How to Spot and Capture the Hotel Barge Market

Hotel barges ply a diverse and intricate network of Europe’s canals (which are different waterways than the rivers). They typically accommodate 6-12 passengers, and sometimes as many as 20. They are intimate and slow-moving. They glide to French chateaux and wineries; through the rugged Scottish Highlands; from Venice and the Po Valley in Italy; and past the tulip fields in Holland.

The vessels meander along the canals, within just feet of the banks, at a walking pace. In fact, passengers can opt to walk the toe paths rather than glide by.

The hotel barge passenger profile tends toward savvy, well-traveled professionals aged 50-plus, although younger professionals are discovering this very immersive experience and total getaway.

For the trade, barges offer agents a 10 percent commission on bookings that cost upwards of $5,000-6,000 per passenger, said John Wood-Dow, director of European Waterways, the 40-year old company that counts some 40 barges in its fleet.

The singles appeal
Barges are ideal for small, affiliated groups, and intergenerational parties, but there is also a trend of solo travelers venturing out on them as a casual way to meet other solo travelers.

Earlier this month, Wood reported a 50 percent increase in solo travelers in the past two years. In response to the trend, European Waterways is waiving the single supplement fee on more than 40 hotel barge cruises for 2019, which represents a savings of more than $2,550.

The barges offering a singles waiver in France include La Belle Époque and L’Impressionniste in Burgundy; Enchante on the Canal du Midi; Rosa in Gascony; and Panache in Champagne and Alsace & Loraine. Panache also offers a special cruise in Holland; La Bella Vita in Venice and the Po Valley has the largest capacity for 20; while the Spirit of Scotland plies the Caledonian Canal; and the Spirit of Scotland is also waiving the single supplement on select departures.

Of the singles trend, Wood-Dow said: “Our ‘floating boutique hotels’ are ideal for single travelers. The atmosphere is welcoming, and all excursions and special events are done as a group. Moreover, there’s no such thing as a ‘singles table,’ as guests dine together, swapping stories and making new friends as they enjoy the regional cuisine and fine wines served by an attentive crew.”

“It’s a great treat for both couples and single travelers to share the daily escorted excursions to fascinating off-the-beaten-track places, while interacting with so many interesting fellow passengers from around the world, which is often the best part of the cruise, according to many of our guests,” added Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways.

Barge versus river cruise
What distinguishes hotel barge trips from river cruises starts with the number of passengers aboard each vessel: from 6-20 guests with a 1:2 crew ratio that insures attentive onboard service. River cruises tend to accommodate 200-300 passengers.

There is also the ability to transport guests on the intimate inland waterways that are inaccessible to larger vessels. The smaller-sized barges can stop almost anywhere, while river cruises must berth at particular sites, often jockeying for space with other river cruise ships at high season.

Barges move at a slower pace, traveling about 40-60 miles a week. River cruises travel 200-300 miles within a week.

Hotel barging is a boutique experience that is designed to offer an immersive, all-inclusive “gentle voyage of discovery” that focuses upon the culture, history, fine wine and gourmet cuisine of the region.

Aboard the hotel barges, passengers can join the crew to purchase breakfast and baked goods on shore in small villages and towns; and walk or get transported to chateaux, wineries and restaurants within a small group, making each excursion intimate and special.

Traveling on a network of smaller canals allows for flexibility, spontaneity, and ample opportunities to hop off to explore the countryside via bicycle or on foot.

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. For instance, on the “Panache Champagne Cruise,” guests get a private tour of Moët & Chandon’s vast underground cellar and enjoy its much-admired, bubbly treasure. This is followed by a tasting of some of their renowned vintages in an elegant private salon, hosted by an experienced cellar master.

The Panache hotel barge offers some of the most diverse programs in the fleet with tulip cruises through Holland in the spring; champagne cruises in May and June; and a route across Alsace & Lorraine through the summer and into the fall. “These new V.I.P. excursions reflect our continuing focus on providing luxurious, memorable experiences that are a cut above the competition,” said Banks.