 ANY
QUESTIONS ABOUT A BARGE CRUISE?
These are a few of the questions which
we are asked regularly by people enquiring about our holidays. If you
have any queries which are not covered here please don’t hesitate to get
in touch and Hanna will be happy to answer and advise as best she can.
What
if I’m not as agile as I once was? Don’t worry. You only need
to be as active as you want to be. When hopping on and off the boats
there is always a willing member of crew to lend a hand should one be
needed and you can specify the lower bunk cabin when booking or a cabin
on Kerala to limit the amount of crossing you need to do at mealtimes.
If you have any concerns over your agility we will be happy to discuss
these with you and give advice.
What should I
bring for a barge cruise? This very much depends on the time
of year and how active you wish to be. Comfortable clothes are best,
with items you can layer in changeable weather. A sweater is always
recommended as even warm days can have cool evenings. As we cannot
guarantee sunshine every day, it’s a good idea to bring some light
waterproof gear and if you intend to be out and about, a stout pair of
shoes for the towpath are a must. If you’re feeling particularly
optimistic, don’t forget some sun lotion, sun glasses and even shorts!
If you are keen on the wildlife then bring a camera and a pair of
binoculars. Some guests like to change for dinner, although this is by
no means obligatory. We advise you to pack it all in a collapsible
rather than a hard case and wheels always make things a lot easier to
transport, especially if travelling by public transport.
What if I’m a
vegetarian or have other dietary or allergy requirements? No
problem. Just let us know at the time of booking and ensure it is noted
on the booking form. We can work around most things, including strong
dislikes.
Who will my fellow
guests be? Hotelboating appeals to a wide variety of people.
Some may be retired, travelling as a couple or on their own. They may be
nature lovers, walkers, photographers or those with an interest in
Britain’s industrial heritage. There are even those who come just to
help with the locks. A good percentage of our guests are regulars and
come back year after year. The things all our guests have in common is
an appreciation for nature and wildlife and the desire to enjoy a
relaxing holiday in good company.
What
if I’m looking for a more active holiday? The great thing
about our itineraries is that they can be flexible. If you want to walk
there is nearly always a towpath running alongside the canal and when we
moor up for the evening there is enough time to explore the surrounding
area before dinner. Where we cruise through interesting places, we are
happy to give you the opportunity for a wander if you wish or we can
keep moving if not. At the end of the day, it’s your holiday! The only
cruises not recommended for the more energetic guest would be the
rivers, which lack towpaths for much of their length. If you would like
more details on which cruises would suit your interests or requirements
most please feel free to contact us to discuss.
What’s
included? Pretty much everything! From the moment you arrive
on board, you need not pay for anything, except drinks from
the bar, although a glass of wine is included with the evening meal.
Travel to and from the boats or car parking fees are not included
although we are happy to advise on travel arrangements and secure
parking facilities where we can.
When should
I book? Our schedule is released 12 months prior to the start
of that season and we begin taking bookings from then. We have a number
of regular guests and we do find that new routes fill quickly so if
there are particular dates or routes you wish to see or you would like a
particular cabin, it is always advisable to book as soon as you’ve
decided.
Do I need to
book all the cabins? You can book as an individual, couple or
small group and we then take other bookings until we have a maximum of 8
guests. Even if we aren’t fully booked we still run the cruise as we
need to get to the destination for the start of the next cruise. If you
do want to book all the cabins, perhaps for yourself and a group of
friends, we have charter prices available, which offer a significant
reduction in the overall price, please contact Hanna if you are
interested in this option.
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