Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Hotel Barge Vacation?
Luxury hotel barges are smaller vessels, accommodating a minimum of 6 passengers, maximum 50 passengers. They may  include  gourmet meals with wine,  shore excursions, an  "open bar" , and  bicycles for the use of the guests. These vessels cruise on small waterways - mostly on canals, such as the Nivernais in Burgundy, France's most famous wine country, the Canal du Midi in the south of France, or through the tulip fields of Holland or along the Caledonian Canal in Scotland; but sometimes they cruise on rivers, such as the Shannon in Ireland, the Rhone and Soane  in France and the Thames in England.

The purpose of a barge cruise is not to rush from Point A to Point B, but to relax in a stress free environment with fine food and wine, enjoy the delights of the countryside you are passing through, and get to know the "soul of the country." The barges travel neither far or fast. You can discover so many interesting things when you are traveling at 4 mph.

What ages are the people who barge?
You will find all ages on our barge selection.  There is a good mix.  But this certainly is not the geriatric ward.  Age is not an issue here with one exception.  We do not allow children under 10 except on charters.  The essential thing that unites barge enthusiasts is the  "close-up, personal" experience that a barge vacation provides. Older and younger travelers alike find the pace and comfort of a barge travel  the ideal way to explore the real heart & soul of a country. Some barge vacationers are more active than others.  Some like to  take off on village walks, hill climbs or bicycles trips to nearby sites...meeting up with the boat a lock or two down the canal.  Others prefer to sit on deck and enjoy the passing scenery which slowly changes before their very eyes. Barging celebrates sprit, not age.   Of course most barges are not equipped for wheelchairs so there are some limitations.

What is there to do?
You will enjoy cruising, daily guided tours to historic and cultural sites of the region, chateau visits, vineyards, market towns, medieval villages, private gardens, museums, ballooning, riding, tennis, golf.  It is all possible. dens to museums celebrating art, weapons, textiles or bread! Other interests, like golf, ballooning, riding and tennis.

You will   enjoy meeting the locals, viewing passing vineyards and chateaux from the   deck, or sharing experiences with a congenial group of travelers on these journeys that are more like a "moving, perpetual house party." You will be able to get on and off your barge practically at will, to take a walk along the tow path or a bicycle ride to town. (Almost all the barges have bicycles on board for passenger use). Meet and talk to the locals, view the vineyards, or accompany the crew as they shop in the early morning for delicious, freshly baked bread and croissants. Learn the secrets of fine French cuisine from your gourmet chef. Savor an amazing variety of local cheese and other delicacies. All of this in addition to the included sightseeing tours en route.

How will we do the sightseeing?
Each barge has a designated crew member guide and an air-conditioned van or bus that travels with it, for daily excursions to points of interest such as nearby chateaux, colorful local markets, ancient monasteries, or fascinating specialty museums.  Some smaller barges offer an a la carte program that does not include sightseeing. Check the individual barge program.

How comfortable are the cabins?
The gentle movement of the barge, anchored at night, has caused dedicated insomniacs to report wonderful, restful sleep. It is the relaxed atmosphere aboard, the friendly and helpful crew, the peace and tranquility of the countryside, together with the wonderful cuisine, lively conversation and interesting sightseeing that make it magical. The wine helps too.   Nearly all barges in Europe are air conditioned. The cabins on most barges are small so as to allow the public areas to be large.  The cabins are for sleeping and getting ready for dinner, not for lounging.  There is plenty of comfortable places for lounging in the public areas and on deck.

Are Barge Cruises expensive?
Barges come in many styles and levels of luxury from rustic and comfortable like a good Country Inn to elegant, like a fashionable Hotel. But the essence of barging is not decor...but the taste and texture of the region that is revealed in the welcome greeting of the villagers, the smiles and hearty charm of the lock keepers, and the personal & friendly attention of local artisans and guides. Barge rates do reflect the level of luxury and the season...but since they are inclusive, they are great value. Meals, wines, guided excursions and admissions...all included!

Generally speaking, the smaller the vessel, the more personal the service, and the more exclusive the experience. This is reflected in the pricing. Small vessels are ideal for families, groups of friends, or individuals who who are attracted to the luxury of a barge cruise.

What is not Included?
Airfare and some programs do not include transportation from Paris to the barge meeting point.

Do cabins have private bathrooms?
All cabins have private, nicely appointed bathrooms with showers. Some suites include bathtubs. Some barges have a hot tub on deck.

Are there telephones & TV?
Usually there are no telephones, TVs or computers. For emergency communications, barges do carry a cellular phone. However...anyone who chooses to break the tranquility of the voyage for urgent business like baseball scores, elections or market closings...public phones are handily spaced along the canals. As for TV, a few barges have satellite TV for those who can't miss CNN. USA phone cards work very well in European pay phones. We now offer cell phone rentals for those who just can not be without a telephone.

Will I get seasick?
Never...canals are not tidal and are controlled waterways. The gentle movement of the barges anchored for the night have caused dedicated insomniacs to report wonderful, restful sleep. There is almost no motion detectible.

What clothes should I pack? What's the attire on board?
Most passengers enjoy the relaxed atmosphere on board barges and fancy dressing is not the custom. Comfortable, casual attire, sneakers or docksiders on board. Sweaters, a windbreaker and shorts or cotton pants are recommended. At the Captain's final dinner, a little "dress-up" is O.K. Ties are rare, and there is no need for anything formal.

Are kids welcome on barges?
Most adult passengers appreciate the atmosphere and company of grownups, so kids under 10 are accepted only on full charters. Some boats even raise the restriction to 17. Family charters, reunions of generations, (from grandparents & parents, teens and even babies), grow more popular each year, seem to appeal to all ages, and are welcome on barges.

When's the best season for barging?
All seasons are lovely on the Canals, but seasonal rates do vary barge to barge and region to region, and do reflect special activities (grape harvest in Fall, tulip time in Spring). Some barges have a quiet time in July or August, and most offer Value rates in early Spring and late Fall when weather can be beautiful or unpredictable.

What about tipping?
Always appreciated. Your crew will work very hard to make your vacation perfect.    Gratuities are not included in the price of your trip - tipping is at your own discretion. We do recommend that you tip the crew 5% of the value of the barge vacation.  Tips are usually given in cash in USA or local currency. One tip is given and it is split among the crew. 

Will I be able to make special requests?
If there is a birthday or other special event to celebrate during your cruise, or a special request for your diet, please let us know - the crew on board is eager to tailor the barging experience especially for you!   People on special  diets are easily accommodated.  But you should let us know ahead of time, at the time of booking.

How much baggage can I bring?
Although the barges are spacious enough, there is limited storage facility on board. For this reason we recommend limiting your barge cruise baggage to one suitcase and one carry-on per person. But pack wisely, as there are no laundry facilities on the barges, and Laundromats are few and far between in the rural areas. If the vessel you have chosen has a hot tub - don't forget your swimsuit! Generally, the canals and rivers are not recommended for swimming.

What kind of electricity is there on board?
All of our vessels are wired for 220 volts but not 110 volts. We suggest you bring an adapter, converter, and /or the necessary wall plugs for your particular appliance that corresponds to the standard for the countries you will be visiting. Before using any electrical appliance while on board, please check with the crew to ensure that it is suitable for the barge's electrical system. Some of our vessels have hairdryers in the cabin, or available at reception - your pre-cruise documentation will advise you about this.

Will I have a language problem?
All our crew members generally speak English. Some speak other languages as well. When cruising through mainly rural areas, one is quite likely to find the locals speaking with a strong dialect. Although sometimes difficult to understand, we still encourage you to try to communicate with them.

We would be happy to answer any other questions you might have.  Just send us an email at questions@frenchhotelbarge.com and we will get back to you.  You might even find your question and answer is added to this column.

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08-02-01