"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

Camargue

Camargue

France

Charente

Charente

France

Shannon

Shannon

Ireland

Loire Valley

Loire Valley

France

Bodrag River

Bodrag River

Hungary

A selection of hotel barge cruises

Check out the best deals

Esperance barge cruise

Esperance

Midi Canal
6 guests
★★★★★
France
Canal du Midi
Last-minute
Save 10%
Athos barge cruise

Athos

Midi Canal
10 guests
★★★★
France
Canal du Midi
Camargue
Best price!
Grand Victoria barge cruise

Grand Victoria

River Saône
6 guests
★★★★★★
France
Saône Valley
Central Canal
River Rhone
Last-minute
Save 20%
Kir Royale barge cruise

Kir Royale

Exceptionally spacious
8 guests
★★★★★★
France
Champagne
Maïtena barge cruise

Maïtena

4 guests
★★★★★
France
Saône Valley
Burgundy Canal
Last-minute
Save up to 20%
Spirit of Scotland barge cruise

Spirit of Scotland

Scotland
12 guests
★★★★★
Scotland
Caledonian Canal
Last-minute
Savoir Vivre barge cruise

Savoir Vivre

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

Magnolia

Burgundy Canal
6 guests
★★★★
France
Burgundy Canal
Saône Valley

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.

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
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
From 1639€/7 nights
Save up to 800€
N SIXTO Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium 6 to 8 people

N SIXTO

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1746€/7 nights
Save up to 800€
N900 DP Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Comfort 4 to 7 people

N900 DP

7 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 1 child
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1420€/7 nights
Caprice Self-drive rental boat

Caprice

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 2 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
Comfort
From 1039€/7 nights
Save up to 800€
N QUATTRO S Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium 4 to 6 people

N QUATTRO S

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 2 adults
and 2 children
1 bathroom
★★★★
From 2059€/7 nights
Cirrus A Self-drive rental boat

Cirrus A

4 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
and 2 children
1 bathroom
Value
From 1079€/7 nights
Dancer 4 Plus (Salsa B) Self-drive rental boat

Dancer 4 Plus (Salsa B)

12 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 8 adults
and 4 children
2 bathrooms
Comfort
From 2019€/7 nights

Testimonials

Guests have said...

The cleanliness and reliability of the boat overall: 9/10
The cruise in the Lot was generally as expected:  One or two of the locks were a little...

It was our first time cruising a canal, two couples, five children and I have to say we loved it. It was a wonderful experience The staff from...

I can’t describe how wonderful the barge trip was. The food, the wine, the loving care. Everything was just exquisite!  Karen R***s. PS. Steve and...

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...

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...

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

The cruise was better than expected! We rate the boat 10/10. The host Tim was the best thing and we appreciated the serenity of the Nivernais...

Much more than we expected
The rooms and baths were just lovely and fresh. Being able to be outside under an umbrella and out of the sun..
I give it...

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