TRAVELER REVIEWS

There's no better way to learn what a trip is like than from the firsthand experiences of your fellow travelers, and our Traveler Reviews are the real deal—unbiased and unedited—giving you an honest appraisal of the experiences that await you on this trip.

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

This itinerary was as good as any cruise we have been on. For the most part the weather was our friend so we were able to see more and do more. The meals were exceptional, especially the lunch at a restaurant I believe was in Rouen. The crew and officers were all first class.
Thank you Vantage!!

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

On the survey form I filled out, I did not correctly identify the extraordinary waiter who served us. His name is Ricardo, and his performance was outstanding in every way!

I also believe that I failed to commend the chef on the variety of healthy food choices and the appropriate portion size as well as the artfulness of the presentations.

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

Simply the trip of a lifetime for my wife and I. From the ship accomodations, the food, the itinerary, the crew/staff, and Alex, it simply could not have been more perfect! As Alex would say, "ooh la la!" Special memories include the D-Day beaches and Nigel Stewart's prepatory lecture, the beauty of the Normandy landscape/achitecture and the back streets of Paris, the warm baguettes and cheeses, Roberto and the cabaret show, afternoon tea and watching the river towns go by, Natalie's tours, the amazing dining staff and David at the front desk, the amazing lunch at La Couronne in Rouen - just so many wonderful memories and tastes that we will forever cherish. Thank you Vantage and the crew/staff with the MS River Venture for making this dream an unforgettable reality!! We will return and with friends!

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

Th trip totally exceeded my expectations. The Cruise Director and Concierge were wonderful and so helpful. The Accommodations were fantastic as well. The After-hours trip to Louvre was absolutely exceptional.

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

very wonderful trip. everything was well thought out between the culinary (delicious food) and the arts. I loved being in Auvers and walking in the footsteps of Van Gogh. Giverny was beautiful. our private showing at the Louvre was very special. I thought the crew was very courteous and helpful. Our tour director Alexis Daras was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful in keeping track of us.

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

We have taken three river cruises with various companies and Vantage is the best by far! Our cruise director, George Bihoi, made this a fun and enjoyable experience. We have already signed up for our next river cruise with them.

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

This was a delightful, varied trip. My cabin was lovely with lots of closet and drawer space and a large window to the world. Even though my cabin was next to the lobby, I never was disturbed by voices or sounds from there.
The variety of tours from day to day was delightful. Driving through the Normandy countryside was truly lovely with the vivid yellow rape seed in bloom everywhere.
I thought the local guides were excellent. I especially enjoyed the British woman who guided us through the Rouen Museum of Fine Arts. She obviously had studied art and gave what was really an excellent class in art history.
The staff on the ship was tops. Cruise director George Bihio was everywhere handling every detail every day.

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

This was a delightful, varied trip. My cabin was lovely with lots of closet and drawer space and a large window to the world. Even though my cabin was next to the lobby, I never was disturbed by voices or sounds from there.
The variety of tours from day to day was delightful. Driving through the Normandy countryside was truly lovely with the vivid yellow rape seed in bloom everywhere.
I thought the local guides were excellent. I especially enjoyed the British woman who guided us through the Rouen Museum of Fine Arts. She obviously had studied art and gave what was really an excellent class in art history.
The staff on the ship was tops. Cruise director George Bihio was everywhere handling every detail every day.

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

What a great trip! France is such a wonderful place to visit with so many beautiful and historic places. The River Venture was kept in absolutely spotless condition and the entire staff was friendly and helpful. I appreciated that the Cruise Director (Susi) kept us all on track and on schedule. She and the Concierge (Ioanna) were always available, and did a great job letting us know what to expect each day during the port talks, as well as interesting options. Food on board was plentiful and delicious -- especially some of the special occasion dinners. Pacing of the trip was very good. I highly recommend this journey. Several of us on the trip were solo travelers and I think it's fair to say that we all found the other passengers to be welcoming and friendly.

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

I believe i filled out a rating review however I want to add one more time this trip was by far the best
The director and her team just outstanding - nothing left to chance from top to bottom - rooms meals and entertainment
I continue to recommend Vantage to all

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

This was a wonderful tour! We enjoyed seeing the D Day sights and all the other French towns. The pace was good for us and we liked that we could chose between easier and a little harder tour of the towns we visited.

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

Outstanding trip with excellent itinerary, staff and guides, not to speak of the cuisine. The ship however can use a bit of renovation!! The cultural activities set aside Vantage on a category of its own. Highly recommend it.

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

The boat portion of the tour was very good. The staff on the boat did an outstanding job. The dining room servers were excellent and the cabin attendants prepared the cabin very well both mornings and evenings. The meals were good but, with a few exceptions, were not outstanding, although the presentation was good.

France Culinary Delights: Paris to Normandy

We fell in love with France on this trip, even after several previous trips. The choice of points of interest were superb. We particularly loved the impressionist Van Gogh museum, and the visit to Normandy. The accommodations were excellent, and the staff was outstanding. Best of all was our cruise director, George, and the entire staff on the River Venture. The local guides were also excellent. We couldn't have been pampered more, and the food was perfect. We are looking forward to our next trips with Vantage.

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

Highly enjoyable and educational

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

Was a great cruise. I felt the captain wife should of been at the captains table with him. Big salt and pepper shakers. Food was excellent. Everyone help was very friendly and happy.

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

This was a wondefrul trip. The time we spent in Normandy was so moving for me as WWII was an integral part of my childhood. One of my uncles is buried in the American cemetery in Lorraine. We also stayed for the Paris extension, a city I had never been to previously. I'm so glad we stayed as I saw Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle the Paris Opera (not to be missed ) and make sure you take the tour with an English speaking guide as you'll learn so much more than just wandering around on your own. Our concierge also was able to book us a dinner cruise on the Seine which returned to the dock as the Eiffel Tower was being lit. The food on board as well as our view was outstanding.

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

We just returned from this trip and all day I have been remembering and cherishing all the special memories we have. I have traveled a lot, but this was the best trip ever. We went with a group of friends and we have been sharing special moments every since we left. The crew on River Venture is exceptional, especially Jerri and Erika, who waited on our table and Cornel who took care of our room. All fantastic! Especially loved D-Day and Honfleur! Will certainly not be our last river cruise with Vantage! Thanks so much!

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

Crew was most helpful, ship was well maintained and site tours were done
By expert guides. The buses that were used could have been a bit cleaner

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

This was my very first river cruise and I could not have enjoyed it more. I was very thankful for a French balcony, as it would have been hard to miss all of the sights late at night and first thing in the morning as we traveled down the river. All of the crew were wonderful and the food excellent. I am looking forward to another trip in the near future!

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

This was our first river cruise and our first trip to Europe. Even with the flooding of the Seine River, the trip was wonderful. Vantage made sure that we received all of the tours and experiences that were planned. The company was wonderful as were the cruise employees - especially Marie, Sonia, Costa, and Florentina. Even though we were one of the youngest couples on-board, we met some wonderful people and made lasting friendships with two very special couples. I would recommend this company, and this trip to anyone. I can't wait for our next Vantage adventure.

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

Outstanding

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

This was a fantastic trip from start to finish. The entire crew exceeded my expectations from the Captain, to the tour director, Marie, to all of the staff in dining, to the housekeeper, Dimitru. They always had a smile on their face and were happy to see you. Our ports were interesting and all of the guides were very informative. The day at the American cemetery and Omaha Beach was made special by our guide's personal stories about his family in 1944. The coaches were all in great shape. Activities all began on time and were efficient.
We had a medical emergency on board and stopped for the paramedics. They took the lady off the ship. We continued to cruise. I was amazed when a few hours later I saw the lady standing on a dock with a nurse and we stopped the ship and picked her up after she had been checked out. I thought that was extraordinary service and above and beyond the call of responsibility.

Art Along the Seine: Paris & Normandy

This trip exceeded our expections. The tours were well done and informative. The food was excellent .

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

This was our first river cruise and our first trip to Europe! Everything exceeded our expectations. The ship was beautiful, the crew was fantastic, the tours were very educational. Would definitely recommend this trip. We can't wait to return to France

Paris & Highlights of Normandy

Excellent trip

A Seine River Cruise Paris & Highlights of Normandy

This trip was perfect from start to finish. Our Cruise director Marie was wonderful. The food was excellent. The staff was just the best. All were so very nice and helpful.
I so enjoyed seeing The beaches of Normandy....so very stirring.
All in all a really great river trip.

A Seine River Cruise Paris & Highlights of Normandy

The accommodations, food, staff and service were top notch. I especially
liked the local guides on the walking tours, and the historical significance of the Normandy coast. I highly recommend this trip!

A Seine River Cruise Paris & Highlights of Normandy

This was the perfect river cruise: amazing cuisine on board, amazing cities and adventures, and a comfortable, if not roomy cabin. It was OK that the cabins were small because we spent very little time in our room. The food on board was fabulous!

A Seine River Cruise Paris & Highlights of Normandy

This was very special, indeed. I was not expecting the WWII part to be very interesting, but it was not just great -- amazing! What was really wonderful was spending time in Monet's garden and all the venues for VanGogh's iconic paintings. We will never forget this one!

A Seine River Cruise: Paris & Highlights of Normandy

The villages of Normandy were beautiful while the D-Day beaches were impressive. Honfleur was a great place to spend time and start our cruise. The stop at Giverny to see Monet's paintings was a highlight of the trip. The program managers were excellent, especially Jamail whom we have travelled with twice before. Just enough time in Paris to see the highlights. Highly recommend the trip.

French Waterways: Highlights of Burgundy & Provence

Immerse yourself in a reveting French Waterways journy. See the Kingdom of Arles, rolling landscapes, architectural treasures, medeval layouts, Roman monuments still entack, and World Heritage Sites. When you reboard the deluxe ship at each port, you will enjoy on opulent style of life on the M.S. Rembrant.

Champagne, Normandy, Paris & a Seine River Cruisetour

This itinerary had a great deal of variety of activities. We like the walking tours best, giving one a more detailed view of the architecture and learning the history from a local guide. Most of the spots visited allowed time to walk around the villages and do some sightseeing on your own. The Normandy coast with World War II history was particularly emotional. On board, the ship staff was very accommodating. They quickly learned that American travelers need more than 1 cup of coffee with breakfast. The second morning, every table had a hot-pot of coffee ready and waiting! This trip had just been added to the Vantage trips so there were some adjustments to our schedule along the way which is to be expected. Overall, a very good experience.

Champagne, Normandy, Paris & a Seine River Cruisetour

This trip was truly memorable. The guide we had in Normandy was superb. He knew every detail and was so obviously impassioned with the story of the war. We will always remember this trip as one of the best Vantage has offered. Keep up the good work.

Champagne, Normandy, Paris & a Seine River Cruisetour

I have written 3 reviews of this and nothing seems to go through. The web service is obscure. The tree isnt logical to follow. Making connections inthe Paris air port is rough. There should be a representitive to help those over 50. cabough, monet, and the paris boat dinner cruise were superb a cooley