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🎉 Celebrate on the Water: A Private Party Canal Cruise to Remember

10 September 2025

Forget the crowded restaurants and noisy pubs — this year, take the celebration somewhere unforgettable. Welcome to your private canal cruise party, where the venue floats, the views change, and every moment feels just a little more magical.

Whether it’s a birthday, hen do, anniversary, retirement bash, or just a good old-fashioned get-together, the canals offer a unique and personal way to mark the occasion.


🚤 Why Choose a Canal Cruise for Your Party?

Because it’s different. And because there’s something special about gathering your favorite people on a narrowboat, surrounded by nature and history, with a drink in hand and not a care in the world.

Here’s what makes a private canal cruise perfect for your next event:

  • Exclusive hire – The boat is yours, no strangers onboard
  • Bring your own vibe – Choose the music, décor, food, and drinks
  • Skippered experience – We do the driving, you do the celebrating
  • Peaceful pace – Float through scenic landscapes or historic towns
  • Flexible options – Choose 2 hours, half a day, or longer

🍹 What to Expect Onboard

Your cruise starts from a picturesque mooring and soon drifts into countryside calm or canal-side charm. The narrowboat becomes your floating venue, complete with:

  • Seating for all guests (indoor and/or outdoor)
  • Tables for food & drinks
  • Onboard toilet
  • Fully licensed skipper (no one has to be the designated driver!)

Add-on extras can include:

  • Afternoon tea, Fish & Chips, Roast Dinners or Full English Breakfast
  • Welcome drinks or BYOB setup
  • Decorations for birthdays, hens, baby showers, etc.
  • Themed options (retro, picnic, prosecco cruise, etc.)

🎈 Who’s It For?

These cruises are perfect for groups of up to 10–12 people (depending on the boat), and ideal for:

  • 🎂 Milestone birthdays
  • 💍 Hen parties
  • 🍼 Baby showers
  • 🎓 Graduations
  • 🎄 Festive gatherings
  • 💼 Team socials or client hospitality
  • ❤️ Micro-weddings or vow renewals

📸 Picture the Day

You and your guests board the boat with a glass of fizz. A banner flutters in the breeze, balloons gently bob, and your playlist sets the mood. As the boat cruises slowly under old stone bridges and along tree-lined canals, you laugh, toast, snap photos — and soak in a setting unlike any other.

This isn’t just a party. It’s an experience.


💬 What Guests Say

“Easily the best birthday I’ve had. We decorated the boat, brought a picnic and prosecco, and our skipper made sure everything ran perfectly. Can’t wait to do it again.” – Sarah, Manchester

“We booked for a hen do and it was exactly the chilled-out vibe we needed. Everyone loved it — even my nan!” – Chloe, Leeds


🎟️ Booking Your Private Canal Cruise Party

Booking is simple — just choose your:

  1. Date & duration
  2. Guest numbers & extras
  3. Food/drink options

Prices vary based on group size and cruise length. Weekend slots fill fast, so early booking is advised.


🌟 Float Your Own Way

A private party canal cruise is more than just a venue — it’s a chance to slow down, connect, and celebrate in a setting that’s both relaxed and remarkable.

No traffic, no noise, no rush — just you, your people, and the peace of the water.

Ready to cast off into celebration? Let’s plan your party afloat.

11 of us had a wonderful cruise on Alfie Bhouy. Plentiful afternoon tea. Lots of interesting facts learned. And so much laughter as the "captain" and our 7 year old granddaughter shared jokes. Such a bonus to be given the opportunity to steer. Thank you for happy memories.

Heather B
Trustpilot

Always five stars from us for this lovely company! Another great trip; this time a Sunday Lunch cruise for a friend’s big birthday! Piping hot, top quality lunch and rose wine included. We added a bottle of very reasonable Merlot too. All while experiencing a lovely sail along the canal. Once again the very knowledgeable, interesting and capable Marc was our captain. Great experience - and always a great company to deal with. We will be back (yet again)!

Jan H
Trustpilot

We had a lovely afternoon tea cruise! Mark was a great host, including letting our 5 year old skipper for some of the journey - a memory he will treasure. Would highly recommend!

Darren S
Trustpilot

SUPERB FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE

We were not disappointed the Service was 5 stars. Guests were interacted with and we were allowed to join in with activities. The host was all you could ask for. Ourselves and others had requests for some changes on the menu and theses were adhered to very well. I shall be booking for the whole family. Thank you for such a lovely day me and my friend both needed it.

Dee D
Trustpilot

A thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience. Mark (our skipper) was extremely knowledgeable of the area and canals, and also other canals. He was very interesting and hospitable to us. He invited our grandson to steer the boat and was very welcoming.
On a separate note, we were late arriving for the cruise and Mark did not rush us, and was very friendly.
Highly recommended!

Carol E
Trustpilot

Just had our first canal cruise with a Xmas dinner hot from the pub and I have to say the whole experience was brilliant. The captain was excellent and very knowledgeable throughout the trip and as a bonus I was able to drive with the captain which was a lovely touch. I would highly recommend this trip.

Stephen S
Trustpilot

It helped that it was a beautiful sunny day. The skipper, Mark was very insightful giving us a talk on the local history of the canal as we made our way to Burscough Wharf and back again.

Tony Houston
Trustpilot

Nice way too spend a few hours took my mother for a mothers day treat great food fantastic host wish it hadn't been raining thanks very much

Gary Chadbond
Trustpilot

Just got back from an amazing cruise with afternoon tea with this company. The food was lovely and fresh!
The skipper, Mark was lovely and professional! He was so naturally friendly and explained everything about the history of barges and the area. He was so knowledgeable. The cruise itself was beautiful and relaxing.

Leah Johnson
Trustpilot

What a wonderful experience! Mark was such a great host, very kind and helpful. We miss our trip because of car crash on the road, he not only accommodate us on the next trip but he make us fresh afternoon tea and he place us in the best part of the boat! I can’t explain what a wonderful people and what a experience we had ! Truly amazing! Definitely try for yourself !!! Thank you Mark! See you soon!

Plamena Dimitrova
Trustpilot