Paris at the First Lodges - Ducasse sur Seine dinner cruise

Very Disappointing Anniversary Experience at Ducasse sur Seine

Our recent anniversary meal at Ducasse sur Seine regrettably fell well short of expectations. Despite the visually appealing presentation (although the lobster was presented as a variation of brown sauces which was not very appealing?) , the dishes also lacked flavour and taste. The jus were particularly bland, and the lobster bisque had an unpleasant gritty texture. Additionally, the palate cleansers and strawberry dessert were unexpectedly bitter, diminishing the overall dining experience. Although some of the waiting staff provided excellent service, their efforts were undermined by the kitchen's lackluster performance. It seemed the kitchen staff have lost their passion for what they do, resulting in a meal that did not meet the high standards typically associated with the Ducasse name. The evening was salvaged somewhat by the picturesque setting on the boat and the extensive wine menu. However, the overall experience felt more like a tourist trap than a fine dining affair. As travel industry professionals, we will not be booking our clients here in the future. In our opinion, Ducasse sur Seine does not uphold the prestigious Ducasse reputation. Such a shame - as it could so easily have been such a great experience had the food lived up to its €200pp price tag!

Not worth the money...disappointing

We were very much looking forward to this dinner and cruise but were disappointed. We would not recommend, nor return. We had no problems with the staff, they were all attentive and polite. One young woman went out of her way to get a taxi to arrive at the water level when we left, which we appreciated. However, when I made the reservation I filled out one guest was gluten free, which was not acknowledged. When I asked for gluten free bread during service. they were unaware. They did come up with some very nice gf bread but it was a very long wait for it to reach our table. We had a 4 course dinner. All of the dishes were beautifully plated and presented but the majority of the food was very disappointing and flavorless to very subtly flavored, and definitely not worth the price. The tiny bites they served first were beautiful, but lacked any flavor. One was very very very subtle in taste, and the other had a faint taste of raw grass. Not a good start. The green pea variation, had a nice texture, but again, no flavor. Just a very faint taste of barely ripe raw peas. The caviar just added a tiny crunch, no flavor at all. The chilled langoustines, again, barely any flavor. Cookpot of white asparagus and morels was better, but still lacked real flavor, and at the bottom of the dish there was a watery liquid that was unpleasantly combined with the morels. The blue lobster dish was ok. The lobster was tasty, but the bisque was so slightly flavored it was disappointing. The vegetables were nicely cooked but again, barely had flavor.. Strawberries infused in a lightly spiced wine, marbled sorbet....was the best of the courses. The sorbet had a wonderful strong flavor, and the strawberries were tasty. At the end, the tiny bites were again flavorless, and the final tiny square had such a powerful taste of raw lime (?) it left a horrible taste in the mouth. So, to sum up, the only parts of the meal that were flavorful were the sorbet, the chunks of lobster, and the bread and butter. That's it. The rest was a beautiful plate of no flavor. It was unbelivable! Also, the ship never sailed because they said the Seine was too high. But other boats were sailing so I'm not sure why. Thankfully we did not spend extra on wine. Definitly would not recommend and I wish we had spent that money somewhere else.

Spend New Year's Eve here!

We booked Ducasse sur Seine for New Year's Eve and it's hard to imagine a better New Year's Eve experience. The dinner is first class - just located on a well equipped and quiet boat cruising on the Seine. The service is delightful and professional and the food is first class. Truly a memorable experience.

Beautiful boat & dinner experience!

Beautiful boat & dinner experience with a view of so many major attractions in Paris. If you enjoy a luxurious meal, this is definitely the dinner cruise for you!

Disappointing

Disappointing is the key word in describing our meal on the Ducasse Sur Seine. I was expecting a lot but was sorely disappointed in the food, the service and the bad boat timing. A big part of wanting to do this dinner cruise was to see the Eiffel Tower’s sparkling lights, but due to the timing of when we left the dock and returned, we missed the sparking lights (happens on the hour and we missed both opportunities). The service was unfriendly and in my opinion rude. My friend ordered the same entree as I did, and when they brought her the wrong one that she didn’t order, instead of just getting the correct one, he proceeded to argue with her that she didn’t order the right thing. The food itself was unmemorable to bad - the John Dory fish itself was fine, but then they poured on a sauce that was weirdly sweet. The dessert of figs and ice cream was good, but ruined by a strange pollen powder. So I would not recommend this dinner cruise. I’m sure there are others that are nicer and less expensive.

DO NOT BOOK THIS

We went on this dinner cruise with high expectations on the last night of our honeymoon in Paris. From the beginning we were confused, the top deck was blocked off and the main restaurant is covered, stuffy, indoors and doesn’t permit many views from that vantage point. The service was terrible and the food truly and remarkably disgusting, much of it was inedible and tasted like gasoline. We could barley see much of the views of Paris throughout the two hours because of the design of the boat and as big fans of Allard were shocked at the terrible quality of the food. Do not waste money or time on this, the food is frozen from a different location not even made on board. Even the bread was stale!! Don’t go.

Very disappointing

We went for what was supposed to be a great dinner. Unfortunately this was not the case. Four of us arrived with high expectations and had the 5 course tasting menu with the wine pairing. Considering the price, and the many other options available in Paris we arrived expecting a special experience. A short while after being seated at our table we were offered water service, we told the sommelier we wanted cocktails she informed us that wine was included with our dinner and seemed amazed that we would want a drink, nevertheless she took the order and explained that the specialty cocktails were the only ones available and a martini was not possible. After we got done scratching our heads (because they clearly had vodka, but we’re not capable of shaking it into a martini) we ordered 3 of the specialty cocktails which were ordinary. There is a stereotype of the rude Parisian waiter/waitress which had I never encountered personally especially at Michelin restaurants but our sommelier fit that description to a “t”. I asked for napkins as there were none on the table. A short while later the cocktails arrived and again I requested napkins. After we finished our cocktails I again asked for napkins and they arrived shortly after. The meal itself was disappointing there was a lack of flavor and finesse. There are so many options in Paris I suggest this not be one.

Perfect might on the Seine

A spectacular experience from the lovely setting, to the incredible views topped off with great food and service. Seeing the Eiffel Tower shimmering from the top deck is a memory that will last forever. The valet having our car at the dock when we ready to leave was the final perfect touch.

Wonderful dinner cruise

This was my second experience with this dinner cruise, the first being when a friend and I spent a week in Paris. This time my husband and another couple who are dear friends were part of the evening. It was, for our friends, the first trip ever to Europe and Paris and this evening was a perfect introduction to the beautiful city of lights. Our experience paired wine with each course. Each was very good - the food was delicious and beautifully presented. It seems that now diners are staggered so that service staff is not completely overwhelmed - this is a good thing. It also allows guests to enjoy the evening without wondering where their plates are and why one table is served and not their own. The Seine is a busy place at this time of year, so there were quite a few other boats on the water. That just made for a more interesting view. We have enjoyed Alain Ducasse’s restaurants in London, at Le Meurice, the Eiffel Tower and this cruise and have absolutely no complaints…..only compliments. Is this a touristy thing to do? Absolutely. If you are visiting the city and are looking for a different kind of evening this is an excellent choice. We would certainly do this again!

A lovely experience!

We celebrated my Wife’s 60th Birthday with a romantic meal. The atmosphere on board was great, the service was excellent and the food was to a high quality. We really enjoyed it, thanks to all the team!

Floating delight

By far the most elegant dinner cruise we have ever experienced. It was literally a gourmet experience in a floating venue. The food and service were impeccable. We could barely feel the boat move. Highly recommend for both a lovely sightseeing and memorable culinary experience. Merci!

Magical dining experience on a beautiful boat :)

My husdand & I, along with another couple, enjoyed a magical dining experience on this beautiful boat with lovely ambience and excellent service. Highly recommend!

Professional and refined

I can't fault this experience, which happened last night. From the time we stepped on board, we were looked after with meticulous attentiveness. Everyone was obviously well trained and very professional. They catered to every of our needs. The food was of a very high quality and the wine list was very good (we are in France after all!). It was a bit too cold to go outside to take pictures but because we were surrounded by windows, we were basked in the night view of Paris and it was mesmerising. It was a farewell dinner for us to mark the end of our holiday in France and I can't think of anything better than to celebrate it like this in style. Thank you for everyone who looked after us. Vous étés incroyables !!!

Going the extra mile

Aside from the wonderful food and service,as well as the ambience and scenery, the captain and his sailor went well above and beyond in service. When boarding the boat, I dropped my iPhone in the Seine River. After the cruise, the sailor went up to the street and found a taxi to take us home. The next day, the captain and sailor got a trio of firefighters to dive for my phone. After retrieval, they called us to pick it up. They had taken pictures of the firefighters with my phone as soon as it was out of the water! Miraculously, the phone works. So I wanted to say how appreciative I am for the captain and crew showing such kindness!!

A happy experience.

No favourite. Just the total experience. A 50th wedding anniversary which lived up to our expectations. Our only regret was that our table was on the “shore” side and we were enjoying our food and wine so much we missed both Ilse de La Cite and Ilse St Louis both times! Our previous Ducasse experiences were twice at Bastide de Moustiers. For a happy experience it’s a toss up. We are aware of the difficulty that restranteurs are having staffing post Covid. Our ‘newish’ waitress went out of her way to make a good impression and was successful. Thank you.

Fantastic- a must do

We had a spectacular evening. The boat is lovely. The food was delicious and exquisitely prepared. The views were incredible and the staff very kind and hard working. This is such an elegant way to spend an evening in Paris. You have a terrific meal and enjoy the most beautiful city in the world lit up. Truly a memorable evening. All the negative reviews made me concerned and they were just off. This was wonderful from the moment we set foot aboard the boat. Thank you to the Captain and all of the staff and the restaurant for curating a beautiful evening. And thank you for the anniversary candles- so thoughtful!!

Great food, service & boat, but beware of table location

I booked this dinner cruise months ago for our Covid delayed 50th wedding anniversary. As advertised, the dinner, service and boat are all worth the price. However, be aware there are only a few tables in the front of the boat where both diners can see ahead. In our case, even though we arrived well in advance of departure we were seated at a table nearest the entrance & toilettes. My back was to the direction of the cruise the entire evening. Fortunately my wife had the beat view. In looking at the setup, they are maximizing space - which I understand - so a few of the guests like me pay the price. Given the price of the meal and wine list (not include in the price), I expected more. Perhaps I should have disputed our location, but once I figured it out the room was full. The best view tables all went to young couples, just saying. I would do it again for the quality of the food, but insist on a table where we both faced to the front.

Excellent food and lovely experience

Excellent food worth a star restaurant. The service was absolutely perfect. We had a great view from the front of the boat, so we enjoyed a real romantic evening,quiet and with the beauty of Paris from the Seine.

Poor poor service

Firstly booked last year for the 1st august for our 21 wedding anniversary, week before they just email to cancel it, we opt for the day before, when we arrive the waitress refused just basic water and makes us buy €10 bottles, the canapés but down and no explanation of what they are given, the next courses followed and all just dumped down, not told what we had, no serviette given until we asked, the food nice but service shocking for ducasse and we have eaten at the Eiffel Tower when Monsieur ducasse had is restaurant so expected the same service at €400 for 2

Dreadful experience on evening dinner cruise 16/7/22

Reducing prices to a reasonable level, needs to be done. €846 for four people. Providing food that is edible (not raw). Making the staff attend a course for good manners, and etiquette. Lecherous young male staff, should be spoken to regarding their behaviour. Evening made uncomfortable, due to this. Waitress pretending not to understand what a basic latte is, is unacceptable. All in all a dreadful experience, we would never repeat. Avoid at all costs. We feel so strongly about this, we had to post this review asap having never felt compelled to previously write regarding anywhere else.

Very nice dinner on the Seine

This was the nicest boat cruise dinner we've ever done. The boat itself is impressive -- quiet, smooth, stylish, full enough of people but not crowded. The service was solid, though not flawless. The food was excellent, but of course not the equivalent of what you'd find at a Michelin starred restaurant on land. Adjust your expectations to that and decide whether the price is worth it to you or not. We did not go for the top menu choice, but upgraded from the basic and got a wine pairing (that, again, as I recall was not the top one but just below that) that was very thoughtfully designed.

Very Poor Experience

We asked our concierge to book us on the Yachts de Paris Don Juan II, but he said it was booked. We had greatly enjoyed that ship in the past. He told us that the Ducasse sur Seine was just as good, if not better. He was so very wrong. The greeting was friendly enough, but the good feeling ended there. Our table, was in the middle, not by the window (we had booked way in advance so I was surprised). We were seated and that's when the lack of service became apparent. We sat and sat and sat. No water, no hello, no drinks...we just sat for quite a while watching others get served. After we got water, were waited again... first for drinks... then for bread... then for our food...the service staff seemed very overwhelmed. When the food finally started coming out, it was , well... not great. Overcooked, undercooked, not very tasty... while I didn't expect a gastronomic feast on a river cruise, for this price, I did expect it to be at least somewhat adequate. It was not. We have been on this cruise several times (Yachts de Paris) and enjoyed it immensely. We wanted to share the experience with our family members who had not been there before. I was greatly Disappointed. I cannot recommend this cruise at all.

De La Crasse Sur Seine

A Parisian Native living in the USA for the past decades, I was very happy to hear that finally a Chef had decided to offer a gastronomy experience on the fame Parisian “bateaux mouche”: when I was living in Paris, I had never done that myself, but I had heard countless stories from out-of-town friends who had paid a high price ticket to noe of those companies to only be served some awful cafeteria/ buffet food as in a truck stop while trying to enjoy the City of lights by night. I thought that with this Ducasee brand, the food would be finally worth the premium and decided to give a chance with a group of friends to this classic tourist experience, hoping that the Ducasse name and the higher price would guarantee a minimum level of food quality and service…(I have dined at Ducasse several times in Paris, at Le Meurice and in Monaco as well as at many 3 Michelin star restaurants around the world and has some reasonable and informed expectation). At arrival, we were greeted nicely by a competent maître D’ would sat us at a good table by the window. However, a corporate group of 50+ guests (some L’Oreal Group thing) suddenly showed up and the room immediately became loud and unexclusive like a train station, the staff now overwhelmed… It took 20 mn to get two bottles of water as well as ice. Our waitress was so untrained and unprofessional that she didn’t check back on us before another 10 mn. I had to go talk to the Maitre D’ to ask for a decent service and a better waitress, at least for drinks…. Another waitress showed up, rude and vulgar this time, with a really broken English and an accent a la "Tenardier", my Americans friends couldn’t understand a word of the menu description that she felt necessary to butcher up anyway.Another 10 mn before the bread basket waiter circled us twice, serving tables next to ours but missing us every time. The first appetizer arrived at our table almost after the two corporate tables got their entrees…The Maitre D’ finally took matters in his own hands to take care of our table after realizing how terrible service was for us and other small tables… The dishes were unimpressive, most of them quite blend and certainly not Ducasse grade. The magic of the night and Paris soon overcame this dinner to be quickly forgotten. To Alain Ducasse Group management, please either get this operation back to an acceptable standard (I am not really interested in hearing all excuses or reasons about shortage of good staff in Hospitality or whatever French culture B.S., you are charging that same high price so just deliver…) or just remove the name from this boat wreck…It is a disgrace to the talent, legacy and brand equity built by Alain Ducasse and his team to have this boat operating under his brand. The $ 200 per person (not including alcohol/ drinks and service) for what was delivered both in food and service are outrageous, even by “bateaux-mouche” / tourist trap standards. I also don’t think that it’s fair to impose without any sort of advanced notice or alternate option to individual tables like ours the presence and consequences of a 50+ guests corporate event in the same section of the boat: we noticed at some point that we had all been packed in the back of the boat whereas the bow of the ship was entirely empty and quiet and could have accommodated the big group…this corporate event would and should have been hosted in a much more efficient way for everyone in a different section , thus would have preserved the quality and level of service that individual parties would expect from “Ducasse sur Seine”. All in all, a waste of a good name and OUR dollars and loyalty, even if beautiful Paris sur Seine saved the face of this pathetic experience.

HORRIBLE!! DISAPPOINTING!! SAVE YOUR MONEY!! DO NOT GO!!

Terrible experience. We went for our 25th wedding anniversary expecting a special and unique experience - it was the opposite of this. From the start, the service was extremely rude and unpleasant - serving the smallest glasses of Champagne upon welcome, they had no idea how to pour a glass of Champagne and were extremely undertrained for this level of event. Not to mention their uniform was dirty, old and their attitude and professionalism was extremely disappointing. The napkins were dirty and had been used prior to us. The food was extremely disappointing and not at all what they show on social media. The paring wine menu was also a disaster - they brought the wrong wines, served the smallest glasses of wine, and again, service was HORRIBLE and rushed. Our waitress was extremely rude and unpleasant, and refused to bring me my dessert wine because I had apparently ordered an extra wine, but this never happened. It is extremely overpriced for what it was, and we will definitely NOT recommend this to anyone. What a shame. Finally, they do not bother to tell you what you are seeing on the boat, so we had to guess most of the buildings. HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE.

Avoid Dissappointment

AVOID DISSAPPOINTMENT If you are traveling to Paris and want to experience a dinner cruise to celebrate a special occasion; do not book with this company. Not once, but TWICE this company called/emailed cancelling my reservation (made and paid months in advance). The first time within 48 hours of reservation. Both times the reason was that a ‘private party had booked the boat for that night”. I think they choose to only run the cruise with a full booking. Understandable; but perhaps let people know that when reserving. The first time (October 2021) my friend and I were able to re-schedule. The boat is beautiful. I found the service excellent. The food was good but not outstanding. The second time (April 2022), I especially wanted to have this experience with my daughter to re-live our dinner cruise we had taken together 25 years before. When I received the email cancelling, it was too late to book anywhere else. I called to inquire as to process to refund my money. When I said that it appeared this company cancels reservations with late notices all the time…the ‘customer service’ representative became angry, not letting me speak as he talked over my complaints. If you book with this company; be aware that (from my experience) there is a 100% chance your PAID reservation date will be changed or cancelled.

A total scam! Buyer beware!

We booked and PRE-PAID (over 300 Euros) this dinner cruise 3 months in advance for Valentine's Day evening (2022). Even though we had printed our valid paid tickets and were ready for the event, we were notified hours before we would have to pay double the price immediately for our original tickets to be honored. There are MANY other dinner cruise operators that we have used before with no trouble and had a fabulous experience. It was our mistake to change and try this option. They are not a reputable business to deal with.

Very disappointed!

Booked this dinner cruise 3 months prior to our 35th wedding anniversary on February 14th. Four hours prior to the cruise I received a phone call cancelling the reservation unless we paid an additional €175 per person on top of the €190 per person we had already paid. Classic “bait and switch”. Reputation in cuisine may be first class but not much can be said for their reputation in honesty!

Dreamy night celebrating our honeymoon

From the moment we got to the dock, we were treated like royalty. The captain greeted us -- then we were seated by the window -- perfect for cruising the Seine. We were in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. It could not have been more beautiful or romantic. We must have mentioned in the reservation that it was our honeymoon because when it came time for the dessert course they showered us with chocolates, candles and felicitations. (I cried.). The food was creative and gorgeous. It was one of the most magical nights of our lives.

Beautiful meal on a lovely dinner cruise

The food and wine pairings were great. Well thought out menu. We had the five course with wine dinner. Cost was about 290 Euro per person. We did not splurge on the more expensive wine pairing which would have put us at about 500 per person, We opted for an earlier dinner reservation so that we would not be rushed during the dinner and that worked out well. Everything that they served left us happy with sauces, etc. The only issue I had was i was too full to fully appreciate the beef course. I liked the citrus fennel dessert, though my husband was a bit less enamored with it. The cruise itself was lovely and we finished dessert about 20 minutes before our return to the dock. Of course we got to see the hourly spectacle of the Eiffel Tower light show. Very nice from the water. It's a bit tricky to get to the dock, but we took a taxi and had the gate code. Much easier than descending from the steps across cobblestones ( I broke out of character and wore heels). The atmosphere was festive, the service was great. Well worth the money we spent, And, they required proof of vaccination (the US CDC cards were accepted). All in all, a delightful evening

Utterly disappointing

This was utterly disappointing for a 600 Euro dinner. Dress guidelines for Saturday evening dinner were not complied with as they allowed a man to sit in a Yankees ball cap throughout dinner, secondly i has to ask for a champagne top up (sat without a beverage for 25 min), my husbands cold appetizer of a vegetable broth with steamed vegetables was tasteless. My "hot" fish entrée was served cold and had to wait for them to make a new dish. Beef entrée was luke warm and served with a carrot puree which was bland and boring. Wines were OK. Staff was very nice and helpful upon being asked a question, but please skip this as it certainly is not worth the money. I am shocked Alain Ducasse allows his name on this establishment.

Disappointed

One word sums up the restaurant: disappointing. The food is way below the level you can imagine using Chef Ducasse's name. Poor service. Regular cleaning. Very expensive for the service received.

Awful

My wife and I just had the most terrible experience on this restaurant/cruise. The boat not only had technical issues that forced it to stay at the dock, but the inside temperature was suffocating with no air conditioning. The dinner itself was very average, with dishes that were poorly cooked and wines often not served with the course. The managers on the boat did not try to ease the situation or simply apologize. We also felt particularly insulted when we were offered a 15% rebate and the possibility to come back for a cruise (no dinner) at another date. This entire evening was a pure scandal and not at the level of such the maison Ducasse. Terrible, terrible, terrible!

Outstanding

This was an exceptional evening, though we couldn't sail due to high tide, we had an excellent time. The menu was top notch, the service impeccable. The decor very Avantgarde. This was very far from being a tourist trap and those thinking it was, have no taste to high standards. Will definitely do this again

Magical Night

This was quite simply one of the best tourist and fine dining experiences I have ever had. As a NYC foodie who eats at some of the best restaurants in the world regularly as well as when I travel I can easily say the dining experience alone would have been an amazing night. The service was above and beyond anything I have experienced. Joseph made sure we left with beautiful photos, a tour of the remarkable kitchen and big smiles on our faces. The scenery and beautiful ship put this above any other experience I have had in Paris or perhaps anywhere. What a coup it was for Alain Ducasse to get the perfect docking location across from the Eiffel Tower. We arrived an hour early as we were concerned about traffic during city strikes and the crew happily invited us onboard to begin our evening. It is worth every penny - do not miss this one!

Waste of $$$

$ 165.00 Euros per person 2 people. Long walk with ancient stairs to uneven ground. Food not good. Service OK but took forever to get wine or water. At night on boat you cannot see ANYTHING of the city. WOULD not go again.

Think very carefully before booking

We originally booked a dinner cruise on the Seine on the evening of January 2nd with another company, but after good friends told us about the wonderful meal aboard Ducasse Sur Seine, we decided to forego that reservation and up the ante for an elevated meal experience aboard their electric boat to see Paris at night. It was our last night in Paris after a fabulous five day stay, and we wanted to end it on a high for our family of 7. We booked the four course meal with wine pairing. We received an email the day before the booking, which we paid for in advance in full, letting us know that due to high waters, there was a high probability that they would not be able to sail, but that dinner service would still be offered, and further to the terms of our already paid for booking, we were obligated to honor the reservation but they would give us a 15% discount. This was, of course, highly disappointing as there are so many wonderful restaurants in Paris for the cost of over 200 euros per person that we would have chosen over this stationery, moored restaurant. But given the big investment, we decided to persevere. The food was very good, but the service was mechanical and unfriendly. Given the significant disappointment of all of the guests, one would have expected a warmer service. We felt rushed. The boat is moored across from the Eiffel Tower, and we were encouraged to step out on deck to take pictures on the hour when the Tower was sparkling. We did this about 5-10 minutes after our main course was served, and when we returned about five minutes after taking photos, the staff had cleared all the plates, including three of which were not yet finished. To add insult to injury, the boat cruise we had originally booked but cancelled sailed by several times on the 'high waters'. Know that this boat cannot endure the high waters that other dinner cruises can. We would have chosen a less 'elevated' culinary experience with the nightime sights of Paris over this experience for the same cost. Investigate first why this boat cannot sail when other can before booking (read previous reviews from other very disappointed customers). Note also that we had to email the company to request the 15% off...this was not done automatically!!

Unique experience combining superb cooking with views along the Seine

We booked the 5 course meal with wine pairing at 290 euros each. Not cheap but the whole concept of floating silently down the Seine while eating Ducasse cuisine seemed worth the splurge. Though portions were on the small side they were very attractively presented and by the time it was finished and we'd arrived back at the dock we'd had plenty to eat. Our only disappointment was that for a high end experience like this the crowd sure didn't dress for it. Pretty casual patrons surrounding us kind of detracted from the experience.

Just wow

Everything was precice. The dinner was very tasty,each of the dishes swept us.the kids got a kids menu which included even pasta, which made them very happy It was really a unique experience to see paris.

A Truly Magical Experience

On a recent trip to Paris with my older daughter and her family, we booked the NUIT ÉTOILÉE food and wine pairing dinner. After viewing the Eiffel Tower across the Seine from where the Ducasse sur Seine electric boat was moored, we walked to the boat for our 8:00 p.m. reservation. Upon boarding we were cordially greeted and escorted through sleek and modern decor to our table in the bow of the boat. On the way, we were walking on carpet which is a map of Parisian streets and the river Seine. The wrap-around outer glass wall of the dining area provided a clear view of the Seine from air conditioned comfort. As we settled in for our dinner, the beauty of the electric boat became more obvious. It was quiet, and had no diesel fumes or engine vibrations; a perfect vehicle for our cruise. Because this is a review of the whole experience, I"m not going into glowing details about the meal, other than to say that it was everything you'd expect; delicious food, knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient service, and very complementary wine pairings, from eclectic, but not necessarily renowned, labels. After the first course, and as the day started to turn into evening, the boat silently glided away from its mooring and started its leisurely cruise down the Seine. As we continued our dinner, we passed several of Paris' most famous landmarks, including the Musee D'Orsay, Notre-Dame, Hotel de Ville, Musee du Louvre and Right and Left Bank sights to the Île Saint-Louis and back to the Eiffel Tower. Just before the sun got near to setting, the captain turned the boat into the sun and did an incredible job of keeping us oriented towards the spectacular sunset, for enhanced photo and viewing opportunities. With night time Paris continuing to twinkle to life, we went upstairs to The Terrace (second level) to further enjoy the view and the cooling night air on the return leg. Approaching the Eiffel Tower with its dramatic lighting, we reluctantly prepared to end our trip. While the price of this particular dinner cruise may seem expensive, we all agreed that the entire experience was so unique that it was well worth the price. If I lived on the East Coast of the U.S., I would schedule a trip to Paris for one of these dinners at least once a year. It was truly a special night.

Somewhat underwhelmed by the food

I had high expectations for this dinner, I had booked 2 months in advance and did a lot of research, firstly this boat is all class and looks amazing a lot of time and effort has gone into the design and build to give the diner the best experience in regards to seeing the sights and secondly the staff where amazing and very attentive, now the last part. The food was underwhelming and lacked the knock out flavours and tastes you would expect for the price and the hype. The cruise itself was smooth and the sights are wonderful yet sadly the price and tastes didn't live up to the reputation. In short the cruise was more of a highlight than the food.

Diner cruise with the highest standard? this is it.

We had a good time during this experience.It all start with no hassle to park your car as it is taking care by a voiturier. You then have to walk to the boat across the road and under the bridge( might be a bit scary at night in winter..?) you will find your car waiting just outside the boat when returning.(Very convinient) We immediately notice plenty of staff and had a good welcome on board. You're steated immediately to your table however after ordering drinks (decent wine list however pricey) we deicided to go on the deck to enjoy the eiffel tower view and it was a good choice. We stay there until the boat departure right on time @8.30 then move back to our table.The menu was sophisticated (too, for the kids) and good. The main dish was not warm enough and hot plate could resolve this matter. The service was friendly but not up to the standard you can expect in such place.All together agreat moment that have a cost (minimum 200€/pp) If what you are looking for is a faily good diner cruise in a luxury setting this is the best we've done so far. If you really want to see Paris and the monument you might want to opt for a different cruise.

Very disappointing

Nice venue & views. Food very disappointing. Cold Bream Had awful marinade, Pate deep fried in very oily pastry & Veal was dry. Drinks very expensive. Local Bistros & Restaurants are far better.

Perfection on the Seine

The second we stepped onboard, the perfection began...Of course the river in all its glorious sights. Add in the stunning ship... Layer on top the exquisite food... perfection in Paris!

Outstanding!

The best culinary experience you can have in Paris! also the most romantic experience you could offer your partner! we were there for our 25th anniversary, it was so exceptional that I wonder how I will be able to do better on our 50th anniversary! Everything was perfect, the service, the wines, the food, the timing, the scenery, the atmosphere, everything! Forget the ring, if you want to propose marriage to your lover, this is it, invite her/him to this cruise. I can't imagine how she/he could say no :-) Tip: Choose the 4 courses & food and wine pairing

A definite MUST DO when visiting Paris

My friend and I are fans of Alain Ducasse, and had planned to dine at Jules Verne during our visit to Paris. We were disappointed that the restaurant has closed, but then she found this dining cruise. Voila - a new gourmet experience and fantastic way to view the city! Unfortunately for us our travel agent confused the start time, meaning that we were the first to arrive, an hour and a half before the boat sailed! The staff was extremely accommodating, however, and very very nice. We were even allowed to see the kitchen and meet the chef and his team. What a great experience that was — and that kitchen is VERY clean and efficient! Not easy on a river boat because it isn’t that large. Our dinner began with cheese puffs, followed by a delicious beet starter. Wine pairings were appropriate and delicious. The fish course was sublime - it literally melted in my mouth. I also loved the roast chicken — just outstanding. Presentation is beautiful — this is art on a plate with the added caveat that it is delicious. The dining room is elegant and not crowded. But the best views are out the window of the historic sights of the city. WOW! If you appreciate wonderful food and unique experiences, this is a MUST DO.

Best in Paris

Great idea to bring quality fine dining on cruise boat. Beautiful view, amazing service, great food.

Romantique ❤️ Ca vaut vraiment le détour!

Wow et Wow… Expérience mémorable. Accueil des plus sympatiques, salle à dîner somptueuse, Repas digne du Chef Ducasse. Raffiné et succulent. Personnel, somelier très professionnels Croisière à couper le souffle. Ca vaut vraiment le détour!

The cruise falls through

Disappointed ! Having visited many starred restaurants, the meal was good but not extraordinary. The service...too fast (return to the dock requires...10:30 p.m. and meal finished) and unfortunately one of the waiters who did not speak French placed the plates before us without presenting them to us. We weren't able to do the full tour! Following a problem with the level of the Seine. Perhaps it would have been courteous to warn us. We were the ones who asked the question when we left the boat. Luckily Paris is beautiful, but this cruise was not worth what it cost us.

Disappointment

Reservation for my son's 20th birthday. We looked for the valet but never found him. So we called the restaurant for 30 minutes without anyone picking up. The cruise could not take place due to the level of the Seine. The service was more than average, we had to ask for an aperitif. A glass of wine was spilled by the waiter but we paid for the bottle. Very very average service. The dishes are generally good and well presented. At dessert time the birthday candle was forgotten. For the cruise which did not take place we were offered to come back for a drink on the terrace but no compensation on the day... Disappointed

An exceptional evening

Dream dinner at the dock, despite a cruise canceled due to the flooded Seine. A unique moment that we may not be able to relive in such flood circumstances, but on the other hand we will come back to repeat this cruise on a more lenient Seine and will once again enjoy the delicious and fantastic dinner due to the quality and beauty of the dishes as well as by the kindness, the availability of the staff, and the quality of the service on this magnificent restaurant boat. A big congratulations to the Chef and a big thank you to the Seine for being in flood that evening.