Germany has the KD line of cruises, and other very cheap ferry-type cruises. I was wondering if there are any river cruises or even barges in France (Loire, Burgundy, etc) that are inexpensive. All I can find are the $5,000 per week fancy barges.
Hi,
I have no idea on the cost but there are river cruises on the Rhone, if that helps.
Pretty doubtful that you can find an inexpensive inland cruise.
Most can run 4-5 times the cost of an ocean cruise.
We cruised from Italy to Greece and Turkey in the Spring. And we cruised around Scandanavia and Russia a year ago. Both were trips of a lifetime and very reasonably priced.
We'd find inland cruising a little quiet by our standards.
This is not cheap, but perhaps less expensive - and IMO very relaxing - http://www.leboat.co.uk/holidays/destinations/france
There's nothing like KD, a boat you take for a couple of hours that plies the Rhine on a regular schedule, but there are boats going out from some towns. Here's Avignon:
http://www.avignon-tourisme.com/croisieres-149-1.html
The Loire is too shallow.
AMA Waterways is wonderful and quite affordable if you go off season or when the boats are not full. It may not go where you wish to go.
I have done the Seine, Paris to Normandy and this November doing their Lyon to Arles 7 day cruise. Lots of stops, different options for tours and most everything is included. I like the smaller companies but they all go to the same places primarily.
I normally go in a week before and explore the area on my own and the same after we disembark.
Hope this helps.