Most major river cruise companies have itineraries on the Seine River in France. There aren’t quite as many options with this river as there are with Rhine and Danube rivers. You’ll find a few itineraries that combine a Seine River cruise with the Rhône and Saône rivers in Provence and Burgundy. These packages are actually two separate river cruises, though, because the Seine is not directly connected to either.
A cruise on the Seine River is usually round trip from Paris to Rouen, Caudebec-En-Caux or Honfleur. All itineraries include the option to visit Normandy; however, it’s by motor coach from one of the western ports on the Seine River.
So how do Seine River cruise prices compare among the different river cruise companies? Prices vary and tend to be a little bit higher than they are on other European waterways. Although, that’s not true for all cruise lines.
See our update: 2018 Price Comparisons On The Seine
The table below lists the lowest starting prices for Seine River cruises in 2016. Figures are based on information gathered in September 2015. Cruise fares are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
| Cruise Line | Itinerary Name | From/To Cities (may also include reverse) | # Of Days | Per Person Per Diem (double occupancy) | Lowest Starting Fare Months | Port Charges Included? | Prepaid Gratuities Included? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmaWaterways | Paris & Normandy | Paris to Paris | 10 | $350 | March | No | No |
| A-ROSA | No itineraries on the Seine River. | ||||||
| Avalon Waterways | Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches | Paris to Paris | 8 | $306 | March | No | No |
| CroisiEurope | The Seine Valley & The Normandy Beaches | Paris to Paris | 8 | $271 | October | Yes | Gratuities are not recommended or expected. |
| Emerald Waterways | No itineraries for the Seine River. | ||||||
| Grand Circle | The Seine: Paris to Normandy | Paris to Honfleur | 12 | $225 | March | Yes | Gratuities to local guides and motor coach drivers in included. |
| Scenic | Gems of the Seine | Paris to Paris | 11 | $505 | October | Yes | Yes |
| Tauck | Rendezvous on the Seine | Paris to Paris | 10 | $429 | April | Yes | Yes |
| Uniworld | Paris & Normandy | Paris to Paris | 8 | $419 | March | Yes | Yes |
| Viking River Cruises | Paris & The Heart of Normandy | Paris to Paris | 8 | $257 | November | Yes | No |
Please note that prices are subject to change. Also, your rates could be higher if you choose a different stateroom category. And it’s important to mention that prices fluctuate throughout the year. These figures are representative of fares during the month of July.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some river cruises are all-inclusive, while others are not. If you choose to travel with a company that is not all-inclusive, be prepared to pay for items such as airport transfer fees, gratuities and port charges. Typical fees for these items are listed below:
- airport transfer fees: $25 one-way
- gratuities: $22 per day
- port charges: $150 to $165
So when you compare your options, you’ll need to consider what’s included in the package and what is not. All-inclusive river cruises often have a generous beverage policy, which can be beneficial if you like to consume premium beverages.
Finding the best deal means you have to compare different packages based not only on price, but also on what is included. Most river cruise companies offer special pricing throughout the year, so you might be able to spot a good deal on an upcoming cruise that is scheduled to depart soon.
And keep in mind, that suppliers will often feature discounts when they roll out their cruise calendar for the next season.
See other articles about the Seine River.
Noticed that you state that Scenic do not include gratuities well they do and as of this year some laundry as well.
Still a very interesting read.
Thank you. I’ve corrected the error.