Canal & river vacations

From luxury converted barges to modern style cruisers, choose the perfect boat to explore selected destinations on the inland waterways.

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Hotel barges

Top rated and selected barges, reviewed, tested and rated. We offer a large choice of converted barges and routes on the inland waterways.

Self-drive Rentals

Skipper your boat! A perfect vacation for families and friends, we have boats for couples and up to 12 people! Choose your boat and destination now.

Welcome to Hotels Afloat

Cruise with EmmaHi, I’m Emma James-Aldridge, and my company is dedicated to organising hotel barge and self-drive boat cruises in France, the rest of Europe 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.

We provide expert and detailed advice, we spare no effort in making and managing your booking to ensure the success of your boating holiday cruise.

With 98% of our clients saying they would book with us again, and many returning each year, you can be confident that you're in safe and expert hands.
Hotels Afloat looks forward to welcoming you aboard!

 

Our clients have awarded us (4.8) stars

The perfect present at any time of year
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Top cruise destinations

Discover the best cruise routes

Friesland

Holland

Loire Valley

France

Shannon

Ireland

Camargue

France

River Saône

France

Check out the best deals

A selection of hotel barge cruises

Elegance

6 guests

Save 15%

Aurora

8 guests

Holland
France
Belgium
Belgium - France

Dutch Waterways
River Yonne
Flanders
Bruges to Haarlem
Bruges to Paris
Rotterdam to Paris
Île-de-France

Magnolia barge cruises

Magnolia

6 guests

France

Burgundy Canal

Luciole

12 guests

France

Nivernais & River Yonne

Saraphina barge cruises

Saraphina

4 guests

France

Canal du Midi

15% discount
Grand Victoria barge cruises

Grand Victoria

6 guests

France

River Saône

Check out the cruise deals

Self-drive boat rentals

N1350
Nicols

N1350

10 guests

Nicols

N SIXTO
Nicols

N SIXTO

8 guests

Nicols

N SIXTO Green
Nicols
Classique Star
Le Boat
Elegance
Le Boat

Elegance

6 guests

Le Boat

N1010
Nicols

N1010

8 guests

Nicols

N DUO
Nicols

N DUO

4 guests

Nicols

Nicols 1310
France Passion Plaisance
Ready for your next cruise?

Ready for your next cruise?

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Testimonials

Guests have said...

We enjoyed Alex's captaining of the barge and the great vineyards, castles that he took us to. We appreciated Nicole's care, her cups of tea and...

Adrian, Auckland NZ 2019

Hi Emma

Here we are back home after a terrific trip to Europe, the highlight of which was our Locaboat cruise from Briare to Dompierre.
We cannot...

John Wells. Canal Loire

All the crew were incredible, food was out of this world, the service the best and everyone spectacular

Tom & Mary; USA

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...

Karlina P; October 2022

The layout was very practical and well appointed with everything needed for a week aboard supplied and in very good condition. We were also given a...

Graham Jensen. Midi canal

The boat was really roomy and comfortable for four couples - both in the cabins and up top.
I rate the boat 9/10.
We particularly enjoyed the river...

Bruce Weiland. Burgundy

We will not soon forget the week we spent on La Vie en Rose. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Merci encore!!!  Laurie and gang.

Laurie, October 2022

We are now home from a wonderful trip and I want to thank you for all your help. Please feel free to use me as a reference if you are asked.
Locaboat d...

Susan B. Negra-Lattes on the Midi canal