"Carefully created cruises, just for you"™

Cruise with Emma

Hi, I’m Emma James-Aldridge, and my company is dedicated to organising hotel barge and self-drive boat cruises on the inland waterways, canals and rivers of France, other European countries and Canada, for clients from across the globe. If you're a family, group of friends, couples or individuals, I have the perfect cruise for you.

Why choose us
Self-drivesHotel barges

Our clients have awarded Hotels Afloat
★★★★★ (4.9) stars

Discover the best cruise routes

Top cruise destinations

Loire Valley

Loire Valley

France

Friesland

Friesland

Holland

Bodrag River

Bodrag River

Hungary

Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi

France

A selection of hotel barge cruises

Check out the best deals

Last-minute
Save up to 20%
La Bella Vita barge cruise

La Bella Vita

Venetian lagoon
20 guests
★★★★
Italy
Venice Lagoon
Grand Cru barge cruise

Grand Cru

Near Dijon
8 guests
★★★★★★
France
Burgundy Canal
Last-minute
Maïtena barge cruise

Maïtena

4 guests
★★★★★
France
Saône Valley
Burgundy Canal
Saroche barge cruise

Saroche

Champagne
6 guests
★★★★★★
France
Burgundy Canal
Saône Valley
Last-minute
Save up to 20%
La Belle Epoque barge cruise

La Belle Epoque

12 guests
★★★★★
France
Burgundy Canal
Esperance barge cruise

Esperance

Midi Canal
6 guests
★★★★★
France
Canal du Midi
Nymphea barge cruise

Nymphea

Brittany
6 guests
★★★★
France
Brittany
Last-minute
Magna Carta barge cruise

Magna Carta

Tested by Jane McDonald
8 guests
★★★★★
England
River Thames

A selection of self-drive boat rentals

Discover the offers and discounts

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

Save 25%!
P.1020FB Self-drive rental boat

Pénichette Premium 4 to 5 people

P.1020FB

5 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 1 child
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Save up to 29%
Cirrus B Self-drive rental boat

Cirrus B

4 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
and 2 children
1 bathroom
Value
Save 25%!
N1100 Self-drive rental boat

Cruise Comfort 6 to 9 people

N1100

9 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
3 bathrooms
★★★★
Save 25%!
Panoramic P.1400FB Self-drive rental boat

Pénichette Comfort 8 to 9 people

Panoramic P.1400FB

10 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
and 2 children
3 bathrooms
★★★★
Last-minute
Save up to 30%
La Péniche FS Self-drive rental boat

La Péniche FS

12 guests maximum
6 cabins
Ideal for 12 adults
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 2711€/7 nights
Save up to 29%
Dancer 2 (Tango) Self-drive rental boat

Dancer 2 (Tango)

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 1 child
1 bathroom
Comfort
Save up to 29%
Dancer 3 (Calypso) Self-drive rental boat

Dancer 3 (Calypso)

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 4 children
2 bathrooms
Comfort
Save 25%!
Panoramic P.1165FB Self-drive rental boat

Pénichette Comfort 6 to 7 people

Panoramic P.1165FB

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 2 adults
and 3 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★

Testimonials

Guests have said...

Very satisfied. Everything was perfect!

Roomy cabins, nice outside deck space  (Renior Junior suite & Sisley Stateroom)
Beautiful countryside on the Burgundy Canal


We rate Hotels Afloat a...

Thank you Sandrine, Maxime. We leave the boat with fond memories. I forgot to mention. a new name for your barge, "the House of Happiness"

The cruise and crew were spectacular. It made my 50th birthday very special. The food and wine pairings were wonderful 
This was our second cruise...

The facilities were exactly what we required for our trip. The top desks were a great focal point.
Please rate the boat: 9/10
The route was peaceful...

We had a lovely time on "our" Penichette 1180fb on our cruise from Lutzelbourg in May of this year. Each of the three couples enjoyed the trip and...

The Clipper was as we expected, I rate it an 8/10
It was easy to handle.
Cruising from Port Cassafieres on the Midi was a good beginner route
My...

This experience has been one I’ll never forget. You all have a special place in my heart. Thank you for treating the 10 of us so well. Your passion...

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