Maxim's sur Seine — Restaurant in Paris

Exploring Paris from the tranquil waters of the Seine River had always been on my bucket list. With a keen palate for culinary adventures, our hearts were initially set on the Don Juan II, but it was unfortunately fully booked when we went to reserve a spot. Thankfully our ever-resourceful hotel, cast the spotlight on the charming Maxime Sur Siene.

Imagine this: a ship not over crowded with hoards of tourists, with most tables strategically perched by the windows, delivering front-row seats to the enchanting Parisian scenery. Oddly enough, there sat a solitary table in the middle, inhabited by a couple who seemed to not be enjoying the experience as much as the rest due to a lack of view. For a mere 20 euros extra per person, we were guaranteed our prime window real estate, a choice that would soon prove to be worth every penny.

Our tour commenced as we had become accustomed to, with the satisfying pop of a Champagne bottle, setting the tone for a night of enjoyment. While the culinary experience stumbled at the outset with less-than-stellar dishes, the dinner finished strong for the desserts were a symphony of sweetness!

The true stars of the night were the live musical performances and the mesmerizing views of Paris by night. The luminous Eiffel Tower, casting its magic over the river, and the petite Statue of Liberty, a hidden treasure visible only from the water, stole the show.

Cruising the Seine, with its historical and architectural wonders unfolding before our eyes, was the very essence of this voyage.

Our crew, were professional and friendly, added a layer of charm to our escapade. Our waiter lead us to the choicest spots for capturing some amazing photos, and was rewarded handsomely for his guidance.

I wholeheartedly recommend embarking on a Seine River cruise, especially if you’re looking for a romantic date night in the City of Love. With a plethora of options to choose from, do your due diligence: inquire about dinner, secure that coveted window seat, and explore the vessels that suit your budget. The investment is a treasure chest of memories, and the live music? Well, that's the icing on the cake that makes it...

My wife and I recently did a Maxim’s dinner cruise. There was a lot we enjoyed, which I will detail, as well as one significant caveat. Pros: The ambiance was amazing. We saw many packed evening cruises on the Seine, but this one was not crowded, and we had a window seat. There’s a musician playing, and while yes, he did play “La Vie En Rose,” we found that that just set a mood rather than being an overt caricature of Paris. The service was attentive and polite. Some Seine mealtime cruises are only 1:15hr long, which I think would be difficult to eat and enjoy the scenery. This one lasted 2 hours which meant dinner was nicely spaced out, and we felt like we could converse and look out the window without feeling rushed. Con: if you check travel blogs about whether to do a Seine mealtime cruise versus a regular one, people will say something to the effect of “Just do the cheap cruise and go get a great meal afterwards.” After this experience, I’d say they’re right. For the amount we paid, the food was just not that amazing. It wasn’t bad or anything, but we could have easily paid half as much to do a cruise and go to a restaurant after. If you can get this cruise for a significant discount, it’s worth your time, but if you’re paying full price, I think you’d be better served by any number of Paris’s fine...

Our server , Ban, was great. He welcomed us and started things off well. He was personal and explained things well. I did tell him about the atmosphere. Our table was up against the bar. They had a red drape separating the bar and our table. I understand the logic, but it made our couples night like we were locked in a closet. I think if management sat there for an entire cruise, they would make a change. Hint, switch the seats and face to the stern of the vessel. My chair faced the red drape and my wife faced the water. I hope they listen to this message. If not, if you get this table, you will be displeased and will have a poor view. Ban was great when we told him about our displeasure. He brought us up to the front of the boat and we got to meet the captain and gave my wife a glass of free wine. He did what he could. But that atmosphere was not worth the price the cruise. The food and the service were as worthwhile. The claustrophobic table...