Paris Afloat

Itinerary

Re-discover Paris in the Spring!

DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to Calais and onto central Paris to embark the MS Botticelli later today. After settling into your cabin, enjoy a welcome drink with your fellow passengers. Water levels permitting, MS Botticelli will cruise along the Seine one evening, passing under the bridges of enchanting and beautifully illuminated Paris by night. Enjoy refined French and European cuisine together with entertainment each evening. ('Titi' Parisien duo one evening)

DAY 2 - After a relaxed buffet breakfast, re-join the coach together with a local English-speaking guide for a panoramic tour to see 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 Norte Dame (no entrances included). Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city's handsome 18th century boulevards along the way. Return to the MS Botticelli for your included lunch aboard and then enjoy leisure time to explore at your own pace, perhaps re-visiting some of the sights and attractions viewed in the morning. Dinner and entertainment aboard this evening.

DAY 3 - This morning's guided visit (coach and walking) takes you to old Montmartre with its crowning glory, the stunning white marble Sacré Coeur Basilica, located at the very heart of the former 19th century village which remains a firm favourite with painters, artists, sculptors and poets. (Headsets are provided in your cabin for use during the walking tour of Montmartre). Lunch is included back on the boat before the afternoon is free for further independent sightseeing. MS Botticelli is generally docked within reasonable walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero Gardens. The Montparnasse Tower is a few stops away on the Metro for those who wish to ascend Europe's fastest lift to the 56th floor for the most spectacular 360° panoramic views of this amazing city from the observation deck as well as from the outdoor terrace (no entrances included). Dress to impress this evening for the farewell Gala dinner in the Dining Room followed by entertainment in the lounge bar. 

DAY 4 - Disembarkation after breakfast in Paris and head back to Calais for the crossing back to the UK. Onto interchange and then the onward journeys to your hometowns mid-evening.

GOOD TO KNOW
- Full valid travel insurance and a valid passport are required
- 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
- Occasionally, river cruisers may be moored alongside each other which may reduce/obscure the view from cabins and the dining room / lounge windows

*** IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION ***

Passport
For advice on passports when travelling into Europe please visit: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/travelling-in-europe/

EES (European Entry & Exit System)
The planned launch date of 10 November 2024 has been delayed and no start date has been given as to when EES (European Entry & Exit System) will be in place. This will become the new entry and exit system for UK citizens (and many other citizens) when entering or exiting the EU. For more information, please visit: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en

What's Included

• Cabin accommodation aboard MS Botticelli for 3 nights full board (set menus)
• All meals from dinner on the first night to breakfast on final day (drinks at own expense)
• Welcome cocktail
• Gala evening
• Paris by night cruise (conditions permitting)
• Two morning sightseeing tours by coach with local English-speaking guide
• Porterage 
• Port fees and taxes
• On-board entertainment 
• On-board gratuities entirely at your discretion

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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 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. 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