Uniworld Baroness and the Paris port

[merela]

My parents just booked on the Baroness' May 12 sailing. Although they've been on over 40+ ocean cruises, they've never done river cruises before, so they are a little apprehensive about it. As usual, I'm doing a little research for them so I can translate it prior to their sailing. I have many questions regarding Uniworld's river cruises and what to expect on board the Baroness.

 

My parents will fly into Paris' CDG airport the morning of the 13th on their own. Although the Uniworld website, the Paris-Paris itinerary states 9 days beginning 5/12, I believe since they are flying into Paris on their own, their cruise actually begins on the 2nd day (5/13).

 

QUESTION 1: According to Uniworld website, the 2nd day has a featured excursion of the Seine River. Will this excursion cost extra fees or is it included already?

 

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DAY 2

Featured Excursions: Seine River Cruise

Arrive in Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, and be greeted by a Uniworld representative who will escort you to the ship. In the evening, take a boat cruise on the Seine River. (D)

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QUESTION 2: Where is the embarkation port? How will one get from CDG airport ot the port?

 

QUESTION 3: What time does embarkation begin? Is there a check-in counter or area that they need to go to first? Where do they drop off their bags? Or do they give their bags to a porter at the port?

 

QUESTION 4: My father told me that the document his TA faxed him had lots of optional tours. Are these alternative tours to the standard tours OR do these optional tours cost extra?

 

QUESTION 5: I read on previous posts that all the tips are in cash. My parents are used to the tips being added to the onboard bills at the end of the cruise. Who will they give the 13 EURO daily tip to at the end of their cruise? Or should they tip daily?

 

QUESTION 6: When are the dining hours and are snacks available outside the main dining hours?

 

QUESTION 7: Where and when do they sign up for the excursion tours at each port of call?

 

QUESTION 8: The Captain's welcome dinner is on the embarkation day or on the day after embarkation? Are dress codes formal?

 

QUESTION 9: What are the difference between featured excursions and optional tours?

 

****************

DAY 3

 

Paris Captain's Welcome Dinner

Featured Excursions: Paris City Tour

Optional Tours: Spend time in one of the most famous museums in the world, the Louvre.

Onboard Highlights: Captain’s Welcome Dinner

Paris, one of the most beautiful and stunningly attractive cities in the world, is yours to explore. We begin our city tour with a drive up the grand boulevard Champs Elysées and past the Arc de Triomphe. We’ll stop for a photo opportunity at the Eiffel Tower before continuing to Place Vendome, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Latin Quarter. We’ll then go to Les Invalides, the Louvre courtyard and the Luxembourg Gardens, where will see a slice of daily Parisian life: gentleman playing boules and children sailing boats on the glassy pond, as well as view Bartholdi’s model for the Statue of Liberty. Spend the afternoon on an optional tour of the Louvre, or simply relax in one of the many city’s bistros with a glass of champagne. (B, L, Captain's Welcome Dinner)

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QUESTION 10: What time is disembarkation? How long is the disembarkation process? I need to book a flight from Paris to Frankfurt for my parents the day of embarkation, so knowing the approximate time of dismebarkation would be helpful.

 

QUESTION 11: During ship's excursions, will meals and snacks be provided if it's a whole day excursion, i.e. to the Normandy beaches on Day 6?

 

As you can see from the many questions that we are new at river cruising. If anyone can shed light on the differences between river cruises (in particular with regards to Uniworld Baroness) and say Princess or Celebrity or RCCL cruises, we would appreciate it very much.

 

Thank you all.

[pacmom]

I"ll try to answer some of your questions..

 

There are no formal clothes. A sport jacket for your Dad is fine. A dressier pair of slacks and nice top will do for your Mom.

 

If they say featured tour or excursion, it is not extra. Optional are usually in addition to the included ones.

 

Your Dad's TA should get the location of the dock. When we were in Paris with Uniworld, the dock was not near the center of town. You might incourage them to buy the Uniworld transfers from and to Chas. DeG.

 

There are three meals. There is usually fruit available. Sometimes there are cookies by the coffee machine. They can always buy snacks ashore and bring them back. They can also bring back wine to drink on board. If drunk in the cabin or on sundeck--no corkage fee. If taken to the dining room--corkage fee.

 

They can sign up for optional tours ahead of time or on the boat.

 

These cruises are casual in dress--comfortable, sturdy walking shoes a must.

 

Hope this helps. Will try to answer more tomorrow.

 

They will take the luggage on arrival. Check in is at reception on main deck. Rooms not ready til about 3pm. Leaving--must be out of room by 8:30am. Transfer times according to flight time. Strongly suggest they get Uniworld's airport transfers. Pat

[pacmom]

Merela,

 

This time I made a note of the questions you need answered.

 

Tips are in cash--either euros or US$. There are usually 2 envelopes provided--one for the tour director who is a freelance contract worker and one for the crew to share. This is done the last evening of the cruise. Your parents can always give something extra to anyone of the crew they want.

 

Dining hours---all three meals are openseating and one seating. Early breakfast is usually at 6:30 (coffee, tea and pastries) Breakfast usually 7:30-9am. Lunch around 12:30 and dinner anywhere from 5:30 to 7pm start. All these times will depend on the days activities. We have always been welcomed back from a tour with peach iced tea, cold water and if the weather was very warm an icey cold towel for aour faces. We have even found ice cream cones waiting. As for snacks there are the usual chips and nuts at the bar. Depending on the day's activity, there might be afternoon tea or cookies and tea in the lounge. Your parents can always bring snacks aboard from the various stops. Monoprix is a supermarket chain--good for snacks and wine purchases.

 

Day long excursions--yes, lunch is provided. Can't remember any snacks, tho. Another thought--in the past Uniworld in Europe did not provide bottles of water for free. In Egypt, we were given 2 botles a day. On some of the cruises we were able to buy a bottle of water leaving the boat. You can always refill it at the water station in the bar.

 

Difference between ocean and river cruises---apples and oranges. The cabins while very comfortable are smaller than ocean liners. The amenities (casino and theater) are not there. Fewer passengers--great when leaving for a tour. The sun deck is the top deck--chairs for all. The tour director gives a briefing every evening for the next day's tour. There will also be aschedule placed in the cabin every evening. It usually contains the activities for the next day as well as the dinner menu. Forgot to mention above, breakfast and lunch are served buffet style with hot and cold dishes. At breakfast there is also an egg station (omelet and other ways of cooking).

 

Hope this answers their questions. It is a very relaxing way of travel--never out of sight of land and wonderful scenery. We have taken this cruise when it was one way--Honfleur -Paris (2000). It sold us on river cruising. We have been on 5 with Uniworld and next moth we are going with Viking on the Elbe from Berlin to Prague.

 

Wish your parents safe travels and ENJOY. Pat

[merela]

Since flights between European cities are quite expensive, my parents decided to do Eurorail from Amsterdam to Paris, instead of flying into Paris.

 

This is different from most Uniworld cruisers who often gets airport to ship transfers from the airport, so it's likely that you probably can't answer the question I have below. I read in Uniworld's France Companion Guide that they often change the docking location of each sailing and they suggest that we call on the day of the cruise to make sure the embarkation location.

 

The embarkation location for my parents' Paris-Paris cruise is Port de Javel Bas by Pont du Garigliano. Is that the normal location for the Baroness to dock? I wonder how far is the Baroness' docking port to the Javel subway station (or the Boulevard Victor subway station)? Does anyone know?

 

Also, my father has diabetes, does Uniworld provide special meals for diabetic passengers? Has anyone with special diets ever been on a Uniworld cruise before?

[pacmom]

These last questions are ones for your Dad's TA to find out the answers from Uniworld. As far as getting to the boat--taxi from the train station. There are very few elevators on the Paris metro--no fun lugging suitcases. Hopefully all goes well for them. Pat

[Studebaker59]

We'll be on that May 13th sailing too!!!

 

What are your parents' first names? We'll look for them.

 

We thought the River Baroness was sold out. We were surprised to read that your parents just booked it.

 

This will be our first riverboat cruise also.

[merela]

We'll be on that May 13th sailing too!!!

 

What are your parents' first names? We'll look for them.

 

We thought the River Baroness was sold out. We were surprised to read that your parents just booked it.

 

This will be our first riverboat cruise also.

 

I'm sure you are on the cruise already. Sorry, I didn't check this thread sooner. My parents are likely the only Chinese couple on board. You won't have trouble finding them. I believe their cabin is near the front of the ship (not sure what number though).

 

BTW, someone on Fodor.com gave me a wonderful link which I was able to find Port de Javel Bas which incidentally is a river-front street between Pont de Mirabeau and Pont de Garigliano.

 

http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/ciweb2g-pagesjaunes/RecherchePagesJaunes.do

 

It's the French Yellow Pages. The maps are wonderfully detailed.

[texastart]

River cruising is much more intimate..100 people compared to thousands.

Meals are casual and relaxing without lines.

We did River Royale's maiden voyage last may on the Provence 7 day.

Had the best time and it was a bargain. On river cruises, most tours are included. There was only one optional tour of 40.00 to see the ancient roman aquaducts. On the big cruises, once you get off, everything costs extra.

Sitting upstairs on the deck is great and you get to see beautiful scenery...and natives waving to you from the banks or from their homes. We flew to Paris and spent 3 days on our own first and then took airfrance to Marseilles where Uniworld was waiting for us. Airfare was only 99 bucks at that time and the train was 3 times as much.

I cannot imagine why your parents would prefer a big ship after doing this river cruise. Be sure and post when they return and let us know what they thought.

[merela]

We flew to Paris and spent 3 days on our own first and then took airfrance to Marseilles where Uniworld was waiting for us. Airfare was only 99 bucks at that time and the train was 3 times as much.

 

Can I ask you a question about your $99 airfare? Did you book the Air France locally in France or did you book it while you are in the US (assuming your home base is in the US)? Did you book the Air France flight via Uniworld?

[Studebaker59]

Merela-

 

What a surprise to read who your parents are!!! We sat with them at dinner many nights. My friends and I sort of adopted them. We have photos of them too. They are so proud of their family. I want you to know that.

 

I had no idea they're your parents. They are so nice. Please keep in touch with me. I'm always reading the CC boards.

[merela]

Merela-

 

What a surprise to read who your parents are!!! We sat with them at dinner many nights. My friends and I sort of adopted them. We have photos of them too. They are so proud of their family. I want you to know that.

 

I had no idea they're your parents. They are so nice. Please keep in touch with me. I'm always reading the CC boards.

 

I'm so glad you met up with them. I was a little worried about them getting to the ship in one piece. But they are well-travelled, so I guess I worried for nothing.

 

I'm also surprised that they mingle with other passengers. They usually eat by themselves. ;)

 

I did get an email from my father today. He was on his way back to Taiwan and was having a short layover in Bangkok. He said he had a great time on the river cruise. I will let them know you said hello. Thanks for taking them under your wings! Do they know your name?

[Studebaker59]

Merela- Our names are Sheila & Roger. My friends, Roger, & I "adopted" your parents. We found them delightful. We included them in most things we did. Let me know what they say about us!!! I'm so happy they enjoyed the cruise. All of us certainly did.

[texastart]

We booked it from the US before we left.

[texastart]

No, did not book air with uniworld. my sister works for American Airlines so it's easier for her to check on flights and fares. We were planning on taking train from Paris to Marseille to pick up the cruise but she found that cheap flight with AirFrance. I've heard that if you book thru the cruise line, you have no say so in flights or times and it's usually not the best or shortest route. I used flier miles for the flight to France and back.

For the Rhine Rhapsody cruise we are taking in October, we are doing our own air again. Costing about 850.00 for multi city fare to frankfurt and return from amsterdam and we choose the flights we prefer best.