Boating Holidays across the canals and rivers of Europe from Le Boat

Holiday Extras

Fuel

Fuel is charged according to market rates and is subject to fluctuations in diesel prices. The hourly fuel charge is €5-15 depending on boat type and usage. Le Boat charges for fuel according to the amount of hours the engine has been running. At the start of your cruise you will be informed how much the per hour charge will be and the current engine hours on your boat will be agreed and recorded with you. Before departing the base you will be required to leave a Fuel Deposit payable locally in local currency.

Choose your cruise ~ One-way or Return-to-base?

Our extensive network means Le Boat can offer more one-way cruises than any other operator. These are a perfect way of seeing more of your cruising area without retracing your steps. At the end of your holiday, we can either arrange for a taxi to bring you back to your car or take you to the airport, or you can pay a car transfer fee of $170 - $410 and we will transfer your car to meet you. Please note, our staff are insured to drive your vehicle on your behalf, with the exception of rental vehicles. Taxi transfer prices are available on request.. A return-to-base cruise is great if you fancy seeing more of the towns and villages en route. Whichever you choose, you decide where and when to stop, and for how long.

Damage Waiver

All our boats are fully covered for third party liability and for damage to other property or vessels for claims over £1,000. In addition, all customers need to either take out a nonrefundable damage waiver (CDW – Collision Damage Waiver) or pay a $1570-$3055 refundable damage deposit.

Option 1: Non-refundable Collision Damage Waiver*

A charge of between $130 - $410, depending on the type of boat, can be paid on arrival or at the time of booking. With this option, you are fully covered if the boat or any of its equipment or inventory is returned damaged or lost, or if there is any incidental damage to third parties. * In certain instances we may insist on a deposit rather than the waiver.

Option 2: Refundable Damage Deposit

On arrival at the base, you will leave a refundable deposit of $1570-$3055 (payable locally) which will only be exercised if the boat or any of its equipment or inventory is returned damaged or lost or in the case of any accidental damage to third parties. Please note the damage waiver options do not cover any acts of gross negligence, such as damage occurred if cruising outside the instruction given by Le Boat or rules of river navigation, cruising under the influence of alcohol or drugs, running aground or cruising single handed as stated in the conditions of hire.

Bicycles for hire

The vast majority of our customers hire bikes to take on board with them to explore their cruising area. Our new lightweight bikes are available from all our bases (except Italy and Scotland - although there are local bike rentals companies that can help) and come in a variety of models and sizes, including children's and mountain bikes. New for 2012 - children's bikes, including tag-along bikes and child seats are also available for hire from most bases, where you can also buy helmets if you forget to bring your own!

BBQs and Lanterns

Add some extra sizzle to your summer boating holiday! Le Boat is now offering stainless steel gas BBQs for hire. The BBQ fits neatly onto the railings of your sundeck and is very easy to use. With lots of colourful food markets to visit, a BBQ is the perfect way to enjoy regional and local specialties, and alfresco dining on your sundeck. 

• Stainless steel gas BBQ that is attached to the upper deck railings of the boat.
• BBQ – available in one size only; suitable for up to 8 people
• BBQ supplied with 2 gas bottles
• Each gas bottle capacity capable of fuelling 2 BBQs (approx); two gas bottles provided for approx 4 BBQs/week
• Additional gas bottles widely available for purchase from supermarkets, garages, shops and also from Le Boat bases / travelling mechanics (subject to availability). Additional gas bottles cost approx €8-€10, depending on where you buy them.
• Neon LED lantern that can be used to provide additional lighting up on deck in the evenings. Rechargeable via 220v / 12v boat battery.
• Items available individually or as a package

Please click here for further details. Restrictions and conditions apply. Please note: BBQ's are not available in England, Scotland or Italy

Travel and parking

Our sales teams will be happy to help organise your travel arrangements to your departure base. If you are arriving by train or plane, we can arrange for a taxi to transfer you to and from the base. If you are driving, all our bases have free open air parking either on site or close by. Some bases have secure/locked parking and/or garages on site or nearby which can be used for a small fee. Further information, including maps and mileage can be found on our website, or just ask the sales teams.

Information and holiday literature

Once you have booked your holiday, you will receive a comprehensive information pack containing information about your base and what to expect on arrival as well as a Captain’s Manual full of practical advice and information about cruising. You will also receive a DVD which shows you how easy it is to manoeuvre our boats and navigate the waterways, as well as how comfortable life on board is. You can check out our new Cruising Companion and information on our website for more details about your cruising area, or buy a Waterways Guide or detailed cruising map from the sales teams.

Priority boarding & Late check-out

Why not make the most of your time on the water and register for our new improved Priority boarding and Late check-out service, enabling you to collect your boat from 13:00 on the first day and return your boat by 12:00 on the last day. Normally our boats are ready for collection from 16:00 onwards on the day of departure and are due for return on 09:00 on the final day of your holiday. However, subject to operational constraints, it may be possible for you to collect your boat between 12:00 midday and 13:00, giving you an extra afternoon's cruising. It may also be possible to return your boat on the final day at 12:00 midday, giving you an extra morning's cruising. Please inform the sales team if you would like to pre-book this service for which an additional charge is payable.

Welcome pack

Why not use our online provisioning service and pre-order a basket of provisions to be ready on board your boat when you arrive. Locations and opening hours of local supermarkets are also on our website.

Pets & Vets

A maximum of 2 well behaved pets are welcome on board but a pet cleaning supplement is payable. Check our online Cruising Companion or ask our sales team for details of local vets if 'Pet Passport' vaccinations are required before travelling home.

Angling Dinghy & Outboard Motor 

For the really keen fishermen among you, our angling pack will help you reach the most secluded stretch of water, and maybe catch the big one. Available in Charente, Lot, Burgundy (St Jean, Branges, Gray), Norfolk (Horning), Ireland, Germany, and Holland. Price: $250.

Boat cleaning service

After a relaxing holiday, you probably don’t want to spend your last evening cleaning the boat, so why not pre-book our cleaning service and let us take care of the final clean of your boat. All you have to do is wash-up and neatly store all crockery and utensils and bag your rubbish securely ready to go ashore. Refer to clause 18 of our Terms and Conditions - 'Return of the boat' for more details. Price is dependant on the size of the boat.

What to pack

Soft bags are much better than suitcases! Remember to bring rubber-soled shoes and leather or gardening gloves for holding the ropes in the locks. Binoculars and a torch are also a good idea.

Eco-pack

Help us preserve the canals, rivers and waterways of Europe by buying our Eco-pack of cleaning products and toiletries. Price : $20

Entertainment Pack

If you're worried about how to keep the kids amused (and even grown-ups need amusing sometimes!), you can hire a portable DVD player from most bases. Just don't forget to bring your DVDs. (Not available in Scotland or Italy). Price : $50

Comfort Cushions

Why not hire a pack of top deck cushions for extra comfort while you cruise - they also double as sunbathing mattresses!(Not available in Scotland or Italy).Price : $13

Pre-order your groceries

Take advantage of our advance grocery ordering service which allows you to order a selection of grocery packs which will be ready on board for you when you arrive. These packs are only available prebooked and available on most of our departure bases.

• Grocery Pack “Sundowner” : for your first evening…
  

• Grocery Pack “Starter Packs” : for your first night & morning…
  

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