BARGE UPGRADES

Posted on 02/13/2016

European Waterways, a hotel barge cruising company, reports an extensive programme of refurbishment and upgrades on its 17-vessel fleet in preparation for the 2016 cruising season. Some of the improvements are raising the bar, some of them are improving the bars.

“We carry some of the most discerning passengers in the cruise industry, so we pay attention to every detail, from replacing linen, glassware and fine china, to more extensive upgrades and refurbishments to enhance their experience,” said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. Among the company’s major improvements was the reconfiguration of cabins on the eight passenger Anjodi, which cruises the Canal du Midi in Southwest France. The new design now permits hotel style twin or double bed accommodation in all cabins. Other improvements include a new bar for the Renaissance, the eight-passenger luxury hotel barge that cruises the county’s oldest canal, the Canal de Briare. A new bar area has also been created on the 12-passenger Panache, popular for its Spring tulip cruises in Holland as well as its cruises through Picardy, Champagne and in Alsace-Lorraine later in the season. Seeing is believing for passengers on the Scottish Highlander, which cruises Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal. They will now be able to get the very best view of the captivating Highland scenery from a new panoramic observation lounge area that has been created by enlarging the vessel’s wheelhouse at the stern. In Ireland, the cabins and bathrooms of the Shannon Princess have been upgraded. The 10-passenger hotel barge takes passengers on a voyage of discovery along the River Shannon and its surrounding lakes. European Waterways continues to work with established British interior designer Marion Falchi on enhancing the barge interiors across the fleet. Improvements include new floors, upholstery, soft furnishings and general décor. Finally, to help passengers stay in touch while on board, many of the hotel barges will have improved Wi-Fi for the coming season, which starts in April.