Dancing, Cycling – and Cruising: Can It Be Done?

In Paris, very close to the Eiffel Tower, our ship, the MS AMADEUS Diamant, awaits the illustrious group of guests. The crew is delighted that we are coming – and we are delighted to be part of it. Our destination is Le Havre, where the Seine flows into the Atlantic. “Embarking” is for us a mixture of curiosity and equally justified admiration. Admiration because we get to check in to a floating 5-star hotel, and curiosity because we can't quite imagine how dancing, cycling – and cruising can work side by side.

For in the midst of the international guests, a group of dance-loving travellers has gathered, whose aim is not just to drift along on the ship, but rather to keep moving themselves while the ship sails. Dancing is the order of the day!

In no time the panoramic restaurant is transformed into a dance floor where, under the expert guidance of the dance teacher couple, forwards – backwards, now sideways and forwards again – every sequence of the “dance of the day” is practised. Strung together and danced through without a break, it brings the first beads of sweat to many a brow. The daily progress gives the dancing couples more and more pleasure, even if they know that not every step is perfect yet.
In the meantime, almost unnoticed by the dance group, the ship has reached Le Havre and moored in the harbour. The lunch break ahead is not only well deserved but a time for rest and culinary enjoyment.

In the afternoon the ship stays firmly moored in the port of Le Havre. This allows our sporty guests to change sport: cycling is now the order of the day. Our accompanying coach takes us and our bikes to Étretat.

The little village in Normandy on the Atlantic is world-famous for its cliffs nearly 100 metres high. Full of admiration, the cycling dance group stands before the natural wonder, shimmering yellowish in the sun.

Now the ride back to our ship begins on two wheels. But we don't get far. After only a few kilometres, the cycling guide leads the group right to the front, to the surf. To where the cliffs are briefly interrupted.

Here in Bruneval, during the Second World War in February 1942, the British army is said to have breached the German line of fortifications for the first time.
Very attentive and impressed by what they learn, the guests listen to the historical accounts in front of the memorial.

The onward ride by bike to Le Havre is like a “cool-down” for the dancers – pure pleasure. Running parallel to the coast, it passes smart Norman villages and well-kept farmland, and everyone really enjoys it!

Anyone who now thinks that this is rather a lot of sport and exercise for a holiday day is mistaken.
After dinner, our cycling guests dance for hours into the night, until the musicians on board have had enough at midnight…
Dancing, cycling – and cruising: that works after all, doesn't it?