Forbes Traveler takes the work out of finding the Paris Seine river cruise that's right for you. Providing tours along the Seine since 1949, this success of this company is the reason boat tours in Paris are colloquially called bateaux mouches. In their fleet, boats typically have enclosed lower decks as well as open-air upper decks, so arrive early to claim your preference. The classic "promenade" costs 10 euros for adults and lasts about an hour and ten minutes. If you enjoy floating on the Seine but don't want the touristy commentary, or are looking for a unique dining experience, Bateaux-Mouches offers dinner cruises every night by reservation and lunch cruises on weekends and holidays.

Les Bateaux Parisiens have something for everyone. Offering a wide variety of cruises, you can choose a sightseeing cruise in one of their 19 glass-covered boats from either the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame. Step out on the terrace for a better view of the Musée d'Orsay and the stately Haussmanian architecture as you drift by. Spice up a lunch cruise with live music or commit to an evening on the Seine beginning with dinner and finishing after hours with dancing to the DJ's tunes. If these cruises don't suit you, Bateaux Parisiens organizes à la carte cocktail parties or event cruises for 50 to 480 guests.

Chicer than the bus line, Batobus offers "hop on, hop off" service to eight of Paris' top tourist destinations. Running every 15 to 30 minutes, you don't need to plan ahead. Buy a day pass for 12 euros or, for more flexibility, 17 euros will get you five days of impromptu cruises on the Seine taking you to all the areas you don't want to miss.

Stroll down the city's oldest bridge and hop aboard a Vedettes du Pont Neuf: While most sightseeing cruises depart from areas near the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro, this fleet departs from Ile de la Cité, right in the heart of Paris. Smaller than their Bateaux-Mouches counterparts, these are simple, no-frills cruises, but they're fitting for first-time visitors. If you're able to plan ahead, Vedettes offers discounted tickets and coupons on their web site. Feel free to bring your picnic aboard.

Whether you're having a cocktail party, reception or dinner, the fleet at Yachts de Paris radiates luxury with an aesthetic reminiscent of the pleasure crafts of the early 20th century. Begin your evening quayside, with a cocktail or seminar at the l'Escale reception room. As you take in your surroundings—the large bay windows, garden and Mediterranean fragrances—a yacht docks alongside L'Escale allowing you to board and set off on an elegant cruise. Aboard the Don Juan II, experience an unforgettable three-hour dinner cruise with Michelin two-star chef, Jean-Pierre Vigato, in charge of the menu.

If you're in the mood for a more intimate cruise, La Coda offers "Paris, the Seine and the Marne at your own rhythm." These leisure cruises accommodate two to six people, with prices ranging from 110 to 520 euros and the options of a gourmet meal or a picnic meal using regional produce. This cruise lasts four hours and takes you from Bercy in the east to Andre Citroen Park in the west while all the Parisian monuments appear before you.

Paris Canal offers cruises on all the waterways in Paris: the Seine, the Marne and the atmospheric Canal Saint Martin. From mid-March through mid-November, take a classic sightseeing cruise from the Musée d'Orsay to the Parc de la Villette. Guests enjoy a range of beautiful vistas, from the majestic monuments and architecture along the Seine to the hushed surroundings along Paris' storied canal. In transit, enjoy a bit of mystery as the boat is engulfed in a dark tunnel connecting the two waterways. This journey is just under three hours and costs 17 euros. During the summer months, Paris Canal offers full-day, roundtrip cruises along the Seine and the Marne for 35 euros.

The Marina de Paris specializes in dinner cruises along the Seine, available every night. (Check their web site for some holiday exceptions.) Step onto a boat completely enclosed in glass, and savor a four-course meal à la carte, as you float through the city. For a less expensive dining experience, choose the earlier service which leaves the marina at 6:45 and returns at 8. You can choose the Pleasure Menu for 61 euros or the Discovery Menu for 46 euros. Evening wear is recommended for the second service, which leaves the marina at 9:15 and lasts about two hours. The Prestige Menu costs 81 euros, but be careful: Unlike the earlier meals, drinks are not included.

Travel agencies offer a variety of cruise packages for individuals and groups. Dine at the Eiffel Towers' Altitude 95 or the famous La Coupole before a boarding a one-hour cruise along the Seine. If you like, opt for the cruise first and finish off the night with a classic dining and cabaret show experience at the Lido, Moulin Rouge or Folies Bergère. Prices range from 100 to 200 euros, depending on the show and your menu choices.