Frequently Asked Questions

A - Piloting, Navigation

1 - How is it possible to rent a licence free houseboat?

2 - Do I need any navigational experience to rent a houseboat? Will I be able to manoeuvre a pleasure boat? 

3 - How do I manoeuvre my boat when I come across another houseboat or barge?

4 - What sort of conduct should I adopt when I pass fishermen along the waterways?

5 - How do I plan my route along the waterways? What is the speed of a houseboat and how many kilometres can I do in a day?

6 - Is it possible to sail at night?

7 - How long does it take to pass a lock?

B - Locks

1 - Are locks easy to pass? How do I do it?

2 - Are locks manual or automatic? What must I do to cross a lock?

3 - What are the hours when I can pass a lock? Are they closed on certain days?

4 - Is there a fee for crossing the locks? And is it necessary to tip the lock keepers?

5 - Is it dangerous for the young children?

6 - How long does it take to pass a lock?

C - Activity

1 - Will I get bored aboard a houseboat?

2 - Can I go swimming?

3 - Is it possible to go fishing during the cruise?

4 - What can I visit along the canal? Are there villages or museums nearby?

5 - Do you get to meet a lot of new people while travelling on a houseboat?

6 - What can I do if the weather is bad?

7 - Where is it possible to have fun? Are there festivals in the nearby villages?

8 - Are there restaurants along the canal?

D - One-way trip or return

1 - Is it possible to make a river cruise one-way?

2 - If I make a one-way trip, how do I find my car?

3 - Can I take and leave the boat where I want?

4 - Is it possible to make a one-way trip in mini week?

5 - Is the return trip boring?

E - Practical Information / provisioning

1 - Where can I park my car during my voyage?

2 - Where can we go grocery shopping?

3 - I have a dog; am I able to take him with me on the boat?

4 - How late can we arrive on the day of the departure?

5 - How long time is the instruction on the day of departure?

6 - Are there supermarkets near the bases?

7 - Where can we fill up with water and or get fresh supplies?

8 - What is the capacity of the reservoir of water? Is there enough for the week? Is the water drinkable?

9 - Is there enough diesel/oil, or do I need to refuel?

F - Bike

1 - Is it possible to rent bikes?

2 - Can I bring my bikes on board the houseboat boat?

3 - Where can they be stored on the houseboat?

4 - Can I drive on the towpath with a bike?

G - Mooring

1 - Is it possible to stop where we want?

2 - Do you have to pay to moor at a port?

3 - Will I be able to find hotels near the waterways?

4 - How do you moor in the countryside?

H - Choice of cruises and periods

1 - What is the best time to take my holiday?

2 - Which region should I choose?

3 - Which river cruise should I choose?

4 - How long should I go for?

5 - Can I take and leave the boat where I want?

I - The Boat

1 - Is the boat comfortable?

2 - Are the houseboats heated?

3 - Is the houseboat equipped with linen, bedcding, dishes etc? Are cleaning products, brooms and dustpans etc. provided?

4 - Is hot water on board?

5 - Its there is the 220V outlet on board?

6 - Is it possible to lock the boat?

7 - What is the capacity of the fridge?

8 - What is the use of the bow thrusters on some houseboats?

J - In case of  a problem

1 - What do we do if we breakdown? What if there is something caught in the propeller?

2 - Accidents: how do they happen? How much does it cost? Should I take out insurance?

3 - Are accidents common?

K - Crew

1 - Who should I go with?

2 - Will we get along in a small space?

3 - How many people can stay on the boat? Is it possible to have only 2 people on the boat?

4 - How many people must there be to pilot the boat?

5 - Is it dangerous for the young children?

6 - Are pets allowed aboard the houseboats?

7 - Can anyone drive the boat?

L - Price lists and reservation

1 - Is it expensive to rent a houseboat?

2 - What are the deadlines for booking? How far in advance should I book?

3 - Is it necessary to take out insurance?

4 - Does the all inclusive package include cancellation insurance?

5 - What are the methods of payments and is it possible to spread them out?

M -  Security and accessibility

1 - Is it dangerous for the young children?

2 - Are pets allowed?

3 - Do I need to be sportive to go on a houseboat?

4 - Can anyone drive the boat?

5 - What is the use of the map of the river?