Superb river cruise down the Seine with Scenic Cruises

We had done several river cruises before but this was our first with Scenic and it may not be our last. Initially, we were collected at our house and driven some 70 miles to Edinburgh Airport for our flight to Paris. On arrival there we were met at the airport and driven to the Hilton Opera Hotel to stay overnight. In the morning we were treated to an hour’s drive round some of the highlights of Paris. At 2pm were were collected, with 14 other people, and driven to the ship where our luggage was taken from us and delivered to our cabin, while we were greeted on board with a glass of champagne and a light lunch.

Thereafter, it was luxury all the way as we sailed down the Seine to Rouen and Honfleur, taking in the Somme battlefield en passant. Then back up the Seine with several more stops including a visit to the Normandy beaches, visits to Monet’s beautiful garden, Versailles Palace and an excellent concert by a string quartet in a beautiful chateau.

On arrival back in Paris, where we stayed overnight on board, several more visits were on offer. We chose one to the Paris Opera House, which was magnificent and really worth the visit. The following morning we disembarked and were driven to Charles de Gaulle airport for our flight back to Edinburgh airport, where we were again met and driven all the way back home.

The overall impression was one of high efficiency, very friendly staff, excellent service and generally very good food, with the soups being outstanding. If there was any downside, perhaps it was that it was a very busy cruise with early starts and few opportunities to relax but then that is perhaps to be expected on a river cruise and is not a criticism of Scenic, who were absolutely first rate in all departments. Thoroughly recommended.