Taking a Francophone cruise doesn’t only offer the opportunity to explore the ancient ruins and breathtaking views of Europe; it’s also the perfect time to brush up on your French!
Whether engaging French guests and crew members onboard or asking for directions during a port stop, having a few French terms up your sleeve is sure to make your trip that much more enjoyable (and immersive!).
Key Takeaways
As you prepare for your Francophone voyage, remember that a little linguistic effort goes a long way
By embracing French etiquette and practicing key phrases, you’ll open the door to genuine connections and create memories that will last long after you’ve disembarked
Dial in Your Vehicle
Before setting sail, check the cruise lines that offer a Francophone experience to ensure you get the opportunity to speak some French!
Next, you’ll want to cover the basics of French customs and etiquette to ensure you demonstrate a good cultural awareness and don’t make any faux pas (missteps).
Greetings
- Entering a place or conversation: Greet with “Bonjour madame/monsieur” during the day and “Bonsoir” in the evening.
- Social settings: Greet women first and follow the local’s lead for la bise, or ‘cheek kissing’ (depending on the region, you may exchange two, three, or even four cheek kisses!).
- Exiting a place or conversation: When leaving, greet using “Au Revoir”. Or excuse yourself with “Excusez-Moi”.
General phrases when checking in
- I have a reservation: J’ai une rèservation
- Your name, please: Votre nom, s’il vous plaît
- My name is: Je m’appelle
- Yes: Oui
- No: Non
- Do you speak English?: Parlez-vous Anglais?
- May I see the cruise itinerary?: Puis-je voir l’itinéraire de la croisière?
- Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup
Onboard Basics
Use the following phrases when onboard.
- To dock: Se mettre à quai
- To unload; to disembark: Dèbarquer
- A cabin: Une cabine
- To weigh anchor: Lever l’ancre
- Can you help me?: Pouvez-vous m’aider
- I don’t understand: Je ne comprends pas
- The life jackets: Les gilets de sauvetage
Dining Essentials
Meals in France celebrate good food and company. Observing dining etiquette is vital for a good experience:
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
- Dress to impress. After all, fashion is an art form in French culture!
- Always greet your servers and guests at your table.
- Keep to light and enjoyable topics at the dining table, like art, music, literature, and food.
- Avoid heavy topics, like religion and politics, and asking too many personal questions.
- The French enjoy leisurely mealtimes, so avoid rushing or ordering the check prematurely.
Common phrases when dining
- I’ll have: Je prendrai
- Do you have?: Ave-vous
- Tea or Coffee: Thè (tee) or Cafè
- I’m a vegetarian: Je suis vegetarien
- How are you?: Comment allez-vous
- Toast: Santè!That was delicious:C’ètait dèlicieux
Phrases For Port Stops And Excursions
Let’s now look at a couple of phrases that come in handy when navigating routes, asking for directions, and enjoying shopping sprees.
Tip: Packing a notebook filled with these common phrases or having Google Translate on hand can also be incredibly helpful.
Asking for directions
- What are the best places to visit here?: Quels sont les meilleurs sites à visiter ici?
- Where is…: Ou se trouve…
- The train: Le train
- The bus: Le bus
- Where are the toilets?: Ou sont les toilettes
Shopping phrases
- I would like…: Je voudrais…
- How much does this cost?: Combien ça coûte?
- May I try it on?: Puis-je l’essayer
- The store: Le magasin
- I’ll take it!: Je le prendrai!
Final Word
As you prepare for your Francophone voyage, remember that a little linguistic effort goes a long way. By embracing French etiquette and practicing key phrases, you’ll open the door to genuine connections and create memories that will last long after you’ve disembarked.
Bon voyage!
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