"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 Small ships

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

Discover the best cruise routes

Top cruise destinations

Loire Valley

Loire Valley

France

Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi

France

Friesland

Friesland

Holland

Saône Valley

Saône Valley

France

Shannon

Shannon

Ireland

A selection of hotel barge cruises

Check out the best deals

Grand Cru barge cruise

Grand Cru

Near Dijon
8 guests
★★★★★★
France
Burgundy Canal
Spirit of Scotland barge cruise

Spirit of Scotland

Scotland
12 guests
★★★★★
Scotland
Caledonian Canal
L'Art de Vivre barge cruise

L'Art de Vivre

Nivernais Canal & Yonne
8 guests
★★★★
France
Nivernais & River Yonne
Anjodi barge cruise

Anjodi

Midi Canal
8 guests
★★★★
France
Canal du Midi
Save 20%
Panache barge cruise

Panache

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

Luciole

Nivernais Canal & Yonne
12 guests
★★★★
France
Nivernais & River Yonne

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 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
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
★★★★
Linssen Vlet 1030 Self-drive rental boat

Linssen Vlet 1030

8 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
1 bathroom
★★
From 1248€/7 nights
Save up to 600€
N QUATTRO FLY C GREEN Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium+ 4 to 6 people

N QUATTRO FLY C GREEN

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
Save up to 300€
N1010 Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Comfort 6 to 8 people

N1010

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★
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
Save up to 300€
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
★★★★
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
★★★★

Testimonials

Guests have said...

Thank you for all of your assistance with our cruise.

The 3 aspects of the boat we appreciated were:
1. Ease operation for beginner drivers ( never...

We appreciated It's small size, fabulous crew, and the opportunity for our family to be together. I rate the boat 9/10
The Nivernais Canal was quiet...

How would you rate your boat? 4 stars   
How would you rate the Customer Service from Hotels Afloat, i.e. our response to emails, phone calls etc. ...

Thanks for the email. We really did enjoy the cruise, it was wonderful. One of our better holidays especially as we were barging with a group of...

Thank you! We have travelled often to many places - This week was the best vacation/adventure ever!  
You have a beautiful peniche, a great crew,...

Our time with you both on Maitena has been one of the most memorable of my life. You make an exceptional host and hostess, spoiling us with...

Rate the Calypso boat an 8/10. Top deck very good
Loire Valley: Better than expected, lovely scenery and interesting stops.
Hotels Afloat: Excellent...

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...

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