Question for British Isles cruisers?

[LYNNF]

If anyone who just retuned from the British Isles cruise, Celebrity or RCCL, could help answer the following questions, it would be greatly appreciated? Did anyone take the shore excursion to Paris - "A Taste of Paris". Was there any time to stop and see some sights and take pictures or was it all drive by? When the coach drops you off for the 3 hours on your own, did they drop you off near the Eiffel Tower? Same question for "Paris Sightseeing with Lunch Cruise" excursion?

 

On the 14 night cruise, were there any Theme nights, if so, which ones? Was formal night on the day at sea, which was the third night on cruise?

 

Last (for now), but not least, how was the weather throughout the cruise?

 

I am doing this cruise next year and even though a little early, trying to get some things straighened out beforehand.

 

Thanks so much for any info you can provide.

[RHayes8793]

We did A Taste of Paris

in Sep 03 on RCCL; wish we had done Paris on Your Own. Dropped us off by Eiffel Tower. We had lunch at a little bistro, went to a bakery and market and saw some shops. Walked over to the Seine. The frustrating thing was driving around Paris on a bus for an hour and a half. Should have been walking or taking a taxi. Brother in law did lunch cruise and like it. I didn't feel the extra price was worth it. It is a long day from LeHavre to Paris and back, but we had never been, and it was worth the long day.

[sweet sea]

Hi LYNNF…..We were on the June 21 sailing of RCCL Jewel . It’s a 12 day trip to the British Isles & Norwegian Fjords. Our weather for most of the cruise was very comfortable and very similar to spring time in New England I dressed in layers. A shot-sleeve shirt with a light-weight fleece and sometimes a water proof jacket.

 

 

 

We booked RCCL tour Paris on your own… It departs at 9:00am. A tip for RCCL tours go a little early and sit as close to the Rep giving out the bus numbers as you can. Its better to be on one of the first buses. Some tours have 9 or 10 buses all going to the same place. You will stay ahead of the crowds on “Some” of the tours this way. We were on the second bus to leave. Our guides name was Michelle and she was most helpful. She spends time with each group leader .She asks what your plans are and what you most want to do or see .Hands out maps and gives directions. We told Michelle what we hoped to see in Paris and she helped us plan our day. The bus parks on the Avenue Gustave Eiffel right behind the tower…Our return time is 4:45 the bus is going to depart at 5:00. It’s a very short walk to The Eiffel Tower and we pay the 3.5euros for the stairs (no lines). Our tickets said 11:45 am.. We climb to the first level and take lots of photos. We bought and mailed post cards to the family 5 euros. If you mail them from the tower they have the Eiffel Tower post mark. Free/clean w/cs also. Then we climb to the 2nd level. A lot of pictures are taken here also . The climb down is much easer We walk to The RER and take the St. Michael/ Notre Dame train and 4 stops later a shot ride we are at Notre Dame its 1:00pm. We enter the cathedral ~free ~ We take some pictures and just sit inside for a few minutes .The place is so full of history. Now starts the walking part of our day. We pass by The Concierge on our way to Point Neuf .I wanted to cross the Seine by using the oldest bridge in Paris. We walked along side the Louve and entered the first courtyard… Its breath taking…The museum is closed on Tuesday so there are not many people about. Someone is playing a flute and there are pigeons cooing. The walls of the courtyard block out the noise from the street. it’s a wonderful place…We walked into the next courtyard-. This is where the glass pyramid is. From there it’s a straight walk to the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and into the Jardin des Juileries with its fountains and Greek statues. The Palace de la Concorde is next with its Obelisk tipped in gold… Its so cool . This is a very hard intersection to cross. It has several lanes of traffic and no cross walks. The Champs des Ely sees… the first part is almost a park. A wide walkway lined with trees. The second part of the street is where all the shops and cafes are. Lots and lots of people. We were going to try to make it to The Arc de Triomphe but it’s 4:15 so we take the Avenue of George V to the Liberty Flame… the unofficial Diana Memorial .We arrived back at the Eiffel Tower at 4:35.. We sat in the park at the base of the Tower and took a few more pictures. We left for the ship at 5:00 and arrived back on board at 7:30 .We had supper that night at The Windjammer even though dinner that night was open seating. We sat on our balcony that evening and watched the ship leave La Havre…. An Amazing Day

[LYNNF]

Thank you so much, Sweet sea, for your helpful information.

 

LYNNF