Rubies are the traditional gift for a 40th wedding anniversary. I’m not a jewelry type of gal, but I do like the royal treatment. So, for our 40th wedding anniversary, my husband and I couldn’t think of a more unique or pampered way to celebrate than with a luxury barge cruise in England.
What exactly is a barge cruise? It’s a luxury floating hotel with 5-star service and curated, bespoke excursions. Offering a fleet of 18 vessels, European Waterways is THE expert in barge cruising throughout Europe. With 50 years of experience, they know exactly what it takes to create unforgettable memories.
In the UK, European Waterways offers cruises in the Scottish Highlands and on the River Thames in England. After previous barge cruises in France and Italy, I am excitedly anticipating this new experience on the Magna Carta barge as she traverses the River Thames between Oxford and Hampton Court.
England is crisscrossed with a vast network of canals and rivers. Exploring the English countryside by narrowboat is a popular holiday option in the UK. While that sounds fun, this time I prefer to let someone else do the navigating (and the cooking, and the tour guiding).
Barging on the Thames
What exactly is a barge cruise? It’s a luxury floating hotel with 5-star service and curated, bespoke excursions. Offering a fleet of 18 vessels, European Waterways is THE expert in barge cruising throughout Europe. With 50 years of experience, they know exactly what it takes to create unforgettable memories.
In the UK, European Waterways offers cruises in the Scottish Highlands and on the River Thames in England. After previous barge cruises in France and Italy, I am excitedly anticipating this new experience on the Magna Carta barge as she traverses the River Thames between Oxford and Hampton Court.
England is crisscrossed with a vast network of canals and rivers. Exploring the English countryside by narrowboat is a popular holiday option in the UK. While that sounds fun, this time I prefer to let someone else do the navigating (and the cooking, and the tour guiding).
Our Magna Carta Cabin
With only 4 cabins and a maximum of 8 guests, the Magna Carta barge offers an exclusive experience with an upscale feel. The décor, with its white, navy, and gleaming mahogany wood, is elegant and timeless.
My husband is quite tall, yet the cabin is roomy enough so that he doesn’t hit his head. We each have plenty of storage space around our beds, which helps keep us organized. There are also outlets by each bed, making it easy to charge all our electronics. Air conditioning or a heater keeps the cabin at my optimum temperature.
The bathroom is designed for one person, but is luxuriously appointed. Along with the walk-in shower and high-end toiletries, the underfloor heating and the heated towel rack are true indulgences.
Magna Carta Public Spaces
Reminiscent of an English manor house, the public space is very intimate and inviting. The combination lounge-dining area features plush leather couches that are comfortable and my ideal reading spot during brief rainy spells. Our group shares convivial conversations during meals at the stunning custom-made epoxy river table, which is always beautifully laid out for each meal.
Outdoors, the sun deck provides loungers and a dining table for al fresco dining. I love to sit here with a gin and tonic as I take in the countryside. A hot tub is also available to soothe sore muscles or to relax while cruising, and bicycles are available for those inclined to do some scenic exercising.
Outstanding Personalized Service
My cruise has only four guests, but we are treated like royalty by the six crew members. Owner Dominic, along with Captain Hugo, maneuvers us down the river and through the many locks.
Charming hostesses Denisa and Rowan take care of our rooms, serve us at each meal, fix special drinks, and basically indulge our every whim with a smile and good humor. Our private driver and tour guide, Sarah Jayne, ensures each day’s excursion runs smoothly and is informative.
The crew is fun and jovial and quickly makes us feel at home. Once they got to know us, the famous British wit started flying in all directions, so that by the end of the week, we felt like a welcomed family.
Food to Die For
And then there is Chef Thomas, the kitchen magician who surprises us at every meal. Coming from a very diverse culinary background, his experiences range from working at Michelin-starred restaurants to cooking in food trucks. Tapping into this extensive background, he infuses each dish with unexpected ingredient combinations and creative presentations.
Every meal starts with fresh home-baked bread served with uniquely flavored butters. He has me just with that, especially on the days when the meal also includes a selection of local cheeses. Paired with one of their specially curated wines, I am in heaven.
Creative Culinary Presentations
I love every dish Thomas presents, but for me, there are some real standouts. An heirloom tomato salad with feta and pesto would have been delicious on its own, but the Bloody Mary sorbet topping raises it to a whole different flavor level. As a cheese lover, the twice-baked cheese soufflé with cheese sauce and red pepper tapenade is another favorite starter.
Entrees range from duck, lamb, and chicken to a variety of fish, always paired with his unique take on starch and veggie accompaniments. I tasted the most scrumptious carrots ever on the first night of our cruise. Tom bakes them on a bed of Himalayan salt, which keeps them sweet and moist while also infusing a slight salty undertone.
His desserts are also unforgettable, like the mini baked Alaska filled with lemon curd and topped with raspberries and mint. Or, his take on the typically English Eton Mess, a blend of meringue, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries, all topped with a tangy basil sorbet.
All this exceptional food was expertly paired with wines from around the world. Thomas works with cruise director KT (Dominic’s wife) to hand-select wines that complement his dishes. My taste buds travel all around the world as I try vintages from South Africa, Argentina, Germany, and even England.
Local History and Heritage
Each day combines a pleasant mix of relaxing cruising and interesting excursions. As the main transportation artery to London for many centuries, the River Thames is surrounded by ancient sites that are still thriving today.
We are transported through 900 years of history on private tours at locations like Trinity College at Oxford University, Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace, Dorney Court, and Windsor Castle. Then, it’s back to our barge, where our lovely hostesses greet us with drinks and snacks.
However, unlike its course through bustling London, this part of the River Thames is quiet and peaceful. The barge passes through charming villages interspersed with verdant countryside. Our companions are bevies of swans or early-morning rowers on their daily workouts.
As we cruised, I had fun peeking into the backyards of some very impressive manor houses lining the riverbank. If they looked a little like a movie set, it’s because they probably are. Many of the locations we pass through are often used in popular British dramas and mysteries, including Bridgerton.
After a week on the Magna Carta barge, I am truly and completely spoiled by the royal treatment. In France, the European Waterways cruises are known for their exceptional service and unique itineraries. I am happy to discover that this expertise extends to their barge cruise in England. The sights, the service, and the food are all first-rate. I will happily do another barge cruise in the future.
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Author Bio: Rose Palmer is a retired Ph.D. chemist and a multiple-award-winning travel writer, photographer, and podcaster, recognized with two Lowell Thomas journalism awards. She has traveled to more than 60 countries and shares her personal travel stories at Quiltripping.com because she believes that “life is a patchwork of experiences.” Her content has been featured in numerous U.S. news outlets, including the Seattle Times, the Miami Herald, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, MSN and others.
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