How to Choose the Best Boat Holiday For You

Whether you’ve always had dreams of being the captain of your own ship, or you’re just looking for a travel experience that rolls your transport and accommodation into one, boat holidays offer a wide range of different experiences. Set sail on the high seas on board a huge, luxurious cruise liner, drive your own narrowboat along historic waterways, or charter a sleek yacht to zip between marinas.

If you’ve got boats on the brain when it comes to your next holiday, you might be stuck trying to decide what kind of trip is best suited to your interests and expectations. In this article, we share four of our favourite kinds of boat holidays and explain which is best for different types of travellers.

Canal Cruise

Boating holidays can be one of the most relaxing ways to travel, and there’s truly nothing more laid-back than a canal cruise. Put aside your misconceptions about the kinds of people that these trips are meant for, and discover one of the best slow-travel options for exploring new destinations in ways that aren’t accessible by any other mode of transport.

Cruising on a canal holiday means traversing a region or country by its historic waterways, granting you access to lovely rural scenery, plenty of towns and villages along the route, and also a peaceful kind of privacy that only canals offer. Choose between a self-drive holiday where you’ll be in control of steering the vessel and navigating locks yourself (after some training) or enjoy a crewed canal barge and spend your time properly relaxing as the world gently floats by.

If you’re someone prone to seasickness or are just looking for a stress-free boat holiday, a canal cruise is a brilliant option because of the endlessly calm waters, slower pace of travel and freedom to set your own itinerary. It can be a great way to travel places like France, the UK and the Netherlands and focus on things like sightseeing and culinary experiences whenever you moor up and step off the barge to explore.

Yacht Charter

A yacht charter is a luxurious option that is perfect if you’re planning a holiday on a boat to celebrate a special occasion, enjoy a romantic trip with your partner, or are looking for a truly unforgettable experience that allows you to focus on relaxation. These kinds of trips are ideal in warm parts of the world where the sea is calm and you can take your pick from harbours and bays to moor up in, enjoying days out at sea and excursions on land.

You don’t need to know how to sail in order to charter a yacht, although if you want an added layer of challenge and excitement to your holiday then this is definitely an option to consider. Many charters will include a skipper and potentially other crew as well if the boat is big enough, so all you need to do is enjoy spending time on deck and make decisions about where you’d like to sail.

Mediterranean Cruise

A classic cruise somewhere like the Mediterranean is a brilliant option if you’re looking for a summer holiday that allows you to visit a range of destinations without having to worry about managing the travel between them yourself. Instead, enjoy an itinerary both onboard and on land where you can spend your days either relaxing or exploring as you travel.

Island hopping is a great option for a Mediterranean cruise that includes a wide range of destinations that are sure to keep you busy. As a passenger on Croatia cruises, for example, you could go from exploring the historic buildings of Dubrovnik one day to enjoying the tranquillity of miles of beaches on an island like Vis or Hvar the next.

Cruises are a great option for families, especially multi-generation groups who need a range of things to keep everyone happy and occupied. We’ve already mentioned Croatia, but the French Riviera, Greek islands, the Italian Riviera and the Canary Islands are all great options for this kind of trip.

River Cruise

River cruises take some of the best elements of a canal cruise that we have already talked about and add them to a larger-scale holiday, swapping rural scenery and sleepy villages for exciting multi-city tours and unforgettable sightseeing opportunities. If you’ve been wanting to explore a new country but don’t know where to begin, these boat holidays are a perfect way to let an expert pick the itinerary but still have the freedom to explore under your own steam.

Europe is home to a huge array of river cruise routes and destinations, many of which can take you to multiple countries as part of the trip and make the journey a key part of the holiday experience. For example, the itinerary for Danube River cruises gives you options including Vienna, Budapest, Austria and Germany, making this a perfect choice for travellers looking for a historic and cultural trip that feels luxurious and relaxing.

Which Boat Holiday is Best for You?

When it comes to deciding on the best boat holiday for you, first consider the kind of experience that you’re looking for. Do you want to relax and enjoy days at your leisure, or would you prefer to keep busy with a range of activities to choose from? Canal cruises and yacht charters are better options for laid-back trips, whilst cruises are much more suited to those who like a jam-packed schedule while they’re away.

Also think about who you’re travelling with and the atmosphere you’re hoping for on your holiday. Yacht charters are ideal for romantic trips or luxury celebrations, whilst river cruises can also be fun for couples. Canal cruises are a great option for active families that fancy a new adventure, whilst cruises in the Mediterranean are perfect for larger groups of family and friends, especially if you have a range of ages.

There’s nothing like spending time on the water. With so many different travel experiences available, it’s easy to plan your perfect boat holiday no matter who you’re exploring with, where you want to visit and what you want to do whilst you’re away.