Frequently Asked Questions Hotel Barges:

What is a Hotel Barge?
A hotel barge is essentially a floating hotel, allowing you to experience the European countryside in comfort and style. Aboard a hotel barge are nicely appointed cabins with private bathrooms and showers, a nice salon with library and bar, dining area, and sundeck perfect for watching the passing scenery. Daily guided excursions are planned to local areas of interest. Bicycles supplied onboard to use at your leisure along the picturesque towpaths of the canals. Meals are prepared onboard from the finest fresh local ingredients and complimented with fine area wines. Barging is a relaxing and enjoyable way to see the beautiful countryside of Europe.

Why should I book with The Barge Connection?
We are here to help you find the perfect barge. We have been aboard the barges and know the owners/operators very well. We do regular inspections to make sure the barges are up to our standards and to keep are ongoing dialog and relationships thriving with the barge owners. Our first hand knowledge is a key part of our success in selecting the right barge for your next vacation.

How do I narrow my selection?
Since we represent such a large number of barges, the next step in booking a vacation will be to narrow the selection. Once we know which departure date, area of cruising, number of travelers and budget you have in mind we then check the availability and give you the best choices.

How do I book a barge?
If your barge and cruise date is available we can place a one week option on your vessel and email or send you a booking form with the complete terms and conditions.  You will need to return this form signed and dated with the required deposit (normally 25% of the cruise cost) before your hold expires. Your reservation is now secure. You then receive cruise documents for your booking. Once the final payment is due we ask you to complete a questionnaire to assist with planning your specific cruise, such as dietary requests, beverage requests, bedding configuration, arrival and departure information. Once we receive this form with the final payment we send the final cruise documents including boarding pass, emergency contact numbers, vessel information and helpful guides and maps. We normally send these final cruise documents four to six weeks prior to departure.

How long is a Barge Cruise?
Most cruises are of six nights. We have select barges that offer shorter three night cruises (Alouette, La Chouette & La Dolce Vita).

What is the departure day?
Barge cruises begin either Saturday or Sunday (La Chouette starts Thursday).

What is the cruising season?
April until November is the standard cruising season.
 
Where do I meet the barge?
An escort from the barge will transfer you up from a pre-arranged pick-up point and take you to where the barge is moored. For Burgundy, Upper Loire and Champagne the normal pick-up location is Paris. Some Burgundy cruises are met in Dijon, a simple train journey from the centre of Paris (about an hour and a half.) For southern France cruises you are usually met in Montpellier, Carcassonne, Beziers, Avignon or Toulouse depending on the barge.  For more specific information about pick-up locations, please contact us.

What Is Included In The Cruise Price?
Pick-up and Drop-off from a pre-arranged location
Continental breakfast (some offer cooked breakfasts upon request)
Lunches served with wine
Four or Five course evening meals served with wines
Open bar (not included on the Lorraine – wines with lunch and dinner only)
Daily chauffeured and guided excursions to local places of interest
All entrance fees
Use of bicycles
Use of vessel facilities such as Jacuzzi, pool, exercise equipment, library, sound system, DVD players, bicycles (not all the items listed are available on every barge)
 
What Is Not Included In The Price Of The Cruise?
Personal travel insurance, cancellation insurance, baggage insurance
Airfares to and from the country of the cruise
Optional hot-air ballooning (where available)
Items of personal nature (any purchases made)
Crew gratuities – normally 5% to 10%
Gratuities should be given to the Captain on the last night, who distributes it amongst the crew (local currency only – no credit cards)
Any meals or snacks taken off the barge when specified

What amenities can I expect on the barge?
All cabins have private, nicely appointed bathrooms with showers. Some suites include bathtubs. Several barges have Jacuzzis or small pools on deck. You will find space in each cabin to store your clothes.

Are children welcome aboard Hotel Barges?
Depending on the age of the child, most allow children when you charter the barge. Some barges designate specific dates for family cruises, whereby they have activities and shore excursions specifically with children in mind. Here are few barges that offer great family cruises (charter only), Athos, Elisabeth, Le Papillon, Marjorie II.

Do I have to go on all the Excursions?
If relaxing or exploring on your own sounds more interesting, the crew will be happy to see to your comfort on the boat or share ideas of where to explore on foot or a supplied bicycle.

Do you Accommodate Food and Drink Preferences?
Once you complete our preference form, asking about any food allergies, likes and dislikes, we then pass this information on to the Chef. The Chef can prepare special meals as long as we know in advance. As for drinks, we can accommodate your brand preferences when available (some brands are not possible for the barges to obtain). If you would like to order Premium wines, champagnes or specific liquors at your expense, this is possible (depending on availability).

Will I have a language problem?
No, crewmembers speak English.

What sort of excursions do the barges offer?
Normally there are one or two guided excursions daily to historic and cultural sites of the region. Specific interests, such as cycling, golf, and tennis are also accommodated (normally charter only). Each barge has an air-conditioned mini-van or bus that travels with it, used for daily excursions.

Are drinks included in the price?
Yes, open bar is included (except Lorraine – wines with lunch and dinner only). Once you arrive there is a lovely champagne reception to welcome you aboard.  To accompany meals, a wide range of regional wines are offered.  Tea, coffee and nonalcoholic beverages are also available.
 
Will our cabins be cleaned?
Yes, cabins and bathrooms on all barges are cleaned daily.

Are there hairdryers in the cabins?
Yes, you will find a hairdryer in each cabin
 
What should I bring to wear?
People usually dress casually and comfortably.  If cruising in the south of France, bring a hat, sunglasses, several short sleeved shirts and shorts for the men, and summer dresses, shorts, skirts and breathable summer tops for women. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended. You may wish to bring a pair of light cotton trousers and a warm sweater or fleece for the evenings, as the nights can be a bit chilly. Layered clothing is best. If you’re cruising in cooler areas then trousers, light sweater or shirts, plus a light raincoat is recommended (just in case). You may wish to bring something more formal for the Captain’s Dinner on the last evening, when everyone says their farewells. Men normally wear a blazer and ladies wear a nice coordinated outfit.

Will there be a music system on board?
Yes, most all the barges have CD players and more and more are supplying IPOD Docks.  Some have TV’s in your cabin (Marjorie II, Meanderer & La Nouvelle Etoile). DVD players and collection of movies are often supplied, along with a library of books, and sometimes a small selection of games and cards.

Is there Internet access?
Very few of the barges have internet access. La Nouvelle Etoile and Elisabeth are two of the few that do. You can bring your Blackberry or IPhone (coverage is normally pretty good). If you would like to email from a cyber café, let the crew know and they will advise the locations during the excursions.

How fast do the barges go?
The barges cruise at a slow pace, about five miles per hour.  You can easily cycle along the tow path and keep up with the barge, and even go ahead and explore small villages, then wait for the barge to catch you up.

What is the currency in Europe?
In France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Italy and southern Ireland it’s the Euro. In England and Scotland it’s the British Sterling Pound.

Are credit cards accepted in shops?
Yes, in most shops (except very small stores in rural areas) accept Visa and MasterCard (many also accept American Express).

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