{"id":25963,"date":"2017-01-02T17:38:59","date_gmt":"2017-01-03T00:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/?p=25963"},"modified":"2017-02-05T08:20:41","modified_gmt":"2017-02-05T15:20:41","slug":"croisieurope-new-years-eve-cruise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/2017\/01\/croisieurope-new-years-eve-cruise\/","title":{"rendered":"The Only Two Americans On Board: CroisiEurope New Year’s Cruise In Provence"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\nI spent the days after Christmas up until New Year’s Day in France. Part of my time was spent in Paris, where I visited\u00a0a friend before heading off to Lyon to spend time with another friend,\u00a0Lou Le Jacq, nearly three decades ahead of me at 87, an affable and energetic traveling companion who I had met a couple of years earlier on the Loire.<\/p>\n

Lou and I\u00a0are a mix of surrogate father and son combined with a dose of Laurel &\u00a0Hardy, the early-last-century comedy duo. Lou\u00a0contacted me this past fall and said he was wanting to spend the days after Christmas in France. He\u00a0spends most of his days caring for his dementia-ridden wife and needs periodic breaks to restore his energy. (Lou wrote me later say, “A jarring way of characterizing it. Rather, I reenergize my batteries so as to give quality care to a great lady and my wife for 65 years.”)<\/p>\n

Lou\u00a0made a successful career in publishing medical journals and has the means to cruise on any river cruise ship he wants, but partly because of\u00a0his French heritage, he\u00a0prefers Strasbourg-based CroisiEurope.\u00a0He told me that he appreciates the French flair along with the cuisine, which is, as might be expected, decidedly French. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate CroisiEurope as well for the many\u00a0reasons that I have written about frequently on this site.<\/p>\n

Dining On CroisiEurope<\/h2>\n

Unlike many river cruise companies, the only buffet offered on CroisiEurope is at breakfast. Lunch and dinner are served as fixed, sit-down affairs, with typically three-to-four-course menus offering\u00a0French favorites. That said, don’t think you’re stuck with only one choice. Anyone cruising CroisiEurope should know that they can preview the menus the day before and order something else should they not like what’s being offered. Lou and I never strayed from the menu, on this trip or the last one. Plate after plate, they were all delicious.<\/p>\n

And why shouldn’t they be? CroisiEurope’s\u00a0chefs have worked alongside such Michelin-starred greats as Paul Bocuse and Marc Haeberlin. The company’s\u00a0head chef, Alain Bohn, was recently nominated as a member of the Ma\u00eetres Cuisiniers de France. This esteemed French association, created 50 years ago, includes only 250 chefs worldwide.<\/p>\n

So while you might not have the menu selection that you’ll find on other river cruisers, rest assured that you’re going to have something that approaches gourmet French cuisine along with the ability to order something not on the menu.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0cuisine\u00a0is complemented by\u00a0European wines (French on our trips),\u00a0which come as part of CroisiEurope’s all-inclusive beverage package. \u00a0That package means you can order cocktails, beer, wine, soft drinks and sparkling wine at no charge at any time during your cruise, not just during lunch and dinner<\/p>\n

As I’ve said before, CroisiEurope\u2019s all-inclusive cruises impress me with their French flair, inventive itineraries and innovative ships, including paddlewheelers that can operate on the Elbe and Loire. Just last week, the company announced a second paddlewheeler to operate on the Elbe. The paddlewheelers boast a draft of less than 3 feet, which makes it possible for CroisiEurope to be the only river cruise company that can reach the heart of Prague.<\/p>\n

CroisiEurope also serves up one of the best values in river cruising. But as I have written before, CroisiEurope is not for everyone. See my story: Is CroisiEurope Right For You?<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n

How Does CroisiEurope Handle English-Speakers When There Are Only Two?<\/h2>\n

I was curious to see how CroisiEurope performed on a cruise that wasn’t designated as an English-speaking only cruise. After leaving Gare du Lyon in Paris, I arrived two hours later in Lyon by TGV. Steps from the station, I hopped on a tram, and made my way to the Rh\u00f4ne river, where I wheeled my luggage for about five minutes to reach CroisiEurope’s Mistral.<\/p>\n

\"CroisiEurope

My good friend Lou Le Jacq – aka, Laurel & Hardy. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

In the familiar surroundings (I’ve been on at least half a dozen CroisiEurope ships), I discovered that we were an “international group” of French, Germans, a few Spaniards and two Americans.<\/p>\n

Right from the start, CroisiEurope got it right. As\u00a0the orientation program was presented in the lounge in French and German, a delightful Hungarian named Monika translated in English to the two Americans and the Spaniards.<\/p>\n

\"CroisiEurope

From Hungary, Monika, our friendly English-speaking purser. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

All throughout the trip, we received programs and menus in English (as noted, the next-days’ menus are distributed to staterooms each evening so that you can request changes should you desire).<\/p>\n

Monika translated to us during every event and was there to answer every question. One thing to note is that the staff comes from throughout Europe. They’re not all French, so the staff even uses English to communicate with one another. We met staff members from Hungary, Romania, Portugal, and of course, France.<\/p>\n

So as others have told me via email and comments on this site, CroisiEurope handles the English component extremely well.<\/p>\n

\"CroisiEurope

One of the French\u00a0staff with my friend Lou. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

Our Itinerary:\u00a0<\/strong>Lyon<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0Arles<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0Avignon<\/b>\u00a0–\u00a0Vienne<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0Lyon<\/strong><\/h2>\n

(borrowed from CroisiEurope’s website)<\/p>\n

28 December LYON<\/h3>\n
\"CroisiEurope

CroisiEurope’s Mistral. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

We board our floating hotel around 3 pm in\u00a0Lyon<\/strong>. We set sail around 4 pm to\u00a0Arles<\/strong>\u00a0as we settle into our cabins. We have a welcome cocktail in the lounge bar and are introduced to the crew before dinner and an evening of entertainment on board. We continue our cruise towards Arles through the night.<\/p>\n

\"CroisiEurope

All-inclusive beverages and welcome cocktails in the lounge bar. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

29 December ARLES<\/h3>\n
\"CroisiEurope

Lou and I in the Romanesque city of Arles, France.\u00a0\u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

We have breakfast on board and a relaxing morning afloat as we cruise gently through the picturesque landscapes of southern France, passing first\u00a0Valence<\/strong>, dominated by the Saint Apollinaire Cathedral and then\u00a0Montelimar<\/strong>, famous the world over for its nougat.<\/p>\n

\"CroisiEurope

In Arles, France. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

After lunch on board we arrive in\u00a0Arles\u00a0<\/strong>around 1 pm and set off for our\u00a0optional guided visit of the town<\/strong>. With many of its ancient buildings still remaining clearly visible today, the city has been justifiably classified as a \u201cVille d\u2019Art et d\u2019Histoire\u201d in France and its Roman and Romanesque monuments have been listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites since 1981. We return on board for dinner and moor for the night.<\/p>\n

\"CroisiEurope

French dining on CroisiEurope. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

30 December ARLES – AVIGNON<\/h3>\n
\"CroisiEurope

Pont d’Avignon in winter. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

We set off early this morning and have breakfast on board as we cruise, arriving in\u00a0Avignon\u00a0<\/strong>around 8 am.\u00a0Our optional visit this morning is to Avignon\u00a0<\/strong>and the \u201cpalais des Papes\u201d. So wonderful is Avignon\u2019s architectural heritage that the old town centre was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Exceptional monuments include the Saint B\u00e9n\u00e9zet Bridge (the famous \u201cPont d\u2019Avignon\u201d), the city Ramparts, the petit palais, the cathedral and the impressive walls of the \u201cpalais des Papes\u201d flanked by four great towers.<\/p>\n

The palace itself is testimony to Avignon\u2019s prestigious past as capital of Christianity in the Middle Ages. We return on board for lunch and spend the afternoon cruising towards\u00a0Vienne<\/strong>. We have a gala dinner on board tonight followed by an evening of dancing.<\/p>\n

31 December VIENNE – LYON<\/h3>\n
\"CroisiEurope

Beautiful Vienne, France. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

We arrive in\u00a0Vienne\u00a0<\/strong>first thing this morning as we have breakfast on board. We set off for our\u00a0optional visit of the Roman city of Vienne<\/strong>. Here we visit the\u00a0temple to Augustus and Livia<\/strong>, built in Corinthian style at the end of the 1st century BC and converted into a church, which has remained virtually intact, the Roman Theatre from the 1st century AD and the Gothic former cathedral of Saint Maurice.<\/p>\n

\"CroisiEurope

Yum, during lunch. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

We return on board for lunch and continue our cruise to\u00a0Lyon<\/strong>, where we arrive around 2 pm. Here we have an\u00a0optional visit of Lyon<\/strong>. The town has preserved an important architectural heritage from the time of the Romans, through the Renaissance right to the 20th century, and for this reason is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.<\/p>\n

\"CroisiEurope

The girls take a break from decorating for New Year’s Eve. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

This evening, we have our final dinner of the year in our on-board restaurant. The special\u00a0New Year\u2019s Eve dinner<\/strong>\u00a0is followed by a great evening of celebration and dancing which will undoubtedly last until dawn. We are treated to a magical view of\u00a0Lyon by night<\/strong>\u00a0as we cruise past Lyon\u2019s illuminated old quarters, which look wonderful seen from the river. We moor for the night.<\/p>\n

1 January LYON<\/h3>\n

We have breakfast on board before disembarkation around 11 am. End of our journey.<\/p>\n

Slideshow From Our CroisiEurope New Year’s Eve Cruise In Provence<\/h2>\n
\n
\n \"newyearseve\"\/\n
\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

My good friend Lou Le Jacq. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Some of CroisiEurope's friendly staff. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

My stateroom on CroisiEurope's Mistral. Beds can be brought together to form a double. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Dinner. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

French dining on CroisiEurope. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

\u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

In Arles, France. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Lou and I in Arles, France.\r\n\u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Sunset in Arles. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

CroisiEurope's Mistral in Avignon, France. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Pont d'Avignon. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Monika, our friendly English-speaking purser. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

In Avignon, three of CroisiEurope's more than 50 ships.\r\n\u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"IMG_2315\"\/\n
\n

Third largest lock in Europe. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

All-inclusive beverages. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Table setting for the gala dinner. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Gala dinner baked Alaska. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

CroisiEurope Mistral docked in Vienne. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Beautiful Vienne, France. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Preparing for New Year's Eve celebrations. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Fresh flowers, a nice touch. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Posing. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Night tour through Lyon. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Popping the bubbly. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Friendly staff with my friend Lew. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Getting ready to celebrate. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n

\n \"CroisiEurope\n
\n

Our wonderful hotel director. \u00a9 2016 Ralph Grizzle\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I spent the days after Christmas up until New Year’s Day in France. Part of my time was spent in Paris, where I visited\u00a0a friend before heading off to Lyon to spend time with another friend,\u00a0Lou Le Jacq, nearly three decades ahead of me at 87, an affable and energetic traveling companion who I had […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26048,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","footnotes":""},"categories":[171,22,185],"tags":[549,1231,550,1229,770,1232,1234,1233,1230],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25963"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25963"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25963\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26048"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}