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Barge Cruising and Canal Tours

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Try something different on your next cruise—barge cruising! These unique and small vessels are a new take on an old way to navigate the waters of the world. As tourism has increased throughout Europe, owners of old cargo barges have taken time to convert their vessels into now-luxurious hosts of your cruise, giving you exclusive access to canals and rivers all from aboard a truly intimate boat, often hosting fewer than 12 passengers. Contact us for more information on the treasured experience of barge cruising!

10 Best Barge Cruises for 2023-2024

A moment of tranquility on a canal
Classic Cruise - Holland to Belgium
7 Days from $9,554
Board an exciting 7-day cultural cruise aboard La Nouvelle Etoile as it cruises from Holland crossing the border to Belgium to explore the world famous gardens, flower auction, pottery and some of the best-preserved works of art marked in history.
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Adventures in Europe. Scottish marine band
European Classic Cruise - Scotland
7 Days from $5,250
Discover the beauty of Scotland on a 7-day getaway cruise aboard the cozy barge hotel Scottish Highlander. Explore the mystical waterways of Scotland and be amazed at its geographical beauty. See the beautiful stone castles of Scotland that the country is famous for.
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Ireland Ruins
European Classic Cruise - Ireland
7 Days from $4,850
Discover the scenery and historic structures throughout Ireland on this 7-day cruise aboard Shannon Princess. Take a relaxing cruise along the beautiful waterways of the region to experience an excursion to Portumna and Galway, explore haunted Leap Castle, tour Birr Castle’s Gardens, and visit the oldest whiskey distillery plus so much more!
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Get Away From It All: An Emotional Journey from Saone-et-Loire to the Cote d'Or
Dijon - Dijon
7 Days from $3,516
Join us for a unique 7-day journey along the Burgundy canal to discover cities with distinctive charm, roundtrip from Dijon aboard MS Danièle.
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Eilan Donan Castle
European Classic Cruise - Scotland
7 Days from $5,550
Discover the beauty of Scotland on a 7-day getaway cruise aboard the elegant barge hotel Spirit of Scotland. Explore the mysterious Lochs of Scotland and be amazed of its geographical beauty. See the beautiful castles of Scotland that are featured in different movies.
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Burgundy
Meandering Along the Burgundy, Saone and Center Canal
Dijon to Saint-Léger-sur-Dheun
7 Days from $3,559
On board MS Danièle, embark on a seven-day cultural and gourmet cruise through the Burgundy canal. Discover cities with their own special charm, from Dijon to Saint-Léger-sur-Dheun.
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Cochem town on the Mosel River, Germany
Classic Cruise – Germany & Luxembourg
7 Days from $9,554
Onboard La Nouvelle Etoile, sail through the beautiful canals of Germany and Luxembourg for seven days, stopping at quaint towns along the way. While driving through Trier, the oldest city in Germany, the Porta Nigra, and Pauli Bergweiler's wine cellars are just a few of the numerous historical landmarks to see.
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Athos crossing beutiful landscapes
Classic Cruise - Canal du Midi
7 Days from $5,250
Join an exciting 7-day cruise along Canal Du Midi on board the Athos ship. Explore the beauty and history of the different landmarks along the way such as Carcassonne, Pezenas, and the hilltop village of Minerve.
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La Nouvelle Etoile Cruising
Private Charter - Classic Cruise - Germany & Luxembourg Aboard La Nouvelle Etoile
7 Days from $72,000
Explore Germany & Luxembourg on this 7-day private cruise aboard La Nouvelle Etoile to the picturesque destinations along two delightful canals. Among the historic sites along the way are the 12th-century castle Burg Eltz, Trier (the oldest town in Germany), the Porta Nigra, and the private wine cellars of Pauli Bergweiler.
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Anjodi Sundeck
Private Charter - Canal Du Midi Voyage - Le Somail to Marseillan Aboard Anjodi
7 Days from $39,000
Board the Anjodi on a 7-day private cruise along Canal du Midi, offering the very best of the South of France. From Le Somail to Marseillan, visit the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, enjoy private wine tastings at 14th-century Château de Perdiguier, and tour Bagnas nature reserve, home to flamingos, white egrets, and other migrating birds.
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The World's Top 9 Barge Cruising Destinations for 2023-2024

Stop in Avignon on your cruise of the Rhône river.
French Barge Cruises
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Historic old town Strasbourg
Canal du Midi
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Golden hour in Venice's famed Piazza San Marco
Italian Barge Cruises
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The beautiful tulip gardens of Holland
Holland Barge Cruises
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Relax in one of Edinburgh's parks
Scotland Barge Cruises
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Visit charming villages in France
Moselle River Barge Cruises
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The Palais des Papes dominates the Avignon skyline
Rhone River Barge Cruises
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Explore Paris, the legendary city of light
Seine River Barge Cruises
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Peaceful canal running through a European town
All European Barge Cruises
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Top 5 Barge Charters for 2023-2024

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Private Charter - European Classic Cruise - Alsace & Lorraine Aboard Panache$685007Jul 9, 2023Panache’s 7-day voyage through Alsace & Lorraine allows you to appreciate the very best of the region. Pass through storybook villages along the …
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Private Charter - Classic Cruise - Germany & Luxembourg Aboard La Nouvelle Etoile$720007Aug 27, 2023Explore Germany & Luxembourg on this 7-day private cruise aboard La Nouvelle Etoile to the picturesque destinations along two delightful canals. …
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Private Charter - Southern Burgundy Cruise Aboard Finesse$585007Apr 9, 2023Finesse is the perfect vessel for a 7-day private cruise to the meandering waterways of Southern Burgundy past vineyards and charming canal-side …
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Private Charter - Canal Du Midi Voyage - Le Somail to Marseillan Aboard Anjodi$390007Apr 9, 2023Board the Anjodi on a 7-day private cruise along Canal du Midi, offering the very best of the South of France. From Le Somail to Marseillan, visit …
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Private Charter - European Classic Cruise - Upper Loire & Western Burgundy$337507Apr 2, 2023Board the luxury hotel barge Renaissance and take a 7-day private cruise through the rivers and canals of France. Cruise across the Loire River on …
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All Europe Articles

Barge Cruising Travel Guide

Stroll through charming Strasbourg
All you need to know about Barge Cruising
Barge cruises are one of the most unique ways to explore France, Central Europe, and the United Kingdom. Intimate accommodations, great food, and focused experiences are part of the excitement of a barge cruise.
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Canal du Midi in France
Best Destinations for European Barge Cruises
Barge cruising in Europe is nothing new, but it is certainly a trending option for avid travelers hoping to experience something different. The top destinations for barge cruising are France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
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Top Barge Cruising Destinations in Europe

Cruising the canals of Europe is a relaxing way to enjoy the company of friends and family. Here are some of the hot spots:

France is considered the crème de la crème of barge cruising with the best-established barging culture where you can explore the canals and waterways of: Canal du Midi in the South of France, the Alsace-Lorraine region sailing the Marne-Rhine Canal to Strasbourg, and the famous wine regions of  Burgundy and Champagne. Some barge cruises even arrive to Paris.

Scotland & Ireland -  Sail the length of Loch Ness on the lookout for Nessy or cruise Ireland's Shannon River in a barge.

Germany  - where you can explore the picturesque Moselle River on a barge. 

Netherlands and Belgium whose canals make excellent barge cruising territory.

Italy's Po River features barge cruises beginning in Venice.
 
What to expect on a barge cruise
On your European barge cruise, you can expect a leisurely pace, an intimate atmosphere, and great, locally sourced food.
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Explore some of the most beautiful towns in France
Barge Cruises in France
Riverboats are already much smaller than the giant ocean liners that cruise the Atlantic and Caribbean, but they can still be characterized as floating hotels, complete with several dining areas or bars, multiple lounges and social areas, occasionally a pool, hot tub, or spa, and occupancy for up to 200 or more guests.
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Cruise through the canals of Amsterdam
Barge cruise vs. River cruise
What is the difference is between a European barge cruise and a river cruise? The relaxed and intimate atmosphere onboard is similar, and destinations are often largely the same as well, visiting many of the same major ports. The main difference between a barge cruise and a river cruise in Europe is the size of the boat and hence the number of passengers onboard.
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Romantic evening light on the Rhine
When to take a Barge Cruise in Europe
The best time to take a barge cruise through Europe is probably the autumn season, between September and October. Summer can also be an enjoyable barge cruising season if you don’t mind hotter temperatures and bigger crowds, and the start of the river cruising season in late spring (April-May) can be a good time to see Europe coming back to life after winter.
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