As the Seine River gently winds through the heart of Paris, it unveils many chapters of history framed by stunning architecture and the timeless elegance of the city. Glide past Paris’s iconic landmarks, each telling its own story complemented by stunning cityscapes. A Paris River Cruise offers striking views of the Eiffel Tower and the impressive Notre Dame Cathedral, each highlighting the romantic and unparalleled beauty of the City of Lights!
With Northstar Travel, your Parisian adventure becomes an extraordinary journey. Experience the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and discovery as we guide you through the vibrant and enchanting streets of Paris. Join us, and let romance and beauty accompany you at every turn, creating memories that will last a lifetime!
The Seine River, a symbol of French heritage and beauty, begins its journey at the Source-Seine in northeastern France. Tucked away approximately 30 kilometres northwest of Dijon, it quietly emerges near the village of Saint-Seine-I’Abbaye. The river travels over 770 kilometres, finally reaching the English Channel. Along the way, it follows the path towards Paris, where French culture and history thrive.
Along its route, the Seine gathers water from smaller streams, creating the mighty river that defines the Parisian landscape. By the time it reaches Paris, the Seine isn’t just a river; it’s a central piece within the city’s landscape that attracts travellers from all walks of life, making it an iconic location to visit.
In Paris, the Seine is more than just a river; it displays the city’s most celebrated sites. The riverbanks, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are met with iconic landmarks such as the Louvre, the Orsay Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Each site offers a glimpse into different eras of French history, from the medieval ages to the Renaissance and beyond, making a cruise along the Seine a journey through time.
The Seine’s proximity to Switzerland and connection to the Rhine River adds a dash of international mystique, reminding us of the river’s journey through diverse European cultures and environments. Joining a Seine River cruise provides an intimate experience with the lifeline of Paris, inviting travellers to witness the city’s elegance and history as it weaves along its banks.
A Seine River cruise offers the ultimate sightseeing experience in Paris, where every twist and turn brings a new awe-inspiring view of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Here are a few must-see sights that tell the tale of Paris’s rich and deep-rooted history:
Eiffel Tower: A trip down the Seine would only be complete with a glimpse of the towering romantic views of the Eiffel Tower. Standing as the most beloved symbol of the Parisian landscape, the Eiffel Tower has brought millions of visitors alone to witness its beauty–what better way to experience its allure than to sail past it on a river cruise?
Notre Dame Cathedral: Cruising past the Ile de la Cité, you’ll be enchanted by the sight of Notre Dame Cathedral. Its French Gothic architecture pierces the skyline, and despite the damage from a recent fire, its restoration symbolizes the resilient spirit of Paris and its community. The detailed stonework surrounding the tower is even more impressive from the river's flow, giving you a serene view away from the bustling city streets.
The Louvre: Next, the historic Louvre Palace comes into view. Originally a royal fortress, the Louvre’s extensive exterior, marked by the striking contrast between the classical architecture and the modern glass pyramid, is spectacular. It houses a vast collection of art, including the Mona Lisa.
Museé d’Orsay: Don’t get too distracted by the Louvre, because as the cruise continues, you’ll want to look toward the Left Bank to see the elegant Musée d’Orsay. It captures viewers' attention with its grand clock windows facing the river. The museum, a stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture, tempts art lovers to branch into the city to view world-class Impressionist and Post-Impressionist treasures.
Sainte-Chapelle: Further along, the lesser-known but equally stunning Sainte-Chapelle emerges. Its towering stained glass windows create a dazzling display of light and colour, each pane narrating biblical tales that captivate and enchant its viewers from along the water.
Les Invalides: The golden dome of Les Invalides shines brightly along the riverbank. Home to Napoleon’s tomb and several military museums, its grand Baroque architecture showcases French military achievements, perfect for history buffs aboard the Seine River Cruise.
As your Seine River cruise glides through Paris, you’ll manoeuvre through some of the city's 37 picturesque bridges. Among these, two bridges stand out for their popularity and unique histories:
Pont des Arts: Commonly known as the “Love Lock Bridge,” it has historically been a magnet for couples who fastened padlocks inscribed with their names to its railings, symbolizing their unbreakable love. Although this romantic gesture is now discouraged to protect the bridge's integrity, the Pont des Arts offers a romantic view of the river, ideal for couples who want to experience the magic.
Pont Neuf: Contrary to what its name suggests, which translates to ‘New Bridge”, Pont Neuf is actually the oldest standing bridge across the Seine in Paris! The bridge’s detailed Renaissance architecture and commanding presence over the river make it a photographer’s most capturable moment.
As you discover the charm of Paris’s many unique locations, each view from the Seine offers an unforgettable glimpse into the city's wonders. Northstar Travel can guide you to the best cruises along these iconic structures, providing an exciting journey filled with rich history, romance, and art.
Choosing the right Seine River cruise can transform your Parisian adventure into an unforgettable experience personalized to your desires. Whether you’re looking for a romantic outing or a history-filled adventure, there is a Seine River Cruise for each individual. Here are some tips and recommendations to help you select the perfect cruise based on your interests:
Romantic Dinner Cruises: These are ideal for couples seeking a serene evening. Enjoy a gourmet meal and a glass of champagne as you float through the lit-up city.
Historical Tours to Normandy Cruise: If you’re fascinated by Paris’s wartime history, this cruise may be perfect for you. This tour focuses on significant sites like the D-Day beaches, providing expert commentary along the way.
Culinary Cruises: These are a feast for the senses, featuring French cuisine and wine tastings from various regions along the river.
Evening Cruises with Music: Experience Paris by night with live music, creating a fun and magical atmosphere as you glide past illuminated landmarks. This cruise may be beneficial for groups or couples.
Cruise and Louvre Combo Ticket: Combine culture and sightseeing with a river cruise that includes a reserved entry to the Louvre. This allows you to skip the line and enjoy more art, like the Mona Lisa, with less wait.
Paris Catacombs Entry & Cruise: This exciting package offers an intriguing contrast between the romantic Seine and the mysterious underworld of the Paris Catacombs, making it a must-try for adventurous and curious travellers.
Best Time of Day: Sunrise and sunset offer spectacular views and photography opportunities, while night cruises showcase the City of Lights in all its Glory.
Best Seasons: Spring and fall provide comfortable weather and less crowded experiences, enhancing the enjoyment of your cruise.
With these options, Northstar Travel can help you find the Seine River Cruise that best matches your preferences, providing an enriching and unforgettable journey.
While aboard a Seine River Cruise, guests are treated to an array of delightful amenities that enhance the journey through Paris’s iconic scenery. Onboard dining is a culinary delight, with gourmet French cuisine reflecting the region’s rich gastronomic heritage. As the city lights begin to twinkle, enjoy a glass of champagne; the shimmering Eiffel Tower provides a stunning backdrop, creating a magical atmosphere perfect for a romantic evening or a celebratory night out.
The Ambience on a night cruise is nothing short of extraordinary. As you make your way down the Seine, iconic landmarks like the Louvre and Notre Dame are brilliantly illuminated, casting reflections on the water that adds to the mystical feel of the evening. Soft background music might play, building romance and charm, making you feel like you’re in a movie.
Seine River cruises offer diverse onboard experiences. Art lovers can enjoy live painting sessions, while history buffs might appreciate guided commentary about Paris’s landmarks. Comfortable lounge areas offer a place to relax, and interactive workshops like wine tastings or French cooking demonstrations provide a hands-on cultural experience. These activities enrich every passenger, transforming the cruise from a simple scenic journey into an immersive and cultural experience.
Planning your Seine River cruise with Northstar Travel simplifies your journey and enhances the experience. As experts in river cruises, we provide personalized planning and insider knowledge that will elevate every aspect of your trip.
Contact Northstar Travel today to personalize your ideal Seine River cruise and experience Paris's rich culture and stunning beauty.
I’m standing on a dock in Seattle on a Saturday morning in August, just a few feet away from the towering form of the Holland America Eurodam.
Eurodam head chef Natarajan Manilal and I are surrounded by dozens of pallets of fresh fish and produce that are about to be tucked into the belly of the Eurodam for a seven-day Alaska cruise. The loading procedure is an intricate, tightly choreographed dance that happens prior to every cruise, but one that most cruise pax never see.
We’re only a couple hours from departure, but Manilal is giving me an up-close and personal explanation of Holland America’s Global Fresh Fish program and examining the goods. He peels back the cardboard on one of the dozens of containers of fish and scoops out two lovely salmon.
“We’ll be getting fresh salmon, halibut and mussels today and black cod in Seattle. It’s really good fish. We’ll get more in Juneau and more again in Ketchikan.”
Holland America last year introduced a first-of-its kind Global Fresh Fish Program, which provides cruise pax with more than 80 varieties of fresh fish sourced from around the world. All the fish is brought from port to plate within 48 hours.
Holland America was the first cruise line to be certified by the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) for sustainable Alaska seafood. RFM certified all six ships that sail to Alaska after an independent audit.
“We have to produce a lot of documents to show we follow RFM procedures, 100%” John Mulvaney, Director of Culinary Operations at Holland America Line, told Open Jaw in an interview. “They have two inspectors come on board the ship. They check our invoices, they check our meal counts. We have to keep records for three years.
Holland America Line also was the first global cruise line to receive both Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certifications. HAL officials say the two organizations serve as the most credible standards worldwide for certified seafood.
The Marine Stewardship Council’s focus is on sustainable wild-caught seafood, while Aquaculture Stewardship Council works with responsibly farmed seafood. Both organizations seeking to minimize environmental impacts.
“Up to 80% of fish served on Alaska cruises is fresh,” Mulvaney said. “If a fishing boat can’t deliver fresh fish, and sometimes weather or other obstacles arise, Holland America will use fish that’s flash frozen at sea. But we don’t serve that has been sitting around for months.”
Mulvaney said last year was HAL’s first year with the program in Alaska.
“This year we’ve expanded to North America and Europe. For winter we’ll expand to the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Australia, and Hawaii.”
Holland America’s website lists yellowtail snapper and mahi mahi as two fresh fish a guest might dine on in the Caribbean. European options include tuna, rainbow trout and Dover sole.
“We are really focusing on regionally inspired cuisine and that includes our fish,” Bill Zucker, HAL’s Vice President, Public Relations and Communications, told me on board the Eurodam. “Here in Alaska, that means we are serving fresh Alaska certified sustainable fish.
“Two years ago we were audited by RFM, which audits for the traceability and sustainability of fish, and all of our Alaska ships passed that audit. We know that local, Alaska fishing families are ultimately providing us with fresh, sustainable fish, which then becomes the wonderful cuisine you see” on the ship, Zucker said.
Back on the dock in Seattle, Manilal leans into a box of fresh Pacific cod. He picks up a filet and pushes it gently with his thumb.
“If you can push your thumb down too far that means it’s not fresh,” he says
Choosing the right fish is important. But so is the handling. Manilal says Holland America keeps it fresh fish away from any frozen fish that’s required. It’s stored separately and cooked separately, as well.
Manilal tells me the ship is loading 1,800 kilos of salmon for the cruise, which is astonishing. He’ll go through roughly a ton of flour for a one-week trip, and six thousand eggs per day. Then again, there are 2,200 guests on board for 14 lunches and dinners, plus a crew of 900 more.
Of course, fresh fruit and veggies also critical to the cruise, especially when visiting a place like Alaska, which isn’t known for its fresh produce.
I spot massive pallets full of pink and green dragon fruit, blueberries, brilliant yellow squash and bright red strawberries.
“We have most all fresh fruits and veggies on board,” Manilal tells me. “We can come to Seattle and get fresh Washington cherries and other produce. It really is port to table. We put a strong emphasis on fresh, local food.”
Selections on the ship during our cruise included fresh salmon with mango sauce, fresh halibut with prosciutto and fresh cod with endive and caramelized orange.
Two of the specialty restaurants (extra charge), Canaletto for Italian and Tamarind for Asian, also served up tremendous fish dishes. At Canaletto I dove into tremendous pasta with calamari, mussels and plump, perfect scallops. At Tamarind I also loved the Thai Citrus Scallops.
Of course, cruisers do not survive on fish alone, so we also sampled melt-in-your mouth beef tenderloin, lobster dumplings and rich, umami-laden forest mushroom soup with truffles at Pinnacle Grill, another specialty dining spot on the Eurodam.
At the Alaskan buffet breakfast, I enjoyed excellent scrambled eggs and reindeer sausage, which tasted like a slightly spicy kielbasa to me. I also quite liked the salmon and crab cakes.
A good friend of mine from Wisconsin, also named Jim, was on the cruise with me. Just for fun, we went to the Eurodam’s casual “Dive-In” poolside bar one day for a bratwurst lunch. A dedicated brat lover, and an excellent cook, Jim gave me the thumbs up after biting into his.
The ship’s super-friendly sommelier also guided on us on fun, informative wine tastings that contrasted wonderful Washington State wines with European varieties.
One day at sea Manilal gave a cooking demonstration, including tips on how to cook salmon. He suggests using a saute pan on high heat. And he said you can tell it’s cooked when little white bits emerge from the fish.
In an interview in the massive ship’s kitchen on one of the lower decks, Manilal told me he enjoys visiting different parts of the world so he can choose from different local foods.
“In the Caribbean we can get mahi mahi or tuna or fresh, tropical fruits. It’s good fun.”
Planning meals for more than 3,000 people for a full week at sea is a challenging experience, but Manilal, who’s been with Holland America for 15 years, shows off a series of large charts on a wall of the kitchen that outline everything from a huge variety of meal options, including teriyaki salmon, eggplant parmigiano and stroopwaffel cheesecake with caramel.
Manilal tells me has to plan meals two months ahead, but that they never run out.
“Everything is calculated in advance and we study what’s popular and what people will want. We know what people eat in the Caribbean versus what they eat in Alaska, for example.”
