2026 Cruising The Seine Valley - 'All Inclusive'

Itinerary

History, idyllic landscapes and culture

DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to France and onto central Paris to embark the MS Botticelli this evening. After settling into your cabin, enjoy a welcome drink with your fellow passengers as the captain and crew make their introductions. Water levels permitting, MS Botticelli will cruise along the Seine this evening, passing under the bridges of enchanting and beautifully illuminated Paris by night. Cruise through the night this evening towards Poissy or Mantes-La-Jolie (depending on water levels)

Enjoy refined French and European cuisine with a Gala dinner one evening when you can dress to impress. Drinks are included with meals and at the bar (excludes premium brands). There is onboard entertainment most evenings 

DAY 2 - After a buffet breakfast, re-join the coach which awaits to take you for a morning included visit to the picturesque village of Giverny on the bank of the River Seine. A treat for art lovers and gardeners alike, Giverny was the home of French impressionist painter, Claude Monet for over 40 years. He lived here from 1883 until his death in 1926. The exuberant gardens stretch from his house down to the river and provided the inspiration for many of his well-known paintings including the famous water lily series as well as the 'Pont Japonais' (Japanese Bridge) which has been re-constructed for visitors to enjoy. Admission to Monet's house and gardens is included. Re-board the Botticelli for lunch onboard and then enjoy a relaxing afternoon afloat as you cruise the Seine, perhaps taking in the views from the sun deck. Sail through the night to arrive in Honfleur.

DAY 3 - This morning explore lovely Honfleur, the picturesque old Norman port located on the Seine estuary. It's difficult not to fall in love with the maritime charm of the Vieux Bassin (old harbour), a long-time favourite of painters and artists. A local English speaking guide will take you through the alluring cobbled streets with their colourful half-timbered houses, intriguing galleries and lively cafe scene. Wealthy Honfleur families built their houses packed tightly next to one another, around the Vieux Bassin, where a home overlooking the boats was a real sign of status. There are no longer any commercial ships or fishing boats in the Vieux Bassin but it’s not uncommon to see plenty of yachts there. After time at leisure to explore, re-board the Bottocelli this afternoon to cruise back along the Seine to dock late this evening in Rouen.

DAY 4 - Disembark this morning in Rouen, Normandy’s vibrant, historic and cultural capital and one of the region's most attractive destinations. It is a gem of a city with its lovingly restored medieval quarter, imposing Gothic cathedral, the remarkable Gros-Horloge clock tower, narrow streets of timber framed houses and a bustling commercial centre. Monet’s famous depictions of Rouen Cathedral have made this vast edifice many visitors’ favourite building in the city, but there are also many fine museums to explore. Enjoy a stroll through Old Rouen with a local guide to walk back in time as you re-trace the steps of Joan of Arc to see where she was tried for heresy and burnt at the stake. Re-board the Botticelli in time for lunch as you cruise back along the Seine this afternoon and evening towards Paris.

DAY 5 - After your final breakfast afloat, it's time to leave the Botticelli in Paris where your coach, together with a local English-speaking guide, await to take you on a panoramic tour to see some of the city's most celebrated sights from the marvel that is the Eiffel tower, to the Arc de Triomphe and the stylish Champs Élysées; from the Place de la Concorde to the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame (no entrances included). Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city's handsome 18th century boulevards along the way. Then it's time to bid au revoir to the capital and head north to Amiens, the former capital of Picardy, with its mighty UNESCO World Heritage Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame. 

Enjoy free time this afternoon to get under the skin of the lovely old quarter - a kind of mini Venice with its canals and colourful houses. Discover the extensive heritage of a city with a prestigious history. Also of interest in the city is the former home (now a museum) of sci-fi writer, Jules Verne who spent the last 34 years of his life in Amiens (entrance not included). Very special to Amiens are the 'hortillonages', the city's floating market gardens which are interlaced with small canals. Check into the centrally located 3* Moxy Hotel Amiens for your final overnight with set dinner included. The hotel is close to the station and approx. 15 mins walk to the cathedral 

DAY 6 - It's time to say adieu to France with many happy memories as you head back to the port for the return Channel crossing to Dover and the journey home via interchange.

GOOD TO KNOW
- A valid passport is required and full valid travel insurance is highly recommended
- Non-refundable deposit for a cruise holiday is higher than for a normal coach holiday
- Cancellation charges and final payment due date is different to normal coach holidays
- River cruisers may be moored alongside each other which may reduce/obscure the view from cabins and the dining room / lounge windows
- At some ports of call, a degree of walking may be involved to join the coach
- The navigational itinerary may be modified as the cruise and its timings/excursions are subject to the influence of the tides

Deposit required £100
Full payment required 90 days before departure

Cancellation Charges for this cruise
Cancellation prior to 90 days                   Loss of deposit
Cancellation 89 - 0 days                          100%

                                                                                          *** IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ETIAS and EES ***
The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) 'Visa-waiver' programme is currently expected to be implemented in late 2026 - although no fixed date has been set.
Please note: Once implemented ETIAS will be compulsory, like a Passport. No ETIAS - No Entry. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the required documentation in place.

For the latest information regarding ETIAS please visit: 'travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en' or 'Gov.uk' 

The planned launch date of EES (European Entry & Exit System) has been delayed and no start date has been given as to when it will be in place. This is the new entry and exit system for UK citizens (and many other citizens) when entering or exiting the EU. For more information, please visit travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en 

What's Included

• Cabin accommodation aboard MS Botticelli for 4 nights full board (set menus)
• All meals on board from dinner on the first night to breakfast on Day 5 
• Selected drinks included with meals and at the bar onboard (not premium brands)
• Welcome cocktail
• Gala evening
• Paris by night cruise (conditions permitting)
• Transfers & entrance to Monet's House & Gardens
• Walking tours of Honfleur & Rouen with local English speaking guide
• Guided city orientation tour of Paris
• Porterage to / from ship
• Port fees and taxes
• On-board entertainment 
• On-board gratuities entirely at your discretion
• Free afternoon in Amiens
• Overnight hotel in central Amiens DBB (set dinner menu)
• Services of Crusader Tour Driver throughout

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Accommodation

Your Floating Hotel

MS Botticelli
Named after the Italian painter, Sandro Botticelli, the MS Botticelli was built in 2004 and is a 2-deck river vessel with a large sundeck with deck chairs, a lounge-bar with dance floor, bar and dining room as well as a small gift shop. Completely renovated in 2016, the MS Botticelli is a standard ship that measures 110m long and 11,40m wide and can accommodate 149 passengers in 75 cabins. Cabins are between 10m2 to 11,50m2 in size and offer TV, air-conditioning, safe, hairdryer and compact en-suite with shower. The tasteful décor is elegant with shades of taupe and beige. All meals are served in the dining room on the upper deck, a refined setting, where large windows allow guests to fully enjoy the panorama. The atmosphere is casual but elegant. NB there is no lift between decks. WiFi is available on board. Upper deck cabins have large panoramic windows which slide open (supplement applies for Upper Deck cabins) whilst the cabin windows on the main deck are smaller and do not open. There is a ramp up to the entrance of the boat onto the Upper Deck and there are stairs down to the Main Deck. Dress code on board is casual during the day and on excursions and sporty-elegant in the evenings. Sturdy and comfortable shoes are recommended for shore excursions

NB the currency on board is Euros and the MS Botticelli is cashless so please take a credit / debit card to settle personal onboard expenses (e.g drinks with dinner and at the bar, purchases from the gift shop) Back to top