What is Luxury Hotel Barging?

Our Luxury Hotel Barges are a fleet of “floating boutique hotels” where the journey and destination are one and the same. Indulge in a glass of champagne as you cruise through Europe’s oldest canal tunnel, or relax in the hot tub as we traverse Gustave Eiffel’s famous aqueduct across the River Loire. Hop off at the nearest lock and take to the towpath for a cycle through glorious countryside and medieval villages, or lounge on deck with a cocktail. By day you’ll partake in wonderful private tours of ancient chateaux, markets and wineries, and back at the barge during the evening you’ll be treated to incredible gourmet food and wine, locally sourced from the region in which you are cruising.

How is luxury hotel barging different compared to traditional cruising

- See another side to a country – cruises are on smaller waterways that are inaccessible to large river cruisers - You’re a V.I.P, not a number – with a maximum capacity of 12 on the majority of our barges, you will enjoy an extremely high level of personal service and quickly build a warm rapport with our conscientious crew - Have it your way – Barges can be privately chartered for family getaways, celebrations and special interest groups such as golf, wine tasting & cycling - Total immersion in a region – dine on local specialities, visit private, historical places of interest that you’d never have known about, meet the friendly locals for a glass of pastis and a game of petanque! - Flexibility – Eager to investigate something you’ve spotted onshore? Just let the crew know and its highly likely you can hop off at the next lock - No rough weather, motion sickness, or days at sea – The canals we cruise are tranquil, managed waterways that do not suffer the effects of increment weather, tides or droughts

What's Included on a European Waterways luxury hotel barge cruise?

A European Waterways hotel barge cruise includes accommodation in air-conditioned, en suite cabins, all gourmet meals aboard and ashore, selected regional wines, a champagne welcome, an open bar, all excursions and admittance fees, use of bicycles and other hotel barge facilities such as a spa pool and local transfers to and from the designated meeting point. - Accommodation to suit all tastes, from cosy wood panelled cabins to airy contemporary suites - Fine Wines, Champagne & an open bar for the duration of your cruise - Daily Escorted Excursions for private tours of historic chateaux and exclusive wine tastings at renowned domaines - A bicycle, so you can take to the towpath as you please, and an on board spa pool to relax in when you return! - A Crew to Guest Ratio of 1:2, you’ll want for nothing - Local Transfers to and from your cruise’s designated pick up location

Luxury Hotel Barge Cruises in Europe with European Waterways : European Waterways

Welcome to our exclusive collection of hotel barge cruises. For over 40 years, we have specialised in creating luxury barge holidays on some of the most beautiful waterways in Europe.

The Hotel Barging Experience

Far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, these voyages allow you to travel in luxury without the strains of packing and unpacking, whilst enjoying a balanced blend of daily excursions and fascinating cruising.

Over 40 Years’ Experience

Established in 1974 and operating cruises since the early 1980s, European Waterways has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with our clients.

The Largest Barging Company in Europe

Still in the same private ownership of the Directors who run the company, our guests can be assured of consistently high standards of personal service, and vast experience of our markets.

A Superb Fleet of 17 Vessels

We have vessels available for up to 20 passengers with cabin sizes varying from cozy and compact to ultra-deluxe staterooms comparable to top hotel rooms.

Cruises in 9 Countries Across Europe

We offer the widest choice of destinations of any hotel barge company. Cruising areas range from the Midi in Southern France to the Scottish Highlands and from Ireland in the West to Venice in the East.

See what Our Clients Say

Many of our guests book with us over and over again and also recommend us to their friends – which is the best endorsement that a travel company can hope for. See some of their comments on Feefo, below.

Exceptional Service and Expert Staff

Our crews are trained to provide the highest levels of service whilst making you feel totally at home. Our office staff will equally guide you effortlessly through the process of booking the holiday of a lifetime.

As Told by Our Guests...

The welcome we received and everything on board was perfect

Pauline Taplin, Hampshire, UK

This is a treasure that most people don’t know about

Denise Thorson , New Jersey, USA

Everbody should do this at least once in their life

Charles Baertl, Texas USA

For a very special occasion this is the place to be

John Thorson, New Jersey, USA

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The Hotel Barging Experience

Our vessels gently introduce you to some of Europe’s finest scenery, fascinating history and local culture. Every European Waterways six-night barge cruise includes all gourmet meals, regional wines, an open bar, local transfers and the use of on board facilities such as bicycles to explore the towpaths, a sundeck to laze on, or a spa pool to relax in. We also offer daily escorted excursions “off the beaten track” to wineries, castles, markets or to see craftsmen at work.

A Home Away from Home

All hotel barges in the fleet benefit from an annual refurbishment and this may vary from redecoration and refurnishing of the...

Themed Charter Cruises

We can arrange a wide selection of themed charter cruises which will appeal to all types of interest groups, large or small...

Multi Generational Cruises

With capacity for between 6 and 20 passengers, a private hotel barge charter is perfect for a multi generational getaway

Hotel Barging Experience

Far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, hotel barge voyages allow you to travel in luxury without the strains of...

Insider Experiences

These experiences form the heart of a European Waterways cruise; spontaneous, unique adventures that just couldn't be had anywhere else

Outstanding Service

Crews are mainly British or French and they all speak English, so there is no need to worry about a language barrier when they are...

A Gastronomic Experience

The classic traditions of French and International cuisine are an unforgettable highlight of your cruise. The onboard chefs are...

Enriching Excursions

Every hotel barge cruise includes daily excursions to some fascinating local places of interest - châteaux, Cathar hilltop...

Themed Charter Cruises

We can arrange a wide selection of themed charter cruises which will appeal to all types of interest groups, large or small...

Family & Friends Cruises

Families or groups of friends can charter any of the hotel barges. You will have the whole vessel to yourselves and she becomes a...

Barging & Biking

We know that many of our passengers enjoy taking some exercise during their hotel barge cruise, so each vessel carries...

Shopping & Markets

Even if you are not normally a lover of shopping, the vast array of fascinating shops and markets you can discover on one of our...

Wine & Whisky Tours

Many of our cruises are through some of the best wine- growing regions of France, such as Burgundy, Bordeaux...

Where We Cruise in Europe

Discover the fascinating world of barging, through the vineyards of Burgundy, on the shady Canal du Midi in Southern France, the historic Po Valley in Italy, or the River Shannon in rustic Ireland. Navigate the Royal River Thames, through the stunningly rugged landscapes of Scotland, picturesque Alsace & Lorraine, or the colourful tulip fields of Holland.

[CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE]

More Destinations

There are so many delightful watercourses to be discovered – canals like the Briare, Nivernais, Burgundy and Canal du Midi in France, the Caledonian Canal in Scotland and the Bianco Canal in Italy; majestic rivers such as the Cher, Moselle, Shannon and Thames; and the more open waters of Loch Ness, the Etang de Thau and the Venetian Lagoon.

Paris

Picardy

Belgium

Germany & Luxembourg

Our Exclusive Collection of Hotel Barges

Some vessels in our fleet are owned by us, others by experienced operators who maintain similar standards and have been vetted by us. On board all of them you will glide serenely along waterways that pass through magnificent countryside; be taken on fascinating local excursions; indulge in delicious meals, fine wines and comfortable accommodation – whilst all the time being pampered by your attentive crew.

Scottish Highlander

Scottish Highlander is a first class, 8 passenger hotel barge that navigates the scenic Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands

L’Impressionniste

L’Impressionniste is a deluxe, 12 passenger hotel barge that cruises the Burgundy Canal in the wine region of Southern Burgundy

Enchanté

Enchanté is an ultra deluxe, 8 passenger hotel barge that cruises the sun-drenched Canal du Midi in southwest France

L’Art de Vivre

L’Art de Vivre is a first class, 8 passenger hotel barge that cruises the charming Canal du Nivernais and River Yonne in Burgundy

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Themed Barge Holidays

We can arrange a wide selection of themed charter cruises which will appeal to all types of interest groups, large or small, including golf, walking and wine appreciation themed cruises.

Whisky Cruises

We offer a Whisky cruise aboard hotel barge Scottish Highlander along the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness, with a special itinerary that allows...

Walking Cruises

The beauty of hotel barging and walking is that two of the most relaxing holidays possible are merged to give you the best of both worlds

Tennis Cruises

If you are passionate about tennis, then bare in mind we offer "tennis cruises" on board our barges Magna Carta and l'Art de Vivre to either spectate a game at...

Opera Cruises

For the opera lovers amongst you, taking one of our special Opera Cruises aboard La Bella Vita in Italy is sure to be a once in a lifetime experience.

SEE ALL THEMED BARGE HOLIDAYS

Video Feed

We uploaded our first video in 2010 and since then we have added over 100 hotel barging videos and received over 3,000,000 views on YouTube. We hope you enjoyed watching our videos…

Video of the Week

Despite the growing popularity of cruising, especially on large river vessels, hotel barging is still a little known niche concept.

Cruises in Italy

Our Italian holidays afloat will let you discover that country’s hidden beauty!

Cruises in Alsace & Lorraine

In the Summer and Autumn, hotel barge Panache sails the beautiful waterways of Alsace

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The Lock-Keeper Blog

The Lock-Keeper has gone viral! Every few weeks we will be blogging about the Hotel barging experience; From the history of our hotel barges to some of the off the beaten track excursions we visit. Intrigued? Then read on…

6 Must See Sights in Mantua

Cruise through the charming city of Mantua, Italy and explore its 6 must see sights aboard the La Bella Vita hotel barge. Read More

A Luxury Barge Cruise is the Ultimate Way to Experience Italy

Writer and Travel Expert, Lauren Yakiwchuk recounts her luxury cruise aboard hotel barge La Bella Vita from Venice to Mantua Read More

A Perfect Barge Cruise is all About the Details

deck-hand-Bryan-makes-sure-the-barge-is-tied-off-properly

Writer and Travel Expert, Rose Palmer recounts her cruise aboard hotel barge Renaissance along the Canal de Briare in June, 2022 Read More

GO TO OUR BLOG

In the Press

There have been many interesting and entertaining articles written by journalists and travel writers from across the globe about their journeys on our luxury hotel barge cruises.

Luxury Hotel Barge Cruises

Find Your Cruise

The Hotel Barging Experience

Over 40 Years’ Experience

The Largest Barging Company in Europe

A Superb Fleet of 17 Vessels

Cruises in 9 Countries Across Europe

See what Our Clients Say

Exceptional Service and Expert Staff

As Told by Our Guests...

Pauline Taplin, Hampshire, UK

Denise Thorson , New Jersey, USA

Charles Baertl, Texas USA

John Thorson, New Jersey, USA

The Hotel Barging Experience

Where We Cruise in Europe

More Destinations

Our Exclusive Collection of Hotel Barges

Themed Barge Holidays

Video Feed

Video of the Week

Cruises in Italy

Cruises in Alsace & Lorraine

The Lock-Keeper Blog

In the Press