We chose this cruise because my father was a WWII vet and served in the ETO, the other couple that went with us also had a relative that served in the European Theatre of Operatioins and thought the the Paris to Normandy trip would be in honor of their service. Our travel to the embarkation port was especially good in that we made our flight plans with British Airways, and they had cancelled our flights and put us on a later one, we were picked up at the airport in time for the evening meal that night.

We had neightboring verandah state rooms with our old friends from Virgina and very miuch enjoyed the cabins and dining on the Kadlin. We had the same table each night at dinner and consequently the same wait staff whom we grew to know and like very much. The tours, and tour guides were excellent, including Giverny, Vernon, Roen and the others. The pre departure tour of Paris was also very good in that it prepared us for the extended stay that we took after the river trip. The time spent as Normandy was well spent, indeed more may have been appreciated, the ceremony honoring the vets, past and those present was particularly touching (I am also a vet). The time spent in Normandy was touching, somber, and enjoyable, the restaurant for lunch was also enjoyable lending some local color to the day.

The embarkation and disembarkation were handled very well, indeed all of the logistics (including the ticket takers strike at the Versailles) were beyond reproach. We were blessed with good weather for most of the river cruise, it was cool and rained a little on the first day, and left Paris after a few extra days, just before the floods came. Read more