My parents and I took an eight-day cruise down the Seine that took us to charming Normandy villages. Sarah Kuta
- I took my retired parents on an eight day river cruise around France aboard the Viking Skaga.
- The relaxed pace, calm waters and relaxed excursions made it the perfect way to travel with them.
- The itinerary combined rewarding activities with necessary downtime and was worth the $4,852.
Last year my mom suggested going on a river cruise called Viking Skaga. The eight-day Paris and Heart of Normandy itinerary along the Seine begins and ends in Paris and includes small Normandy towns – such as La Roche-Guyon, Vernon and Rouen.
I knew this journey would help me reconnect with my retired parents, who are both in their early 70s, and create lasting memories. So my mom, dad, partner and I booked the cruise in 2022 with a departure date almost a year later, in March 2023.
My partner and parents paid for their trips themselves, so the total cost for my portion of the trip after applying a promotion was $4,852
This price included my cruise fare, all meals and snacks onboard, round trip airfare, airport transfers, travel insurance, gratuities, complimentary shore excursion at each port, alcoholic beverages package and an optional shore excursion.
Such was the experience.
We boarded the Viking Skaga in Paris where we had a clear view of the Eiffel Tower from the deck.
Luckily we got back to Paris at the end of the cruise. Sarah Kuta
After an overnight flight to Paris, my partner and I headed to the Viking Skaga. My parents arrived a few hours later on a separate flight.
The boat was in the heart of the city and we could see the famous Eiffel Tower from the deck.
Although our veranda cabin was only 205 square feet, my partner and I had plenty of space and storage.
The Skaga’s 84 rooms can accommodate up to 168 guests. Sarah Kuta
Our verandah stateroom was 205 square meters including the private balcony. The room had a queen bed, wall mounted flat screen TV, ensuite bathroom with heated floors, small desk, closet and lots of drawer space.
We didn’t spend much time in our room during the day as we were usually on trips or in common rooms with my parents.
However, when we needed some alone time to recharge after a social gathering or sightseeing, our room was a quiet, peaceful and comfortable retreat.
I would have liked a coffee maker in our room but luckily there were espresso machines on the boat and plenty of coffee shops on land.
We stopped at a cafe in Paris for an espresso. Sarah Kuta
In my opinion, the only thing missing in our room was a coffee maker. When I’m groggy and trying to wake up in the morning, the first thing I like to do is have a coffee.
The Skaga had two free self-serve espresso machines in the main common area, but that meant I had to take off my pajamas, change into regular clothes, and walk down the hall to get my morning meal.
A plus is that I can make myself a latte macchiato, cappuccino or other specialty drink instead of just having a filter coffee. And next to the espresso machines there were always baskets full of freshly baked pastries. So all in all, it wasn’t a bad compromise.
The onboard dining room featured floor-to-ceiling windows through which to admire the passing scenery.
We sat with other guests while eating, which was a nice way to meet new people. Sarah Kuta
The food I ate on the Skaga was on par with fine dining. We ate soup, salad, steak, seafood, pasta and decadent desserts. I enjoyed every single meal I ate on board.
The service was also incredibly friendly and attentive. I particularly liked the daily specials that the waiters offered at every meal because they showcased French cuisine. For example, we ate snails, boeuf bourguignon, croissants and Niçoise salad.
The communal seating arrangement promoted coming together. Our party of four always sat together, but at every meal we made a point of dining with other cruise passengers we didn’t know.
While it was fun meeting new people, it was sometimes difficult to hear them at the table or have private conversations.
The complimentary daily shore excursions were well organized and led by knowledgeable guides.
The Skaga docked in Vernon, France during our voyage. Sarah Kuta
As part of our cruise fare, we were allowed to take a complimentary shore excursion each day. They ranged from a guided bus tour of Paris to a walking tour of Rouen. Many of the English speaking guides were French and provided detailed information and context on everything we observed.
I was also really impressed that Viking provided each passenger with a Quietvox, an audio device that reminded me of a sophisticated walkie-talkie.
The guides spoke into microphones, which transmitted the sound to the passengers’ earphones, so that they could be heard particularly well, even at the rear of the group.
Sometimes my partner and I signed up for the same trip as my parents, but there were days when we all decided to do a different trip. I loved the flexibility and thought it would be a great way to travel with a group. Everyone could arrange the holiday according to their own interests.
I paid extra for a bike tour of Giverny and it was one of my favorite shore excursions.
I saw Monet’s tomb and house during my trip to Giverny. Sarah Kuta
The Skaga docked at Vernon where our guide met passengers with bikes and helmets in front of the ship.
When everyone was ready we cycled towards Giverny and stopped briefly to visit Claude Monet’s white marble tomb in front of a church called Église Sainte-Radegonde de Giverny.
After a few more minutes cycling we arrived at the property where Monet lived and worked from 1883 until his death in 1926. It is now a museum managed by the Fondation Claude Monet.
While our guide told us about Monet’s life, we strolled through the famous Water Lilies Garden, where the Impressionist artist painted more than 250 scenes featuring the delicate flowers floating on the pond. We also strolled through his pink house with green shutters before cycling back to the ship.
I paid $119 for this optional excursion and it was well worth it.
When we were sailing on the Skaga, we also enjoyed free organized activities and cultural events.
I tasted different French cheeses and learned how each one is made. Sarah Kuta
I love learning new things on holiday and the activities on board Skaga have really enriched my experience combining education and entertainment.
One of my favorite things to do was a cheese tasting hosted by our cruise director. The boat’s culinary staff prepared an impressive selection of French cheeses, which we ate while the director described the history and significance of each variety.
My personal favorite was Comté, a mild cow’s milk cheese made near the French-Swiss border. Another evening the director gave us a humorous crash course in French. And every night a piano player played on board in the boat’s lounge.
The itinerary left us plenty of free time to explore new places at our leisure.
My partner and I had time for a leisurely pint after a tour. Sarah Kuta
I dislike overly planned vacations and found this itinerary to strike the perfect balance between organized activities and downtime.
For example, my partner and I explored La Roche-Guyon on our own, took a leisurely stroll through the small village, and strolled through the Château de La Roche-Guyon, a beautiful 12th-century chateau. We then made a stop at the local bakery for a crepe and a piece of pain au chocolate.
When we were in Paris, I enjoyed admiring the stunning sculptures by Auguste Rodin at the Rodin Museum, including The Thinker.
And after our guided walking tour of Rouen, our party of four stopped for a beer on a sunny patio on the way back to the boat. We also had plenty of time to play cards, one of our favorite ways to spend time together.
The cruise on the Seine was peaceful and scenic, and I didn’t feel a touch of seasickness.
The aquavit terrace offered a magnificent view of the Seine. Sarah Kuta
I’ve enjoyed the various ocean cruises I’ve taken, but I’ve also experienced mild seasickness on a couple of occasions. To be fair, I have a bit of a sensitive stomach.
However, the Seine was calm throughout our entire voyage on the Skaga and I did not experience a hint of seasickness during the entire cruise.
A river cruise had other advantages as well.
Being an avid bird watcher, I loved sitting on our private balcony listening to the birds every morning. I also really enjoyed looking at all the cities and trees along the Seine from the windows and terrace. Even when I wasn’t participating in an activity or a tour, I felt connected to the region.
My favorite place to admire the riverfront scenery was the Aquavit Terrace, an outdoor terrace at the front end of the Skaga that offered unobstructed views.
The trip was expensive, the total cost for my part was $4,852, but it was well worth the money.
My parents and I also had time to explore Paris together during this trip. Sarah Kuta
I paid for my trip with money from a savings account I opened in my 20’s to support the travel budget and keep my finances in order. The cruise was worth the money because it felt luxurious without being stuffy or overly formal.
The food was of a high standard, the staff was attentive and friendly, and the free daily shore excursions and onboard activities were good value. The flexible itinerary made it a great group tour and I liked that I could visit multiple destinations in Northern France without having to unpack my suitcase more than once.
Above all, I enjoyed exploring new places and making memories with my parents and my partner.
Correction: July 16, 2023 – A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the author paid $4,852 to insure three people. It was just the cost of her part of the trip as her parents paid for the cruise separately.