Tag Archives: Barge Cruises

Sharing Our Knowledge of CroisiEurope Barge and River Cruises

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We have worked with CroisiEurope for over 22 years and we highly recommend them. CroisiEurope is one of Europe’s oldest river cruise companies and is still family-owned by the Schmitter family.  With over 50 passenger-cruising vessels, they are also one of the largest.  The cruise line offers French and English language to their international guests.

In Europe, CroisiEurope cruises many rivers and areas that many other cruise lines do not.  The cruise line is known for its short river cruises which are particular area intensive. They stop at many ports that the other cruise lines do not.

Some unique itineraries are on the Guadalquiver in Spain, offering 6 and 8-day cruise itineraries; there are 5- day itineraries from Strasbourg, France that include a Swiss train ride or going to one of the high mountain tops in Switzerland, they have the only river cruise on the Loire river – an 80-passenger paddleboat.  Another paddleboat is cruising the Elbe River, offering  Berlin to Prague itineraries and round-trip Prague.  New in 2025, another paddle boat will be cruising the four rivers of Germany:  Rhine, Neckar, Mosel, and Saar.

 

Elbe Princess Paddleboat

 

A little more exotic cruise itineraries featuring Northern Europe cruises as far north as Copenhagen on the Oder and Havel, as well as Southern cruises on the Sava and Tisza rivers in Hungary, Serbia and Croatia.

On the Po River, there are cruises from 5-nights to 7-nights with special Carnevale cruises.  On the 7-night itineraries, there are dates that offer a pre-land stay in Tuscany or post-stay in Lake Como.

There are many cruise itineraries from 3-nights to 8-nights on the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhone, and Holland canals.

In addition to river cruises, CroisiEurope has 6 barge vessels:  Anne Marie in Provence, Daniele, Deborah, and Jeanine cruise Burgundy and Champagne France, Madeleine cruising Alsace, and the Raymond cruising Belgium.  These cruises are 6-nights in length (some 4-night Christmas Market itineraries), featuring French cuisine, beverages, wi-fi, bikes for cycling the tow paths, and all excursions.  Prices start at $3400 per person for double occupancy.

Madeleine Barge

On a  CroisiEurope river cruise, the day begins with a continental breakfast buffet, rich and varied: pastries, cereals, coffee, tea, fruit juice, a wide selection of breads, jams, cold meats, eggs, fresh fruits and yogurts.

Lunch and dinner are served at fixed times in one service. They offer a complete menu (starter – main course – dessert) composed by our chefs. They pay homage to French gastronomy and can satisfy the palates of our international clientele. The surprise is always there with finishing touches, and local flavors conducive to a culinary immersion in the visited country of the itinerary.

Produced daily on the spot, using mainly fresh products, they are accompanied by a selection of wines chosen for their quality and their compatibility with the dishes, and are included in the price of the cruise (except wines from the specific wine list).

Some of the ships feature single and triple occupancy cabins.  Many of the ships offer French balcony cabins (sliding glass doors).

We have cruised on many of the CroisiEurope vessels and really recommend them for a good value cruise line.

Contact us and let us help you find the perfect cruise.  888-869-7907 / 713-240-6753  europeanbarging.com

Cruising the Canals of France on the Deborah barge

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MS Deborah barge, cruising the Champagne region of France as well as cruising from Paris to Burgundy, is a superb Premium canal barge, accommodating 22 passengers, in 11 cabins offering amenities and providing guests with all the comforts they need during their stay.

Deborah barge cruising the Champagne region of France

On board, everything has been taken care of down to the smallest detail with 6 crew members to guarantee a personalized service. The decoration creates a particularly soft and welcoming atmosphere. Located on the upper deck is the restaurant, which offers delicate cuisine in a refined setting, a lounge bar, and a relaxation area with a jacuzzi. Comfortable sun loungers are provided on the sun deck, the ideal place to relax and admire the surrounding landscapes.  The barge also features bicycles for cycling along the canal towpath or for cycling the nearby towns and countryside.

Excursions on the Champagne itinerary can include Reims Cathedral featuring stained glass windows by Marc Chagall, champagne tastings, a falconry show at Chateau-Thierry, and a tasting of Meaux cheese in Meaux.

On the Paris and Petite Seine, enjoy a tour of Paris, a tour of the Palace of Fontainebleau and its gardens, the Medieval town of Troyes, a champagne-tasting, and a visit to Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte.

The Deborah has comfortable cabins, with safes, telephone, and tv with lots of movies in English.  The ship is a new build rather than a converted cargo barge from the past.  The barge features lots of windows and a white interior to give it an open feel.

Dining on the Deborah is in one sitting.  Breakfast is usually a buffet of fruits, cereals, and pastries as well as meats and cheese.  Lunch has a buffet and served food.  Dinner is a served meal featuring regional wines paired with the meal and regional cheeses.  For travelers with special dietary needs, the barge chef can accommodate most requests.   Check out our dining video on sister ship Raymond.

For more information or to check availability, please contact us at www.europeanbarging.com  or jan@europeanbarging.com or 888-869-7907.

Jeanine barge cruising Burgundy

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The Jeanine barge, cruises through the Saône-et-Loire and La Côte d’Or regions of France. Cruising along the Canal du Centre and canal de Bourgogne and its wonderful rural landscapes. At the crossroads of the great wine appellations, we cruise alongside the great vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise and the Côte de Continue reading →

Comparing Luxury Barge Cruises with Casual Bike and Barge Cruises

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Below is a brief description of the difference between a Full Service barge and a Casual Bike and barge cruise.

Many of the casual bike and barge cruises are 7 nights instead of the 6 nights on a regular full service barge.  Prices range from $1640 to $3278 per person.  Cruises are in Holland/Belgium, Germany, France and Italy.  These barges range from  6, 20, 21, 22, 24 and 34 passengers.

These cruises are typically for serious cyclist as the biking ranges from  20KM – 65KM per day.  Bikes on these barges are typically heavy duty bikes designed for cycling in the  area.  Many bike and barge cruises have electric bikes available at a cost of between $100 – $150 for a week.

Included in the price: 6 or 7 night cruise, guide for the cycling tours  (except the Johanna which offers area maps,  a GPS and pre paid cell phone), breakfast buffet including makings for your packed lunch, dinner (3 courses) on boat, water with meals, clean towels and  bed linen delivered half way through the cruise and bike rental (with helmets).

Not included:  entrance fees for museums and the like, drinks on board, Listed meals ashore and personal insurances and transfers to and from the barge.

Click here for a slideshow on a casual bike and barge cruise.

Luxury barges range in price from low $3000’s to over $7000 per person.  We have several barges in the mid to high $4,000’s.

These rates include: 6 night cruise, daily maid service, bicycles on board for cycling, gourmet meals, wine and cheese of the region with lunch and dinner, open bar with alcoholic beverages and all the sightseeing.  Some barges will have a small swimming pool or spa/Jacuzzi.

The prices are based on the features of the barges and wines provided. On the lower priced barges, you will be looking at cabins around 90 – 100 sq. ft., compact bathrooms – usually with a shower curtain and small shower stall. The wines will be regional wines. The more expensive barges will have larger cabins – 170 – 230 sq. ft. with larger bathrooms, big shower stalls with a glass door. Some of the wines will be premier and grand cru.

Barges also range from  4 (Bordeaux only), 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 18 passengers.

Many of the barges offer themed cruises – Gardens, wine, cycling, art, family and golf.  Some of the regular barges, in addition to having the bikes on board for guests to cycle any time, also offer for charter, special biking itineraries.  On these barges, the bikes are not the heavy duty cycling bikes but more for the casual cyclist.  Only for a special cycling charter will you have the professional bikes.

Click here for a link to a barge cruise video.

Fleur Bike And Barge Cruise in Burgundy France

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Casual Bike and Barge Cruise through Burgundy France on the 20 passenger Fleur barge.

This barge cruise in Burgundy was a great way to see the countryside.  Cycling options include biking the whole day, the morning, the afternoon or not at all – depending on cruise location.  Highlights of the cruise include:

Paris – Fontainebleau – artists village Barbizon – Moret sur Loing – the rocks of Nemours – Chateau-Landon – medieval city Ferrières – Montargis