Two (Belmond Napoleon and Belmond Hirondelle) may be booked by cabin. Vibe Elegant and luxurious, most of Belmond's seven barges, hosting four to 12 passengers, are only available for charter. Richard James Taylor/Courtesy Belmond Belmond Afloat in France Posh six-stars can tout luxuries like hot tubs, open kitchens, pianos, and cabins with king-size beds with double-sink baths.Ĭabins on Belmond have prime river views. Three-stars, often owner-operated, reflect the owners’ personal style, and offer a relaxed vibe, the coziest cabins, and lowest fares. All deliver fine service and cuisine, and daily excursions. Countries England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Scotland Average Seven-Day Fare $5,750 per person, double occupancy Notable Inclusions All meals and alcohol shore excursions bicycles and Wi-Fi Good to Know This company rates their barges between three and six stars. On newer barges, guests like the vessel firepits for sunsets and socializing. Others host bachelorette parties, multi-gen family trips, or simply travel with their book club. Many celebrate birthdays or anniversaries. Fellow Passengers Mostly active Americans, all ages from Gen X and up, averaging 50 to 70. Charters can embrace themes, including yoga, tea parties, whiskey tastings, and spa visits. Vibe This long-running family-owned travel company represents 50 well-regarded barges in a wide range of fares and styles, hosting between two to 20 passengers. Courtesy Barge Lady Cruises Barge Lady Cruises Countries Belgium, England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Scotland Average Seven-Day Fare $6,045 per person, double occupancy Notable Inclusions All meals and alcohol shore excursions bicycles 24/7 Abercrombie & Kent On-Call Support (handling anything from replacing lost eyeglasses to medical emergencies) and Wi-Fi Good to Know Most passengers book barge cruises through A&K as part of a longer, custom-tailored trip the company can include airline ticketing, airport transfers, hotel stays, and sightseeing, for a complete seamless holiday.īarge Lady Cruises' newest ships have amenities like firepits and hot tubs. Many are either past A&K guests, or familiar with the company’s long-standing reputation. Fellow Passengers Primarily savvy North American luxury travelers, age 50-plus. Sailings emphasize impressive food and wine presentations. These barges are not exclusive to A&K passengers, unless you charter the entire barge. Vibe This high-end travel company contracts with 29 barges that host between four to 20 guests. Here's the scoop on the barge operators out there. Barge season runs April through October, with the best fares found during shoulder months. Fares increase with more amenities, such as larger cabins, fancier furnishings, and premium wines. Wi-Fi is usually included, but service is often spotty-a great excuse to unplug. (Yes, you can drive the entire route in an hour.) All barges moor at night, because they can't get through the locks when they're not manned.Īlthough activities and amenities vary widely, know that a convivial crew, fine food and wine, pastoral scenery, and small villages far from tourist sites are typical. Barges typically travel about four miles per hour and travel some 50 miles during a seven-day sail. Many of today’s hotel barges are conversions from traditional working ones, and generally host between six to 12 passengers. These small, flat-bottomed, snail-slow vessels first served to transport cargo through manmade canals, Europe’s original highways. Here's what you need to know about barge cruising-and whether on your next will be sailing Europe's canals. One group increasingly taking advantage of that particular offering? Large groups and families, where cribs and baby bicycle seats might be needed, along with kid-friendly activities like horseback riding and waterparks. You've got plenty of opportunity to relax, but you'll also have access to bicycles, yoga, spa treatments, grand cru wine-driven sails even opportunities to charter the entire boat and make the trip as customized as you like. Yet the newest barges on Europe's canals mimic modern boutique hotels, featuring contemporary designs, sunlit rooms, hot tubs-even firepits. Sure, if you crave a classic Old World sailing experience, you can still go on a boat resembling an antique-filled country home and no matter how you do it, a river cruise is a sublimely relaxing vacation. The longstanding image of barge cruises-of dark cabins below water level, sedentary guests, and little activity-just isn't accurate when you're talking river cruising today.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |