Archive for July, 2009
The River Seine In Paris France
The river Seine is probably one of the most well known rivers in France and has been made even more popular as a tourist attraction within the city of Paris.
Dating back to when the Parisii tribe first established fishing villages along its banks the waters of the River Seine have always been the heart and soul of Paris and although this river is not used much today as a commercial waterway it is used extensively for cruising.
Yet ocean going vessels can still get down the river Seine from The Havre down to Rouen which is about 120km although river boats which cruise up and down the Seine can navigate approximately 560km and the river extends right through to Dijon in the Alps. But because the river is slow flowing it makes it easy to navigate and a very pleasant trip for those on a cruise.
When Paris prospered through its river trading back in the days of the Romans canals were put in place to link other major rivers such as the River Loire and the River Rhine. Then in the eighteen hundreds locks were installed to make life a lot easier as the water levels varied quite dramatically especially around the Paris area which are now very tightly controlled today.
When you are cruising down the river Seine you cannot help but notice the many bridges that span this river with some of them being centuries old one in particular called the PontNeuf had its first stone laid by King Henri III in 1578. However the newest addition was built in 1996 to accommodate more traffic especially for the new football stadium built for the FIFA world cup.
Did you realise that the River Seine actually forks and cuts Paris in half? Well that has now become a great advantage for the tourists who travel here from all over the world as you can get to see many famous monuments such as the Eiffel Tower The Louvre and Notre Dame to name but a few.
And going on a mini tourist cruise on the Seine around Paris on what are known as bateauxmouches is one of the most relaxing ways to get to see some of the most famous historical buildings and other monuments that the romantic city has to offer.
It was actually after World War II that sight seeing vessels really flourished in Paris on the original longboats called bateauxmouches that were converted into tourist boats. And today there are now more and more tour operators that also have similar boats yet the name bateauxmouches has become synonymous with a tour around Paris on the Seine.
The choice of short cruises available is absolutely incredible from a one hour short jaunt to having a pleasant lunch or a full dinner cruise for a romantic gourmet French meal while drifting past the sites all lit up by glowing lights in the evening.
Some of the cruise operators even offer complete packages so that you can disembark to physically visit some major attractions or even go to a cabaret such as the Moulin Rouge before getting back on board to finish the tour.
However we would strongly recommend that you thoroughly check on what type of cruise you are booking as the costs can vary immensely. In fact on particular cruises there may even be a dress code of cocktail dresses or dinner suits and evening wear so of course these do tend to have a price tag to match!
But rather than a short cruise you could even book to travel from Paris through to Normandy or other areas where you can glide past storybook chateaux and medieval towns and discover the character soul and people of France.
So as part of your holiday to France a trip on the River Seine is always an unforgettable experience and you will be able to find many travel agents who can help you book your perfect River Seine Cruise.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;www.placesinfrance.com
Martyn Davis European Traveller Author Photographer and Business Development Manager For all your French holiday needs and travel guide to France with tourist information landmarks and attractions River Seine In Paris France
The Most Common Cruise Ship Amenities
Are you interested in taking a cruise if so you are not alone. Each year a large number of individuals consider vacationing aboard a cruise ship. If you have never been on a cruise ship before you may be wondering what activities facilities and services can be found onboard. The activities found onboard a cruise ship will vary from ship to ship but many cruise ships have a number of activities and services in common.
Some of the most well known facilities found on cruise ships are dining halls restaurants and cafeterias. Large cruise ships may offer a number of onboard dining facilities. It is important to note that many of these dining facilities are considered upscale restaurants. In addition to a sit down restaurant there area usually a number of small eateries located onboard. Elegant dining restaurants are popular among cruisers. To ensure that you are able to enjoy an elegant meal you are encouraged to schedule a reservation as soon as you board the ship.
Aside from dining facilities bars and dancehalls are also found on most cruise ships. As with most of the bars and dancehalls found on land there may be age restrictions in place. If you are traveling with your family they may have to complete other activities while you enjoy the nightlight over the seas. If this should occur you are in luck because most cruise ships have daycare centers and other activities geared towards children of all ages.
When it comes to placing your child in the care of a ships daycare center you are urged to quickly familiarize yourself with the staff. This familiarization may help to calm your nerves. It is also important to note that cruise ship employees are often closely monitored highly educated and properly trained. While it may be difficult at first you should feel comfortable leaving your child in the care of a cruise ship childcare worker.
Childcare is ideal for smaller children; however if you are traveling with a teenager daycare may not be an option. Swimming pools libraries video arcades and movie theaters can often be found on cruise ships. Adult supervision is a policy that prevents children under a certain age from roaming freely around the ship.
Teenagers may be able to visit these facilities without adult supervision. Each cruise ship is likely to have different adult supervision policies. You are encouraged to review these policies before purchasing your tickets.
In addition to the above mentioned bars and dancehalls gaming halls or casinos can be found on most cruise ships. As with gambling on land there are age limits on those that can gamble aboard a cruise ship. Popular gambling activities include slots blackjack poker and much more. Many onboard casinos are open for business twenty four hours a day. Gambling is a popular cruise ship pastime. If you are booking a cruise just to gamble you may want to further explore the gambling options aboard each ship.
Cruise ship operators know that many travelers take a cruise to escape their daily routines. Unfortunately for some one routine that cannot be left behind is exercise. That is why almost all cruise ships have onsite fitness centers and fully equipped gyms. These gyms are often similar and sometimes even better than the gyms found in your hometown. In addition to a fitness center a large number of cruise ships have jogging tracks.
If a particular activity or event is the only reason why you are interested in booking a cruise you are urged to physically check for that event or activity before making your reservation. The above mentioned services facilities and activities are found on a number of popular cruise lines. These cruise lines are likely to include but are not limited to Carnival Cruise Lines Paradise Cruises Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. With the click of a mouse or a toll free phone call you can easily determine if your favorite activities can be found aboard the cruise ship of your choice.
About the writer: Visit our travel site with a traveler’s lounge and also more information about vacation packages for hotels cruises and car rentals.
The History Of Cunard Line Cruises
When it comes to cruises no other line has quite as much experience as Cunard line cruises now operated by Carnival Corporations. There history started way back in 1840 but even to this day the cruise line has managed to retain its high class status and stands as a symbol of elegance and luxury when it comes to cruise travel. This cruise line is perfect for anyone who is interested in a classic but also modern experience. So lets take a further look into the iconic Cunard line cruises.
It was back in 1840 when it all began with the launch of the worlds first transatlantic sailing. Since then the name Cunard has become constantly been matched with lavish ocean cruising. For example from 1939 to 1945 Cunard used two of the finest ships that he built; the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth to carry over two million servicemen for duty. This act was then credited by Churchill as an aid to help shorten the war by a year. During the war all four ships which included the two Queens and Aquitania as well as Mauretania survived.
As you can see from the above the ships featured in the Cunard line were used for more than simply cruising. They played a vital role in many events that have shaped our history. In 1971 the line was purchased by this time Cunard operated both cargo and passenger ships as well as hotels and resorts. The cargo fleet was made up of fortytwo ships in service with twenty on order. The passenger fleet however included the twoyear old Queen Elizabeth 2 and included the remaining two liners from the 1950s plus two purposebuilt cruise ships that were on order.
However in the mid 1990s things turned bad for the line starting with exploding pipes on the Queen Elizabeth 2 during a journey the reason for this came down to unfinished renovation work. This cost the company 13 million. In 1996 an attempt was then made to sell the company but this provided no takers so instead substantial investments were made as a means of turning around the companys reputation. It was then in 1998 that the company was sold for 500 million to Carnival Corporation.
So where does this line stand in present day? Cunard line cruises are now known for Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria and the line is expanding to other vessels including the forthcoming Queen Elizabeth.
Queen Mary 2 is the largest passenger ship ever built. It provides a journey that captures Cunards idea of grad voyages and crosses the Atlantic from spring until autumn.
Cunard line cruises prides itself on providing the best in British heritage and upholds its reputation for elegance that it has had since its first voyage. It is thanks to its British heritage elegance and fine cuisine as well as its high level of service that has meant the company has always been popular with the English. It comes down to a matter of pride. We are proud of this line and what it stands for and this will continue to be the case for as long as the line continues for.
About the writer: Carla Prosser is an experienced cruiser and regularly writes articles for www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise_line/cunard