Paris, Normandy &
Seine River All-Gay Cruise 2021

May 12–19, 2021
Lüftner Cruises MS Amadeus Diamond

8-Day Seine River All-Gay Cruise from Paris to Paris. This fabulous gay river cruise combines time in France’s unparalleled capital of Paris with beautiful scenery along the Seine River and the picturesque and historical region of Normandy.

Your all LGBT+ adventure starts and ends in Paris, combines what is probably the most romantic city in the world with a fascinating journey into the past of the Impressionist masters. Follow the footsteps of van Gogh, Cezanne and Gauguin on this tour along the winding Seine River into Normandy (without doubt one of the most beautiful regions of France), up to Le Havre on the rugged Atlantic coast.

Normandy is also an important part of European history due to events that took place there during the Second World War. Visits to idyllic Normandy villages, the “museum town” of Rouen and the picturesque harbor town of Honfleur are only some of the wonders to be explored on this cruise program.

This cruise vacation has it all—historic sites, charming towns, world-class wine and cuisine and more!

The Ship

The Amadeus Diamond, which departs from Paris, travels exclusively along the Seine and allows guests to experience the charm of northern France in an unforgettable way. You will feel at home from the moment you board this stylish cruise ship, where contemporary design meets the highest levels of comfort, inviting you to relax and enjoy the exceptional ambiance on board.

The ship has been a highlight of the Amadeus fleet since it was built in 2009, and is the new jewel on the French waterways after its complete renovation in 2019. Your accommodation on board is both elegant and comfortable. All 8 suites and the majority of the 68 cabins have French balconies, as well as modern bathrooms.

The ship offers countless options for your leisure time, from golf on the Sun Deck, to a fitness studio, to massage facilities, ensuring that every taste is catered for. Your culinary needs will be taken care of by the Panorama Restaurant, where you can dine in style, while admiring the fascinating passing river landscapes.

Restaurant
We set out to indulge and enthuse you through the quality, skill, friendliness and good service we provide in our wonderfully bright Panorama-Restaurant. On each cruise our master chef and his team take their inspiration for creative new ideas from the culture and produce of each country we pass through, thus taking everyone’s palate on voyage of discovery as well.

AMADEUS Club
The AMADEUS Club is the perfect place in which to share the pleasures of the day with a glass of wine in the evening and relax to the gentle sounds of jazz or classics. You can also easily send holiday greetings to all your loved ones at home from our Internet stations in the AMADEUS Club.

Wellness
Start a feel-good programme of your very own: You could best do this by booking a relaxing massage in our Vital club or arranging for a beauty treatment with our onboard hairdresser. An excellent way to make an active start to the day would be to join the early morning exercise group on the sun deck or visit our well-equipped fitness room, which is open for you round the clock.

Travel Itinerary

Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Paris, France
Welcome to the Paris! Our representatives will greet you at the Charles De Gaulle airport and transfer you to our ship.
This afternoon, embark the vessel and get settled into your cabin. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially-prepared Welcome Dinner. Departure at 8pm

Included: Welcome Dinner

Thursday, May 13, 2021
Conflans, France
Arrive in Conflans, at the confluence of the Oise and the Seine. Visit the little town of Auvers-sur-Oise, an inspiration to many of the famous Impressionist masters, including Cezanne, Pissarro and Daubigny. The most famous of these artists is Vincent van Gogh, whose final resting place is located here. Visit Auberge Ravoux, where Van Gogh lived in a very simple and small room only lit by sky light. Inspired by the picturesque site with its inhabitants and surroundings, Van Gogh painted close to 80 canvases here, which come alive in the winding streets of the village.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Friday, May 14, 2021
Rouen, France
This morning we reach Rouen, often called the “Ville musée” (Museum Town). If you enjoy museums, visit one of the many art, history, and antiquities museums scattered through the city. Visit the cathedral that inspired Claude Monet and the modern Church of Joan of Arc with its magnificent 16th-century stained-glass windows. See the “Gros Horloge,” the astronomical clock, and the Parliament of Normandy. Also in Rouen is the “Place du Vieux Marché”, the site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. This afternoon venture down the romantic “Abbey Trail” for a view of countless churches, castles, and abbeys.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Saturday, May 15, 2021
Le Havre, France
Although the harbor of Le Havre was greatly destroyed in World War II, it was rebuilt and continues to be an important port city in Normandy. Explore the Normandy coastline with a walk along Ètretat’s cliff-top paths for a view of steep chalk rocks with impressive needle-like formations, which have inspired many well-known artists.

Nearby, is the city of Honfleur, where the Seine meets the Atlantic. This harbor town is regarded as a jewel on the Côte Fleurie and is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Sunday, May 16, 2021
Caudebec-En-Caux, France
Today, visit some of the most important places in recent history – the Normandy landing beaches and the remains of the artificial harbor in Arromanches. Not far from the solemn significance of the landing beaches are charming villages that champion many of the things the French hold dear: good wholesome food and drink, strong local community and beautiful handcrafted things that last. Throughout Normandy, artisans—cheesemakers, metalworkers, potters, lacemakers, bell forgers, and cidermakers—still run thriving trades.

After all, Camembert, Livarot, and Pont l’E´ve^que cheeses all come from Normandy, as do caramels au beurre d’Isigny made with creamy Norman salted butter. Enjoy the smooth, layered flavor of Calvados, an amber-hued brandy distilled from cider and renowned for its sweet aroma. Your Norman journey ends in Caudebec where you board the ship.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Monday, May 17, 2021
Les Andelys / Vernon / Poissy
Today, your vessel anchors in the little town of Les Andelys in the shadow of Chateau Gaillard, the one time home to Richard the Lionheart. Relax in town or venture farther afield to nearby Giverny, home to Impressionist Claude Monet, until his death in 1926. The beautiful surroundings and vivid flora, were inspiration for some of his most famous works.

Return to the ship in Vernon for lunch. The Captain’s Gala Dinner in the evening is a wonderful finish to a fantastic day.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Paris, France
In the early morning, it is once more “Bienvenue” to the French capital. Explore the sights of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the bustling Champs-Élysées. Another interesting area to explore is quirky artists’ district of Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur, located on the highest hill in northern Paris.

Or, round out your Normandy experience with a visit to the spectacular Palace of Versailles. Originally a small hunting lodge, the palace was extended to its current size by the “Sun King” Louis XIV and is now one of Europe’s largest palaces.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Paris, France / Disembarkation
Morning disembarkation. Transfer to Paris airport(CDG) or you have the option to make your own post cruise arrangements.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Highlights and Sightseeing

• Conflans – In the steps of Vincent Van Gogh & Impressionist inspiration
• Rouen - the city of 100 spires
• Le Havre – Walking tour of the cliff paths of Étretat
• Caudebec-En-Caux – Normandy landing beaches are charming villages
• Giverny – Chateau Gaillard & Monet's garden
• Paris – Explore the sights of the Eiffel Tower, the bustling Champs-Élysées and quirky artists’ district of Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur

Included Features

• Airport transfer from airport (CGD) to the ship.
• 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom, most with French balconies.
• State-of-the-art Infotainment System in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board.
• Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding.
• Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise.
• Free-flowing red & white wines from France’s great wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every dinner on board.
• Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily.
• Brand g signature entertainment.
• Non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• Post cruise transfer to airport (CDG)

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips You Need To Know Before Your Cruise
To help prepare you for your vacation, we will email a booklet prior to your cruise, which contains helpful tips and advice in preparing for your vacation. We encourage you to read this information carefully and to bring it with you as a reference during your travels. While traveling, please keep in mind that patience, understanding and the flexibility to adapt to a changing environment will enhance your vacation experience. Despite careful planning, unavoidable circumstances may require last minute changes to your itinerary. However, we have discovered that these deviations often reveal unexpected discoveries.

Entry Documents
A valid passport is required for this trip; your passport must be valid for at least six months after your return. Entry visas are not required for citizens of the EU, USA and Canada. Citizens of all other countries should check with their home country’s French consulate or embassy to determine if visas are needed. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and to secure any required visas. In the event that you lose your passport while traveling, we recommend you photocopy the first pages of your passport, airline tickets, driver’s license and/or birth certificate to simplify and expedite the process of replacing lost documents. Keep the originals separate from the copies. This will make replacement easier if you lose them en route. It is also useful to carry spare passport photos. You may wish to scan your passport, airline tickets and credit card numbers and email them to yourself as attachments, so you may download copies to assist in obtaining replacements.

What To Wear
Comfortable, casual clothing is appropriate both onshore and on board. Jackets, ties and gowns are never required. Shorts and t-shirts are generally fine for daytime wear and jeans or dressier shorts and nice shirts are fine for evenings, however you may wish to bring something a bit dressier for one or two dinners. You will find a significant amount of walking over uneven terrain during your time ashore. We recommend comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support, as well as head covering to protect from the sun. At some sites, you may also be required to have knees and shoulders covered. Don’t forget to pack a waterproof jacket (preferably hooded) for unpredictable rain and cooler temperatures.

Special Diets
Please advise us at least 30 days prior to departure if you have any special dietary requirements. We will make every effort possible to accommodate your requests, however, please note that local conditions and seasonality can restrict our ability on occasions.

Settling Your Bill Onboard
The day before your cruise ends you will be given an invoice for any onboard charges you may have made. Please check the invoice to make sure all items are accounted for before payment/closing of the account. All onboard charges will be in Euros. Payment is accepted in cash (Euros) or by credit card. Your bank/credit card company will convert this into your card currency at their own exchange rate. Some bank/credit cards may charge a separate fee, as well.

Who travels with Brand g?
All of our vacations are created for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) travelers, along with straight allies, who enjoy innovative escorted vacations to international spots. None of our current trips are designed for participants under the age of 21.

What can I expect on Brand g travel program?
All of Brand g Vacations will have at least two trip escorts. Depending on the size and location of the program, we will also include signature Brand g entertainment, including cabaret artists, DJs and comedians. The true stars of any Brand g travel program are the travelers themselves. Whether you’re traveling with a partner or interested in making new friends, our trips provide excellent opportunities to explore the world with others that share similar values.

Do you offer a single supplement or a roommate sharing program?
We do offer a single supplement on all of our travel programs; however, it may vary depending on the destination. Our goal with roommate matching is to help facilitate an introduction with other solo travelers prior to your vacation to see if there is compatibility to share a room.

I am traveling by myself; will I be the only single traveler?
Not at all, depending on the trip, anywhere between 15 to 40% of the group will be solo travelers!

Should I buy travel insurance?
Brand g Vacations strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances that might prevent you from traveling with us or unfortunate circumstances during your trip. Travel Insurance is an excellent way of protecting your vacation investment. We recommend Travelex Travel Insurance, however you are welcome to shop and compare plans from other companies to find the best fit for you.

Is it hard meeting others?
Even the shyest among us end up in group hugs by the end of our cruises. The intimate size (generally 60-150 passengers) provides an opportunity for people to get to know each other in a way not at all possible on large ocean cruises. Countless guests have commented that they aren’t outgoing, and did not anticipate meeting anyone on their cruises, yet made extraordinary new friends – and, in some cases, partners – onboard.

What does all-inclusive vacation mean?
All-inclusive can never mean every single thing; but at Brand g, we come as close as possible. Our trips almost inevitably include pre-cruise hotel stay, all transfers, unlimited wine and beer at lunch and dinner onboard, guided walking tours in every port, etc. When we say “inclusive”, we mean it! The specifics for this vacation are listed above.

Will I be the youngest onboard?
Mainstream river cruises sometimes have the perception that all the guests are well past retirement age. Brand g cruises, on the other hand, host a wide range of ages, from 20’s-80’s. The average age is mid-50’s, but on any given cruise there are a number of much younger and older guests. Brand g’s entertainment offerings onboard – from shows to parties – make our cruises, in the words of countless cruise staff, “the most fun group we’ve ever had on this ship”.