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European Waterways ‘Pops the Champagne’ With Launch of New
‘Kir Royale’ Luxury Hotel Barge in the Champagne Region of France

European Waterways continues to strengthen its leadership as the largest provider of all-inclusive luxury hotel barging in Europe with the launch of its newest, Ultra Deluxe vessel, the eight-passenger Kir Royale. Debuting in the Champagne region of France in May 2024, the vessel will feature major upgrades that include a more spacious layout with modern furnishings, three sundecks and a spa pool, an upper observation deck with a panoramic view, and four air-conditioned cabins with en suite bathrooms. It will cruise the River Marne and Canal latéral à la Marne, offering six-night all-inclusive sailings with exclusive excursions to some of the regions’ legendary champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon. Guests will also be treated to unique immersive experiences that include lunch at the boutique grand cru champagne house of Frerejean Frères, and on-board gastronomic meals with wine pairings, served by the vessel’s own master chef.
 
Kir Royal will cruise Champagne from May through October. It joins European Waterways’ 12-passenger Panache, which cruises between Château-Thierry and Châlons-en-Champagne from mid-May to late-June. Both vessels include private transfers from a designated location in central Paris. Reservations are now open, with rates starting at $8,550 per person for cabins, based on double occupancy. Whole boat charters will start at $57,150 thanks to a 10% launch offer, saving $6,350 off the full starting price. The charter special is not valid for September departures and must be booked by October 2, 2023.
 
“For its maiden voyage with us, Kir Royale has been upgraded to meet the highest standards of luxury and comfort that are the hallmarks of all European Waterways vessels,” said Derek Banks, Managing Director of European Waterways. “As a pioneer and champion of luxury hotel barging with more than forty years in the industry, the expansion of our fleet reflects our commitment to providing exceptional and immersive cultural and gastronomic experiences throughout Europe.”
 
Journey of the Grapes
Kir Royale’s itinerary is all about the grapes. Its cruise region produces the only sparkling wines that can be legally called champagne in Europe and most parts of the world. They earned this distinction thanks to the land’s unique geology and climate. Among itinerary highlights is a private tour and tasting at the renowned champagne house of Moët & Chandon, the world's best-selling brand. Guests also visit the boutique winery of Frerejean Frères, known for its premier and grand cru wines. This includes a private gourmet lunch in the salon of the family domaine. A third excursion includes a private tour and tasting at Maison Pannier, the largest champagne house in the Western Marne Valley. Its vast cellars date back to the 12th century and are several miles in length.
 
Complementing the wine tastings are numerous excursions that include a visit to Reims Cathedral, once the site of the coronation of the Kings of France. Guests will also visit Château-Thierry and Belleau Wood, sites which saw fighting by American allied troops during WWI.
 
“Kir Royale’s cruise season is really all about experiencing the extraordinary journey of the grapes in Champagne,” said Banks. “The vessel is there at the beginning of the season, when the grapes are growing; in September when the grapes are being harvested; and later in autumn, when the leaves fall and regeneration begins. The sweeping beauty of Champagne’s majestic countryside, blanketed with vineyards, is on full display, no matter what time of the season you cruise.”

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‘Relaxed Luxury’ Trend Drives Growth in European Waterways’ Boutique Hotel Barge Cruises

Today’s affluent travelers want to enjoy first-class service and accommodations, but in a friendlier, more casual setting without “old-world” pretentions. This “relaxed luxury” trend is helping to fuel the increasing popularity of European Waterways’ hotel barge cruises.  Available in Europe and the UK, the company’s deluxe vessels are often compared to floating boutique hotels.  Guests enjoy luxury amenities that include ensuite accommodations, a spa pool, and stylish furnishing. An attentive crew is always ready to satisfy their every wish, and an onboard master chef prepares their gastronomic meals, which are paired with the finest local vintages. Yet, amid all the luxury and special treatment, the atmosphere is always relaxed. Guests don’t feel the need to follow a “black tie” or fancy dress code.
 
Meanwhile, European Waterways’ excursions feature private transportation and often exclusive guided tours where guests interact with local personalities. They might even share a private meal with them in their own château!
 
“European Waterways’ guests want unique and memorable experiences that immerse them in the local culture – not as detached observers, but as active participants in ways that enrich their lives,” said Derek Banks, European Waterways’ managing director.  “They return from their excursions to a table that is exquisitely set for dining and worthy of the finest restaurant. They might even be greeted with live jazz onboard. The meals are always lively, entertaining, and often memorable, with conversations that produce long-term friendships beyond the cruise.”
 
Epic Journey
European Waterways’ 12-passenger La Belle Epoque deluxe hotel barge is a prime example of the luxury that awaits the company’s guests. It features wood-paneling, custom-made seating, a spacious sundeck, and spa pool, as well as marble ensuite junior cabins and staterooms.  A six-person crew ensures that every guest receives personalized service throughout the journey.
 
Cruising the Burgundy Canal, La Belle Epoque takes guests on excursions that include a private champagne tasting at Maison Taisne Riocour Champagne House, as well as dinner with the Baroness Ségolène De Taisne at her Château de Ricey-Bas. Other excursions include a visit to the Abbaye de Fontenay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 
Doing it With Panache
Featuring one of European Waterways’ most diverse cruising schedules, the 12-passenger Panache hotel barge cruises Holland in the spring, France’s Champagne region in early summer, and Alsace and Lorraine from July to October. The vessel’s yacht-like design boasts brass and mahogany fittings, panoramic windows for an unparalleled view of the passing countryside, leather chairs and polished hardwood floors. It also has a spacious sundeck that is perfect for relaxing and alfresco dining.
 
In Holland, itinerary highlights include a tour of the world famous Keukenhof Gardens. In Champagne, guests are treated to a private tour and tasting at Moët & Chandon. They also visit Epernay, the self-proclaimed capitale du Champagne (capital of Champagne) and home to many Champagne houses. Here, they are treated to a private tour of the cellar of one of its many wine producers. In Alsace and Lorraine, guests  watch glassblowers in action, ride a 150-foot-high boat lift and enjoy the famous local flammekueche tart.
 
Guests will also take a ride along the Route des Vins d’Alsace (the Alsace Wine Route) and savor a private tasting, among other experiences.
 
The High Life
At 117 feet in length, European Waterways’ Scottish Highlander has every comfort needed to enjoy the magnificence of the Scottish Highlands. Its décor evokes a country house atmosphere with subtle tartan furnishing, wooden paneling, and leather Chesterfield sofas.  A well-stocked open bar features some of Scotland’s finest single malt whiskies.
 
Among the itinerary highlights are a private tour and tasting at Dalwhinnie whisky distillery. It is one of the few in Scotland that still uses wooden worm tubs, the traditional way of turning spirit vapor back into liquid.  Guests also visit Eilean Donan and Urquhart castles, as well as get “up close and personal” to a bird of prey demonstration on the banks of Loch Ness. If they wish, they can take a picture with one of the magnificent birds perched on their arm!
 
About European Waterways
Hotel Barging is a boutique, unique experience that offers an immersive and all-inclusive “gentle voyage of discovery” focusing upon the culture, history, fine wine, and gourmet cuisine of regions. With a 6-to-20-person capacity and 1:2 crew ratio, European Waterways is able to provide an impeccable level of on-board service and transport their guests on intimate inland waterways that are inaccessible to larger vessels. This fascinating network of smaller canals allows for flexibility, spontaneity, and ample opportunity to hop off and explore the beautiful surroundings via bicycle, or on foot. In addition to this, there are daily, chauffeured excursions “off the beaten track” to a wide variety of enthralling locations, from exquisite wine tastings to private tours of stately homes. With over 40 years’ experience and a fleet that spans nine countries, European Waterways is the largest luxury hotel barging company in Europe.

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European Waterways Ramps Up Family Cruise Options; Says Multi-generational Travel is ‘In Full Swing’

With multi-generational travel resuming its rapid growth, European Waterways announced that it is expanding its Family Cruises to ensure guests of all ages enjoy the ultimate family vacation aboard their very own “private floating villa”. The company is offering guests greater flexibility to design itineraries that appeal to all ages.
 
Alongside the Classic Cruise itineraries, which often include visits to aristocratic estates and castles, châteaux, private wine tastings, and other exclusive cultural experiences, guests can customize their itineraries to include a number of activities such as visits to theme parks, the zoo and historical attractions, as well as horseback riding. They can also schedule outdoor pursuits such as biking, swimming, canoeing, tennis, and even hot air ballooning.
 
“The biggest challenge of multigenerational vacations is ensuring that everyone has a good time,” noted Derek Banks, European Waterways’ Managing Director. “We work with our guests to create the perfect itinerary to ‘keep the fun going,’ throughout the entire all-inclusive six-night cruise. We’ll help our guests plan every aspect of the cruise, including admission to theme parks, equipment rental and other details, freeing everyone to sit back, relax and enjoy the moment.”
 
A Private Floating Villa
Family Cruise itineraries are available across all European Waterways’ fleet of luxury hotel barges, which cruise the smaller waterways of Europe’s picturesque countryside. On board, a spa pool is a big treat for everyone, especially children, and the barge’s bicycles are ideal for exploring nearby villages and peddling along the gentle towpaths. The vessels rarely cruise above three miles per hour and are always just a few feet from shore, so it’s easy to keep up. The crew is especially trained to cater to multigenerational guests, with captains who are happy to “deputize” children as “captain for a day” to help steer the vessel where safe to do so, enjoy a fun cooking lesson with the barge chef, or even have a go at “lashing the ropes” with the deckhand. Local lock keepers will often gladly invite children – and fun-loving adults – to participate in opening or closing the locks too!
 
Meanwhile, guests enjoy exceptional gastronomic cuisines, with a master chef who will observe most dietary restrictions and cook meals to please every palate. They can also arrange for special treats, such as a barbeque on the open-air deck.
 
Among European Waterways’ hotel barges, the 12-passenger L’Impressionniste, cruising Southern Burgundy, is ideal for larger groups, with a route that is close to a wide variety of outdoor activities and water sports. These include a water park with slides and a paddling pool; paintballing, the unique “bowling in the dark” game of laser bowling; canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. Other attractions include go-karting, quad biking for older children, and horseback riding. Based on 12 passengers traveling, charters on L’Impressionniste start at $67,000.
 
The eight-passenger Enchanté hotel barge on the Canal du Midi offers similar outdoor activities as L’Impressionniste, as well as rafting, cave exploring and rock climbing. Unique attractions include the Prehistoric Caves at Limoussis, a series of underground tunnels dating back over 100 years. Other excursions include a visit to a Goat’s Cheese Farm and the Richard de Bas Paper Mill – the first living museum in France. Based on eight passengers traveling, charters on Enchanté start at $52,000.
 
Along the Caledonian Canal in the Scottish Highlands, the eight-passenger Scottish Highlander offers some unique family-friendly attractions, such as a mountain gondola ride that soars over 1,800 feet up the Ben Nevis mountain range; a visit to the Treasures of the Earth museum, which features gemstones and fossils over 500 million years old; and time at a family-owned working farm with tractor rides.
 
Active families can visit an outdoor discovery park offering wall climbing, dry-skiing, quad biking, laser tag, grass sledging, and rope climbing. They can also take the scenic 84-mile steam train ride between Fort William and Mallaig – familiar to Harry Potter fans as the “Hogwarts Express” route. The entire family can also explore the Scottish coastline on a sea kayaking outing. Based on eight passengers traveling, Scottish Highlander charters start at $39,500.
 
“We’ve listened to the feedback of parents who want their kids to have fun on vacation, but still enjoy the opportunities for learning history, geography, and geology,” said Banks. “On a European Waterways Family Charter, our guests can focus on quality time, creating unforgettable memories together, knowing all the administrative details are taken care of by our dedicated staff.”
 
As part of all Family Cruises, European Waterways will also provide complimentary equipment such as highchairs, travel cots, children’s bikes & helmets, and car seats, upon request.

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European Waterways’ New and Exclusive ‘Venetian Lagoon’ Island-Hopping
Cruise Explores the Smaller Islands of Historic Venice Lagoon

Six-Night All-Inclusive ‘Voyage of Discovery’ Aboard La Bella Vita Takes Guests From ‘The Island of Lace’ to the Skillful Glassblowers of Murano.

While large cruise ships are banned from entering the famous Venice Lagoon to protect its fragile infrastructure, the Giudecca Canal – one of Europe’s most celebrated canals – and the Venice waterfront remain accessible to smaller vessels that include European Waterways’ 20-passenger luxury hotel barge, La Bella Vita. This year, responding to customers’ requests, European Waterways announced the addition of the Venetian Lagoon island-hopping itinerary, an optional new route – exclusive to European Waterways – that explores many of the smaller islands in the lagoon. These islands are often overlooked by tourists because they are difficult to visit without some form of private transportation, but they can now be experienced hassle-free in the more relaxed, luxurious settings of La Bella Vita.
 
“The islands within the lagoon are truly the ‘hidden gems’ of Venice,” noted Derek Banks, Managing Director of European Waterways. “They are often less crowded, yet are equally steeped in the history, culture, art, and traditions of this sophisticated city. On our Venetian Lagoon cruise, guests don’t have to worry about making their own arrangements to visit each of them. Instead, they can just soak up the atmosphere as they cruise in comfort, sharing with fellow passengers the gastronomic meals prepared by an onboard master chef, paired with some of the finest regional wine.”
 
An Island-Hopping Adventure
The 20-passenger La Bella Vita hotel barge – the largest in European Waterways’ extensive fleet – typically cruises between Venice and the Renaissance city of Mantua along the River Po and Canal Bianco. For guests who wish to explore the extraordinary attractions of the islands in the lagoon, the vessel’s optional Venetian Lagoon itinerary will introduce them to such islands as Burano, the “Island of Lace”; Murano, renowned for its iconic glassware; and glamorous Lido – home to the Venice Film Festival. They’ll also call at the town of Chioggia, famed for the 18th century Church of San Domenico which is set on its very own island, as well as its picturesque canals, which will be explored on a traditional locally-built boat.
 
La Bella Vita – The Good Life!
And it all starts with a Prosecco welcome aboard the stylish La Bella Vita hotel barge, greeted by the captain and crew, who are ready to provide outstanding service throughout. This is followed by the first cruise through the Giudecca Canal at sunset. Other highlights of the week-long voyage include the island of Sant Erasmo, called the “market garden of Venice” for its vegetable gardens and fields of artichokes; the island of Pellestrina, where guests can bike along the famous six-mile sea wall; and San Lazzaro degli Armeni, which is still occupied by the Armenian monks today. The last stop will be in historic Venice itself, mooring just outside the Naval Museum, where guests will visit St. Mark’s Square, the Cathedral of San Pietro, and Doge’s Palace –once the seat of the Venice government.
 
Venetian Lagoon cruises are offered at the same rate as those of La Bella Vita’s classic cruise on the River Po. They start from $4,550 per person based on double occupancy. Private, whole-boat charters are also available starting at $83,500.

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European Waterways Reports Increased Demand for Its Luxury Hotel Barges
During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, July 26 – August 11, 2024

The Olympics are among the most popular sporting events in the world. With many of the 2024 summer games to be held in Paris, July 26 – August 11, 2024, hotels are already selling out. Luxury hotel barge cruising specialist European Waterways, whose vessels cruise the scenic countryside of France, is among the companies benefiting from an anticipated influx of 15 million visitors. Some of its most popular hotel barges cruise just hours from the city, making them convenient for guests to catch the games and enjoy a cruise as part of their visits.
 
“We still have availability on cabins and charters in the weeks surrounding the Olympics,” said Derek Banks, European Waterways’ Managing Director. “But we’re advising travelers to secure their spaces as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”
 
With free pick-up from Paris by private chauffeured minibus as part of their all-inclusive offerings, hotel barges Renaissance, L’Art de Vivre and La Belle Epoque – the three nearest to Paris – are seeing an especially strong uptick in inquiries.
 
A Winning Combination
European Waterways’ eight-passenger hotel barge Renaissance cruises France’s oldest canal, the Canal de Briare, in Western Burgundy. Its route passes such notable attractions as the seven-lock flight of Rogny-les-sept-Ecluses, which is a national historic monument. The vessel also crosses Gustave Eiffel’s unique aqueduct at Briare, which spans the River Loire.
 
Among its excursions is a private tour of the Château de La Bussière that includes a cooking demonstration using produce from the gardens, as well as a private tour of the 11th century château Montargis and the 12th century Church of the Madeleine. Guests also enjoy a private wine tasting at the Sancerre winery of La Perriere. Other highlights include a tour and private lunch at the studio home of Rosa Bonheur, a 19th century artist renowned for her exceptional animal paintings. She is also known for her portrait of America’s Buffalo Bill Cody, whom she saw as an embodiment of the freedom and independence of the United States.
 
The eight-passenger L’Art de Vivre offers an immersive cruise through France's historic region of Burgundy. Excursions include a visit to the wine village of Chablis and a private tasting at the prestigious Chablis house of Domaine Laroche. This is followed by a visit to its cellar and lunch, served by a private chef, in the Domaine’s dining hall.
 
L’Art de Vivre traces its origins to World War One, when it supplied Allied troops during the Battle of the Somme. It was fully transformed to a “life of luxury” with wood and brass décor, modern en suite facilities, and a saloon featuring contemporary leather and traditional furnishings. Among its varied excursions is a visit to the quarry of Aubigny, source of the stone for many of Paris’s iconic buildings, followed by a crémant wine tasting in the cellars of Bailly Lapierre. Guests also visit the pilgrimage village of Vezelay and its hilltop basilica and the 12th century Château de Bazoches.
 
The 12-passenger La Belle Epoque, which once carried logs from Burgundy to Paris, today offers a luxury experience that envelops guests in elegance and comfort, with a wood-paneled saloon, hand-built seating and a spacious sundeck with a spa pool. Treating guests to the best of Northern Burgundy, excursions include a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Abbaye de Fontenay, a private tasting of Chablis wines at the Domaine Laroche, and a visit to the Château de Commarin, where guests will meet the 26th resident owner, Count Bertrand de Vogue, before witnessing an exclusive falconry display. Other favorites include a private meal with a Baroness at the magnificent Château de Ricey-Bas.
 
All vessels offer themed charters such as biking, family, golf, and wine appreciation, among others.

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