So, you’ve decided to take to the water for your next holiday.
That’s the easy part.
But how can you be sure of selecting the perfect self-drive cruise among so many? Fortunately, our 47 years of joint experience among our team of experts has taught us a thing or two…
Just follow our 10 Top Tips for a stress-free trip
1 SIZE MATTERS
I’m not talking about the actual dimensions of the boat. Self-drive cruisers are specifically designed for easy, worry-free boating and none exceed 15 meters.
But, how much space do you need?
A young family of 4 may be happy with a 1-2 cabin boat making use of the additional berths in the saloon, but older children need their own cabin. They won’t be happy to be woken at dawn for a freshly brewed coffee and croissant from the local patisserie, so in general, the older the ‘children’, the more space needed.
Likewise, adult-only groups may prefer the option of an extra cabin to store purchases, or for the on-board snorer.
In general, if your budget permits, choose a boat with an extra cabin, at least two bathrooms and a good-sized deck. When living on a boat, size really does matter.
2 ESSENTIALS
Before we begin, take a moment to look around your home… How do you live? What can you live without for a week? And what is essential?
It’s time to say goodbye to 24 hr WiFi and TV, and hello to peace!
Most boats have USB charging facilities for Kindles, iPods, cameras etc. For those of you who can’t do without. some have flat-screen TVs with DVD players.
If you plan to prepare the majority of your meals on board, opt for a boat with a good galley… Some include a microwave, family-sized fridges and even dishwashers!
When cruising in the summer, especially in the south, an air-conditioned boat can be a great place to unwind.
And do consider the bathrooms. Many of our boats have electric-flush toilets rather than traditional marine ones.
3 BEDS A personal issue
We all like a good night’s sleep, especially when on holiday. When selecting your boat, do consider the sleeping arrangements carefully. Children who normally sleep in a single bed may be reluctant to share, or sleep badly if sharing a double bed. Grouchy children = ruined holiday! Similarly, bunk beds are more suited towards 8 to 12-year-old children than younger ones.
A few boats have double beds centrally placed, but the vast majority have one side against the cabin wall. Anyone sharing with a light sleeper may prefer to have two singles or a centrally placed double.
4 WHOSE HOLIDAY?
So that everybody enjoys the cruise, it’s essential to consider everyone aboard.
Children? Plenty of outdoor space on the top deck for the older ones… and a secure smaller deck for the younger ones will enable you to relax.
Group of friends? Does the boat layout give the maximum amount of privacy possible? Many have cabins placed at either end of the boat.
Don’t skimp on the bathrooms. Remember that many have the shower and toilet in the same room, so it’s worth having an extra toilet that can always be available.
Check the living space. Although you’ll spend most of your time outside, weather permitting, a centrally placed saloon with adequate seating is great for relaxing at any time of day and especially after dusk as you reminisce and plan the next day’s adventure.
5 SAFETY FIRST
Here at Hotels Afloat, all the boats meet the required strict European standards to ensure your safety.
From non-slip surfaces to handrails, personalized life jackets to smoke detectors, safety is a top priority.
Full training is given by qualified bi-lingual staff before leaving the departure base.
6 BUDGET
You get what you pay for, and this certainly applies to boats! We do market a wide range of boats to cater for all budgets, but if you would like a comfortable boat with both inside and outside steering, and at least two bathrooms, please be realistic. Calculating the cost of the boat divided by the number of people on board, divided by the number of days, often helps put things into perspective.
Imagine that you pay 1500€ for 6 people for 7 days… That’s just 35€ per person per day…
We will always offer you a range of boats for consideration…
Please do use our website to compare the facilities before opting for the cheapest one!
Upon arrival at the departure base, you will see a wide range of boats.
If you’ve selected one of the lowest-priced holidays on offer, don’t be jealous of the luxury cruisers! It will probably be too late to upgrade…
7 WHERE?
France remains the favourite destination among our guests, but many explore other European countries too.
As each country and region has its own characteristics, let us help you select one that meets your interests.
Looking for fine wines and beautiful scenery? The Loire, Burgundy and Aquitaine are excellent choices.
History and cooler climes. Try Brittany, the Anjou, the Charente and the Alsace. And for wall-to-wall sunshine try the Midi and the Camargue or the Aquitaine!
8 WHETHER THE WEATHER
Throughout the ages, man has tried to control the weather through magical and religious practices, but to no avail! While modern methods can be used in certain situations to protect crops, here in the office there is nothing we can do! While the ‘best’ weather is to be had in the summer months, nothing is certain and we can only suggest that you keep an open mind, and pack a variety of clothing including some wet-weather gear, non-slip deck shoes and some good quality gloves for rope handling. Don’t forget sunglasses and peak caps, and Factor 30 sunscreen. Several layers of thin clothing are most suitable as the temperature can change considerably from early morning to dusk, whenever you cruise.
If the captain wants to enjoy the sun and the views, do select a boat with both inside and outside steering… and remember that hat!
9 TRAVEL
Trains, planes and automobiles.
While Europe is easily accessible by rail and plane, some of the bases are in quite rural locations. You may need to take up to 2 trains, plus a taxi to reach your final destination. But enjoy this time and use it to relax!
Driving in Europe can be fun, and allows you to take your time. Whether you take the un-saturated motorways or plan an even quieter route through attractive towns and villages, this can be a great way to begin your holiday.
Have you ever tried the website Rome2Rio?
Time permitting, plan to arrive the day before you begin your cruise so that you will be totally refreshed and relaxed during the instruction process.
We are always happy to help plan the logistics.
10 CHOOSE A HELPFUL AGENT!
We are a small business with a big heart, and value our clients sincerely.
Helping with the finer details can make all the difference to you, and is only a phone call or email away.
Hotels Afloat has a proven track record of helping guests find the perfect cruise that best suits their needs.
Do you need more advice?
Please complete our contact form for an immediate reply
Or why not telephone us now on
+33 614 250 200
or email the expert at
emmas.cruises@gmail.com
We don’t just sell, we care!