"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

Saône Valley

Saône Valley

France

Shannon

Shannon

Ireland

Loire Valley

Loire Valley

France

Camargue

Camargue

France

Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi

France

A selection of hotel barge cruises

Check out the best deals

Magnolia barge cruise

Magnolia

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

Kir Royale

Exceptionally spacious
8 guests
★★★★★★
France
Champagne
New route for 2026
Elegance barge cruise

Elegance

6 guests
★★★★★
France
Aquitaine & Bordeaux
Best price!
Grand Victoria barge cruise

Grand Victoria

River Saône
6 guests
★★★★★★
France
Saône Valley
Central Canal
River Rhone
Last-minute
Save 20%
L'Art de Vivre barge cruise

L'Art de Vivre

Nivernais Canal & Yonne
8 guests
★★★★
France
Nivernais & River Yonne
Shannon Princess barge cruise

Shannon Princess

Ireland
10 guests
★★★★★
Ireland
Shannon
Last-minute
Save 10%
Athos barge cruise

Athos

Midi Canal
10 guests
★★★★
France
Canal du Midi
Camargue
Last-minute
Save 10%
Scottish Highlander barge cruise

Scottish Highlander

Scotland
8 guests
★★★★
Scotland
Caledonian 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.

Europa 400 Self-drive rental boat

Comfort Premium XL 4 people

Europa 400

4 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 2 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1918€/7 nights
Panoramic P.1180FB Self-drive rental boat

Pénichette Premium 6 to 7 people

Panoramic P.1180FB

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
and 1 child
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 1988€/7 nights
N OCTO FLY Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium+ 8 to 10 people

N OCTO FLY

10 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 4 children
4 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 3332€/7 nights
Last-minute
Save up to 25%
Royal Mystique B Self-drive rental boat

Royal Mystique B

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
2 bathrooms
Comfort
From 1319€/7 nights
Last-minute
Save up to 25%
Mystique Self-drive rental boat

Mystique

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
and 2 children
3 bathrooms
Comfort
From 2159€/7 nights
Tarpon 42 TP Self-drive rental boat

Tarpon 42 TP

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 1400€/7 nights
Last-minute
Save up to 25%
Dancer 4 (Salsa A) Self-drive rental boat

Dancer 4 (Salsa A)

10 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 8 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
Comfort
From 2059€/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

Testimonials

Guests have said...

The EuroClassic 149 was as expected with plenty of space and good facilities
I'd rate it a 9/10.
We enjoyed the scenery, food and villages in...

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...

We loved our week on the Esperance. The boat itself is beautiful with plenty of room for three couples. We have an amazing crew who took great care...

Hi Emma,

We had a most fabulous trip down the canal and absolutely loved the boat.

I will get organised when we get back home and do some reviews...

Thank you for a memorable week of cruising on a barge. The experience was everything we had hoped for

Just a note to thank you. Every thing went fine all enjoyed the trip.
Regards
Fred Martin

Dear Emma: It was GREAT
A few things not good otherwise we absolutely loved it.
The boat was as we expected: appreciated that it floated and that...

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


We rate Hotels Afloat a...

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