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European Barge Cruise - Not All Barges
Are the Same!
by: Colin Hartness
What image comes to mind when you hear the word barge? Most likely,
an American will visualize a long low-slung cargo vessel situated on
a river or the Great Lakes, dirty and loaded with coal or iron ore.
The idea of a barge cruise may be reminiscent of an old black and white
movie where the hero leaves home at a young age on a cheap tramp steamer
to seek his fortune in the great world beyond. Or a barge cruise might
bring to mind long-haired hippies of the 1960’s traveling through
Europe on $3 a day. Nothing could be further from the truth!
The only resemblance between an American cargo barge and a European
cruising barge is the long low-slung shape and overall proportions.
A European cruising barge is, in reality, an exclusive and elegant means
of travel. These barges are also called floating hotels due to the preponderance
of amenities and staff.
Forget the thought of a tiny pigeon-hole stateroom just above the waterline
of a 2,000 passenger cruise ship. All staterooms in a floating hotel
are spacious and well-appointed, more like suites that you find on a
cruise ship. Staterooms typically feature twin beds and a private bath.
On luxury barge cruises, you will find even larger cabins and modern
conveniences such as TV, jacuzzi, and computer hook-up. You have all
the amenities of home, including air conditioning, carpeting, a commons
area, a dining area and, of course, a bar.
The European barge cruise is an intimate and personal experience as
barges typically accommodate as few as 4 people up to as many as 24.
Each barge is staffed with a personal chef who prepares gourmet meals
from locally purchased ingredients to please guests as well as a captain
who pilots the vessel and stateroom staff. A cruise with 6 people can
be served by as many as 4 staff members.
Barge cruises are available on most of the rivers and canals in Europe.
You can experience up-close the beauty and cultural sites of Belgium,
England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, or Scotland. The pace of
a barge cruise is leisurely. The itinerary includes stopping at historic
and cultural places of interest along the cruising route. You can sightsee
on foot or on bicycles that are available onboard. On barge cruise operator
even provides an air-conditioned touring bus to takes passengers to
local points of interest at each stop along the way. What a change of
pace from the hotel hopping of a bus trip! Just depart from the barge
in the morning, enjoy a day of sightseeing and return to the quiet of
a private dining room where a gourmet meal is waiting.
The price of a European barge cruise, like all other cruises, varies
based upon the cruise line, the accommodations selected, the area visited,
and the season (high or low). However, a quiet and personal barge cruise
can be had for a price competitive with a Caribbean cruise, without
airfare of course. The barge cruise price usually includes accommodations,
3 meals a day, beverage service that includes wines and spirits, and
pre-arranged sightseeing tours. And these barge cruises cater to the
American tourist by providing English speaking crew members.
About The Author - Colin Hartness - Looking for information
about cruises? - Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com
- 'What Cruises' is published by Colin Hartness - An excellent resource
for Cruises! - Check out more cruise articles at: http://www.whatcruises.com/archive
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