|
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:
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..
You may
also be interested in...
Book A Cruise For Less
Luxury Mediteranean
Cruises
|
>