European Waterways

European Waterways (europeanwaterways.com) is an international hotel-barge cruise company based in Berkshire, England. The brand operates a fleet of luxury barges along the canals and rivers of Europe, primarily in France. European Waterways purchases old trading and freight barges, then refits and transforms these vessels into "luxury boutique" hotel barges.

In 2013, a fleetwide ship-refurbishment program was completed, which included deck and stateroom renovations, new furniture, and expanded, shipwide Wi-Fi coverage.

In January 2025, Ireland's only luxury hotel barge, the Shannon Princess, joined the fleet.

Company History

The company was established in 1977 by Derek Banks, following the purchase of an existing French inland waterways cruise company founded just three years earlier in 1974.

European Waterways' first barge was the Anjodi, renovated at a cost of over GBP 100,000. In 1994, the company built the 12-passenger La Belle Epoque, followed by the sister ship L'Impressionniste in 1995. Following these acquisitions, the cruise line expanded steadily. As a result of cooperation with travel companies and additional vessel purchases, European Waterways now operates a fleet of premium hotel barges along the inland waterways of nine European countries.

In January 2025, European Waterways acquired Ireland's only luxury hotel barge, the Shannon Princess.

Originally, the company focused on the Canal du Nivernais (located in central Burgundy, France), which links the Loire and Seine rivers, following the course of the Yonne River from south to north.

As the company grew, itineraries were expanded across Europe. With acquisitions such as the Scottish Highlander, Panache, L'Art de Vivre, and Shannon Princess, European Waterways expanded to cover France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, England, Ireland, and Scotland.

Today, with an international clientele, the company has customers from all over the world, particularly from the UK, France, Canada, China, the USA, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Note: For convenience, CruiseMapper also lists barges that belong to other shipowners and/or are currently under charter as part of the European Waterways fleet. Among the largest are European Waterways, Elegant Waterways, CroisiEurope, Phoenix Reisen, Belmond River Cruises, and Douro Azul (Portugal).

• A bareboat charter involves hiring the vessel without its administration and technical maintenance as part of the deal.
• A time charter involves hiring the vessel for a fixed period on a daily hire basis. The shipowner manages the vessel (staff, crew, supplies, etc.), while the charterer selects cruise ports and itineraries, and also pays for fuel, port charges, and commissions.

European Waterways Barge Cruising Deals

Hotel-barge cruise ships of European Waterways carry between 6 and 20 passengers. They also offer tandem sailings to accommodate up to twenty guests. Cruises are promoted as being unique from other tours, providing inland cruising vacationers with views and access to areas that are not typically accessible on a bus tour or by car. The company also offers other tourist attractions, such as visits to châteaux, picturesque villages, and food markets.

All European Waterways deals include at least one guided shore excursion per day. The excursions are optional, and most are included in the cruise fare. Geared toward the UK and North American tourist markets, the company provides English-speaking staff on all its barges, as well as fully escorted tours, many of which are guided walks showcasing the history, architecture, culture, and art of the visited destinations along the itinerary.

Most crew members are English, Irish, or Scottish. Each is fluent in English and at least one other language, often that of the host country. In addition to working the locks, cooking, and cleaning, the barge's crew provides narrations about the countryside as the ship moves from place to place, explaining regional history, cuisine, wines, and cheese selections.

Onboard the hotel barges, passengers can expect a mix of traditional and antique décor with fine wood paneling and soft carpeting. The ships offer a cozy country inn feel and a relaxed atmosphere throughout. All excursions, meals, and drinks are included in the European Waterways cruise deals. The entire fleet offers fine cuisine, often featuring regional specialties, along with complimentary wines and liquors. All cabins on the hotel barges have central heating and air-conditioning, as well as an en-suite bathroom with a shower. Staterooms range from double-bed or twin-bed cabins to junior suites with comfortable sitting areas.

European Waterways' barges move at a slow speed, often cruising through half a dozen or more locks per week. Since the pace is leisurely, shipboard life is quiet and relaxed. Each barge has a library; some have an outdoor (sun deck) hot tub (whirlpool), and all have a Bar-Saloon (lounge). Most hotel barges also have bicycles onboard for passengers to use complimentary while on land.

The company's customers are well-traveled and well-educated, primarily 50+ aged ladies and gentlemen (mainly from the UK, USA, and Canada) who enjoy the beautiful onboard setting and serene cruising experience. While there are no accommodations for children on regularly scheduled itineraries, European Waterways offers themed family charters where children are well accommodated with high chairs, cribs, games, and toys.

Each winter, the European Waterways fleet is updated. Many of the ships travel hundreds of miles to shipyards in Belgium or the Netherlands to be dry-docked and refurbished. In 2019, the company invested over USD 0.5 million in fleet renovations. Refurbishments included stateroom redesigns, cabin bathroom upgrades, and enhanced onboard amenities. The UK company Falchi Interiors Ltd (based in Datchet, Slough-Berkshire, England), specializing in residential interior design, was contracted for most of these projects. The 2019 refurbishments also included new soft furnishings and upgrades to the ships' sound and lighting systems.

Below is a list of popular hotel barges cruising in France.

The river and/or wine region in France is listed in parentheses.

• FCWL (French Country Waterways Ltd) - Adrienne, Esprit, Horizon II, Nenuphar, Princess
• Absoluut2 (Burgundy)
• Apres Tout (Burgundy)
• Belmond Alouette (Provence - Garonne, Canal du Midi), Belmond Amaryllis (Burgundy - Saone, Canal de Bourgogne), Belmond Fleur de Lys (Burgundy, Canal de Bourgogne), Belmond Hirondelle (Burgundy, Franche-Comte), Belmond Lilas (Champagne and Alsace), Belmond Napoleon (Provence and Burgundy - Saone, Rhone), Belmond Pivoine (Champagne wine region)
• Bonheur (Burgundy)
• Caprice (Burgundy)
• C’est La Vie (Loire, Burgundy)
• Emma (Garonne, Canal du Midi)
• Le Phenicien (Provence)
• Luciole (Burgundy)
• Meanderer (Loire, Burgundy)
• Mirabelle (Dordogne, Aquitaine)
• Papillon (Burgundy)
• Ros Crana (Sea lakes in Scotland)
• Saint Louis (Rhone)
• Saroche (Provence and Burgundy)
• Savoir Faire (Loire, Burgundy, Champagne)
• CroisiEurope barge cruise ships - Anne Marie, Daniele, Deborah, Jeanine, Madeleine, Raymonde
• Phoenix Reisen hotel barge - Mecklenburg (Berlin-Schwerin)

The list of European Waterways barges includes:

• Anjodi (Garonne, Canal du Midi)
• L’Art de Vivre (Burgundy, Nivernais Canal)
• Athos (Garonne, Canal du Midi)
• Clair de Lune (Garonne, Canal du Midi)
• Enchante (Garonne, Canal du Midi)
• Finesse (Burgundy, Saone River, Canal du Centre)
• L'Art De Vivre (Burgundy)
• L'Impressionniste (Burgundy)
• La Bella Vita (Italy - Tartaro-Canalbianco-Po di Levante, Venice Lagoon Islands)
• La Belle Epoque (Burgundy)
• La Nouvelle Etoile (France, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg)
• Magna Carta (Thames River, UK)
• Nymphea (Cher River)
• Panache (Holland, Belgium, France / Champagne, and Alsace)
• Renaissance (Loire, Burgundy)
• Rosa (Gascony, Bordeaux)
• Scottish Highlander and Spirit of Scotland (Caledonian Canal, Scotland, Dochgarroch-Banavie)
• Shannon Princess (Shannon River, Ireland, departures from Dublin)