Riverly Arvostelua 962

Staff operations and staff culture are great - flexible, easy to get along with, helpful. This is the third trip we've done with Locaboat - we obviously love the experience and freedom of travelling along French canals and rivers and French engineering, architecture and food are as good as it gets. Service levels are good - we had a plumbing issue that was fixed quickly and effectively. Downside is that the boats we've hired on the last two trips have been aging and pretty weary. Comfortable enough, but they are probably ready for retirement or refit with a few more onboard amenities.

Very kind and helpful provider, excellent service.

Twenty years after my first penichette trip, still a great experience!

The experience was exceptional, from the initial email communication to the overall boat trip. The boat offered ample space and was equipped with all the essentials. We fell in love with Aigues-Mortes, a destination that perfectly blends relaxation, history, and the stunning pink salt flats. We went during high summer season, so an air conditioner in the boat can be a great improvement.

Our LocaBoat experience was an absolute disaster. From the start, we were misled about severe boating restrictions due to a closed lock, which dramatically curtailed our planned itinerary. To add insult to injury, the boat was in appalling condition. Mechanical failures plagued us from day one, including a non-functioning horn (a serious safety hazard), a clogged engine, a broken water pump, and malfunctioning toilets. The boat was so old and poorly maintained that it leaked oil into the river.
To top it off, the boat's interior was neglected with a leaking overhead hatch and a soaked galley cushion. This was supposed to be a relaxing vacation, but instead, we spent most of our time troubleshooting problems and dealing with LocaBoat's incompetence. We are experienced boaters and have never encountered such a poorly maintained and unreliable vessel. LocaBoat should be ashamed to rent out such a substandard boat. Avoid at all costs!

This is a long-established company with a world-wide reputation. Their service is prompt and any questions are answered courteously and efficiently.
The vessels are appropriately designed and configured, are well maintained and are easy to drive. Within, the vessels are clean, comfortable and well-supplied.
In all, this contributes to a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.

Our 1st 4-day trip from Dompierre was fantastic and the LocaBoat crew was the best. Super sweet folks and endlessly helpful. Our 2nd trip from Lattes was good but I didn't know beforehand that the boats can not cruise on the Mediterranean which was a major part of our plan. We couldn't swim from the boat in the canals. But, overall, both trips were great and we'd do it again.

Nos gustó la acogida en la base de Lattes. Los trabajadores fueron muy amables, eficientes y profesionales.
No nos gustó el estado del barco (el estado general y tuvimos una fuga de aceite) ni la limpieza del mismo.
No nos gustó el "all inclusive pack". No ahorra tiempo y el seguro es deficiente. Y no nos gustó que muy pocos miembros del personal hablen ni un minimo de castellano.

Perfect way to enjoy a nice holiday

helpful staff in booking etc.
one down point was the fenders was not checked on departure then we find one deflated at end of our tripp
and we had no recollection of causing it leaving us with a bill we were quite careful with the boat

Nice environment, well organized check in, good availability in case of problema.
What Is not acceptable Is to know at check in time, that 3/4 of the water tanks were not available. We had Just 100 liters out of 400 available. This Is a full game change for an holiday of this kind. We complained about this at check in and at checkout with almost no reaction nor compansation.
This was disappointing

Our 3rd time with Locaboat. First was Dompierre to Briare and loved the whole trip. Second Mâcon to Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune. Both had plenty of villages to visit along the way. We missed that part of this trip. But as always love time on the boat, exploring Nancy and Saverne. We particularly loved Lutzelbourg where local hospitality businesses were amazingly helpful. One man drove us to Phalsbourg to shop.

Great holiday on Canal du MIDI. Boat was in good condition and well appointed.
Supportive staff, great introduction, highly recommend.

Very helpful friendly staff.However, with little boating experience we felt quite insecure steering the boat and spent the first two days zigzagging until we got the hang of it ,which was quite stressful .Locaboat is a first rate company so have no issues with them whatsoever,I just think older clients should be aware that jumping on and off boats at locks and throwing ropes etc can be quite physically demanding and the claim that steering the boat is easier than driving a car is not true .
Also some of the information about facilities at moorings needs updated as a couple of places no longer had water

We liked seeing the country from a different perspective. the staff at Locaboat were very friendly and helpful and the boat was well equipped with the basics required.
Although sailing the boat on a canal was advertised as being suitable for those without experience, sailing and handling the boat (Penichette FB) really required at least one crew member to have some sailing experience when it came to navigating locks and mooring in strong winds. The boats also need air conditioning for summer use, and the Canal du Midi needs a clean - currently untreated sewage from the boats is dumped into the canal which is potentially hazardous

Quick responses to queries and good English spoken. Everything as quoted. Efficient.

This was our second time using Locaboat. The family had a wonderful time navigating through France. There's a very good chance. We probably do it again in a couple years.

used Locaboat for six consecutive years, never no issues except for a Leakey roof window in main bedroom this trip, reported to maintenance come to look at problem but never rectified spent the week with a bin bag over window.

The service from locaboat was good. Although I was a bit surprised at the extras for parking, dog cleaning and fuel (€650). However the canal du Rhône et Sete can be challenging. We enjoyed it, but reverse parking is essential as there is limited space (this is a bit of skill), We went in late June and parking in the busy towns was difficult. In august ???? Winds, we had 35mph cross winds in open lagoon areas and currents play a part, so this is no ordinary inland french canal cruise where you can park anywhere in normally calm waters, you definitely need to plan ahead and book slots in the popular towns. Overall, I prefer inland cruising.

Due to flooding our cruise was changed at the last minute. We were notified late the night before and we were given only one option which was a there and back and not a one way as booked. I feel that management must have been aware from a few days before that there may be problems due to the excessive rain and had we been contacted timeously we could have found a good alternate option.
The cruise we went on was noting like the one booked and was extremely disappointing.