Europe’s largest river cruise operator, CroisiEurope Cruises, has announced that bookings are now open for its 2023 French hotel barge itineraries, operating through Alsace, Burgundy, Provence, Ile de France and Champagne as well as on the Upper Loire. As families and friends reunite following many months apart, these barges are large enough to welcome larger groups for family and friend reunions, yet small enough to be chartered for a private cruise.
New for 2023 is CroisiEurope’s Paris, Medieval France & the Romance of Fontainebleau cruise from the Petite Seine to the Yonne. This new itinerary takes guests on a magnificent journey to quaint ports of call featuring historical cities, splendid gardens and excellent local cuisine. Operating between Paris and Sens, the cruise visits Evry, Melun, Moret-Sur-Loing and Montereau-Fault-Yonne with highlights including:
Departures from April to October 2023 with prices starting at $3,731 per person for the seven-day cruise on the MS Deborah, including all meals and drinks, excursions and port fees.
A seven-day cruise on the Marne Canal between Paris and Epernay calling in Lagny-sur Marne, Isles-les-Meldeuses, Sain-Jean-les-Desux-Jumeaux, Chateau Thierry and Dormans. The cruise takes place on MS Deborah with prices starting at $3,731 per person;
A seven-day cruise on the Marne-Rhine Canal between Strasbourg and Lagarde calling in Waltenheim, Saverne, Lutzelbourg and Xouaxange. The cruise takes place on MS Madeleine with prices from $3,516 per person;
A seven-day cruise on the Burgundy & Petite Saône Canal from Dijon to Port-sur-Saône calling in Longecourt-en-Plaine, Auxonne, Gray and Ray-sur-Saône. The cruise takes place on MS Jeanine with prices from $3,516 per person (currently sold out);
A seven-day cruise along the Burgundy, Saône and Centre Canal between Dijon and Saint-Leger-sur-Dheune calling in Longecourt-en-Plaine, Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Chalon-sur-Saône, Chagny and Santenay. The cruise takes place on MS Jeanine with prices from $3,435 per person;
A seven-day cruise between Burgundy and the Doubs Valley. The cruise starts in Dijon and calls in Petit Ouges, Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Dole and Ranchot before finishing in Besancon. The cruise takes place on MS Jeanine with prices from $3,394 per person;
A seven-day cruise along the Loire Canal between Nevers and Briare calling in Marseilles-les-Aubigny, Herry, Menetreol-Sous-Sancerre and Lere. The cruise takes place on MS Raymonde with prices from $3,797 per person;
A seven-day cruise on the Rhone Canal between Arles and Sète calling in Gallician, Aigues-Mortes and Palavas-les-Flots. The cruise takes place on MS Anne-Marie with prices from $3,585 per person;
The cruises take place on CroisiEurope’s fleet of six charming hotel barges, which feature just 11 en-suite cabins, a restaurant, lounge bar, sun deck and relaxation area with Jacuzzi with six crew members guaranteeing a personalized service.
In addition to their barge itineraries, CroisiEurope will also be cruising on the rivers of France, including iconic rivers of the Loire, the Seine, the Gironde and the Rhone. New to the CroisiEurope portfolio, beginning this spring, will include the 7-day Tip of Provence to Lyon on the Rhone and Saone Rivers (and reverse) and the 7-day Authentic Normandy: Charming Villages, Traditional Food and Classic Sites.
Since last year, CroisiEurope has been successfully working with Bureau Veritas for the “SAFEGUARD” certification of its ships. The Safeguard Certification Label ensures the proper application of preventive sanitary measures, which have been subject to a rigorous auditing process and confirm that crew members have been thoroughly trained to implement them. These measures have been further strengthened this year with guests needing to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR or rapid antigen test prior to embarkation.
There are river cruises, then there are barge cruises. The two are worlds apart, or at least waterways apart. River cruises take place on Europe’s major waterways on vessels that typically carry from 100 to 200 guests. By contrast, barge cruises operate on small canals (you could skip a stone
What makes barging so enjoyable? It may help to compare barging to another mode of travel that many of you coming to this site already know, river cruising.
Somewhat surprising was the abundance of wildlife during my September barge cruise from Sete to Arles. As we barged along the canal, we saw flamingos, egrets, herons along with wild horses and cattle. They all live in the Camargue, a natural region south of Arles that spans more than 360 square miles. That expanse makes the Camargue the largest river delta in western Europe.
