June 3: All Aboard the Avalon Tapestry II—Our Seine River Cruise Begins!

June 3: All Aboard the Avalon Tapestry II—Our Seine River Cruise Begins!

This morning, after breakfast and some final packing, our group gathered for the much-anticipated transfer to our river cruise ship, the Avalon Tapestry II. The ship was docked at Port de Javel Bas along Quai André Citroën, nestled right on the banks of the Seine and ready to welcome us for our Paris to Normandy WWII Remembrance History Cruise.


Upon arrival, we dropped off our bags and found ourselves with free time before the official All Aboard. Many of us took the opportunity to relax in the ship’s inviting lounge or out on the deck, soaking in the Parisian river views and the excitement of the journey ahead.













Lunch was served onboard, offering a delicious introduction to Avalon’s renowned cuisine. Shortly after, our staterooms were ready, so we eagerly checked out our rooms and began to unpack—always a satisfying step in settling into our floating home for the week.




With some time to explore, a group of us took a scenic walk along the river to visit the Statue of Liberty Paris by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. This smaller sibling of New York’s iconic statue stands proudly on the Île aux Cygnes, and we enjoyed snapping photos with both the statue and the distant Eiffel Tower in the background—a perfect Parisian moment.











Back onboard and it was time for for the Tapestry II to embark. The ship headed toward the Statue of Liberty and Eiffel Tower before turning around and heading out to our first port. 
  




Before dinner we attended the Welcome Aboard talk hosted by our Cruise Director and the Captain. They introduced the crew, outlined the itinerary, and shared helpful tips for making the most of our cruise experience.

We capped off our embarkation day with a lovely dinner in the ship’s dining room, savoring good food and great company as the sun set over the Seine. With our adventure officially underway, we’re excited for all that lies ahead as we sail toward Normandy.







Tomorrow, we begin our journey down the Seine—stay tuned for more river cruise adventures!


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