Barge Cruises Under $4,000 For 2017 and 2018

The 2018 hotel barge cruising season has officially launched! And there are still some remaining openings for the 2017 season.  The owners and crew are eager to welcome you on board.  If you are in the planning stages for this year's vacation, there are still some great options for you to consider. Here is a comprehensive list of all barge cruises under $4,000 per person in France and Europe for individual, double occupancy cabins or charter groups.

Most cruises are for 7 days/6 nights but there are a few barges listed below that offer a short week cruise.  All offer you an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate your body and mind, as your personal crew tends to your every need and your personal chef creates exquisite cuisine. Most cruises offer full board meal plans with all meals included, while a few offer half or three quarter board options.

Regardless of which barge or route you choose, every region in France offers a beauty all its own, with exquisitely preserved medieval villages, ancient castles, abundant vineyards and magnificent landscapes.  While cruising the serene canals and rivers of the historic French countryside, you are immersed in regional culture, wine and cuisine.  Most barge cruises are in France, but there are also a few unique and wonderful cruises in Venice, Italy, the Scottish Highlands, Ireland, England, Holland and Belgium and Germany.

Take advantage of some of these great values currently being offered, or visit our Special Offers page periodically to keep up with different barges throughout the season offering sale prices.

Cabin bookings under $4,000 per person in France and the rest of Europe, all quoted and payable in US Dollars:

•  The 8-passenger First Class barge Savoir Vivre, cruising on the Burgundy Canal, is the only barge in France that includes in its price breakfasts and lunches aboard the barge as well as dinners off the barge at select local restaurants. Individual cabin bookings for "regular season" cruises (mid-April to mid-October) are priced at $3,750 per person (based on double occupancy).  Early April and late October "value season" individual cabin rates are $3,500 per person, double occupancy. Charter rates for 8 passengers is $30,000 "regular season," and $28,000 "value season.
• The 18-passenger Deluxe barge Phenicien cruising in Provence along the Rhone River and Canal du Rhone a Sete, offers both cabin and charter bookings. The owners are currently offering cabin bookings during its value season for $3,640 per person (double occupancy required and minimum of 6 passengers required to cruise).  Charter rates for 12-18 passengers range from $3,275 to $3,930 per person.
• The 24-passenger First Class barge Mirabelle cruising in the famed Bordeaux region in southwestern France on the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers and the Gironde Estuary, also offers both individual cabin and charter bookings.  "Low season" cabin bookings are priced at $3,750 per person (double occupancy with a minimum of 12 passengers to cruise), and "high season" bookings are $4,100 per person.

 In other countries:

• The 20-passenger First Class barge La Bella Vita, cruising on the Venetian Lagoons, Po River, and Bianco Canal in Italy, offers both cabin and charter bookings. Value season pricing for individual bookings (stateroom) are $3,890 per person (double occupancy required with a minimum of 7 passengers to cruise).

Charter bookings under $4,000 per person in France:

• The 6-passenger First Class barge Caroline, cruising the picturesque Canal du Midi in Southern France is offering six night three quarter board charter rate for 6 passengers of $23,940 ($3,990 each). Four night half board charters for 6 passengers are very competitively priced at $15,960 ($2,660 each). 
• The 6-passenger Deluxe Magnolia on the Burgundy Canal offers both half and full board charters at very competitive rates.  In 2017, half-board charter for 6-passengers are $18,400 or $3,066.67 per person and full board charters for 6-passengers are $23,650 or $3,941.66 per person.  In 2018, prices are slightly higher: half-board charter for 6-passengers are $19,850 or $3,308.33 per person and full board charters for 6-passengers are $24,850 or $4,141.66 per person.  This makes the Magnolia an exceptional value!
• Also the 4-passenger First Class barge Louisa on the Canal du Midi offers full board charter cruises for 4 passenger for 3 nights at $6,960 or $1,740 per person.  A 4 night cruise at $9,280 or $2,320/person based on 4 passengers.  The Louisa is perfect for travelers who want to experience the luxury of a barge cruise but have a limited time schedule.

NOTE: All individual cabin booking prices are quoted per person and are based on double occupancy. All prices are quoted and payable in US Dollars. For all half-board or three-quarter-board cruises, barge crews will be happy to provide you with recommendations for restaurants ashore, and also provide transportation to and from the restaurants.

Please Contact us at Special Places Travel, with any questions you may have regarding the best choices for a barge cruise that fits your vacation needs and interests in France or the rest of Europe.

Half Board & Three Quarter Board Charters Offer Meals At Local Restaurants

Why Choose Half -Board vs Full Board Options On Your Barge Cruise?

The great thing about a barge cruise is that your per person cost includes everything for your week long vacation, except your airfare and a suggested 5% gratuity. A few barges offer the option of a half board or three quarter board vs the standard full board option. This means that some of your meals will be enjoyed ashore at your own expense. Although the meals aboard all of the barges are exceptional, choosing these other options is a great way to lower your up front cost, and also have the opportunity to experience the flavor and essence of the local cuisine.  

A unique opportunity is available aboard the 8-passenger barge SAVOIR VIVRE, currently cruising in Burgundy. The barge is considered a full board barge, but passengers enjoy one meal ashore each evening at a pre-planned destination. This is a great way to experience some of the area's favorite restaurants, and the best part about it is that this cost is included in the per person price.

For the 2017 and 2018 season, prices for a Full-Board Charter for 8 aboard the Savoir Vivre are $28,000 for VALUE season ($3,500 per person) and $30,000 for REGULAR season, ($3,750 per person).  Individual cabins may also be booked at $3,750 per person in REGULAR season, or $3,500 per person in VALUE season, based on double occupancy, with a minimum booking of two cabins.  If you have any questions about this wonderful opportunity, feel free to Contact us

The barges listed below offer Half Board or Three Quarter Board Charters for the 2017/2018 seasons: 

• 6-passenger CAROLINE -- Canal du Midi, Three Quarter Board Charter for 6 $23,940 ($3,990 per person)
• 4-passenger COLIBRI -- Upper Loire (Half-Board Charter for 4 for $21,000 = $5,250 per person) ... only available in 2018, as 2017 season is sold out.
• 6-passenger EMMA -- Canal du Midi (Half-Board Charter for 6 for $27,000 = $4,500 per person).
• 4-passenger SARAPHINA -- Canal du Midi (Half-Board Charter for up to 4 for $14,500 = $3,625 per person).
• 6-passenger MAGNOLIA -- Southern Burgundy (Half-Board Charter for 6 for $18,400 in 2017 ($3,066.66 per person), or $19,850 in 2018 ($3,308.33 per person).

NOTE: All prices quoted in the blog and on our website are in US Dollars and apply to the 2017/2018 cruise season, as applicable. All rates are subject to change based on the discretion of each individual barge.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have, so that we may help you select the best option for your barge cruise in France and the rest of Europe.

New Hotel Barges in France

New Hotel Barges in France
Last fall, Don and Sally Dillin, two of the owners of Special Places Travel, took their annual trek to France where they were greeted by the gracious owners of some wonderful new barges. After their visits, we are pleased to announce that we have added some terrific barges to the outstanding fleet of barges we offer. These owners and crew will warmly welcome you on board and share their extensive knowledge of the region and its traditions, with daily visits to historic sites, cuisine that is locally sourced and exquisitely prepared and then carefully paired with up to 20 different wines during the week, often wines unique to the region.

Cruise the Cote d'Or wine region of Southern Burgundy! 
8-passenger Ultra Deluxe FINESSE
Launched in May 2016, the luxurious Finesse is the second barge built and managed by the Roger and Louisa Gronow, the owners of the successful Ultra Deluxe barge Enchante on the Canal du Midi. Like the Enchante, it has a modern salon with comfortable sofas, dining area and open demonstration kitchen. There are four large twin or queen-bedded suites on the lower deck, all with an ensuite bathroom. Outside there is a spacious sun deck with a spa pool, dining table and comfortable seating. The Finesse cruises on a unique route on the Canal du Centre and Saone River in Southern Burgundy and includes excursions to Dijon and Beaune as well as a private wine tasting and lunch at a top winery. The barge accepts both individual cabin bookings as well as charters. One meal on shore plus transfers from Lyon to the barge and return are included.

For more information, see: https://www.bargesinfrance.com/finesse.htm

---

6-passenger Deluxe MAGNOLIA
The Magnolia is operated by its French owners Magali and Nicolas Rancelot, barging veterans of over 15 years, who offer full board or half board charter cruises on the Burgundy Canal between Dijon and Escommes. For half board cruises five meals are at passenger's expense at selected local restaurants and at a private home. When we were on board the owners took us to one of these restaurants for dinner, a converted canal lockhouse that now has a small restaurant. The barge has two double-bedded cabins plus a suite with twin beds or a queen bed, each with an ensuite bathroom, as well as a large salon with sofas, arm chairs and a dining area. On deck is a spa pool, lounge chairs and an outdoor kitchen for al fresco meals. The tour guide provides a daily excursion to some of the most famous sites in the area. Transfers from Dijon to the barge and return are included.

For more information see: https://www.bargesinfrance.com/magnolia.htm

---

6-passenger Deluxe RENDEZ-VOUS
The brand new Rendez-Vous was launched in the summer of 2015. The owners also own the very successful Ultra Deluxe 8-passenger barge Prosperite. The Rendez-Vous offers full board charter cruises for up to 6 passengers on the Burgundy Canal south of Dijon. The barge has an open concept salon with a comfortable sofa and arm chair, dining area and demonstration kitchen. There are three cabins with a queen bed or twin beds, each with an ensuite bathroom. On deck there is a hot tub, lounge chairs, dining table and two loveseats with large umbrellas. Excursions with the barge tour guide include visits to Dijon and Beaune as well as winetasting at nearby vineyards. Two lunches on shore and transfers from Paris to the barge and return are included.

For more information see: https://www.bargesinfrance.com/rendezvous.htm

---

Cruise on the historic Canal du Midi! 
6-passenger Deluxe MIRAGE
The Mirage is offering full board cruises for three or six nights for charters of 2-6 passengers as well as individual cabin bookings on the Canal du Midi, between Carcassonne and Castelnaudary. The barge is owned and operated by a delightful French couple, Pascal and Mimi Chauvin. A unique feature of this cruise is that Pascal will offer charter passengers an optional flight in his classic Comet biplane over Carcassonne. They have decorated the salon in the style of a 1940's aviator lounge, with comfortable seating, TV, dining area and an open galley. The barge has two cabins with a queen bed or two twins and one cabin with a fixed queen bed, each with an ensuite bathroom. On deck is a spa pool, dining table and lounger chairs. Breakfast and dinner are served on board while lunch is taken at some of the owners' favorite local restaurants. When we were aboard last September the owners took us to one of these restaurants in the old city of Carcassonne, Daily excursions include visits to Carcassonne and Narbonne as well as wine tasting. Transfers from Narbonne, Carcassonne or Toulouse airport to the barge and return are included.

For more information see: https://www.bargesinfrance.com/mirage.htm

---

4-passenger First Class LOUISA
The British owners of the Louisa, David and Jenny Tremain, offer 3 or 4-night full board charter cruises on the Canal du Midi in the Carcassonne area. Their cruises are perfect for those who want to experience a barge cruise but don't have time for a 6-night cruise. David is the pilot as well as tour guide for your daily excursion while Jenny is the chef. There is one cabin with king bed and one with twin beds, both including an ensuite bathroom . The open plan salon has comfortable seating, a dining area, TV and open galley. All meals are on board, usually on deck, weather permitting. Transfers from Carcassonne or Toulouse to the barge and return are included.

For more information see: https://www.bargesinfrance.com/louisa.htm

---

Explore the vineyards of the world renowned Bordeaux Region! 
24-passenger First Class MIRABELLE
The Mirabelle is the only barge we offer that cruises in the Bordeaux wine region. It offers both individual cabin bookings ( for a minimum of 12 passengers) and private charters. All meals, wines and open bar are included on board, along with a daily excursion to each of the five wine regions guided by their wine expert. When we were on board last September we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with accompanying wines prepared by their French chef. There are 11 twin-bedded cabins and one cabin with double bed, each with an ensuite bathroom. There is a deck at the bow with tables and chairs plus a large upper deck with lounge chairs. Transfers from Bordeaux to the barge and return are included.

For more information see: https://www.bargesinfrance.com/mirabelle.htm

---

Champagne Cruises in the Spring, and Southern Burgundy in the Summer and Fall! 
6-passenger Deluxe SAROCHE
The Saroche is not a new barge for us but has new owners for 2016, Jason Ashcroft and Dawn Coles, who previously owned and operated the popular 6-passenger Who Knows in Burgundy and Champagne. Jason and Dawn are offering full board cruises on the Saroche for both individual cabin bookings and charters in Champagne on the Marne River and a nearby canal until July and then on the southern Burgundy Canal for the rest of the season. Jason will lead the daily excursions which include a day in Reims while in Champagne and a day in Beaune while in Burgundy. The Saroche has three large cabins with queen bed or two twins and ensuite bathrooms. There is a split level salon/dining room with wood burning fireplace and a large sundeck with hot tub, dining table, lounge chairs and an awning over part of the deck. One meal on shore and transfers from Paris to the barge and return are included.

For more information see: https://www.bargesinfrance.com/saroche.htm

---