Choosing the perfect boat for your holiday can be challenging, but there are general guidelines to keep in mind before making your final decision.
Our riverboats are categorized by standard as follows:

• Luxury
• Premier
• Comfort Plus
• Comfort
• Budget

Each category has its unique characteristics, and we hope this guide will help you determine which boat type suits your needs best.

Boat Categories

Luxury boats represent the highest category available. These are new boats with high comfort levels and luxurious onboard facilities. They are equipped with air conditioning, bow and stern thrusters for easy navigation, outdoor grills, coffee machines, and, in some cases, dishwashers.

Premier boats are newer models with both indoor and outdoor steering. They often include features like grills and cushions, which are optional extras on Comfort and Budget boats.
They provide better headroom in many cabins and include a flybridge where you can steer the boat from an outdoor seating area. As newer models, Premier boats are in better condition than Budget boats but are also more expensive.

Comfort and Comfort Plus boats are mid-range options. They may offer indoor and outdoor steering, some cabins with better headroom, and a more modern design. Comfort boats generally have more space than Budget boats, but they are not as new as Premier boats, making them somewhat more worn and affordable.

Budget boats are typically older models. While functional, they show signs of wear from years of use. Issues may include flattened cushions, worn upholstery, slightly leaky windows, or worn finishes on surfaces. Some features, such as gauges for water or fuel tanks, may not work, and certain items like mosquito nets or cupboard doors might be damaged. Budget boats often have only indoor steering and limited headroom in the cabins. These boats are the most affordable option.

Indoor or Outdoor Steering?
If the boat has only indoor steering, the captain might feel somewhat isolated from those outside. Communication while docking or navigating locks can also be more challenging. However, you’ll quickly adapt after a few attempts.
Outdoor steering allows the captain to join the group outside, making it easier to collaborate on tasks like handling mooring lines.

Electricity
Comfort Plus and Premier boats usually come with built-in inverters, providing 220V power to all outlets. Some boats also include appliances like electric coffee makers or kettles, and even hairdryers can be used. The most luxurious boats may feature dishwashers.

Outdoor Areas
A good outdoor area is ideal for enjoying meals together. Boats with flybridges often have more outdoor space, including tables for dining under the open sky. However, access to the flybridge typically involves climbing stairs, which may require teamwork when carrying food from the kitchen. Note: Nicols boats and models like Caprice and Elegance from Le Boat often lack tables on their flybridges.

Round Trip or One-Way?
In some regions with multiple partner bases, one-way trips between two bases are possible. A round trip, starting and ending at the same base, offers flexibility as you can simply turn around midway through your holiday. For one-way trips, plan to ensure you reach the final base on time. Some partners offer car transfers between bases, or you can book a taxi to transport your vehicle.

Narrowboats – Available Only in the UK

Narrowboats, unique to the UK, are long and slim to fit the narrower canals. These boats are categorized into three standard classes:

• Comfort Plus
• Comfort
• Budget

Comfort Plus Narrowboats

These are the best in this category, offering modern amenities like LED lighting, glass shower cabins, wider beds, and additional outdoor furniture.

Cockpit Types

• Cruiser-Stern: Traditional standing position with a small railing for support.
• Semi-Traditional Stern: Includes a small cockpit with seating for four, offering more comfort for the captain.

Boat Layout

Narrowboats often require you to pass through cabins to move about. Choose a layout where the pantry and salon are positioned conveniently for your needs. Beds can typically be arranged as singles or doubles, so specify your preference when booking.

Equipment

At first glance, Narrowboats can look a lot more primitive than other boats, but they're not. Often there is a built-in inverter so you have 220V and all the benefits that brings. There's often a toaster and vacuum cleaner on board, and two sets of rainwear are standard equipment on these boats.

There are no optional extras with our English partners - you can't add bicycles, for example, but the distances are not so great and the English have retained the old pubs where the bargees spent the night right next to the canals.

Return trip or round trip

Narrowboats in the UK always start and end at the same base, so it's not possible to sail one-way between two bases. On the other hand, there are many opportunities to sail in a circle. This allows you to sail one-way and still return to the same base. Be aware that you often need to rent a boat for 11-14 days to have enough time to sail a circle.

Conclusion

When comparing boats of similar size and cabin capacity, the price difference often reflects equipment level and boat condition. While the scenery and experience remain the same, a higher-priced boat offers more comfort and better quality. Consider your expectations for comfort and budget before deciding.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at info@seatravel.dk or call +45 39 16 33 44. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect riverboat for your holiday!