Being unable to find enough people willing to charter a barge, we have decided not to pursue this trip in 2021. Maybe in the future? I doubt it.
Monday, January 20, 2020
Friday, January 10, 2020
Least Expensive Barge Vacation
Odysseys Unlimited offers a Burgundy barge vacation for a little less than $12,000/pc. It includes air fare from major American cities, 10 nights accommodations with 6 nights on the MS Jeanine, local excursions, and drinks on-board. (International business-class air is available for about $7,000/pc).
The 115-ft by 16.5-ft MS Jeanine holds 22 guests (see Barge 2 Page) through the canals the barge is not much larger that those that hold about a third of the guests (per earlier posts). Six townie-type bicycles are available.
The guests are not going to spend any extra time in the very small 97-sf cabins. Only storage is in the 15-1/2-inch high space under the bed. All meals are provided on-board. The barge may be a bit claustrophobic.
Extra days are spent in Lyon and Paris.
Vacations by Rail uses the MS Ramond for $6,200/pc plus air-fare. Total cost would be around $10,000/pc Taking reservations now for 2021. Requires $1000/pc non-refundable downpayment
The 115-ft by 16.5-ft MS Jeanine holds 22 guests (see Barge 2 Page) through the canals the barge is not much larger that those that hold about a third of the guests (per earlier posts). Six townie-type bicycles are available.
The guests are not going to spend any extra time in the very small 97-sf cabins. Only storage is in the 15-1/2-inch high space under the bed. All meals are provided on-board. The barge may be a bit claustrophobic.
Extra days are spent in Lyon and Paris.
Vacations by Rail uses the MS Ramond for $6,200/pc plus air-fare. Total cost would be around $10,000/pc Taking reservations now for 2021. Requires $1000/pc non-refundable downpayment
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Plan #2 (12/9/19)
Due to the high cost of our initial proposal we are re-looking options to see what else might be available for our preferred regions of Burgundy and Champagne for the previous dates and for significantly less money. Unfortunately, the emphasis for charter barges is on the 5- and 6-star category and have with minimal cost variance.
Focusing on cost, an examination of available barges does not show much variance until the 3-star charter selections or the 18 to 22 guest non-charter options. In the prices below we included the anticipated 10% gratuity.
In general, one should anticipate around $5,500pp +/- $500pp to charter a 3/4-star barge.
For a barge charter in the 3-star category for eight guests, we found:
- North Burgundy - L'art de Vivre ($6,100)
- South Burgundy - Savoir Vivre ($5,000)
- Champagne - nothing available in price range
For a barge charter in the 3/4-star category for six guests, we found:
- North Burgundy - nothing available in price range
- South Burgundy - LaVie en Rose ($4,400), Magnolia ($5,000),
- Rende-vous ($5,800), Wine & Water ($4,400)
- Champagne - nothing available in price range
Booking, deposits, and cancellation policies are the same as the Prosperite. See the Barge 2 page for a more in-depth comparison of what we can expect.
Larger, non-charter river barges have the following availability and less flexible schedules:
- Burgundy - MS Deborah, MS Jeanine ($3,800) 22 guests (limited dates)
- Burgundy - Espirit ($5,400) 18 guests (offers weekly cruises)
- Champagne - MS Ramonde ($4,000) 22 guests (limited dates)
However, with non-charter barges guests can book individually and we don't have to have a commitment from everyone before selecting our barge. These trips are handled by CroisiEurope and French Waterways and not by Barge Ladies.
Except for the MS Ramonde, cruise details are not available on line for 2021. We have sent a request to the cruise companies for additional info. Nevertheless, the MS Ramonde listing should give everyone a feel of what to expect for a non-charter barge cruise.
Focusing on cost, an examination of available barges does not show much variance until the 3-star charter selections or the 18 to 22 guest non-charter options. In the prices below we included the anticipated 10% gratuity.
In general, one should anticipate around $5,500pp +/- $500pp to charter a 3/4-star barge.
For a barge charter in the 3-star category for eight guests, we found:
- North Burgundy - L'art de Vivre ($6,100)
- South Burgundy - Savoir Vivre ($5,000)
- Champagne - nothing available in price range
For a barge charter in the 3/4-star category for six guests, we found:
- North Burgundy - nothing available in price range
- South Burgundy - LaVie en Rose ($4,400), Magnolia ($5,000),
- Rende-vous ($5,800), Wine & Water ($4,400)
- Champagne - nothing available in price range
Booking, deposits, and cancellation policies are the same as the Prosperite. See the Barge 2 page for a more in-depth comparison of what we can expect.
Larger, non-charter river barges have the following availability and less flexible schedules:
- Burgundy - MS Deborah, MS Jeanine ($3,800) 22 guests (limited dates)
- Burgundy - Espirit ($5,400) 18 guests (offers weekly cruises)
- Champagne - MS Ramonde ($4,000) 22 guests (limited dates)
However, with non-charter barges guests can book individually and we don't have to have a commitment from everyone before selecting our barge. These trips are handled by CroisiEurope and French Waterways and not by Barge Ladies.
Except for the MS Ramonde, cruise details are not available on line for 2021. We have sent a request to the cruise companies for additional info. Nevertheless, the MS Ramonde listing should give everyone a feel of what to expect for a non-charter barge cruise.
Friday, November 29, 2019
PRELIMINARY PLAN (12/01/19, update 12/6/19)
We (see Contacts) are planning to cruise via a barge on one of France canals on one of the following weeks, depending on barge availability:
- First choice: Last week of May 2021
- Second choice: First week of June 2021
Our choice for this trip is a canal barge which is a floating hotel carrying 4-22 passengers, for six nights through European canals and/or rivers, primarily in France. Barging focuses on gourmet food and wine, while exploring the countryside and relaxing. A description of the barges, activity, and prices are described on the Overview page.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE - Even though the list of barges seems to have different prices by barge operator/broker, the prices do not vary (our llist is approximate). Prices are set by the owner/operator and the broker just passes that price along. For an acceptable all-inclusive 6 to 8 guest barge, expect to pay with gratuity $7500 to $8500 pp.
Our dedicated English-speaking crew (4 to 6 people) cooks and cleans, pilots the barge, and gives chauffeured tours of local vineyards, châteaux, historic churches, markets and enchanting Medieval villages. Barge season is from mid April – the end of October.
In France, barges cruise in the Burgundy, Champagne, Canal du Midi, Provence-Camargue, Upper Loire, Alsace-Lorraine and Gascony regions. We have decided for this trip to focus on barges in the Burgundy and Champagne regions.
Like hotels, barges are typically rated on a star system. Higher stars mean bigger cabins, more amenities, and higher cost. However, the service, cuisine, daily excursions and overall experience remains comparable across the board.
3 & 4-Star ($4,500 pp)– A crew of two and many meals onshore, organized and selected by the captain. Cabins have en-suite baths.
5-Star ($6,000 pp) – Spacious cabins plus amenities such as hot tub, personalized and charming décor, and fabulous cuisine with a variety of wines and highly-trained crew.
6-Star ($8,000+ pp) - Cabins as large as hotel rooms plus amenities such as a hot tub, open chef’s kitchen and grand piano. Show an overall commitment to top quality in cuisine, wines and highly personalized service.
We anticipate selecting a 5- or a 6-star barge. Working with the travel broker the Barge Ladies, we have made a preliminary selection of the Prosperite cruising the canals in southern Burgundy region. Information everyone needs to plan their trip on the Barge page.
For this trip, we are using a barge broker (see Contacts) and make our own airline and transfer arrangements (see Travel page).
IMPORTANT: Barges book (sell out) at least a year in advance. That means we will need FIRM commitments in early January 2020. The payment schedule is listed on Schedule page.
BOOKING, DEPOSITS, CANCELLATIONS, ETC
Check out the Travel page for anticipated charges and timing (Specifics relative to the Prosperite is on the Barge page)
Unfortunately, unlike a major cruise, we don't have much flexibility for refunds in case anyone is unable to go. Almost certain, there will be no refunds. Participants should consider purchasing travel cancellation insurance that includes Medical and eVac coverage. SQUAREMOUTH provides a great way to tailor insurance to one's personal needs.
Arriving one or two days prior to a European tour is always advisable. Pre-cruise plans will be added 3 to 4 months before departure.
COMMENT
This trip is VERY expensive. One can do TWO "cookie cutter" cruises for the same price. But after having taken many cruises and European/Asian trips we don't too many more places to go, things to do, or time to enjoy them. Why not do something out of the ordinary and likely to be far more memorable than any one (or two) of those large "cookie" trips?
- First choice: Last week of May 2021
- Second choice: First week of June 2021
Our choice for this trip is a canal barge which is a floating hotel carrying 4-22 passengers, for six nights through European canals and/or rivers, primarily in France. Barging focuses on gourmet food and wine, while exploring the countryside and relaxing. A description of the barges, activity, and prices are described on the Overview page.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE - Even though the list of barges seems to have different prices by barge operator/broker, the prices do not vary (our llist is approximate). Prices are set by the owner/operator and the broker just passes that price along. For an acceptable all-inclusive 6 to 8 guest barge, expect to pay with gratuity $7500 to $8500 pp.
Our dedicated English-speaking crew (4 to 6 people) cooks and cleans, pilots the barge, and gives chauffeured tours of local vineyards, châteaux, historic churches, markets and enchanting Medieval villages. Barge season is from mid April – the end of October.
In France, barges cruise in the Burgundy, Champagne, Canal du Midi, Provence-Camargue, Upper Loire, Alsace-Lorraine and Gascony regions. We have decided for this trip to focus on barges in the Burgundy and Champagne regions.
Like hotels, barges are typically rated on a star system. Higher stars mean bigger cabins, more amenities, and higher cost. However, the service, cuisine, daily excursions and overall experience remains comparable across the board.
3 & 4-Star ($4,500 pp)– A crew of two and many meals onshore, organized and selected by the captain. Cabins have en-suite baths.
5-Star ($6,000 pp) – Spacious cabins plus amenities such as hot tub, personalized and charming décor, and fabulous cuisine with a variety of wines and highly-trained crew.
6-Star ($8,000+ pp) - Cabins as large as hotel rooms plus amenities such as a hot tub, open chef’s kitchen and grand piano. Show an overall commitment to top quality in cuisine, wines and highly personalized service.
We anticipate selecting a 5- or a 6-star barge. Working with the travel broker the Barge Ladies, we have made a preliminary selection of the Prosperite cruising the canals in southern Burgundy region. Information everyone needs to plan their trip on the Barge page.
For this trip, we are using a barge broker (see Contacts) and make our own airline and transfer arrangements (see Travel page).
IMPORTANT: Barges book (sell out) at least a year in advance. That means we will need FIRM commitments in early January 2020. The payment schedule is listed on Schedule page.
BOOKING, DEPOSITS, CANCELLATIONS, ETC
Check out the Travel page for anticipated charges and timing (Specifics relative to the Prosperite is on the Barge page)
Unfortunately, unlike a major cruise, we don't have much flexibility for refunds in case anyone is unable to go. Almost certain, there will be no refunds. Participants should consider purchasing travel cancellation insurance that includes Medical and eVac coverage. SQUAREMOUTH provides a great way to tailor insurance to one's personal needs.
Arriving one or two days prior to a European tour is always advisable. Pre-cruise plans will be added 3 to 4 months before departure.
COMMENT
This trip is VERY expensive. One can do TWO "cookie cutter" cruises for the same price. But after having taken many cruises and European/Asian trips we don't too many more places to go, things to do, or time to enjoy them. Why not do something out of the ordinary and likely to be far more memorable than any one (or two) of those large "cookie" trips?
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