Normandy, Paris & the Seine River Cruise

Paris, France

SJ
Stevie Jay Travel LLC
  • Email address verified
72 reviews
Oct 29 - Nov 6, 2024
Group size: 1 - 1
Normandy, Paris & the Seine River Cruise
Paris, France

Stevie Jay Travel LLC
  • Email address verified
72 reviews

Oct 29 - Nov 6, 2024
Group size: 1 - 1

About this trip

This River Cruise offers a unique and scenic way to explore the beautiful region of Normandy in France and the iconic city of Paris. You start in Paris, where you'll have the opportunity to explore landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum. From Paris, you'll embark on your river cruise along the Seine River, making stops at charming towns and cities along the way. One of the highlights of this itinerary is a visit to the historic region of Normandy, where you can explore the picturesque countryside, visit the D-Day landing beaches, and experience the rich history and culture of the area.


Including all meals with complimentary wine or beer with dinner, this cruise promises a delightful journey through the heart of France. Leave right from Champaign and unpack once. Enjoy a $200 per person discount when you pay your balance by check.

Highlights & Excursions

• Paris City Tour • Full Day Historic Normandy Tour - WWII D-Day Landing Beaches incl. Omaha, Colleville Cemetery and WWII Museum • Auvers-sur-Oise Tour with Chateau D'Auvers Museum • Rouen Walking Tour • Etretat Tour - Normandy Coast & Village • Paris Extended Port Stay 7 Night Cruise - Outside Cabin- Amadeus Diamond 

Cities & Ports

PARIS Paris, the "City of Light," is the world's most visited capital. Enjoy a Paris City Tour to see the beloved landmarks that line the Seine, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. Also, see the majestic Arc de Triomphe and ride along the Champs-Élysées. During your leisure afternoon, maybe wander the historic banks of the Seine, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 


CONFLANS - AUVERS-SUR-OISE Visit the village of Auvers-sur-Oise, an inspiration to many of the famous Impressionist masters, including Cezanne, Pissarro & Daubigny. The most famous of these artists is Vincent van Gogh. See Auberge Ravoux, where Van Gogh lived. See his final resting place & where he was inspired to create nearly 80 canvases. Experience a multimedia museum journey about the great masters at the Chateau D'Auvers featuring over 500 paintings set in motion with sound effects & period music. 


ROUEN Enjoy a Rouen Walking Tour, including a visit to the magnificent cathedral that inspired Claude Monet, and the modern Church of Joan of Arc with its wonderful 16th-century stained-glass windows. Rouen is known as Museum Town for its many museums, was important in the Roman era and Middle Ages, and features a cobblestoned pedestrian center with medieval half-timbered houses.


LE HAVRE - ETRETAT A UNESCO World Heritage Site & important port, Le Havre, sits where the Seine River meets the English Channel. The harbor was destroyed in World War Il and was rebuilt. Enjoy an Etretat Tour to explore the famous Normandy coastline featuring cliff-top paths for views of steep chalk rocks with impressive needle-like formations, which have inspired many well-known artists. Enjoy some leisure time in the attractive seaside village of Etretat. 


HISTORIC NORMANDY TOUR Discover Normandy on this full-day tour featuring many historic landmarks. Visit Pointe du Hoc, site of a German artillery unit where the US Army climbed 100-foot cliffs. Stop at Omaha Beach, the most famous of the five code-named beaches. Visit Colleville Sur Mer, an American Cemetery where over 9,000 American troops are laid to rest. Enjoy lunch before a visit to a World War Il Museum to learn more about the landings, battles, and liberation of this region. 


LES ANDELYS - SEINE CRUISING This morning, stop in the little town of Les Andelys in the shadow of Chateau Gaillard, one-time home to Richard the Lionheart. An amazing optional will be available to visit nearby Giverny, home to Impressionist Claude Monet, where you see Monet's House & wander his Garden. The optional makes a photo stop at Chateau Gaillard. After a long day to Normandy, today is the perfect day to relax onboard for a half or full day & enjoy the passing Seine scenery and ship amenities.

Dress on board

We want our guests to feel comfortable, which is why there is no binding dress code on board. We recommend elegant clothing for dinner and for special occasions.


What to pack: The following items are essential for any destination: sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, and umbrella. In the colder months we suggest to bring a warm scarf, gloves and waterproof shoes. It is recommended that you bring duplicates of prescription eyewear, copies of prescriptions for any medications (generic equivalents are usually easier to obtain), copies of credit card information, and copies of your passport information pages.

An adapter/transformer may be necessary (the on-board power supply is 230V AC/50 Hz) if you bring any electronic devices with you. A travel alarm clock is helpful as is a currency converter if you want to purchase any souvenirs on excursions. If you want to send postcards, do not forget to note the addresses of the recipients.


Clothing: Comfortable, casual clothing is appropriate both onshore and onboard and we suggest lightweight clothing that can be layered. Shorts are appropriate for most tours, however long pants may be required for inside visits on some excursions. Your cruise manager will advise when and if this is required. Mix-and-match color schemes work best to help keep baggage light. You will find a significant amount of walking over uneven terrain during your time ashore. We recommend comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support. Sturdy sandals are another good option.


Don’t forget to pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket (preferably hooded) or even a heavier-weight wind-breaker for cooler temperatures. Also, keep in mind that the ship, motor coaches and other venues visited on our itinerary are air conditioned and may be quite cool. We recommend you that you pack a lightweight sweater or long sleeve shirts and carry them with you on excursions.

Details

*Price is per person based on room occupancy chosen. Premier World Discovery operates the tour as a disclosed principal. The deposit is $1099 per person. The tour balance is due 7/29/24 with a discount of $200 per person if paid by paper check or e-check via WeTravel.

• The document required is a valid passport valid through 2/6/25. • Insurance coverage included is Premier’s TPP; for coverage details, see premierworlddiscovery.com/tpp.html covering cancellation charges; other terms at steviejaytravel.com/terms are incorporated by reference. • A local host is provided only from Champaign to Chicago O’Hare Airport to get you checked in for your flight, but not as a host on the tour. Price and details are subject to change. If you do not want to be covered by the included Travel Protection Plan (TPP), enter the discount code NO-INSUR for a $499 per person reduction when booking. Category availability subject to confirmation.

Tour Activity Level: 2

EASY 1 (2) 3 4 ACTIVE. On a scale of 1 to 4, the tour is a 2, easier than average.


Level 1: The tour operates at a very leisurely pace and involves some minimal physical activity such as climbing stairs, boarding a motorcoach, walking into a museum or other venue and walking from the hotel reception area to hotel rooms and dining areas.

Level 2: This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to walk some stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets.

Level 3: This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days. You should be in good health, able to walk a flight of stairs or more and participate in walking tours or nature walks possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets with periods of standing.  There could be some early and late activities, and temperature and altitude changes.

Level 4: This tour is active, requiring participants to be good physical shape to fully enjoy the experiences. This itinerary has more activities which may include such things as longer walking tours over uneven ground, transfers over uneven and dusty terrain, high altitudes or very early morning departures. All conditions do not apply to all days, so please read the itinerary carefully and speak to one of our Reservations Coordinators to determine if this tour is right for you. Unfortunately, this tour is not appropriate for individuals who use wheelchairs, scooters, walkers or similar equipment. 

Travel & Save with Compass Club

 The Premier Compass Club rewards our valued guests with special recognition and a Compass Club Loyalty Credit on future tours and cruises. Guests who have completed a trip will automatically be enrolled and receive an additional $100 per person or $200 per couple Compass Club Loyalty Credit applied to their next Premier World Discovery tour or River Cruise. Loyalty Credit is valid for 24 months from your last tour.

Travel Protection Plan option for Refund

FULL REFUND if sick and unable to travel*, or canceling for any reason, get a 75% credit towards a future Premier World Discovery tour later in the year (the latter applies up to 48 hours before scheduled departure). The included Travel Protection Plan costs $499 per person and is not refundable.

The Travel Protection Plan also includes Post-Departure coverages for Trip Interruption and Delay, Baggage/Personal Effects and Delay, Emergency Accident/Sickness Medical Expense, Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation of Remains, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Non-Insurance and Emergency Travel Assistance Services 24/7. 

premierworlddiscovery.com/tpp.html 

*You are also covered if there is a death in the immediate family.

All Meals Included Onboard the RIverboat

Three meals daily are served graciously in the exquisite restaurant and feature local & international specialties. All dinners are four courses and are served with included Hand Selected Wines, Beer, and Soft drinks. While dining, you have splendid views of the passing scenic landscapes through the large picture windows. Enjoy afternoon and/or late evening snacks in the lounge based on the daily schedule.

Click green Select button, to book

Book securely online 24/7* by clicking the green button, or call Bill Owen at 217 619-0202 or Mary Beth at 217 840-8724. Or mail a deposit check to Stevie Jay Travel, 4413 Trostshire Cir, Champaign, IL 61820. 

*Credit cards or "e-checks" from a checking account are welcomed and entered securely on WeTravel.

Accommodations # nights (7)

Seine Riverboat (7) Amadeus Diamond. The language on board is English. 


THE SHIP - MS AMADEUS DIAMOND The 144-passenger MS Amadeus Diamond has been a highlight of the fleet since 2009 and is the new jewel of the French waterways after its complete renovation in 2019. The refresh upgraded both the interior of the ship and the ship’s technology. The Diamond travels exclusively along the Seine and allows guests to experience the charm of northern France in an unforgettable way. The extensive Restaurant and the Panorama Bar offer divine views of the passing riverscapes. The 60-staterooms & 12-suites are bright, modern and provide a wonderful private space to enjoy your river cruise. The attentive English Speaking onboard service staff will see to your comfort with typical European hospitality. The beauty of river cruising is that the most interesting destinations come to you. This Diamond charter features English-only onboard commentary with inclusive sightseeing excursions balanced with choice to simply relax onboard during your leisure time or add sightseeing with optional excursions. The ship offers countless choices for your leisure time including a putting green, fitness studio, massage facilities & quiet spaces to escape with a book.


COMFORTABLE & MODERN STATEROOMS After boarding, unpack once. All staterooms onboard offer excellent river views and are bright, modern and inviting giving you a space of your own with all the amenities and pleasant touches of an upscale hotel. The Mozart & Strauss Decks feature suites and staterooms with French Balconies. Staterooms on the Haydn Deck have a fixed window. Each stateroom is fully equipped with comfortable & modern furnishings including flat screen TV, individual heating/air conditioning controls, safe, phone, hair dryer and a private bathroom with shower.


An elevator operates between all three decks with all staterooms and suites. The elevator does not go up to the top, Sun Deck.

What’s included

  • Round trip motor coach
    transportation from Central Illinois
  • Round trip flights
  • Round trip transfers
    from the airport to the riverboat
  • Tour director,
    baggage handling, transportation, sightseeing, and admissions per itinerary
  • 20 Meals
    7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, and 7 Dinners
  • Current taxes and fees
    (tax/fuel surcharges are subject to change)
  • Cruise accommodations
    (7) nights, riverview
  • Tours per itinerary
  • Travel insurance
    Premier World Discovery's TPP (Travel Protection Plan) is included

What’s not included

  • Airline checked bag fee
    Currently, there is no charge for checking a bag, but this is subject to change
  • Tips to
    Tour director, drivers, and local guides; allow $147-182 per traveler for the whole trip

Available Packages

Double Stateroom Traveler, Category E

Has a high window (which cannot be opened) and is on the lower deck.  All categories have ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone, and in-room safe. All except the suite are 161 square feet in size; the suite is 236 square feet.


The package prices include Premier World Discovery's Travel Protection Plan of $499 per person; coverage may be waived by entering discount code NO-INSUR.


No triple rooms are available.

$5,999
Deposit:$1,099
Double Stateroom Traveler, Category D

Has a high window (which cannot be opened) and is on the lower deck. 

$6,299
Deposit:$1,099
Double Stateroom Traveler, Category C

Has a French balcony (with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open) and is on the middle deck. 

$6,799
Deposit:$1,099
Double Stateroom Traveler, Category B

Has a French balcony (with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open) and is on the middle deck. 

$6,999
Deposit:$1,099
Double Stateroom Traveler, Category A

Has a French balcony (with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open) and is on the upper deck. 

$7,249
Deposit:$1,099
Double Suite Traveler

Has a French balcony (with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open), and a mini-bar. It is on the upper deck.

$7,699
Deposit:$1,099
Single Stateroom Traveler, Category E

Has a high window (which cannot be opened) and is on the lower deck.  All categories have ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone, and in-room safe. All except the suite are 161 square feet in size; the suite is 236 square feet.


The package prices include Premier World Discovery's Travel Protection Plan of $499 per person; coverage may be waived by entering discount code NO-INSUR.

$7,399
Deposit:$1,099
Single Stateroom Traveler, Category D

Has a high window (which cannot be opened) and is on the lower deck. 

$7,699
Deposit:$1,099
Single Stateroom Traveler, Category C

Has a French balcony (with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open) and is on the middle deck. 

$8,599
Deposit:$1,099
Single Stateroom Traveler, Category B

Has a French balcony (with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open) and is on the middle deck. 

$8,799
Deposit:$1,099
Single Stateroom Traveler, Category A

Has a French balcony (with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open) and is on the upper deck. 

$9,449
Deposit:$1,099
Single Suite Traveler

Has a French balcony (with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open), and a mini-bar. It is on the upper deck.

$10,299
Deposit:$1,099

Available options

London post-cruise two-night extension
$925

Double room rate. 



Itinerary

Day 1, 10/29/24 Tuesday
Champaign-Chicago O'Hare-Overnight flight

Board our vehicle in Champaign to Chicago. Board our overnight flight to Paris.


More Photos includes a larger map in the Photo Gallery at the bottom of the webpage

Your Organizer


SJ
Stevie Jay Travel LLC
72 reviews
Stevie Jay has been leading tours and broadcasting in radio for decades now. He's crazy about his wife, Janet, and their four kids. Bill Owen has been designing custom tours for 51 years and lives in an olive grove. Stevie Jay 217 840 9913; Bill 217 619-0202. Our home page is at www.steviejaytravel.com.

Reviews

My mother and I went together on this trip and had a wonderful time. Our representative from Stevie Jay Travel was excellent - very responsive and a delight to work with. Our hosts were amazing (Alaina and Larry Kanfer). We enjoyed the group that we traveled with and the locations that were selected were perfect. On the Sail Croatia yacht, several of the crew members were exceptional and I really liked our guide. The food was very good and they were all very cognizant of my gluten restriction. I had a really nice time.
By Sarah G for Croatia Yacht on Oct 30, 2024
KW
One of the best trips ever! Everything was well-planned with a great balance of structured and free time. The group was great- really made the trip extra special. “Exceeded expectations”!
By Kathryn W for Croatia Yacht on Oct 30, 2024
This trip was exceptionally well planned. The initial stay at a lovely hotel gave additional opportunity for exploring and jetlag recovery. The time aboard ship was above and beyond what I expected. The perfect combination of time at leisure, excellent food, congenial companions (and crew) mixed with stops that included beautiful and fascinating sights and the chance to get a lot of exercise. We enjoyed it so much.
By Jeana M for Croatia Yacht on Oct 29, 2024
AE
I had another great experience with this travel agency. Our leaders, Larry and Alaina Kanfer were outstanding in every way. Especially liked the chocolate factory experience and the farm to table dinner in the vineyard. Croatia was incredibly beautiful and breathtaking! The small yacht and its crew were so accommodating and delightful. Would definitely recommend this trip!
By Alice E for Croatia Yacht on Oct 26, 2024
It was a fabulous trip, the yacht was fantastic, even better than I imagined, food was delicious, the crew was so polite, kept everything very clean and tidy, assisted us with so many things and knew English well. Everything about this trip was outstanding! I had a great time!
By Vicki T for Croatia Yacht on Oct 22, 2024
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