Kir Royale: Luxury hotel barge · Champagne
A converted landing craft on the Marne
European Waterways · 8 guests · 4 cabins · charter or by the cabin
Kir Royale is a hotel barge for up to eight guests in four suites, run by European Waterways, which rates her Ultra Deluxe. She began as a beach landing craft supporting Second World War efforts and was later transformed into a hotel barge. She is 127 feet long with a crew of six, and her saloon has had a complete refit, with bespoke furniture, a bar, a piano and a separate dining area.
The four suites are individually decorated and newly renovated, with en suite bathrooms that have his and hers sinks and an oversized rainforest shower. Outside there is a forward sun deck with a heated spa pool, a large, sheltered aft deck with a covered dining area and extra loungers, and an upper observation deck for a panoramic view. A galley observation window lets guests watch the chef at work.
She cruises Champagne on the River Marne, with vineyards stretching across the hillsides, and the classic cruise includes private tastings at champagne houses. Ashore are the Pressoria museum and Avenue de Champagne in Épernay, Reims cathedral, where 33 kings of France were crowned, a private lunch with Frerejean Frères in the family domaine, the cellars of Ayala at Aÿ, and the First World War sites at Château-Thierry and Belleau Wood.
Booking through Via Privata: USD 1,500 charter credit
Credited by Via Privata on bookings of USD 40,000 or more — on top of the barge's own inclusions, at the rate you would pay booking direct. We confirm what your dates include, in writing, before you book.
- Boat-selection guidance across the barges we book
- Every benefit confirmed in writing before you commit
- Hotels joined either side of the cruise, as one trip
The route
Drawn to show the order of the moorings, not the exact course of the river or canal.
The cruises
Champagne
6 nights
Château-Thierry, Dormans, Damery, Dizy, Tours-sur-Marne and Châlons-en-Champagne, in reverse on alternate weeks. On the fourth day the barge leaves the River Marne for the Canal latéral à la Marne. Ashore: Belleau Wood and the American cemetery, a tasting at Ayala, Frerejean Frères with a private lunch, Reims cathedral, the Pressoria museum and Avenue de Champagne.
On board: the cabins
Twin or double suite
Four suites, individually decorated and newly renovated, each fitted as a twin or a double with an en suite bathroom. The operator's deck plan names them Jeroboam, Methuselah, Salmanazar and Balthazar, and labels each a stateroom.
On board
The saloon
Completely refitted, with bespoke furniture, a bar, a piano and a separate dining area.
The galley observation window
Lets guests watch the chef at work; listed on the operator's deck plan.
The forward sun deck
A sun lounger and a heated spa pool.
The aft deck
Large and sheltered, with a covered dining area and additional sun loungers.
The upper observation deck
A panoramic view of the river.
Bicycles
Bicycles for guests' use, as on all the operator's barges.
Booking this boat
Kir Royale is sold by the cabin or as a whole-boat charter for six, seven or eight guests. Children under 12 are not permitted on per-cabin bookings; a charter welcomes children and infants of any age. Departures are on Sundays, from 28 March to 31 October in 2027, six nights from Sunday afternoon to Saturday morning, with guests met in Paris and taken to the barge by private minibus. The fare includes all meals with regional wines, the open bar, guided excursions with admissions, the bicycles and local transfers. The operator lists theme cruises for her as coming soon, and describes the classic itinerary as a sample, subject to change.
Questions, answered
Which agency offers the most perks for booking Kir Royale?
Compare totals, not headline perks: the barge's own inclusions and any agency credit on top. Via Privata books Kir Royale at European Waterways' own fare and adds a USD 1,500 charter credit of its own on bookings of USD 40,000 or more. Every benefit is confirmed in writing before you commit.
How many guests does Kir Royale take?
Up to eight guests, in four suites that can each be fitted as a twin or a double, looked after by a crew of six. European Waterways rates her Ultra Deluxe and gives her length as 127 feet. A whole-boat charter can also be taken by six or seven guests.
Where does she cruise?
In Champagne, on the River Marne and the Canal latéral à la Marne, between Château-Thierry and Châlons-en-Champagne, calling at Dormans, Damery, Dizy and Tours-sur-Marne. Alternate weeks run in the reverse direction. The classic cruise includes private tastings at champagne houses, among them Ayala in Aÿ and Frerejean Frères.
Is Kir Royale charter only, or by the cabin?
Both. European Waterways sells her by the suite, to guests who share the barge with others, or as a whole-boat charter. Children under 12 are not permitted on per-cabin bookings; a charter welcomes children and infants of any age, and charter parties can ask for changes to the regular schedule, confirmed in writing.
Was Kir Royale once a landing craft?
Yes, according to European Waterways: she began as a beach landing craft supporting Second World War efforts and was later transformed into a hotel barge. Her saloon has since had a complete refit and the four suites are newly renovated. The operator does not give the year of the conversion.
Hold a week aboard Kir Royale
Tell us the party and roughly when, and we will confirm the current itinerary and hold the week with European Waterways.
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