Here Are 5 Strategies To Book Canal Boat Cruises

Are you looking to book your next trip on a narrowboat? Do you want to know what you need to do before you go? Get our top 5 suggestions to navigate the canal and respecting the other canal users.

5 Tips for narrowboat holidays
1. The preparation for your journey
One of the most important points to be aware of prior to your canal boat cruise is to be well-prepared. This includes:

Route - Before starting, identify the route you want to take. A lot of routes are circular and it is likely to specify the length they will take e.g. 4 nights, 7 nights, longer. If you're keeping plans or tick lists you want to ensure is maintained, it's worth making a plan of your canal's route in advance.

Are you struggling to decide what to pack to take on your canal boat vacation? Our detailed guide has you covered. From everyday items like map books toilet roll, torches and toilet paper and accessories, to clothing, and entertainment, ensure you're well-prepared for your trip on the waterways.

Questions: When you arrive at the marina you'll receive an entire induction that should answer all of your queries. However, ensure you know everything you require prior to departing - perhaps write down a few questions to ask our staffmembers, for example, how to operate canal locks, and where to put your narrowboat.

Be sure to choose the right canal boat's crew
While narrowboat travel is an excellent method of travel but it's also a relaxing way of living. The crew will also need to prepared to get stuck in and help out with boating and understand the roles of each individual on the narrowboat prior to when you set off!

Be respectful of canal users
It is crucial to adhere to proper canal boat protocol while you're in your hire a canal boat. Here are some tips on how to follow this advice:

Time to travel: It's crucial to avoid traveling to the wrong time or too late because it can disrupt sleeping patterns of people in narrowboats. Only cruise during daylight hours.

Reduce your speed - when you travel by other boats on the canal, make sure you've reduced your speed - as this will make sure that the waters won't rock others' boats as you pass by.

Take it easy Be relaxed - a lifestyle of a relaxing day on the waterways will naturally be in line with proper manners for a canal boat.

Noise levels - Be aware of the noise from your narrowboat, especially if it's moored close to other boats overnight. Playing loud music or shouting loudly can cause disruption to others in the canals.

Boats on canals
Often, especially if you're a beginner to  canal boat holidays , driving the canal boat can take some getting familiar with. You may want to learn how to operate a canalboat prior to you set out on your trip.

Mooring your narrowboat
Many owners of narrowboats are brand new to the region and wonder if there is a charge for mooring. We've put together a complete guide to the most frequently asked questions about canal mooring. It will explain how to moor your canalboat, what you should do, and the mooring fees.

In general, there is typically no cost to moor - you can moor virtually anywhere alongside the canal for no fee. However, privately owned sites such as the River Thames will have their own rules for mooring. For tips on how to use the site, refer to our Canal Mooring FAQs Guide. Boat Mooring.