"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 rivers and canals

Top cruise destinations

Shannon

Shannon

Ireland

Charente

Charente

France

Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi

France

Saône Valley

Saône Valley

France

Selected of hotel barge trips

Check out the best hotel barges

2027 offers!
L'Art de Vivre barge cruise

L'Art de Vivre

Nivernais Canal & Yonne
8 guests
★★★★
France
Nivernais & River Yonne
20% off
Savoir Vivre barge cruise

Savoir Vivre

Burgundy Canal
8 guests
★★★★
France
Burgundy Canal
Saroche barge cruise

Saroche

Champagne
6 guests
★★★★★★
France
Burgundy Canal
Saône Valley
Last-minute
2027 offers!
Panache barge cruise

Panache

Holland & Alsace
12 guests
★★★★★
France
Holland
Alsace
Dutch Waterways
Enchanté barge cruise

Enchanté

Midi Canal
8 guests
★★★★★★
France
Canal du Midi
2027 offers!
Spirit of Scotland barge cruise

Spirit of Scotland

Scotland
12 guests
★★★★★
Scotland
Caledonian Canal
Magna Carta barge cruise

Magna Carta

Tested by Jane McDonald
8 guests
★★★★★
England
River Thames
Grand Cru barge cruise

Grand Cru

Near Dijon
8 guests
★★★★★★
France
Burgundy Canal

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.

2027
N1170 Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Comfort 8 to 10 people

N1170

10 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 8 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1567€/7 nights
Crusader Self-drive rental boat

Crusader

6 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
3 bathrooms
Value
From 1139€/7 nights
Espade Concept Fly Self-drive rental boat

Espade Concept Fly

9 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 3 children
1 bathroom
★★★
From 1209€/7 nights
Horizon 1 Self-drive rental boat

Horizon 1

5 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 2 adults
and 2 children
1 bathroom
Premier
From 1359€/7 nights
2027
N SIXTO Green Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium 6 to 8 people

N SIXTO Green

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2741€/7 nights
Tarpon 37 DP Self-drive rental boat

Tarpon 37 DP

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 1100€/7 nights
2027
N QUATTRO B + Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium 4 to 6 people

N QUATTRO B +

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2059€/7 nights
2027
N1000 Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Comfort 6 to 8 people

N1000

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1397€/7 nights

Testimonials

Guests have said...

I'd rate the Magnifique 9/10
We cruised on the Midi canal and most appreciated the part without all the locks. Peaceful, really scenic countryside,...

Just want to let you know how much we enjoyed our trip on Finesse.  The barge was beautifully appointed, the amenities were excellent, and the crew...

The Linssen 32 was new and clean. I'd rate it 10/10
We preferred the southern half of the Midi cruise.
I heard about Hotels Afloat from a family...

5 stars for the boat and for Hotels Afloat!  Superb.  We will definitely book again and have recommended you
Thank you very much for arranging...

We had a lovely time, Emma. Thanks for all your help with making it so.

Dear Emma
We've just returned from Burgundy.
Many thanks for arranging the booking with Heidi & Stefan. Everything went very well indeed. The boat...

Everything was perfect. From the information and service we received to the boat, boat owners and boat cruise itself We rate the Magnolia 10/10:...

A most enjoyable trip. Thanks for your help with the arrangements, Emma.

Friendly staff and top notch facilities on board
I rate the boat a 10

We...

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