What is Private Charter:

Cruise Holiday Options:

As a hotel boat our 'private charter' service is very different to traditional hotelboating. Private Charter takes the good points of "Hiring" a narrowboat and combines them with the good points of going on a "traditional" Hotel narrowboat cruise - but avoids some of the pitfalls of traditional hotel boating holidays. Firstly here's a brief description of the better known types of cruising holiday options.

The Hireboat Option: With a hire boat option you have chosen who to be on holiday with (presumeably not strangers and presumeably with people you actually quite like - no jokes about married couples please). You can choose the route, and where you stop each night. It is self catering but you do have the option of evening meals in canalside pubs. It is for those prepared to do all the boat handling themselves, along with any required lock duties, whatever the weather. You will be 'doing your own thing' and sharing the weekly hire fee between more than one couple can be a very cost effective option.

Traditional Hotelboat: With a traditional hotelboat all of the boat handling and locking will be done for you. All meals are included within the tariff and generally speaking the quality of the catering will be good. You will be joining other guests on a predifined cruise route over a set number of days. The cruises (and therefore overnight mooring locations) are planned as a schedule usually more than one year earlier (so there is little scope for any of your own 'planning'). You will not normally know in advance who your fellow passengers will be (or even their gender or age group). Meal menus have to be fairly standardised (although some variation to suit dietary needs may be included). Traditionally typical hotelboat guests tended to be of pensionable age (perhaps having lost a life partner). A cruise with all services laid on - and the prospect of meeting new friends was an understandably attractive option.

Remember that most hotel boats are 'narrowboats'. You will be sharing the dining, lounge, and sometimes toilet facilities with these other unknown guests (although you may well befriend them during the cruise). The ratio of the number of guests compared to the size of accommodation may be an issue. It's not just the available space for bedrooms, it's also how do we (as strangers) all fit in the dining and lounge areas. If you come across an objectionable guest in an ordinary hotel you can always sit away from them in the dining room - in a hotel narrowboat??

Willow's Private Charter Hotel Boat Option:

Either of the above two options may suit your rown personal equirements very well. There are some very good operators in both fields.

But we offer a third, more unusual, option for a canal cruising holiday. To help you make an informed decision the main points of our private charter service are:-

• We cater for only one private party - a couple or a single guest. We do point out that the guest bed is a 'double' (so we do expect guests to at least know each other in advance). Guests therefore have exclusive use of the guest suites bathroom/toilet, and dining/lounge facilities - no need to share with strangers.
• As with the Hire Boating option clients get to help choose the route and overnight mooring locations - no other guests to consider - not a predefined prescheduled cruise. 
• Willow's all weather bow observation cabin has two leather seats (one each for our guests) - up to 8 individuals have to 'jockey for position' on the open bow decks of some hotel boats. Hire boats do not have all weather bow areas.
• The superior quality of Willows interior accommodation and the additional facilities we provide (see the detail and photos via our webpage 'About Willow' and then compare).
• As a licensed charter hotel boat, all meals are provided at no extra cost, and we have a questionnaire system to try and ensure dietary likes/dislikes are taken into account. Effectively this means that the menus are tailored to your preferences. And guests don't do the washing up.
• The all meals and cruise costs inclusive nature of our tariff is very comparable with the self catering cost of hiring even a small hire boat for a week (and their tariffs usually exclude the cost of diesel). 
• For those who want to help at locks - they can - see below.
• We have local knowledge of the areas cruised, which can be used to help ensure guests don't miss available attractions.

More on Cruise Routes & Duration:

We try to build your canal cruise route and its duration to suit you alone.  That means you are not just stuck with a predefined cruise - you will be able to help decide where we go, whether it's a three day short break, a full weeks cruise, or longer. We are building on our Holidays Suggestions list - but we can 'mix and match' the ideas to suit individual requirements.

More on the Food:

We are, of course, a fully licensed Hotelboat and provide high quality full-board accommodation.  Even before you arrive you will have completed our questionnaire to find out your dietary likes and dislikes. As to what you get for 'full-board' - Option of Full Scottish Breakfast, or lighter alternative should you wish; A light lunch to suit the weather, and that particular days cruise; Three course evening meal, with complimentary glass of wine; and finally pre-bedtime hot drink, if required.  Mid morning coffee & biscuits and afternoon tea & cake (or perhaps scones) - but teas and coffees etc are available throughout the day, just as and when you fancy.  Of course some clients have very hearty appetites, others prefer a lighter diet. Whichever, we will endeavour to suit your preferences. Remember our tariffs are for full-board, with no hidden extras.

Do a Little or Do a Lot:

When it comes to the actual cruise, we the crew will do all of the boat handling, and authorised lock work - if that suits you. That will allow you to you just to sit and relax in our all weather bow observation cabin, and watch the canalscape glide by. Some of the locks are operated only under the control of British Waterways (Scotland) staff. But BW(S) do specify that each boat should supply crew to assist their staff at locks (they are quite big locks). We are specifically authorised by BW(S) to operate some of the locks un-aided by BW(S) - so should you wish to be active at locks, you can be part of our crew, and actively assist - it's your choice. Of course you may wish to be active when it suits, but equally relax when it suits (like if it starts to rain).

Choose other things to do:

Of course you may have other preferences - walking - cycling - visiting attractions - bird watching (we've even had a book editor who just wanted the peace to work).  Some may wish to use Willow as a holiday base and explore further afield by car or rail - perhaps a combination of cruising and static accomodation at the Falkirk Wheel, or equally a cost effective central base for Edinburgh city attractions (we have clients using us as Edinburgh city centre accommodation during the Edinburgh Festival). Whatever the activity or preferences, it's your charter and so we will try to design your stay around your personal preferences - whether you wish to cruise a little or to cruise a lot - the choices are yours. There are no other guests' preferences to take into account whilst on your cruise. So when booking you can expect a few emails going backwards and forwards, to work out your holiday preferences. Do feel free to make an enquiry (without any obligation) to see what we can offer you.

IT IS UNLAWFUL TO SMOKE ON BOARD WILLOW