  Are
there different types of hotel boats?
Yes, hotel boats have been developing to meet the needs of different
customers.
Traditional hotel boats usually work as a 'pair', so they have cabins for up
to 8 or 9 clients, usually with a mix of single, twin and double
accommodation. They have a crew of about 4 and operate to a cruising
schedule. They are a great way to enjoy the canals in pleasant company.
Single narrowboats which take 2 to 4 guests are crewed by the boat owners.
This way it is like almost being part of the family.
Riverboat Hotels like those on the Severn are much larger, taking 20 to 50
passengers.
There are also boats which operate a short break hotel boat holiday cruise, boats which offer
themed cruises and boats which do not have a fixed cruising schedule and can be chartered with a captain
and cook.
 Boat crew
The traditional hotel boats work in pairs, normally have a
skipper, partner who runs the galley and two or three crew. Single hotel boats
are often crewed just by the skipper
and partner.
Facilities
on board.
Hotel boat cabins are normally compact but cosy, usually with a choice of
single, twin and double bedded accommodation. Some hotel boats have en-suite
facilities, others have shared showers and toilets. All have hot and cold
running water and flush toilets. They are normally fully centrally heated,
some have mains power, others low voltage power. Hotel boats, like most canal
boats, are powered by diesel engines and are tiller steered
by the skipper from the stern on an exposed rear deck. Many hotel boats have a covered seating area
at the bows where passengers can watch the world slip by and avoid the
occasional shower of rain. Riverboats are different again.
A
Hotel Boat Cruise
-
who goes on a
hotel boat cruise and what is a day afloat like - this way
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