Your questions answered.....
Click on the topic below for more details:
Arrival & Departure
Tuition
Maps & Guides
Licences & Restrictions
Buoyancy Aids
Young Children
Overseas Visitors
Bedding
Towels
Pets
Fishing
Groceries
Mobile phone charging
Extras
Fuel
Car Parking
Look before you book
Arrival & Departure
We endeavour to have boats ready for collection at 3.00pm on the start day of your holiday. If for any reason you are unable to arrive on time please contact the start base or Booking Office in order that special arrangements can be made well in advance of your holiday. A late arrival charge may apply. Your boat must be returned and vacated by 9.30am on the last day.
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Tuition
No previous experience is necessary, as our boats are extremely easy to handle and full tuition is given at the start of every holiday. Comprehensive cruising information is in a manual on the boat and details are sent out with the holiday documents to introduce you to the theory of locks and the 'rules of the road'. We provide our own 24hr emergency helpline.
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Maps & Guides
A number of guides are available for planning your trip or locating all the sites of interest, pubs, shops and facilities along your route. The guides relevant to each route are indicated on the route information pages . These may either be ordered by post or purchased at the start of the holiday at the marina. 
Click here for a full listing.
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Licences & Restrictions
You do not need a driving licence for a narrowboat and the boat itself is licenced by us for BW waterways. There are a few waterways outside their jurisdiction for which you will need to purchase an additional licence as you enter them, such as the Rivers Avon, Thames and Wey. Our start bases can provide details when you arrive to pick up your boat. The maximum number of people on board is restricted to the number of berths, with an absolute maximum of twelve.
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Buoyancy Aids
There are buoyancy aids available free of charge for both children and adults at the marinas (compulsory for children under the age of 18 and non-swimmers). They do not need to be booked in advance and should be requested upon arrival at the marina so the correct size can be fitted.
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Young Children
A narrowboat holiday is superb for families. Cot-sides can be provided for very small children on standard berths. Simply indicate this on the booking form.
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Cots
If you would like to use a travel cot or you are bringing your own to use, please contact the booking office. Space is obviously limited and for health and safety reasons we can advise on suitable boats that they can be accomodated on.
Overseas Visitors
If this brochure has a travel agent's stamp, we recommend you make your booking via them - they will be able to help with other travel requirements in addition to the narrowboat holiday. Otherwise you are welcome to book direct with us online or you can call us on +44 1905 734168. Payment is required in £'s sterling. Check availability here.
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Bedding
On all our boats freshly laundered bedding is provided for each person on the crew list to the bed layout requested.
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Towels
A medium size towel per person is provided free of charge on all Alvechurch, Red Line and Wessex boats and to overseas Viking Afloat customers. If you are from the UK and hiring a boat from Viking Afloat you will need to bring your own towels.
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Pets
This really is a holiday the whole family can enjoy together. We charge £25 for each pet.
We obviously request that the boat is returned in a clean and tidy condition and reserve the right to refuse pets or charge for any additional cleaning or repairs required as a result of pets being on board during your holiday.
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Fishing
Fishing is prohibited on British rivers between 15th March and 15th June. Fishing is allowed outside these dates and on canals at any time, but a licence is required. This is available from any post office with a 1-day, 8-day or annual licence to choose from.
For reasons of hygiene,we regret that live bait may not be kept on the boat.
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Groceries
One of the pleasures of a canal holiday is the option to stop off and experience the towns and villages along the way, shopping as and when you need supplies. If you are unable to bring some groceries with you or stop and shop on arrival, there are details of how to get groceries for the start of your holiday in the 'Holiday Guide' that you will receive with your final holiday documents.
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Mobile phone charging
All of our boats have a 12-volt electricity supply with a car-type cigar lighter socket that can be used with a mobile phone car adapter lead (bring your own lead). On some boats there is a 240-volt electricity supply that can be used for your own equipment at your own risk. 110- volt AC supply is not available in the UK .
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Extras
There is a voluntary environmental offset
donation suggested at £5 per car.
The only compulsory charges in
addition to the brochure price are a fuel deposit
and the cost of fuel consumed, Cancellation
Protection Fee (calculated at the rate of 4% of
the hire charge) and non refundable Accidental
Damage Waiver Fee at £45.We can also provide
details of Personal Holiday Insurance for UK
customers if required (strongly recommended).
A 2% surcharge is applied to any payment
made by credit card and £25 for each pet.
Optional high level berths are £50 per week,or £25 per short break each.
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Fuel
The boat is ready fuelled for your holiday on arrival, but there is a fuel deposit payable with your holiday booking. This is £75 per week (£40 for a short break) and is not included in the hire cost. When you return the boat to us the balance is refundable after deducting fuel used. However if you have used fuel in excess of the deposit you will be asked to pay the difference.
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Parking
There is ample open air parking at our bases
which is provided free of charge. We regret that
we cannot accept responsibility for loss or
damage to hirers’ vehicles.
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Look Before You Book
We welcome inspection of our boats before you book. Please phone the bases before you arrive to ensure they are open and boats are available for viewing.