European River Cruise - England on the Thames River - Self Drive River Boating

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England ON THE ROYAL RIVER... At the heart of Old England

"Gentle Thames... its noble waters carry you on a peaceful voyage into the green countryside of England... '

Referred to during the centuries as the Kings Highway, the famous Thames winds its way serenely through the beautiful green countryside of southern England steeped in heritage and history, the heart of the historic lands of the "English Crown"... its banks offer varied sights: Green pastures and wooded hills, charming villages retaining all the authenticity of "Old England"; it also gives advantageous access to legendary places: Oxford, the oldest of the English universities, melting pot of the British academic minds... further south, the sumptuous Windsor Castle, home to the royal family for over nine centuries. Admire manicured gardens that stretch to the waters edge and perfect houses that stand proud as you relax the day away. But the charm of an English cruise can equally be to moor near a famous pub or restaurant such as "The Beetle and Wedge" at Moulsford on the bank of the river...

Flavors of the region: Indulge in thick slabs of cheese, zingy pickles and hunks of bread in a Ploughman's, or enjoy a traditional dish of fish and chips or bangers and mash. Sweet puddings such as apple crumble and spotted dick are relished with yellow custard. Wash it all down with a cup of tea or a pint of real ale

Our cruise boats are located in the city shown in red on the map: Click on Benson on the map to discover the cruising possibilities and the type boats from our boating center.

Click to See - Boat Prices - Departure Days - What's Included - Reserve a Boat - Request a newsletter

Our cruise suggestions from Benson

One week - return trip cruises

Itinerary: Benson - Oxford - Henley

Round Trip on the Thames River

Traditional Cruise: After the high spire of the Church of St Helen of Abingdon, head for Oxford, legendary City of British Culture where England's oldest university has educated many prestigious alumni. Enjoy a barbeque in Beale Park and cycle through Pangbourn's quiet meadows. Later on, going back downstream from Benson, admire the pastoral countryside of the Thames. The Child Beale zoological park, and towards the south, a stop at Reading where the boatyards continue building in the traditional manner. Next Henley, renowned for its famous regattas and its waterside restaurants.

186 km - 30 locks and 32 hours of round trip cruising time

Itinerary: Benson - Windsor

Round Trip on the Thames River

The Queens Cruise: Downstream towards Henley, navigate through the center of the most beautiful of Thames towns, the journey alternates between green pastures and rural locks; along the bank, magnificent manor houses stand as thrones in their typically English gardens; further along the charming village of Cookham, which was the home to artist Stanley Spencer, whose work is on show in the village. Discover the stories of power and politics associated with Cliveden and its 376 acres of gardens. This is the approach to the jewel of the cruise; Windsor, with its famous royal castle and sumptuous royal park. Take a picnic ashore and observe the changing of the guard, take a tour around the castle's imposing staterooms or enjoy a flutter at the famous racecourse.

155 km - 36 locks and 30 hours of round trip cruising

Itinerary: Benson - Goring

3 Day Short Break

The Thames: Spend a delightful long weekend on the water cruising this beautiful stretch of the River Thames between our base at Benson and the little village of Goring. Spot homes of pop stars and movie stars en route and raise a glass on deck to the pleasures of waterways cruising.

75 km - 8 locks and 15 hours of cruising time

OUR FLEET IN ENGLAND:

Crown Class Series includes: WV100 - WV104 - WV106

Crown Class Series - An exclusive series with accommodations for 2 to 10 people. The Crown Class is a new generation of high quality boats with elegant lines, exceptional comfort and superb interior layout; two steering positions, ease of handling and spacious sun decks.

Traditional Class Series Includes: WV205

Traditional Class Series - Our wide range of traditionally built boats are practically equipped and generously fitted for for comfortable canal cruising and river navigation. Whatever you budget an whatever you party size, you can be sure of finding a boat that perfectly balances your needs for easy cruising with holiday comfort. From a party of two to a party of 12, you will find our boats well designed, generously sized and perfectly equipped.

Click here to view the cutaway layout diagrams and sleeping arrangements and technical details of our boats.

Rental Periods and Extra Charges:

Week: Departure between 4 and 6 p.m. return between 8 and 9 a.m.
Extra Days: Price is calculated by dividing the weekly price by 7.
Weekend and Short Break:

Why not take a short break and enjoy cruising over a weekend? You can choose to cruise for a few days before 18 June or after 14 September.

3 nights/2day = 55% of the weekly hire price
4 nights/3 days = 65% of the weekly hire price
5 nights/4 days= 75% of the weekly hire price
One Way Cruises: Supplemental charge of $200. Vehicle transfer, if required, 95 Euros (approx $125).
Extended Cruises: Cruises of 9, 10 or 11 days are available in all regions on all boats . These cruises will be invoice pro rata to the number of days.
2 Weeks or More: 5% discount for a 14 to 20 days cruise, and a 10% discount for 21 days or more for all types of boats.
Group Discount: By taking a holiday with a family or friends, and booking two or more boats at the same time and leaving the same base on the same dates on the same itinerary, you will qualify for a special discount of 7%.
Combining Discounts: All discounts are available for holidays in all areas (unless a precise area is mentioned) and only applicable on one week week cruise or longer. It is possible to use more than one discount up to a maximum discount of 15%.
Departure days: Departure days are Monday, Friday and Saturday.
One week = 7 nights. Where your holiday overlaps two seasonal periods, the price is calculated according to the number of days falling in each period.

Click here for complete pricing and details of our boats.

2007 BOAT RENTAL PRICES BY SEASON IN U.S. DOLLARS

Boat Style Number	Boat Name	Adults + Children	Up to 4/27	4/28 to 5/25	5/26 to 6/01	6/02 to 6/15	6/16 to 6/29	6/30 to 7/13	7/14 to 8/31	9/01 to 9/07	9/08 to 9/21	9/22 to 9/28	9/29 to 10/19	10/20 to 10/26	10/27 & After
Crown Class			A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M
WV100	Cirrus	2+2	1353	1716	1943	1956	1956	2103	2140	1722	1544	1353	1175	1175	1156
WV104	Crusader	6	2045	2615	3435	3485	3575	3770	3855	3145	2560	2305	2215	2120	1985
WV106	Classique	8	2555	2940	3800	3810	3915	4280	4365	3400	3040	2570	2460	2305	2205
Traditional Class
WV205	Tamaris	4+2	1635	1955	2145	2160	2280	2460	2890	2145	1985	1620	1590	1495	1410

ALL PRICES ARE IN US DOLLARS (prices quoted in Euros will be paid at the base)

Extras:

Bike hire: Standard bike = $40/week - Mountain bike = $55/week payable at the base
Pet: 50 Euros (approx $65) payable at the base
One-way supplement: One week $200. This does not include transfers of vehicles or passengers
Cancellation insurance $79.95/person
Cruising guide $26 to $39

Prices Include:

Boat Hire and its equipment
Fully equipped galley
Boat Equipment, crockery and linen (depending upon the number of people aboard: Duvets, sheets, duvet covers, bath towels, tea towels, table cloth)
Cruising Instructions on the day of departure
Cruising Documents - Captains handbook and tourist map. The Captain's manual includes all the relevant information for your boat and its equipment, the locks and local cruising rules.
Technical help available 7 days a week

Prices Do Not Include:

Fuel and oil
Waterway guide
Travel to and from the departure base
Bike hire
Garage or car park
Personal holiday insurance (Optional: Cost is according to the policy chosen)
Cancellation insurance
Damage Waiver - between $50 and $100 (between $50 and $70 in Scotland)
Navigation maps
Final cleaning
Security deposit (between $700 and $1200
Consumables - Charged at the end of your cruise; between $15 and $40 (between $70 and $170 in Scotland) subject to fuel price variations, per day, depending on the size of the boat and the time spent cruising (shown by on-board engine hour meter).
Consumables deposit - 150 Euros (approx $195.00) to be paid on arrival. It is refundable when you return the boat and once you have paid for the consumables used during your cruise.

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