Important practical check list before you travel: please print this out
Changes from 2010 on:
towels and kitchen linen, cleaning set:
The PREMIUM fleet: This fleet comprises all the
comfortable and spacious boats which have special services on board
like bike rack, flat screen TV, DVD player in the lounge, wooden deck furniture with integrated Plancha on the rear deck,
complete linen set (two towels and one bath towel per person), kitchen cloths and a cleaning set.
The CLASSIC fleet: This fleet includes all the boats representative of canal boating. Easy to handle and traditionally shaped,
these are the perfect boats for family holidays. Linen is part of the hire (blanket, sheets, pillow case and pillow). Towels
and kitchen cloths can be hired at the departure base. A cleaning set is also on sale at the base (See price list).
The EASY fleet: This fleet allows you to discover canal boating thanks to its low price. The boats are often older with a
more basic level of interior fittings. Bedding is included (blanket, sheets, pillow case and pillow). Towels and kitchen cloths
can
be hired at the departure base. A cleaning set is also on sale at the base
(see price list).
NOW:
Prepay Wireless Internet from your
laptop: Orange (France Telecom) sells prepay USB dongles with Internet
Everywhere in their shops
-read here...
Addresses of shops where to
buy :
- read here...
Important: For one way trips please contact us one week before departure to
check if a change in direction has been planned.
Bring a bicycle aboard or rent one, being extremely handy for shopping and other errands.
For a reservation made with children under 16 years old, you must absolutely give us: The age, the weight and the height of each child on board.
This information is very important to determine the right size for the life jackets and the bicycles.
A flash light and a 12 volt to 220 volt (maximum 100 Watts) plug adapter for large and small size
12 volt sockets will be very useful (although most boats have a large size socket.)
This way you can charge you mobile phone and camera and use your laptop
computer on board. On a number of bases you can rent such an adapter.
For using a hairdryer or other large electricity consumers you will have to
stop at a 220 volt shore power spot. (see the navigation atlas on board)
In case you run short of time travelling to the departure base and risk arriving too late please call the base manager; this also counts for the arrival base.
Better do a maximum of shopping in one of the large supermarkets; do not forget salt, sugar, herbs, toilet paper, dish-cloths, dish-washing liquid, hand soap etc. If you are travelling by air or by train we can prepare a FPP-hamper with basic articles inside for you. Please ask us for full details.
Most bases are near free public parkings but often there are also garages or locked open parking lots on payment.
Have yourself being well informed at the base to avoid misunderstandings on the eventual parking fee.
If this kind of parking has not been reserved then it will not be mentioned on the Voucher.
From the base manager you will receive a document with his telephone number on it. The best you can also give her/him your mobile phone number.
You yourself are responsible for the correctness of the inventory. Of course you want to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, is everything for this on board? Please check if everything is there and in good condition.
If you have special demands concerning bath- and bed linen please mention this immediately before departure as then your wish can still be fulfilled.
We advise to bring with you large bath towels for swimming and sun bathing.
Try out all technical equipment before departure, inclusive of the window washer (if there), the toilet pumps, water taps, the fridge/freezer and the cooking-plate.
Although everything has been checked by our technical service before leave they will appreciate your attentive help!
If you see something that is not correct please immediately mention this, we will be thankful for this.
IMPORTANT: on quite a few boats the freezers and refrigerators run on 12 volt electrical power instead of gas bottles. To enable proper functioning the engine needs to run at least 4 hours a day. Please keep the doors of these appliances closed as much as possible as you cannot exactly compare its comfort to what you are used to at home.
If you are inexperienced you will get practical instruction on the departure base: convince yourself that you understand the explanation and do not hesitate to ask questions, such as about moving backwards etc.
On board there is a book with navigation charts and instructions: it is important to go through this book thoroughly!
It will also inform you on openings of bridges and locks, places to take in water, depths, dangers etc.
Take your time to get familiar with the boat. Beware of shallow spots that can damage the propeller and put the gas handle a moment on free between moving forward or backward: this way you prevent the reverse gear to be damaged.
Moving backwards with a boat is not easy: train yourself in this on wide water.
At some places you can take in water (see the chart) and on some spots you will have to pay a small fee.
Train yourself together with your crew and try to use the same commands to avoid misunderstandings.
Never coil a rope around your hand or wrist but always take care that you can ease off a rope.
Arrange the ropes neatly on deck and take care that nobody can be entangled or that a rope gets into the propeller.
Sailors have the following saying: keep one hand for yourself and one for the boat, which means that on deck you must always keep a hand free to secure yourself.
The crew should get familiar with the ropes right from the start, this spares a lot of miseries and enjoyment of your mishaps when passing the locks. Never tie a boat down in a lock but always let ease off by a mooring-mast or a mooring-ring.
The lock-keeper is being paid by the Voies Navigables de France but a small tip or a nice cigar is not forbidden.
Have a nice Vacation!
Partners France Passion Plaisance and team Holidayboat.net/Vakantieboot.nl
www.holidayboat.net www.vakantieboot.nl
www.turismofluviale.net
Important about credit card payment:
Cashing-collection by our reservations office in France from your
Master- or Visa-card is also possible at an extra fee of 2%
You should therefore unblock for the amount to be paid and give us
your credit card number, title, expiry date and safety code.
We will also need an undersigned fax , e-mail or letter authorizing us
to collect the payment.