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FCO Advice
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Need Some Help?
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Some of most frequently asked questions. If you cannot find the answer you are looking please call us or use the contact form from the menu above.
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Which type of Boat?
Cruising Options - Return to base or one-way?
What else do I have to pay for?
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Which type of Boat?
Cruiser Style
Cruisers are light and very easy to handle. They often have a wide beam (width) so offer great living space. These boats are very much of a modern nature and offer comfortable furnishings along with light and airy interiors.
Every Boat has different features you can expect spacious saloons, comfortable cabins, fully-equipped kitchens with fridges. There are bathroom facilities (number is dependant on boat size), most are en-suite.
The Cruiser's deck is where you will spend most of your time. You gave table, chairs & parasols and plenty of deck space for sunbathing. Most boats offers 'twin steering positions' (you can steer from both outside and in).
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Penichette Style
The Penichette style boats are built with tradition in mind. They emulate the style of the old commercial barges which you used to, and still to this today, frequent the canals and rivers opf France.
Their distintive style offers a great authentic experience, as you glide along through rolling countryside, villages & towns. Although they imitate a traditonal barge they offer excelent comfort with modern facilities.
Due to the shape of the Penichettes, they offer great long decks where you can relax and watch the scenery sail by.
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Barge Style
These boats are a great alternative to the Penichettes - keen to keep their traditional look - but, amde of steel. This means that they are very stable and the larger steel barges have the benefit of bow thrusters to aid in manouvarability.
Some of the larger boats also have air conditioning and shorepower. This style of cruiser is available from Vermenton, Canal du Nivenais in Burgundy and from Capestang on the Canal du Midi.
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The choice of boat is sometimes down to the area / base you wish to depart from, and sometimes it is the individual whom prefers either a modern crusier or a more traditional boat. If you would like
to talk to us about your options please feel free to call us on 01204 595222.
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Cruising Options - Return to base or one-way?
Return
Some clients assume that, because you are returning to the same base, they are only travelling half the distance and repeating your journey coming back!
This not the case as you are still cruising for the same amount of time. The trick is to plan your journey so that you visit different villages and towns on the way back!
A return will be more subted to the budget concience, as there are no 'one-way' fees to pay or transfer costs to get you back to the starting base.
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One-Way
A 'One-way' cruise is a great option if you are flexible with your travel options. ie fly into one airport and out of another, or don't mind paying the additional fees to get you back to your start base.
You will certainly see a greater portion of the cruising area.
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If you are unsure about which option would suite you best, need some advice on destination airports or which train options are open to you,
please feel free to call us.
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What else do I have to pay for?
Fuel / Fuel Deposits
Your boat will be supplied with a full tank of fuel, before you start your cruise and you will not, normally, need to refuel during your cruise. Fuel is charged at the base and is calculated by either, the number of hours the engine has run or by the litre used (this depends on the area you are cruising).
We can inform you of the hourly rate or cost per litre for your chosen area (The rate is based on the current market, and can change). Before departing you will be asked for a fuel deposit and at the end you will be refunded or charged extra as necessary. Fuel deposits vary, dependent on your boat, but should be between £90 - £170.
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Collision Damage Waiver / Damage Deposits
All our customers are asked to take care of the boat, as not to cause damage. Before your departure from the base you will be asked for a damage deposit, unless you have already taken the 'Damage Waiver.' Again this varies, dependent on the size of boat, but can range from £1000 - £1500.
The 'Damage Waiver' premiums are listed in the price panal foe each boat.
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We recommend taking the Damage Waiver for your peace of mind
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Up to 15% off
our Cruisers
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Upto 5% off
our Penichettes
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