WHAT TO EXPECT (From Barge Ladies)
What is a typical day like aboard a
barge cruise?
Breakfast
The day begins with a breakfast
buffet of local pastries and breads and various fruits, yogurts, cereals and
freshly brewed coffee and tea. Some barges offer breakfast made to order
such as eggs.
Morning
Schedule
Typically, barges cruise in AM and
tour in PM. However, in some instances that may be reversed
Lunch
Buffet of salads, homemade soups, regional
cheeses, and quiches accompanied by Chef-selected wines.
Afternoon
Schedule
After lunch the Tour Guide
chauffeurs everyone on the scheduled, guided excursion to appoint of interest
near the waterway, including:
· Wine tasting, and
· Visits to local markets, artisans, villages and
chateaus.
What
to do while barge is cruising
· Bicycle and meander into the countryside and canal side
villages, or
· Stay on the barge and relax on deck, have a drink, or in the
salon and maybe help the Captain steer.
Evening
· Cocktail hour with canapes.
· Informal gourmet meal with wine pairings, cheese
boards, and desserts
· Traditional nightcaps
What are typical amenities aboard a barge
cruise?
WIFI (sometimes with limited
reception), AC/heat, bicycles, toiletries, hair dryers, daily maid service
in the cabins, fully stocked open bar, and media and entertainment systems.
What
exactly is a European barge cruise?
An intricate series of antique
waterways of canals and rivers meander through the countryside throughout
Europe. The barges are floating boutique hotels with deluxe
accommodations, sightseeing, and gourmet cuisine.
The English-speaking crew, which
includes a private Chef, a Tour Guide, a Hostess, and a Captain, accommodates
guests both onboard and ashore.
Barges carry only between 2 to 22
passengers and cruise approximately 50
miles/week at leisurely in pace 4 mph through pastoral and rustic
countryside and woodlands.
What
is included in the cruise fare?
- Chauffeured
transfers to/from the barge pre/post-cruise at a designated pick up and
drop off point determined at time upon booking, e.g. a hotel, railroad
station, or rental car office. Customized meeting and return drop-off
points may be arranged for charters.
- Six
night’s
accommodation with private bathroom
- Breakfast,
lunch and dinner (*Some barges offer dining ashore at the
guest’s expense)
- Wine
pairings with onboard lunches and dinners
- Open bar
with top shelf liquors, wines, spirits, waters and soft drinks, coffee and
tea
- Daily
escorted sightseeing to local places of interest, including all entrance
fees
- Daily maid
service of cabins and bathrooms
- Use of all
onboard amenities such as hot tub, bicycles, electronics, music, games,
library, etc
What is not included in the cruise
fare?
- Air or other transportation to the designated meeting
and drop off location in Europe
- Travel insurance
- Optional and discretionary 5-10% of cruise price for crew gratuity,
Miscellaneous Medical Considerations
· No disabled in a
wheelchair, or with serious age related medical conditions such as dementia or
incontinence.
· Cruises are away
from medical facilities
· No liability
assumed in the case of injury, accident, worsening of medical condition.
· Crew provides
transportation to a hospital, calls to medics, or to necessary needed medical
care.
· Passengers
should purchase travel insurance which includes emergency medical coverage and
evacuation.
How
do I book and pay for a barge cruise?
·
Bookings handled by the Barge Ladies. Payments are generally non-refundable
·
A deposit
and a final payment via
secure online payment portal.
·
VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, checks, and wire
transfers accepted.
