"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

Charente

Charente

France

Friesland

Friesland

Holland

Shannon

Shannon

Ireland

Camargue

Camargue

France

Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi

France

Selected of hotel barge trips

Check out the best hotel barges

Magnolia barge cruise

Magnolia

Burgundy Canal
6 guests
★★★★
France
Burgundy Canal
Saône Valley
Saroche barge cruise

Saroche

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

La Belle Epoque

12 guests
★★★★★
France
Burgundy Canal
Last-minute
La Vie en Rose barge cruise

La Vie en Rose

Burgundy
6 guests
★★★★
France
Saône Valley
Central Canal
Last-minute
2027 offers!
L'Art de Vivre barge cruise

L'Art de Vivre

Nivernais Canal & Yonne
8 guests
★★★★
France
Nivernais & River Yonne
Last-minute
Finesse barge cruise

Finesse

Canal du Centre
8 guests
★★★★★★
France
Saône Valley
Central Canal
Last-minute
2027 offers!
Panache barge cruise

Panache

Holland & Alsace
12 guests
★★★★★
France
Holland
Alsace
Dutch Waterways
C'est La Vie barge cruise

C'est La Vie

Champagne Loire
8 guests
★★★★★
France
Loire Valley
Champagne

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.

Next year!
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
From 1659€/7 nights
Save up to 50%
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 1866€/7 nights
Next year!
Clipper Self-drive rental boat

Clipper

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
Comfort
From 1099€/7 nights
Save up to 50%
P.1022FB Self-drive rental boat

Pénichette Premium 2 to 3 people

P.1022FB

3 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
and 1 child
1 bathroom
★★★★
From 2268€/7 nights
Next year!
Classique Self-drive rental boat

Classique

8 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
Value
From 1259€/7 nights
Save up to 50%
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
Save up to 50%
N800 Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Classic 2 to 3 people

N800

3 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
1 bathroom
★★
From 712€/7 nights
Next year!
Horizon 3 Self-drive rental boat

Horizon 3

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
3 bathrooms
Premier
From 2139€/7 nights

Testimonials

Guests have said...

Words cannot describe the experience we have had on this cruise from Bruges to Paris. The excellence of service was the best part and then the...

The boat was pretty well as expected but there were some shortcomings
It was easy to steer, responsive.
Boat rating: 8/10
Will book with Hotels Afloat...

exceeded our expectations... We liked the relaxed atmosphere of the area, easy access to small villges and larger towns (Auxerre was great)...

Hello Emma,

We have been home almost a week now and today is my day to sit down and write to everyone that we want to thank for our FABULOUS
trip....

I rate the Luciole 9/10: Liked the attention of the staff
The Nivernais is a small canal, lovely but weather not as good as hoped for and some of...

The boat was as expected but a bit old
Appreciated the size & sliding roof windows
Boat rate 7/10
Our cruise from Joigny was as we expected.

Before...

We really appreciated the small intimate personal environment and the excellent service
Boat rate: 10/10
Burgundy canal: Appreciated the surrounding...

These little Penichettes (P1107W) are a delightful and totally reliable. The ease of driving, a great kitchen at the same level as the table, lots...

The perfect present at any time of year
Gift Vouchers

v3.21