If I had to choose only one dining cruise in my lifetime, I would definitely choose this cruise. A close second would be the one in San Francisco Bay, but the food is not nearly as good as this one in Paris, although the scenery is gorgeous as well.
We took this a couple of years back. D and I wanted to do a spring get-away to France and I’ve visited it often enough to know that as lovely as that country is, if not for Disney, there really is nothing much to do for the kids. Luckily, my sister was spending her break in her house in South Padre and didn’t mind if I left Beans with her. I don’t tell her often enough, but I’ve always appreciated her generosity and support for my travel adventures.
We booked our tour here and picked the prestige dinner cruise. It promised a romantic dinner and entertainment.I love how the French are so upfront in their dress code. They enforce a formal dress code and will have no qualms to turn anyone away wearing jeans. I actually saw it happen.And because this is France, wine was served as soon as we got seated. This is just in pre-departure area. Great start!This is the interior of the cruise boat. It starts at pre-twilight. It’s timed perfectly so that you get to take in the sights both in daylight and at night with all the twinkling grandeur.Paris is, after all, the City of Lights.In the boat, they wasted no time to open our first bottle of bubbly–Petit Chablis, La ChablisienneSalut! The French really know how to start a celebration. No, I am not pregnant. It’s how the dress is cut. I have thrown it away.Live music started as we enjoyed our drink. Music selection was classical- very appropriate for the settingAppetizer – Duck foie gras and Smoked and cured duck breast, salad of winter vegetables. Also served with our second bottle of wine, this time, a red.My entree– Filet of veal, parsnip puree, seasoned gravyD’s entree-Smoked salmon, Swedish flatbread (tunnbröd), sour cream and chivesAnother bottle for dessert. Desserts were Homemade chocolate lava cake, thick custard cream and Coffee mousse dome
After all the food, we ventured out as it was already twilight.
The views at this time of the day is amazing. This is taken by my trusty iPhone, uneditedThe City of Lights behind meBeautiful pic to end the magical night.
This is where we disembarked from the boat. Nothing beat being welcomed back in land with the Eiffel Tower all lit up. It took us forever to get a cab back to the hotel. This was pre-Uber era, although I doubt if Uber would have made a difference. This city is so crowded. We were walking for almost an hour trying to find a cab, which was good because we had a few thousand calories to burn. But for my high heels? Not so much….My advise for foodies on adventure tours? Loose clothes, comfy shoes and whole lot of appetite. Paris is delicious!
