European Waterways
Encyclopedia
European Waterways is an international company based in Berkshire, England that operates a fleet of 21 river cruising
vessels along the rivers and canals
of Europe
.
, was established in 1977 by owner Derek Banks with the purchase of an existing French inland waterways cruising company which had been created 3 years earlier in 1974. The first boutique hotel barge
was Anjodi
, which was originally renovated at a cost in excess of £100,000. In 1994 the company built the 12 passenger La Belle Epoque followed by its sister ship, 12 passenger L'Impressionniste
, in 1995. After these acquisitions European Waterways expanded steadily and, as a result of cooperation with several companies in the travel industry and additional acquisitions, now operates a fleet of 18 boutique hotel barges
along the inland waterways of 9 countries in Europe.
Derek Banks, the company founder, was brought up on the River Thames
and has enjoyed all aspects of life afloat. It was as a result of this early exposure to the inland waterways that he was inspired to move to a lock house
in the middle of France
in the mid seventies and start the now thriving European Waterways.
The company originally focused on the extremely popular Canal du Nivernais
in central Burgundy, France
, but as the company grew, cruises were programmed all over Europe
. With purchases such as the barges
L'Art de Vivre and Scottish Highlander the company expanded to cover Scotland
, France
, Italy
, Holland, Belgium
, England
, Germany
, Luxembourg
and Ireland
. Today, with an international clientele, European Waterways has clients from all over the world, primarily from the United Kingdom
, USA, Australia
, South Africa
, New Zealand
, France
, Canada
and Hong Kong
.
carry between 4 to 13 passengers and also provide tandem cruises to accommodate up to 26 passengers. The cruises are marketed as being unique from other tours in that they provide the inland cruising vacationer, views and access to areas that, in a car or on a bus tour, are not ordinarily accessible. Suggested advantages of the canal tour is the chance to see the best Châteux
, markets and villages, in a relaxing, affordable and scenic mode of travel. Travelers unpack just once and enjoy scenic cruising on smooth waterways.
The cruises are a minimum of 6 nights long and take place on the Nivernais Canal, the River Yonne, the Burgundy Canal, the River Rhone, the Rhone-Sete Canal, the Canal du Midi
, the River Cher the Venetian lagoon, the River Brenta, the River Amstel, the Caledonian Canal
, the River Thames
and the River Shannon
. All voyages include at least one guided shore excursion per day. European Waterways' vacation packages are typically all-inclusive, meaning that the cruise price includes accommodation, onboard meals, shore excursions and an open bar including alcoholic drinks of the region. All ships have non-smoking interiors. The cruising focus is on the waterway life and the ports of call.
Geared toward the North American and UK tourist market, European Waterways provides English-speaking staff on its barges and fully escorted tours. Many of the tours are guided walks that showcase history, culture, art and architecture of the visited towns and villages.
and converts them into boutique hotel barges
.
Organises the shipyard work and transformation into boutique hotel barges
. This process takes normally 1 year and includes; design and installation of all cabins, interior joinery, plumbing, electric, heating, air-conditioning and jacuzzi
.
The marketing and sales are made by a staff of 6 who also handle reservations with an online reservations system, human resources and accounting.
River cruise
A River cruise is a voyage along inland waterways, often stopping at multiple ports along the way. Since cities and towns often grew up around rivers, river cruise ships frequently dock in the center of cities and towns.- Descriptions :...
vessels along the rivers and canals
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Company history
European Waterways, a UK company based in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, was established in 1977 by owner Derek Banks with the purchase of an existing French inland waterways cruising company which had been created 3 years earlier in 1974. The first boutique hotel barge
Hotel barge
The Hotel Barge came into being following the decline in commercial and freight carriage on the canals of Europe. Many working barges have been converted into floating hotels of varying degrees of luxury...
was Anjodi
Anjodi
Anjodi is a Luxe motor Dutch steel barge built as a trading barge but refitted in 1982 as a hotel barge. She is currently berthed on the Canal du Midi in south-west France....
, which was originally renovated at a cost in excess of £100,000. In 1994 the company built the 12 passenger La Belle Epoque followed by its sister ship, 12 passenger L'Impressionniste
L'Impressionniste
The L'Impressionniste was built in 1960 in Belgium and is a spitz barge with a dutch luxe motor style bow. The overall hull shape of the barge is a marriage of the French and Dutch barge building influences. She was converted to a hotel barge in 1996...
, in 1995. After these acquisitions European Waterways expanded steadily and, as a result of cooperation with several companies in the travel industry and additional acquisitions, now operates a fleet of 18 boutique hotel barges
Hotel barge
The Hotel Barge came into being following the decline in commercial and freight carriage on the canals of Europe. Many working barges have been converted into floating hotels of varying degrees of luxury...
along the inland waterways of 9 countries in Europe.
Derek Banks, the company founder, was brought up on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
and has enjoyed all aspects of life afloat. It was as a result of this early exposure to the inland waterways that he was inspired to move to a lock house
Lock (water transport)
A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber in which the water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is...
in the middle of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in the mid seventies and start the now thriving European Waterways.
The company originally focused on the extremely popular Canal du Nivernais
Canal du Nivernais
The Canal du Nivernais links the Loire basin with the Seine basin following approximately the course of the river Yonne in a south to north direction....
in central Burgundy, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, but as the company grew, cruises were programmed all over Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. With purchases such as the barges
Hotel barge
The Hotel Barge came into being following the decline in commercial and freight carriage on the canals of Europe. Many working barges have been converted into floating hotels of varying degrees of luxury...
L'Art de Vivre and Scottish Highlander the company expanded to cover Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Holland, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Today, with an international clientele, European Waterways has clients from all over the world, primarily from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, USA, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
Cruising with European Waterways
European Waterways' bargesHotel barge
The Hotel Barge came into being following the decline in commercial and freight carriage on the canals of Europe. Many working barges have been converted into floating hotels of varying degrees of luxury...
carry between 4 to 13 passengers and also provide tandem cruises to accommodate up to 26 passengers. The cruises are marketed as being unique from other tours in that they provide the inland cruising vacationer, views and access to areas that, in a car or on a bus tour, are not ordinarily accessible. Suggested advantages of the canal tour is the chance to see the best Châteux
Château
A château is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor or a country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications, originally—and still most frequently—in French-speaking regions...
, markets and villages, in a relaxing, affordable and scenic mode of travel. Travelers unpack just once and enjoy scenic cruising on smooth waterways.
The cruises are a minimum of 6 nights long and take place on the Nivernais Canal, the River Yonne, the Burgundy Canal, the River Rhone, the Rhone-Sete Canal, the Canal du Midi
Canal du Midi
The is a long canal in Southern France . The canal connects the Garonne River to the on the Mediterranean and along with the Canal de Garonne forms the Canal des Deux Mers joining the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The canal runs from the city of Toulouse down to the Étang de Thau...
, the River Cher the Venetian lagoon, the River Brenta, the River Amstel, the Caledonian Canal
Caledonian Canal
The Caledonian Canal is a canal in Scotland that connects the Scottish east coast at Inverness with the west coast at Corpach near Fort William. It was constructed in the early nineteenth century by engineer Thomas Telford, and is a sister canal of the Göta Canal in Sweden, also constructed by...
, the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
and the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
. All voyages include at least one guided shore excursion per day. European Waterways' vacation packages are typically all-inclusive, meaning that the cruise price includes accommodation, onboard meals, shore excursions and an open bar including alcoholic drinks of the region. All ships have non-smoking interiors. The cruising focus is on the waterway life and the ports of call.
Geared toward the North American and UK tourist market, European Waterways provides English-speaking staff on its barges and fully escorted tours. Many of the tours are guided walks that showcase history, culture, art and architecture of the visited towns and villages.
Corporate profile
A vertically integrated travel and cruise company which sources existing old trading bargesBarge
A barge is a flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods. Some barges are not self-propelled and need to be towed by tugboats or pushed by towboats...
and converts them into boutique hotel barges
Hotel barge
The Hotel Barge came into being following the decline in commercial and freight carriage on the canals of Europe. Many working barges have been converted into floating hotels of varying degrees of luxury...
.
Organises the shipyard work and transformation into boutique hotel barges
Hotel barge
The Hotel Barge came into being following the decline in commercial and freight carriage on the canals of Europe. Many working barges have been converted into floating hotels of varying degrees of luxury...
. This process takes normally 1 year and includes; design and installation of all cabins, interior joinery, plumbing, electric, heating, air-conditioning and jacuzzi
Jacuzzi
Jacuzzi is a company that produces whirlpool bathtubs and spas. Its first product was a bath with massaging jets. The term "jacuzzi" is now often used generically to refer to any bathtub with massaging jets.-History:...
.
The marketing and sales are made by a staff of 6 who also handle reservations with an online reservations system, human resources and accounting.
Current fleet
| Ship name | Year built | Year Converted | Last Renovated | Length | Crew | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Belle Epoque | 1930 | 1995 | 2009 | 128 feet | 5 | 12 |
| L'Art de Vivre L'Art de Vivre The L'Art de Vivre was built in 1917 in Deptford, England as a cargo barge. She presently serves as a luxury hotel barge, owned and operated by European Waterways.-History:... |
1917 | 1970 | 2009 | 100 feet | 4 | 8 |
| L'Impressionniste L'Impressionniste The L'Impressionniste was built in 1960 in Belgium and is a spitz barge with a dutch luxe motor style bow. The overall hull shape of the barge is a marriage of the French and Dutch barge building influences. She was converted to a hotel barge in 1996... |
1960 | 1996 | 2009 | 128 feet | 5 | 12 |
| Rosa Rosa (barge) The Rosa is a Tjalk-clipper style barge, built in Dedemsvaart, Holland in 1907. Its former name was the "Renaissance". It was converted to a hotel barge in 1990 and sailed on the Canal des Deux Mers between Toulouse and Bordeaux. She is being refitted during 2010 for cruising on the Canal Latéral... |
1907 | 1990 | 2010 | 98 feet | 4 | 8 |
| La Reine Pedauque | 1922 | 1985 | 2004 | 127 feet | 5 | 8 |
| Hirondelle | 1928 | 1992 | 2002 | 128 feet | 4 | 8 |
| Napoleon | 1963 | 1990 | 2004 | 128 feet | 6 | 12 |
| Enchanté | 1958 | 2008 | 2009 | 100 feet | 4 | 8 |
| Anjodi Anjodi Anjodi is a Luxe motor Dutch steel barge built as a trading barge but refitted in 1982 as a hotel barge. She is currently berthed on the Canal du Midi in south-west France.... |
1930 | 1977 | 2009 | 100 feet | 4 | 8 |
| Alouette | 1908 | 1986 | 2008 | 98 feet | 4 | 4 |
| Athos | 1964 | 1982 | 2006 | 103 feet | 4 | 10 |
| Nymphea Nymphea The Nymphea was built in 1921 to carry cargo along the canals of Europe and is a classic Dutch design with shallow draft. She presently serves as a luxury hotel barge, owned and operated by European Waterways.-History:... |
1921 | 1985 | 2006 | 80 feet | 3 | 6 |
| La Renaissance La Renaissance (barge) The La Renaissance was built in Belgium in 1960 as a spitz barge to carry cargo along the canals of Europe. Her original cargo was grain and iron ore. She presently serves as a luxury hotel barge, owned and operated by European Waterways.-History:... |
1960 | 1997 | 2006 | 128 feet | 5 | 8 |
| La Dolce Vita La Dolce Vita (barge) The La Dolce Vita was built in 1897 in Groningen, Netherlands. She originally served as a cargo barge in Holland. She presently serves as a hotel barge, owned by silver Venice lda and operated by European Waterways.-History:... |
1897 | 1990 | 2008 | 65 feet | 3 | 6 |
| Savoir Faire Savoir Faire (barge) The Savoir Faire was built in Amsterdam in 1932. It originally was a cargo vessel carrying cargo in Holland and Belgium. During World War II, it served as a troop carrier... |
1932 | 1979 | 2005 | 132 feet | 6 | 12 |
| La Nouvelle Etoile | 1964 | 2002 | 2009 | 129 feet | 5 | 8 |
| Scottish Highlander | 1931 | 1992 | 2009 | 117 feet | 4 | 8 |
| Magna Carta Magna Carta (barge) The Magna Carta was built in Holland in 1936. It was converted from a sand carrying cargo vessel to a hotel barge by Geoffrey K. Temple in 2001-2002 after 65 years of carrying cargo for the same family. It was sold to be replaced with a much larger vessel as it was no longer large enough to compete... |
1931 | 2001 | 2009 | 117 feet | 8 | 4 |
| Shannon Princess II | 2003 | 2003 | 2003 | 107 feet | 5 | 10 |