To reserve a cabin please telephone (07831 110811) or e-mail Emma first to confirm availability.

Or you can use our email Cabin Availability Check Form and we'll email back to you within a few hours.

Then to make it a firm booking please print, complete and send the booking form or use the secure online booking form.

How Do I Join The Cruise?
Each cruise is carefully planned to start and finish within easy reach of a Rail and or Coach station. Once you have booked we will send you detailed joining and leaving instructions. Some guests are brought and picked up by friends or relatives. For certain cruises we may be able to arrange car parking if it is requested when the booking is made.

Will there be much chance to help with the boating?
YES – besides having tuition in steering and how to throw lines (ropes), there will be opportunities to work the locks on both canals and rivers plus operate lift bridges You walk alongside the boat when on canals and take more planned walks when on rivers. Being a small party it is easy for us to plan more adventurous walks if you wish, perhaps along a hidden weir stream or up a small hill for panoramic views of the river valley.

Will I be on the Boats all the time?
We place great emphasis on giving our guests the opportunity to discover delights off the boats, from walking to visiting historic houses or gardens near by. Our local knowledge and the reference library will assist in choosing what you would like to do.

Who will my fellow passengers be?
People from all walks of life and many countries enjoy holidays aboard Gallinago. Some are retired, some are travelling alone – others want a break from the hustle and bustle of the working week. Many are interested in photography and wildlife, some in the history of the area: all are assured of being able to relax in their own particular way.

What should I pack?
As this is an informal holiday, there is no need for a huge wardrobe. Casual clothes should suffice. Bring walking shoes if you intend to explore, and something soft soled for wearing aboard.
A single collapsible or soft case will be the easiest to stow in the cabin. A torch can be useful, as can field glasses, a sketch pad and camera with spare film!

What time can I board?
Your cabin will be ready and afternoon tea will be served at 4pm. If you are arriving earlier in the day to explore the town, you are very welcome to leave your luggage with us. If you are unable to arrive until after 4pm please let us know in advance as we sometimes cruise a short distance on the first evening. Should you be unexpectedly delayed on the day, simply contact us by phone.
Cruising usually finishes in the afternoon before disembarkation day, to allow you to see your final port of call. Guests are requested to vacate the boat by 9.30 on the day of departure, to enable us to prepare for the next cruise that day.
We can organise taxis to the rail or coach station, confirm flight departures or just help with your luggage.

Smoking?
Very few of our regular guests are smokers, and for everyone’s comfort – as well as for safety reasons – we do not permit smoking inside the boat or in the wheelhouse.

CONDITIONS OF BOOKING

A booking has been made when Inland Waterway Holiday Cruises (hereinafter called the Company) has received a signed copy (fax acceptable) of the official booking form together with the deposit / full remittance per person, per cruise and you have received written confirmation. Once a booking has been confirmed you are responsible for the total charge and not just the deposit. Should you be compelled to cancel you should notify the company as soon as possible.

Bookings are only accepted on condition that the cancellation insurance instructions given on the booking form are followed for all members of the party. All claims should be made direct to the insurance company. The decision of the insurance company is final.

Changes to holiday dates after confirmation has been received count as cancellations unless, at the company's discretion the booking can be re-allocated to an alternative date. An administrative fee may be charged.

The company reserves the right to refuse bookings without assigning reason for so doing.

The company makes every effort to keep to the advertised cruising schedule, but shall not be liable for any loss to the passenger occasioned by delay, mechanical breakdown, failure to keep time, or any cause whatsoever. The company reserves the right to amend routes and to allocate alternative accommodation whenever in the opinion of the company, its servants or agents it shall be necessary to do so. Should navigational difficulties prevail on the waterway, the cruise may be re-scheduled by the company to commence, divert or terminate at alternative locations in order to safeguard the holiday. This is particularly relevant (but not exclusive) to tidal sections. This situation will not be considered grounds for cancellation of a confirmed booking.

The company reserves the right to vary its published charges should our Value Added Tax ratings or the rate of Value Added Tax be changed.

If the company recommends or arranges car parking facilities it is not responsible for any loss or damage to the vehicles whatsoever. Unless otherwise stated, the cruise is one way and return transport is not provided.

Any excursions or additional transport suggested and / or arranged by the company are not included in the price of the holiday, unless specifically stated in the cruising schedule or separate letter and termed as ‘courtesy transport’.

All passengers are required to telephone 24 hours before the commencement of their cruise to confirm the departure point.

The conditions of booking are governed by English law and the parties submit to the jurisdiction of the English Courts.

The cruises are not considered suitable for people with limited mobility or hearing. For safety reasons persons who are hearing impaired must be accompanied by a person who is not hearing impaired. If you are unsure if the cruises are suitable for you please telephone us for advice.