Boat hire on canals and inland waterways by Emerald Star
Market leaders
Together with Emerald Star, we are the No. 1 provider of boating holidays on Europe and Canada’s beautiful inland waterways. We have the world’s largest fleet of self-drive boats to hire and the widest choice of fabulous boating holiday destinations.
Houseboat industry experts
With over 55 years of experience on the water, we’ve built a reputation for exceptional service and expert advice. Count on us to help you make the most of your time on the water – whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just starting out!
No licence or experience required!
Not many of our new customers have driven a boat before. However, they quickly realise how easy it is and soon become confident navigating the waterways. Our base teams will show you everything you need know, so you can relax and enjoy your time away!
Discover the Canal du Midi
Save 15%* and celebrate its 30th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
View region
Our destinations
Our fleet
Premier
Stylish, modern, and thoughtfully designed, they offer high levels of comfort, space, and convenience. Expect attention to detail, light and airy interiors, and best-in-class sundecks that make life on board feel extra special.
View Premier boats
Comfort
Well-equipped, mid-range boats with a wide choice of layouts and features. Ideal for those seeking the perfect balance of comfort and value, with everything needed for a relaxing and enjoyable time on the water.
View Comfort boats
Value
Our much-loved classics. These models may be simpler in style, but they offer unbeatable value. Perfect for budget-conscious adventurers looking for all the essentials and more to spend on the experiences ashore.
View Value boatsWith a variety of benefits, if you have money to invest and enjoy a boating holiday more than once each year, our Boat Ownership Program is too good an opportunity to miss!
What our customers say…
Boating holiday recommendations
FAQs
A boat licence is not required for your boating holiday on nearly all our destinations/cruises. After your instruction lesson you will be given a temporary permit for the duration of your holiday. In Germany, a permit is required in some areas. Check the cruise details or contact us for more information.
This will depend on the cruising region. On most canals you are free to moor where you want to, however on some river you are required to moor on a pontoon or in a harbour
Yes of course you can, dogs are welcome on all our boats. There will be an additional supplement per dog for cleaning. We recommend that you don’t take any more than two dogs per boat.
If you have a small dog that you can carry, then access to any of our boats with your dog shouldn’t be a problem. Unless of course you have limited mobility yourself, in which case you may wish to avoid our boats that have ‘ladder-style steps, such as the Caprice and Sheba. For those with bigger dogs, you may wish to choose a boat that is easy for them to jump on and off of and you might prefer to have the saloon and cabin on the same level, without any stairs. In this case, we recommend Salsa, Tango, Calypso and all boats of the Vision fleet. We suggest you check out our boat pages, examine the images and vritual tours where available, and our sales team are on hand to advise as well.
You can own your own boat thanks to our Boat Ownership programme. You’ll receive a guaranteed monthly income, many weeks of boating holidays at any of our destinations, and much more! We take care of the mooring and maintenance, so you can focus on what you truly love. Join our community of 150 owners and experience the joy of boat ownership with ease!
