"Carefully created cruises, just for you"™

Cruise with Emma

Hi, I’m Emma James-Aldridge, and my company is dedicated to organising hotel barge and self-drive boat cruises on the inland waterways, canals and rivers of France, other European countries and Canada, for clients from across the globe. If you're a family, group of friends, couples or individuals, I have the perfect cruise for you.

Why choose us
Self-drivesHotel barges Small ships

Our clients have awarded Hotels Afloat
★★★★★ (4.9) stars

Discover the best cruise routes

Top cruise destinations

Camargue

Camargue

France

Friesland

Friesland

Holland

Saône Valley

Saône Valley

France

Shannon

Shannon

Ireland

Bodrag River

Bodrag River

Hungary

A selection of hotel barge cruises

Check out the best deals

Rendez-Vous barge cruise

Rendez-Vous

Burgundy Canal
4 guests
★★★★★
France
Burgundy Canal
Magnolia barge cruise

Magnolia

Burgundy Canal
6 guests
★★★★
France
Saône Valley
Last minute
2026 offer!
Anjodi barge cruise

Anjodi

Midi Canal
8 guests
★★★★
France
Canal du Midi
Last-minute
Athos barge cruise

Athos

Midi Canal
10 guests
★★★★
France
Canal du Midi
Camargue
Last-minute
Grand Victoria barge cruise

Grand Victoria

River Saône
6 guests
★★★★★★
France
Saône Valley
Central Canal
River Rhone
Last-minute
2026 offer!
Rosa barge cruise

Rosa

Aquitaine
8 guests
★★★★
France
Aquitaine & Bordeaux
Last-minute
Save 10%
La Bella Vita barge cruise

La Bella Vita

Venetian lagoon
20 guests
★★★★
Italy
Venice Lagoon
Saraphina barge cruise

Saraphina

Midi Canal
4 guests
★★★★
France
Canal du Midi

A selection of self-drive boat rentals

Discover the offers and discounts

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

N1010 rental boat

N1010

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1373€/week
Last minute
Pénichette Panoramic P.1180FB rental boat

Pénichette Panoramic P.1180FB

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
& 1 child
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 1988€/week
N SIXTO Green rental boat

N SIXTO Green

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2741€/week
Last minute
Pénichette Panoramic P.1400FB rental boat

Pénichette Panoramic P.1400FB

10 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
& 2 children
3 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2002€/week
Last-minute
La Peniche S rental boat

La Peniche S

10 guests maximum
5 cabins
Ideal for 10 adults
4 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 2691€/week
Last-minute
Special Offer
Horizon 1 rental boat

Horizon 1

5 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 2 adults
& 2 children
1 bathroom
Premium rating
From 1359€/week
Last-minute
Haines Rive 40 rental boat

Haines Rive 40

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
& 2 children
3 bathrooms
★★★
From 1679€/week
Last-minute
Special Offer
Cirrus B rental boat

Cirrus B

4 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
& 2 children
1 bathroom
Value rating
From 659€/week

Testimonials

Guests have said...

Kudos to all of you and the memorable barging experience. What great fun, friendship and excellence. You have set the bar so high. I cannot...

The chef was fantastic, and the food was great. Loved the intimacy of travelling with a smaller group which is invaluable for pax travelling...

We had an outstanding trip on the beautiful Belle Époque . It is the best holiday we have ever had. The staff was fun, efficient, courteous ....

Very satisfied. Everything was perfect!

Dear Emma, The boat was very comfortable and in first class shape. The rental agency was very helpful.
All-in-all very satisfactory. Kind regards, Bob

The boat was as expected and rates a 7/10:  Galley was well-equipped and the teak table on the bridge was large and easily accommodated 8-10...

How would you rate your boat? 5 stars
How would you rate your cruise destination? 5 stars
How would you rate the Customer Service from Hotels Afloat?...

Tournus to Lyon with a short trip up La Seille canal.
Though I have never piloted a boat before this was an experience not to miss. The time of year...

The perfect present at any time of year
Gift Vouchers