How will we get to Riverdance?

How can I check on train or bus schedules prior to leaving Canada?

What does the sign: "Compostez votre billet" in French railway stations mean?

Where will we get off Riverdance?

How far will we travel in a week?

How come you sometimes do not know exactly where Riverdance will be at a given date?

What should I bring? Is there any special kind of luggage I should bring?

What clothes should I take?

Do I need to bring my own bedding and towels?

What is a typical day like?

What additional costs will I be faced with once on board?

I'm not sure if I can live in such a confined space for a protracted period!

What about smoking and drinking aboard?

Do we need Personal Liability, Travel Cancellation & Medical Insurance?

What is your policy on refunds?

Who will be crewing aboard Riverdance this year?

I assume that the shower mentioned in the plan has hot water?

Should we take children?

How much pampering should I expect?

 
     We will be near some commercial, public transportation facility such as a railway or bus station in advance of your arrival.  Ten days prior to your arrival you should telephone us in order to find out exactly which station you should plan on traveling to.  We will endeavour to be in the place shown on our itinerary; however sometimes unexpected canal work and closures can change that.  Be flexible.  The French train system is superb, easy to use and usually on time.  There is a mobile/cell-phone on board Riverdance which we keep switched on every day between 4 and 7 pm (1600-1900 hrs) European time and all day on Sunday and Monday.  Those are the days we anticipate someone joining us.  You will not get lost!  Let us know your ETA and we will meet you at the train/bus station.  We will give you separate boarding instructions for Paris depending on arrival point.

 
     Those with Internet access can get information about schedules through the superb German Rail Travel Service site:

http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/detect.exe/bin/query.exe/e

Buy your tickets at: http://www.eurail.com

     The season of 2010 will see Riverdance cruising between Meilhan-sur-Garonne and Castelsarrasin.  These towns are on the Western reaches of the Canal laterale à la Garonne.  This canal was between 1832& 1856 as an extension to the ancient Canal du Midi to provide safety and security of navigation particularly during times of flood and times of low water levels in both the Tarn and Garonne Rivers.  See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canal_de_Garonne   for details on this fabulous canal.

 
     This is very important and means, "validate your ticket".  Look for one of the many orange ticket punchers (a chest height plastic pillar) found in every French railway station and insert your ticket to have it punched with the date and time.  This makes your ticket valid for the day of travel.  If you forget to do this seek out the 'Controller' on the train and explain the situation.  Always keep your validated ticket on you, as you may be asked to present it during your trip or when you alight.  If you are over 60 you are a senior citizen and you should be able to get discounted tickets depending on the time of travel.  They can ask you to prove your age.

 
     Generally your cruise will end in the place indicated in the tentative itinerary.  Our progress is partially in your hands and also subject to the vagaries listed on the itinerary web page and in the brochure.  If we are unable to reach the scheduled joining place for the next week, we will drop you off as close as possible to a railway station for easy onward access to your next destination.

 
     We seldom exceed 80 km in a week.  The total distance depends on crew/guest choices, on the number of locks.  Hilly areas with frequent locks slow us down significantly and the wonderful villages, restaurants, bistros, and other sites of interest can (and should) hold back our progress.

 
     As noted above, our lives (and those of our guests) tend to be less governed by calendars or clocks.  There can be unexpected delays caused by weather, malfunctioning locks, and even possibly bridge-openers or lock keepers on strike or regular/unscheduled holiday!  Even a breach in the canal!  Most locks and shops in Europe close for an hour or so between 12 noon and 2 pm every day.  Particularly in the middle and the south of France, lunch time closures are religiously kept.  Many shops and some restaurants may also be closed between Sunday noon and Monday/Tuesday.  These are some of the reasons your itinerary planning should be flexible - we generally travel the same distance in one week, which a train can travel in less than an hour!  Another variable is the month of August when most of France goes on vacation and restaurants are closed up completely in many places.

 
     As little as possible!  Remember that you have to carry what you bring to and from Riverdance.  Try to bring soft bags where possible rather than hard sided cases, as it is easier to store the soft ones once they are unpacked.

 
     Weather in France is quite temperate with hot summers.  Take light, easy to wash (and dry) clothes, e.g. Tilley.

 
     There is a full set of bed linen provided for each berth and hand, bath and face towels will be provided as well.

 
     Breakfast is usually a leisurely affair, with freshly baked baguettes, croissants, pains au chocolat, jams, fruit, juice, tea or coffee.  During breakfast we may discuss the day’s itinerary that may include further sightseeing where we are moored or a cruise to a new location.  Sightseeing ashore is by foot, bicycle, taxi or public transport.  Daytime activities can be very individual.  We move very slowly along the canals, rivers and meers (small lakes), seldom exceeding 6 km per hour (3.7 knots), so guests are welcome to walk or bike the tow-path between locks.  Lunches are generally light consisting of bread, cheeses, pâté, cold meats, and fruit.  Dinners take the form of your tracking down a local restaurant, crêperie, or brasserie, usually after enjoying wines and ‘appy’s’ at the l’heure de l’apératif on board.  Of course, if our moorage is deep in the country, miles from anywhere, then it will be dinner aboard.
     This is not a packaged holiday at all; it is the ultimate in informality, relaxation and flexibility.

 
     Guest/crew voyage cost contributions cover bed, breakfast, lunch, pre-dinner drinks (vin-ordinaire or beer), and the welcome-aboard dinner on the Saturday evening after you board. Additionally, all fuels consumed, mooring fees, cleaning materials, soaps, etc. are provided by the ship. Evening meals will be enjoyed ashore. You will therefore need to budget for the costs associated with the evening meals. This can vary substantially depending on your own choices of menus, but from experience we suggest an allowance of from 10€ (Euros)/$15 to over 24€/$36 per person at restaurants or bistros. This always includes all tips. Participants share all bus/taxi expenses for shore side excursions.

 
     This could be a genuine concern.  Space is at a premium, but for those of you have never sailed aboard a small boat, try to imagine Riverdance as a caravan on the water, but twice as big as an average caravan.  If you have ever been camping, boating or sailing for a few days, then you will understand and have no difficulties at all with the facilities.  If you have never engaged in these experiences then this will be a wonderful and "new" experience.  Come prepared to enjoy yourself and you will be amazed at how much fun you can have.

 
     Owing to the preferences of the owners (and most of their guests) smoking is not permitted within the confined space of the ship.  Smokers are encouraged to indulge ashore or follow Riverdance along the towpath at a safe distance!  We promise to pick you up at the next lock, bridge or village!  Drinking on the other hand is encouraged (once Riverdance is safely tied up for the evening) and is facilitated by convenient access to a great variety of inexpensive, medically beneficial, and very drinkable European wines and beers.

 
     We would strongly advise you to include sufficient insurance to cover all potential eventualities in your travel arrangements.  Foreign healthcare can be expensive and we cannot accept any liability for injury, death or disablement from whatever cause whilst you are travelling with us.  We recommend that you consider trip cancellation insurance, available through your insurance company, airline or travel agent, as a means to prevent hardship and to recover charges in the event of an unexpected cancellation.  BCAA is a recommended supplier of extra Health Insurance coverage.

 
     Hopefully, any cancellation would occur early enough so that we could rebook the space, in which case we would refund the deposit.

 
     Basically, all guests also serve as crew. You need to be reasonably fit and willing to participate in all aspects of shipboard life (i.e. going to markets/boulangéries, meal prep, cleanup, working the locks, climbing ladders, throwing lines, etc.)

 
     Yes, water is heated by a Paloma hot water heater which is fired with gas directly at the tap.  This ensures hot water is always available.  Pressure is supplied by a pump and so the water flow rate is not quite what you get at home.  The main water tank (1200 litres) supplies water for about 4 days usage for 4 people, but there are several water points along the waterways, so we top-up regularly.

 
     This is not an ideal holiday for children.  Very young ones run the real risk of falling into the water and teens can become bored by the tranquil pace of life and may have less interest in the culture, countryside and cuisine than an adult.

 
     Pampering is not included, except in the form of “random acts of kindness”!  If your main desire is to be pampered, you are encouraged to book aboard any of the “Hotel Boats” operating on the waterways.  On these vessels you will be waited on hand and foot, served five star gourmet meals, stay in luxurious cabins, etc....  You will also probably end up bored out of your mind, treated like sheep, and be asked to pay five to ten times our rates for the privilege.  Aboard Riverdance everyone is expected to be willing and able to help with shipboard duties … all assistance welcome and no experience necessary!  You should also come prepared to cope with the unexpected and unpredictable as and when they occur.  Things can and do go wrong and a sense of humour is a prerequisite!  Remember that this is a "participation" and adventure holiday and you are a vital part in the efficient running of the ship.  Be prepared to make your own bed and help with the washing up.  Meal preparation is usually a team event when eating ashore is not possible.   ... In short ...the experience of a lifetime!