Barge Lady Cruises: Small Boat Cruise Review
COVID-19 UPDATE
Barge Lady Cruises operate from Aoril to October.
The family-run Barge Lady Cruises represents roughly 50 luxury small-ship hotel barges, has been around for more than three decades expanding its reach throughout Western Europe, the UK and Ireland, almost wherever their shallow craft can navigate.
Europe is blessed with natural waterways and a rich heritage of canal building that goes back several hundred years to when shallow-draft boats, called barges, were vital in transporting goods between the major ports of Europe.
Today, commercial traffic still exists on some rivers and canals, though private yachting, barge travel, and on the larger canals and rivers, riverboats, dominate.
When we’re talking barge cruising, most are owner operated by passionate folks who enjoy offering a boutique hotel experience on these sturdy, charming and wonderfully quirky conveyances. Moving at just about four miles an hour, the point is to soak up the lovely scenery along the way while enjoying great food and wine.
The boats themselves include some conversions from cargo barges and others that are newly built specifically for the pleasures of canal cruising. Berth capacities range from two to 22.
Especially relevant in the COVID era, the smaller capacity barges are perfect for private charters by families, good friends and affinity groups.
Barge cruising may be the slowest form of cruising (a walking pace), hence sightseers are rewarded with an up-close and highly personal take on the region chosen.
Against the backdrop of their longtime relationships within what is a small industry, Barge Lady Cruises will curate itineraries based on specific requests such as vineyard visits, historic destinations, birding, cycling, golfing, hiking, walking, and so on. Otherwise, the vessels operate as hotel barges where you book your cabin or cabins and share the experience with (hopefully) like-minded others.
Though do keep in mind, if you don’t take a fancy to the other passengers on an intimate 6- or 8-passenger canal barge, you’re stuck. Definitely consider booking the whole boat with friends or relatives.
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AMARYLLIS -6- star barge cruises in France. * Photo; Barge Lady Cruises
RELATED: Barge cruise newbie? These first timer tips will help!
Fleet
The fleet numbers about 50 in four categories: from three- to six-star ratings, depending primarily on cabin sizes.
The majority are in the three- and four-star category. They’re moored throughout Western Europe.
Passenger Profile
Barge cruises attract anyone who wants to leisurely see a specific region, comfortably and close up without the hassle of having to cope with driving, trains, and dealing with an unfamiliar foreign tongue.
Language on board is English, though the crew will speak the local language too.
Wine on deck anyone? * Photo; Barge Lady Cruises
Price
$$ to $$$ — entirely dependent on the star classifications. See explanation under cabins.
Included Features
- Chauffeured transfers pre- & post-cruise
- Onboard meals
- Paired wines with lunch & dinner
- Open bar with top shelf liquors, wine & spirits, water & soft drinks, coffee & tea
- Daily escorted sightseeing & entrance fees
- Use of onboard amenities such as bicycles, hot tubs & WiFi
Suggested tipping is 5-10% of the fare.
Cruising the Mosel River in Germany. * Photo: Barge Lady Cruises
Itineraries
All cruises last six nights/seven days and cover about 50 miles with plenty to see and do.
The majority of cruises are offered in France, in the Burgundy, Champagne, Canal du Midi, Provence-Camargue, Upper Loire, Alsace-Lorraine and Gascony regions — basically every region of France where canals and rivers exist.
In Ireland, barges cruise on the Shannon Waterway amid eternally-green landscapes between Athlone and Killaloe; in England, along the busy River Thames, lined with attractive villages and historic riverside pubs, all just west of London between Hampton Court and Oxford; and in Scotland, on the cross-country Caledonian Canal that links four lochs, including Loch Ness.
In Holland, cruises begin and end in Amsterdam, sometimes cruising through Belgium’s dense network of waterways on their way to France.
Meanwhile, in Germany, barges ply between Remich, Luxembourg and Koblenz, Germany on the Mosel River, while in Italy they follow the Po River and Bianco Canal from Venice to Mantua.
Barge trips begin in Venice to travel inland along the Po River. Photo: Barge Lady Cruises
Sample Itineraries
In Southern France, the Canal du Midi cruise is a six-night journey from Capestang visiting Pézenas then Minerve, Narbonne, the medieval fortress Carcassonne or maybe Lagrasse, followed by a full-day of cruising before the finaldesintaion at Puichéric.
On Ireland’s Shannon Waterway six-night cruise, passengers transfer through Dublin, transferring to the barge moored in Killaloe for a journey that includes visits to Mountshannon, Terryglass, Shannonbridge, Athlone and finally Glasson.
RELATED: Cruising the canals of France aboard the Esperance. by Elysa Leonard
Why Go?
Barging is leisurely cruising par excellence. Travel on waterways at the pace of a fast walk, a bit faster by following the towpath on a bicycle, and dead stop in the evenings. You are amidst beautiful landscapes when under way, and when tied up, close to lovely villages for after-dinner strolls.
Daily excursions with no more than 20 people, often less, take you to beautiful spots, vineyards, chateaux, artisan workshops, and local produce and craft markets.
When to Go?
While the barge cruising season runs from April to October, there are seasonal plusses and minuses. Early and late in the season will see fewer tourists at the most popular sights and fewer private craft on the waterways. However, it may be too cool to remain on deck when underway and in the evenings when tied up.
The beauty of barging is that you’re mainly cruising in the countryside, which substantially lessens being beset by teeming crowds.
Activities & Entertainment
The cruising day may start with an excursion, then return for lunch, cruise in the afternoon, and tie up at night or cruise in the morning with lunch aboard and an afternoon excursion. There may be evening musical entertainment and often a chance to visit the town on foot from the landing.
Leisure time is spent viewing the scenery at four mph from the comfort of the deck, joining the captain in his wheelhouse, watching chef in his open kitchen, relaxing in a hot tub, tasting wine and spirits from the onboard cellar, socializing on deck, and of course good old fashioned reading and scenery gazing.
All barges carry along bicycles for guests’ use. Larking on your own is great fun, and it is hard to get lost as long as you keep the waterway in mind. * Photo: Barge Lady Cruises
Ships
All barges share many similarities, with many having once serviced the waterways as cargo vessels. Now converted into floating boutique hotels, they can accommodate anywhere from two to 22 guests on two, or sometimes three decks (naturally, there is no elevator).
Barge Lady Cruises employ some 50 barges that are independently owned and operated, so certain elements will differ between each, however Barge Lady maintains a standard throughout.
Dining
Food is most definitely a major attraction and will reflect the country and region. Breakfast and lunch will be buffet and dinner served with paired wines. Cooking and presentation will be of a high standard, as catering is for a few, not hundreds or thousands as on ocean-going cruise ships.
Often the chef will introduce the evening meal. A cocktail hour with canapés precedes dinner. With advance notice, chefs can accommodate special dietary requests.
Wine and cheese on a barge cruise in France. * Photo: Barge Lady Cruises
Public Rooms
Barges have a lounge, possibly a second semi-partitioned seating area; dining area; forward outdoor seating on the same deck; and perhaps additional open and/or covered seating above the public spaces.
Small book collections will reflect the cruising regions, often along with reading left behind by past passengers.
Cabins
The cabin sizes generally dictate the star rating, with 3-stars at roughly 100 sq. ft.; 4-stars at 125-200 sq. ft.; 5-stars at 200 sq. ft. with hot tub; and 6-stars at 250 sq. ft. with hot tub. Because barge cabins are located at the waterline, they have portholes or small windows, not big picture windows as with riverboats.
In cabin: en suite, Wi-Fi, hair dryer.
A cabin on the Amaryllis. * Photo: Barge Lady Cruises
RELATED: Barge cruise tips; Is a barge cruise for you?
Along the Same Lines
There are many barge companies and some barge owners sell directly to the public, like Grand Victoria Cruises.
Abercrombie & Kent gets a brief mention on QuirkyCruise as they charter some of Barge Lady’s vessels.
Contact
Barge Lady Cruises, 101 West Grand Avenue #200, Chicago IL 60654; 800-880-0071; bargeladycruises.com.
Barges often tie up to a village landing, just where you want to be. * Photo: Barge Lady Cruises
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HEIDI SARNA
I am arthritic and cannot walk long distances and may be traveling alone. Is barge traveling a good idea?
Artificial knees and hips are my problem. I have been on my sons boat but need assistance walking a gang plank but am able to maneuver once on board.
I appreciate your honesty
Angie
Dear Angie,
I did a barge cruise this summer despite one very arthritic hip and one mildly arthritic hip. (I’ll have the first hip replaced in January.) On my particular vessel, the JOHANNA, 5/6 relatively steep steps separate the salon/cabin deck from the top deck. With the help of railings, these were easy enough to navigate. As for the gangplank, it was narrow but mostly level, not a problem. For the off-barge sections of the cruise, my hip certainly prevented me from enjoying prolonged strolls through villages or exhibits. However, the guide was careful to eliminate as much walking as possible for me and I was able to manage without undue discomfort. I should add that I did bring a collapsible cane and it was helpful at times.
In short, I concluded that barge travel, especially with its many hours of leisurely lounging, was well worth the occasional mobility issue. Of course, disability challenges vary from person to person. The other female passenger on our recent barge cruise had two artificial hip replacements and she had no difficulty at all.
Good luck!