in France, along with a few in other countries, like Italy, Spain or Greece. A river cruise, on the other hand, will probably only be in France, unless you do a major river like the Rhine.

 

A knowledgeable travel agent can help a lot here.

Well lot's of people I know that have been to France informed me that it's very charming , lovely , beautiful place, however everyone has flew there and spent they whole vacation there , this is going to be my first cruise actually , I've traveled by plane a little(vacation in St.Peterburg , Russia , in witch I spent all my time there). Now I'd like to take a cruise with my s/o so if we do go through multiple countries that be great ! But it seems like I do need to get with traveling agent . thank you for advise!    

[Hlitner]

The bulk of France either cannot be accessed from a cruise ship (or river boat) or is a ridiculously long port day (such as Le Havre to Paris).  So,  most Francophiles (including me) have learned that the best way to see France is on a land trip.  Personally I prefer to fly to France (or cruise to France) and rent a car for a few weeks. A lot of the best places in France cannot be reasonably accessed by rail, so a car (or bus tour) is the way to go.  For those that have lots of time we strongly recommend combining a Euro/Med cruise with a land trip.  In the case of France there are quite a few cruises that call at Le Havre for the last port and then end (the following day) in England.  Most cruise lines will allow passengers to disembark in Le Havre (you should get advanced permission) which is a nice way to get to France.  From Le Havre it is straightforward to take a train directly to Paris (or perhaps spend some time in Normandy before heading South).  Speaking of Paris, a great idea for a 1-2 week visit is renting an apartment (thousands are online).  Apartments get you a lot more space then a hotel are generally less costly.  It also allows folks to be choosey on exactly where they want to stay.  As a simple example, DW and I really enjoy staying in the 6th (St Germain des Pres) relatively close to the Seine.  There are few reasonably priced decent hotels in this area but many more apartment rentals.

 

Planning an itinerary in France is both a daunting challenge and exciting.  Paris (DW's favorite city in the world) is always worthy of a visit (we think a few days or weeks is best).  Normandy is interesting for a few days.  The "South of France" and Provence is an amazing region for a visit (the longer the better).  One can use a city like Avignon (or its smaller neighbor St Remy) as a base for many day trips.  There is also the area around Strasbourg (easily combined with some time in Germany) which is very rewarding.  And we have not even touched on the French Alps, the Bordeaux area, etc. etc.

 

Pity the poor cruiser who stops in one or two French ports and thinks they have "seen France."  

 

For those who have made up their mind to use river boat cruises we suggest an itinerary that includes a visit to Paris and a cruise into Provence (many river boats go to Avignon).

 

Hank

[Bizmark'sMom]

I love both ocean and river cruises, but they really give you the barest taste of an area.  So, the biggest question, what do you want to see in France?

 

If it's Paris, rent an apartment and spend at least a week just there. An apartment rental is cheaper than a hotel, gives you more living space, and you get a kitchen and washing machine. It's nice to have the option to buy items at the local store and put together simple meals.

 

To you want to see Normandy? Perhaps fly into Paris, spend a few days there before catching the train to Le Havre. Spend a few days touring Normandy, and then embark a cruise ship further into the Mediterranean. Or maybe a river cruise that embarks in Paris.

 

It all depends on what you want to see and do in France. I usually combine cruises with a land trip so I can really explore areas I'm interested in - and then enjoy a cruise.

[CruiserBruce]

I have to agree with the past two posters. I think a land trip would be better for you. Europe is very easy to travel on land, and you get a much better feel for the country, scenery and the people with a land trip. We have done many 2-3 week trips, both driving, and training, around much of Europe. It is the "best" way to see Europe, in our opinion.

 

Cruises are great...we have done a number, and they intro you to countries, not give an in depth exposure. We sometimes use them to decide if we want to investigate areas further, on a land trip. Maybe that is what you seek?

[MrMezentsev]

On 12/27/2019 at 5:59 PM, Hlitner said:

The bulk of France either cannot be accessed from a cruise ship (or river boat) or is a ridiculously long port day (such as Le Havre to Paris).  So,  most Francophiles (including me) have learned that the best way to see France is on a land trip.  Personally I prefer to fly to France (or cruise to France) and rent a car for a few weeks. A lot of the best places in France cannot be reasonably accessed by rail, so a car (or bus tour) is the way to go.  For those that have lots of time we strongly recommend combining a Euro/Med cruise with a land trip.  In the case of France there are quite a few cruises that call at Le Havre for the last port and then end (the following day) in England.  Most cruise lines will allow passengers to disembark in Le Havre (you should get advanced permission) which is a nice way to get to France.  From Le Havre it is straightforward to take a train directly to Paris (or perhaps spend some time in Normandy before heading South).  Speaking of Paris, a great idea for a 1-2 week visit is renting an apartment (thousands are online).  Apartments get you a lot more space then a hotel are generally less costly.  It also allows folks to be choosey on exactly where they want to stay.  As a simple example, DW and I really enjoy staying in the 6th (St Germain des Pres) relatively close to the Seine.  There are few reasonably priced decent hotels in this area but many more apartment rentals.

 

Planning an itinerary in France is both a daunting challenge and exciting.  Paris (DW's favorite city in the world) is always worthy of a visit (we think a few days or weeks is best).  Normandy is interesting for a few days.  The "South of France" and Provence is an amazing region for a visit (the longer the better).  One can use a city like Avignon (or its smaller neighbor St Remy) as a base for many day trips.  There is also the area around Strasbourg (easily combined with some time in Germany) which is very rewarding.  And we have not even touched on the French Alps, the Bordeaux area, etc. etc.

 

Pity the poor cruiser who stops in one or two French ports and thinks they have "seen France."  

 

For those who have made up their mind to use river boat cruises we suggest an itinerary that includes a visit to Paris and a cruise into Provence (many river boats go to Avignon).

 

Hank

Hank thank you very much for your comment , gives me a lot to think about , I still feel like I'd prefer to travel by land most of all but living in USA doesn't leave me choice but to fly or travel by boat . I appreciate your time .

[ducklite]

France is as diverse as the US (minus the desert) with quaint port cities, major metropolitan areas, vast farmlands, mountains, gorgeous beaches, rivers, you name it.  I think you should buy a guide book (Rick Steves has a good one) and read it.  Determine what parts of France you'd like to see, and then figure out whether a cruise or land based trip (or maybe two weeks that covers both?) would work for your wants and needs.

Edited December 28, 2019 by ducklite

[MrMezentsev]

13 minutes ago, ducklite said:

France is as diverse as the US (minus the desert) with quaint port cities, major metropolitan areas, vast farmlands, mountains, , rivers, you name it.  I think you should buy a guide book Rick Steves has a good one) and read it.  Determine what parts of France you'd like to see, and then figure out whether a cruise or land based trip (or maybe two weeks that covers both?) would work for your wants and needs.

Thank you for your advice, I'll look into it !

[marco]

A couple of years ago we did a river cruise, basically Paris to Nice and spent 4 days in Paris first.  Most enjoyable! Something to check out.

[lynncarol]

Just returned in October from a Seine River cruise by Vantage that started in Paris, went up to Normandy (with a number of port stops in between) then returned to Paris.  This gave us 3 days in Paris as the boat was conveniently docked with the Eiffel Tower in view. Even better, as a culinary cruise,  many of the stops featured in-season foods at local establishments with an emphasis on oysters, apples and cheeses. In Rouen (where we spent 2 nights) a patisserie chef offered a limited number of us an opportunity to create our own macaroons in his shop. Sadly, I believe 2020 is the last year they will offer this cruise.

[wowzz]

Why not rent your own boat, and cruise along the Canal du Midi ? You will learn some interesting French phrases from the lock keepers on the way if your boat handling skills are not up to scratch!  An excellent way to see rural France (and I only fell in once!)

[SRF]

You cannot see a country in a day or two from ports.

 

If you want to see somewhere, do a land vacation. 

 

I laugh at people who have seen X country, because they have visited for a day on a cruise ship.

 

I am in the middle of a 2 week trip to Vienna.  For ONE city.  Still have things to do and see.

 

Apartments can be fine, but I stay in hotels.  I do some meals in the room from cheese and meats and bread bought locally.  I do not want to cook on a holiday. 🙂

 

 

[ducklite]

1 hour ago, SRF said:

You cannot see a country in a day or two from ports.

 

If you want to see somewhere, do a land vacation. 

 

I laugh at people who have seen X country, because they have visited for a day on a cruise ship.

 

I am in the middle of a 2 week trip to Vienna.  For ONE city.  Still have things to do and see.

 

Apartments can be fine, but I stay in hotels.  I do some meals in the room from cheese and meats and bread bought locally.  I do not want to cook on a holiday. 🙂

 

 

 

I got back from Vienna (land based trip) less than a month ago--it's one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  I can't wait to return.  Like London it's a city that could takes years to fully explore.  We stayed in both a hotel and an apartment rental.  The advantage to renting an apartment is the convenience of doing your laundry.  The apartment we were in was gorgeous--our favorite on the trip--filled with antique period furnishings and original art.  

[SRF]

12 hours ago, ducklite said:

 

I got back from Vienna (land based trip) less than a month ago--it's one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  I can't wait to return.  Like London it's a city that could takes years to fully explore.  We stayed in both a hotel and an apartment rental.  The advantage to renting an apartment is the convenience of doing your laundry.  The apartment we were in was gorgeous--our favorite on the trip--filled with antique period furnishings and original art.  

 

I send my laundry out.  I am on HOLIDAY. 😄

 

Yes, lovely city.  

 

Had coffee and struedel at Demel last evening.  NO LINE.

[Hlitner]

3 hours ago, SRF said:

 

I send my laundry out.  I am on HOLIDAY. 😄

 

Yes, lovely city.  

 

Had coffee and struedel at Demel last evening.  NO LINE.

Agree :).  We often combine cruise or cruises with extended land trips.  Because we are very frequent cruisers on many lines we often get free laundry on our cruises.  So even when we do land trips, we will often save our dirty laundry and have it done once we board the ship....or have everything cleaned before we disembark (to spend time on land).

 

Hank

[dogs4fun]

On 12/27/2019 at 7:59 AM, Hlitner said:

Pity the poor cruiser who stops in one or two French ports and thinks they have "seen France."  

Or Italy, Germany, and so on. 

[Hlitner]

8 minutes ago, dogs4fun said:

Or Italy, Germany, and so on. 

So true.  We were amused by a couple of told us they did not want to go back to Italy because they had already been to Italy.  But when we asked where they had been, it was on a single trip that got them to the usual Civitavecchia, Livorno and Naples.  Trying to tell them that there was more to Italy then those 3 ports would have been wasting our time :).  And another cruiser once told us they saw no reason to return to Paris (DW's favorite city in the world) because they had seen Paris on a one-day port excursion from Le Havre.  Go figure.

 

Hank

[Bizmark'sMom]

I was the sole member of my family to *not* do a 1 day tour to Paris when we docked in Le Havre. There is no way for that to be enough time.  Instead I went to Mt. St, Michele and had a lovely day rambling around the island. I spent the following day in Honfleur - another lovely day.

 

I got to spend 5 days in Vienna last year. It wasn't anywhere near enough time.

[lynncarol]

I think some folks may be missing the point.  The OP stated he wanted to take his lady on a cruise, not spend days in one city.  As one who has done both for years (independently we spent 17 days in Peru and 2 weeks driving around Croatia and Slovenia just in this past year) I can personally attest that even as an experienced traveler, independent touring abroad, while exhilarating, can also be stressful. Maybe that is not what the OP wants at this time in his life. Unless you miss the boat, how can cruising ever be stressful?

[mom says]

Lynncarol, I think what most posters have tried to point out is that one won't experience much of France on a cruise. You get a superficial taste of a couple of things in or near the ports, and that is it. Since this will be the OPs first cruise, I think it's important that he understands this before he goes any further. If he still wants a cruise, then he can move forward with that understanding. You can cruise, or you can actually experience an area, but you can't do both at the same time. It's up to the OP to decide which is more important for this trip.

[marco]

A little off topic from the OP's question, but I've been going to Italy for over 40 years now, every couple of years (mostly to visit family) and when I was in school, for 6-8 weeks at a time.  I still see/visit something new and different every time I go!  I think no matter where you go or for how long, you never see "everything" and you just have to pick and choose what's most important to you.