Enjoy our 2025 barge cruising blog posts about everything barging brought to you by Paradise Connections, your barge charter cruise specialists. Experience the fascinating world of boutique hotel barging and see Europe from another perspective – via an all-inclusive, luxury, crewed hotel barge cruise vacation. Either click a link in the list below to go to a blog post that interests you or just scroll down the page to view all the posts. The most current post is at the top.
There have been some changes to both the 2025 and 2026 calendars.
2025 Availability
Current availability as of February 6, 2025:
June 15-21: 1 cabins open, 4 booked
August 17-23: 2 cabins open, 3 booked
October 5-11: 5 cabins open. Can be booked as a private charter OR as a cabin week
2025 Pricing
Cabin week: $13,180 per cabin, double occupancy (based on $6,590/person)
Private charter:
$53,200 for up to 6 guests
$56,600 for 8 guests
$60,000 for 10 guests
Rates include: Local transfers between Dublin and the hotel barge (the approximate transfer duration is 2hrs / 2hrs 30mins depending on the cruise direction), a luxury 6 night cruise, all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef, an open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, all wines served throughout the cruise, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 5 crew and use of barge facilities, which include wireless internet access, spa-pool and bicycles on request.
2026 Availability
Shannon Princess has 4 weeks open for private charter, and other openings for cabin cruise weeks. Please contact us concerning availability.
Due to new travel requirements, many international travelers will need to register for an online authorization before entry to the UK and many EU nations.
Beginning January 8, 2025, visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia and other non-European nations who currently do not need a visa for short stays in the UK, will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country, including those just passing through UK airports. It costs £10 to apply. Everyone travelling needs to get an ETA, including babies and children.
The ETA is similar to the U.S. ESTA system and acts as a pre-clearance for travel. This change is part of the UK’s move towards a digital border system.
Beginning April 2, 2025, EU nationals will also be required to obtain an ETA before entering the UK. Citizens of the UK, Ireland, and those with valid UK visas will be exempt.
European Union
– ETIAS
Expected in 2025, the EU will require a new travel authorization for visa-exempt foreigners from 60 nations (including the UK, US, Canada and Australia) before they are allowed to enter 30 EU nations. Similar to the United Kingdom's ETA, this new program, called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), requires short-term travelers to apply online, pay a small fee of 7 euros, and wait up to 96 hours for applications to be approved. According to the ETIAS website as of February 1, 2025: "ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are collected at this point. It is due to start 6 months after EES."
– EES
The EU is set to launch a separate digital monitoring initiative called the Entry/Exit System (EES), which uses face and fingerprint scans instead of passports to identify non-EU nationals. According to the EES website, as of February 1, 2025: Entry/Exit system is currently not in operation. It is due to start in 2025. There is also an EES Frequently Asked Questions page.
The goal of the EES is to modernize border crossings and speed up long immigration lines. The new entry system is also aimed at combatting identity fraud and the number of people overstaying in the EU.
GOOD NEWS! A quick update for the Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess
A lot can happen in a week. The opening we mentioned last week is filling up but there are two more weeks that may be of interest.
2025 Availability (Updated February 5, 2025)
June 15-21: 1 cabins open, 4 booked
August 17-23: 2 cabins open, 3 booked
October 5-11: 5 cabins open. Can be booked as a private charter OR as a cabin cruise week
2025 Pricing
Cabin week: $13,180 per cabin, double occupancy (based on $6,590/person)
Private charter:
$53,200 for up to 6 guests
$56,600 for 8 guests
$60,000 for 10 guests
Rates include: Local transfers between Dublin and the hotel barge (the approximate transfer duration is 2hrs / 2hrs 30mins depending on the cruise direction), a luxury 6 night cruise, all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef, an open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, all wines served throughout the cruise, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 5 crew and use of barge facilities, which include wireless internet access, spa-pool and bicycles on request.
2026 Availability
Shannon Princess still has a few openings for 2026. Please contact us concerning availability.
Save 50% or more this spring aboard the luxury hotel barge Aurora on a Dutch tulip cruise in Holland.
The welcoming crew of five will make you feel immediately at home, relaxed and secure. For 7 days & 6 nights, Aurora will be your home away from home, packed with incredible memories.
Steve - Karina - Faye
Together, owner-operators Steve & Karina ensure that every trip is unforgettable. The ambience aboard Aurora will make you feel at home during a luxury river cruise through the Netherlands. They will not only be the host and hostess, but also the chefs, storytellers, and guides during your luxury cruise through Holland.
Steve has 30-ish years of European barging experience. With his good-natured jokes, he makes sure the guests of Aurora have a smile on their faces. He loves to cook and conjures up the most delicious dishes every day, using fresh produce. Karina loves to cook and delivers the best baked goods. She provides a warm welcome and will make sure your trip feels like home. With many years of experience, she knows exactly what Aurora's guests need during their stay. And, don't forget the ship's mascot, Faye, a lovable Golden Retriever.
Fancy a theme night? No problem...
Your week will be tailored to your likes, interests, and preferences.
A Dutch barge cruise explores everything the regions of North & South Holland have to offer – art and museums, daily markets, nature and changing landscape, history and castles, never-ending bike paths, cozy bars and pubs, mixture of different cultures and food and so much more. You can marvel at the traditional sights such as windmills, cheese markets, pottery and porcelain, museums or flowers and enjoy the embracing friendliness of the locals.
Interested in a Bike & Barge cruise? Aurora can do that, too. You can have your cruise tailored to a week of cycling if you wish... or just a few hours here and there. Or, perhaps, a round of golf. It's up to you.
Comments
"I can't describe how wonderful the barge trip was. The food, the wine, the loving care. Everything was just exquisite! PS. Steve and Karina are fantastic hosts!"
"Our barge cruise was a dream come true. It was beyond my expectations. The crew was attentive and catered to our every need. The food was superb. The views of the country side were magnificent and the cruise itself was very relaxing."
"Thank you for the effort and time you put into our week, the ambiance and the food were wonderful. We feel fortunate to have been around you and living this adventure."
Save on a springtime Dutch barge cruise
Dates: Between March 30 and May 10, 2025
Private cruise for up to 6 guests: 24,000 euros (normally 56K)
Private cruise for 8 guests: 32, 000 euros (normally 64K)
Cabin for two guests: 8,000 euros/cabin not each! (normally 16K) Requires 3 booked cabins to guarantee the cruise week.
For those of you who have been wanting an Irish barge cruise, we have GOOD NEWS! The Irish Hotel Barge Shannon Princess has an open week but you must act quickly as it won't last long.
Shannon Princess has been completely sold out for the 2025 season for the past 18 months. So now is your chance. The barge is under new management (Ruiari & Olivia have retired) and their 2025 cruising season was extended two weeks. The last time an opportunity like this happened, we booked it the next day. One of those two weeks is already gone.
2025 Availability
Their newly opened week is September 28 to October 4, 2025. This week is available for private charter or as a cabin week.
2025 Pricing
Rates for the week of September 28-October 4, 2025:
Cabin week: $13,180 per cabin, double occupancy (based on $6,590/person)
Private charter:
$53,200 for up to 6 guests
$56,600 for 8 guests
$60,000 for 10 guests
Rates include: Local transfers between Dublin and the hotel barge (the approximate transfer duration is 2hrs / 2hrs 30mins depending on the cruise direction), a luxury 6 night cruise, all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef, an open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, all wines served throughout the cruise, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 5 crew and use of barge facilities, which include wireless internet access, spa-pool and bicycles on request.
2026 Availability
Shannon Princess still has a few openings for 2026. Please contact us concerning availability.
Spring is an ideal time to visit Burgundy. Warming temperatures create perfect conditions for sightseeing and cycling alongside the canals. The hillsides are in bloom with colorful flowers, market squares return to life as town folks set up their open-air shops again, and the canal towpaths reward travelers with the pleasant sound of birdsong.
Flora & Fauna
Burgundy in the springtime is a paradise for nature lovers. It is warm enough to sit topside and enjoy the sunshine, but cool enough that you'll be able to take a comfortable stroll or bike ride. Birdsong really does fill the air. Perhaps you'll spot a European green woodpecker or the elusive moorhen.
Above the water, mayflies and dragonflies will be making the most of their short lives, displaying and breeding while on the surface. The aptly named Water Boatmen use their long oar-like hind legs to row themselves across the water. Rushes will be home to bullfrogs while the bankside flowers attract numerous colorful butterflies such as the Peacock and Red Admiral.
Spring also brings blackthorn and wild cherries bursting into bloom along the banks, along with the verdant green willows and alders producing their furry catkins. Lines of chestnuts, poplars and plane trees will also be seen, often planted to provide shade. On the towpaths, flowers such as wild orchids, lilies, and yellow irises create a palette of colors.
What makes Burgundy such an attractive destination is this enchanting overlap of nature and the manmade world. You will find buildings that are centuries' years old and ensconced in ivy, tiny quaint villages, and wild horses cavorting freely in the fields beyond the vineyards.
It's a serene escape, and a chance to recharge, far from the madding crowds and tourist traps.
Barging in Burgundy
Our Burgundy barge cruises may vary in location but have many aspects in common such as daily excursions that include wine tastings, cultural tours, and gourmet meals prepared by on-board master chefs who love to showcase the gastronomic traditions of their region.
A barge cruise is definitely the way to discover Holland and the Hotel Barge Aurora is an excellent choice. But, a Dutch tulip cruise is not just about tulips…
The Netherlands are famous, of course, for tulips, clogs, and cheese, but it is also a land with a rich artistic and cultural history. The western provinces are populated by windmills which sit above the polders along the very river that gave its name to Amsterdam. Cities such as Haarlem and Delft are meccas for lovers of pottery and art. Leiden has the oldest university in the Netherlands plus many interesting museums. Stroll through the famous Keukenhof Gardens with over seven million flowers stretched across 100 acres.
A barging cruise uncovers some of Holland's hidden gems and is the perfect way to experience the best the country has to offer. Experience Dutch culture, quaint windmills, world-famous flowers, small towns, historic cities, art history, Delft pottery, and even a distillery, all in one week.
We have updated our Special Offers & Discount page for private barge charters, and cabin cruise weeks. Specials include Spring & Summer bookings for select barges.
For solo travelers, the "no single supplement" special offer should definitely be of interest. Save on select weeks for Burgundy, Canal du Midi, Scotland, and Italy.
Are you a single traveler and considering a solo cruise? A barge cruise is ideal for you. Whether you're a seasoned solo traveler or cruising for the first time on your own, a solo barge cruise gives you the best of both worlds – the delightful company of like-minded travelers as adventurous as you are, and group activities that spark conversation and create lasting memories.
Read on for answers to frequently asked questions for cruising solo...
I'm new to solo cruises, what can I expect?
A safe, sociable environment where like-minded travelers will come together to experience the very best of the region. Enjoy the luxury of personal space when you want it, gourmet meals, fine wines, a crew to passenger ratio of 1:2 and so much more.
Will I have my own room?
Absolutely! You can enjoy the comfort of a spacious and well-equipped cabin.
Do I have to attend every excursion?
No, however the selection of excursions are often hidden gems that are frequently inaccessible to larger cruise ships. It would be a shame to miss out!
Will I have to pay a single supplement?
Single supplements do apply on regular cruises but often there are "no single supplement" offers. See our Special Offers page for details.
Where will I meet the group?
Guests are met at the agreed pick-up point and transferred by chauffeured minibus to the barge for a champagne meet-and-greet.
Is there a dress code on board?
Comfortable clothing is recommended on board, however you may wish to bring smart/party attire for the Captain's Dinner on the last night of your cruise.
What’s included on this barge cruise?
We offer an all-inclusive barge cruise experience. Transfers from the designated pick-up point, gourmet 4-course meals created by the onboard master chefs, a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout, an impressive wine list hand-picked and poured by the onboard wine expert, a selection of impressive and exclusive excursions to showcase the very best of the region and spacious accommodations.
Are crew gratuities included? If not, how much should I give?
A service charge is not included in the barge cruise fare. It's entirely discretionary but is greatly appreciated by the crew if you would like to acknowledge recognition for the standard of service provided. As a guidance, the average tip given is approximately 5-10%.
What kind of food is provided?
To give you a true taste of the region you are cruising through, your chef will create mouthwatering menus using the finest ingredients from local markets and specialist suppliers. Please let Paradise Connections know of any dietary requirements to avoid disappointment.
Do I have a minibar?
Cabins do not have a minibar, however you are welcome to help yourself to the well-stocked open bar in the saloon.
We are not promoting "singles-only cruises" as such, just giving single travelers the opportunity to enjoy the hotel barging experience with like-minded couples and small groups. As one guest described it:
"One of the best parts of hotel barge cruising has been meeting so many fellow travelers. I have enjoyed sojourns on deck, gourmet meals and fine wines with my fellow passengers, visits to chateaux, markets, cathedrals and lots more."
Taking a luxury hotel barge cruise is an unforgettable experience. Enjoy the beauty of the countryside, the many wonderful cultural and historical sites to visit, and the laid-back atmosphere of life on the canals.
La Belle Epoque - Barging in Burgundy
Barge cruises can be as relaxed or as action-packed as you like. A diverse range of activities and outings are possible from your floating home. Here are just five of many...
Discover Local History
Shannon Princess - Barging in Ireland
No matter what country your luxury barge cruise takes you to, there are plenty of fascinating heritage sites along the route. From Celtic and Roman days to the present, there is no end of interesting sights to see. The canals, with many contructed in the 17th and 18th centuries, are themselves full of historic interest.
One of the real perks of a hotel barge cruise is the excellent food. No matter where you visit, there will be sumptuous local specialties to try. Traveling via river or canal means that you are never too far away from some of the finest agricultural producers in the country. From canal-side meals of freshly-caught fish to daytrips into country market towns, a barge holiday a foodie's paradise.
Get Active
Cycling along the canal
The main mode of transport on a barge cruise may be by boat, but getting off and stretching your legs is easy. You can get active with the help of our walking guides, cycling maps, horse riding excursions, and more. It's ideal for those who want to change the pace up a bit. The canals pass through some prime golfing spots, so a day playing golf can also be arranged – as can a number of other enjoyable outdoor activities.
TThe scenic routes that travelers follow on a hotel barge cruise are more than just a backdrop. They are part of the surrounding ecosystem, and as such, are a genuine delight for nature lovers. Waterways are important habitats for local birdlife, as well as a range of other wildlife. Travelers with children can encourage their little ones to see how many different animals they can spot on the journey.
Digital cameras offer an easy way to have plenty of mementos from your cruise, but a drawing or painting can be even more special. Artistic travelers will be treated to a cornucopia of fantastic scenes to paint. A peaceful afternoon spent by the water, or in one of the historic towns along the route, with easel and brush is sure to provide a memorable experience. The result makes the perfect souvenir from the trip.
