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This is a cross between a river boat and a hotel barge. It has three decks, with cabins on lowest deck (23 twins, 2 doubles, 1 single, each with private bath and shower).Fully air-conditioned, there is a dining room, library, piano bar, an exercise room, and a spa pool.

Theme cruises: architecture, gardens, golf, gastronomy, health, impressionists. Fares for six nights are $1,990 per person double occupancy and $2,460 single.

CAPRICE

France: Franche-Comte, Burgundy
Passengers: 21. This is a hotel barge, starting operation in 1999. Cabins are twins and  doubles, each with private shower and toilet. Theme cruises: crafts, gardens, nature, wine. Rates for six nights are $1,490 to $1,990 per person double occupancy and include bicycles. Charters are $32,110 to $39,800.

France: Upper Loire
Passengers: 24. This is a hotel barge, built in 1979, renovated in 1995, air-conditioned. It travels the Upper Loire Valley, with wine tasting, a ceramics workshop, and a goat farm visit for younger passengers. There are seven cabins with twin beds, three with double beds, and four cabins for singles. Theme cruises: cycling, family, gardens. Fares for six-night cruises range from $1,490 to $1,990 for adults, 40 per cent off for children under age 16. Bicycles are included. Whole boat charter is $32,780 to $43,780.

France: Lyonnais, Beaujolais, Burgundy
Passengers: 50. This is an all-suite riverboat with two outdoor jacuzzis and two bars. Theme cruises: gardens, gastronomy. Charter is $117,740.

France: Central Burgundy
Passengers: 24. There are twin cabins, bunks, and double beds. Theme cruises: cycling, gardens. Fare for six nights is $1,490 to $1,690 per person, including bicycles.

France: Champagne
Passengers:20. This barge cruises on the River Marne from Paris to Epernay. Cabins include doubles and twins, each with private toilet and shower. The sun deck is located behind the wheelhouse so the captain can give passengers a running commentary while cruising. Air-conditioned throughout. Theme cruises: family, world war history. Rates for six nights start at $1,490 per person double occupancy to $2,460, including bicycles. Full charter is $29,640 to $38,640.

France: Burgundy
Passengers: 20. There are two sun decks, one for alfresco dining, and one forward for watching scenery. The boat is air-conditioned throughout, has a crew of 8. Cabins on the upper deck have  opening windows; those on lower deck have opening portholes, each with private shower and toilet.  Fares for six nights are from $1,490 to $2,460 per person, including bicycles. Charters are $30,580 to $39,580.

France: Alsace
Passengers: 22. There are picture widows in the cabins. Cruises are for six nights. There are bicycles on board. Theme cruises: crafts, nature, family, wine.

Holland, France
Passengers: 20. Launched in 2001. It has six-night tulip cruises in the spring in Holland, roundtrip from in Amsterdam and travelling along the Lek River and the Hollandse Ijssel. In the summer and fall it goes through the Franche-Comte and Eastern Burgundy regions of France. Cabins are heated and air-conditioned and have private bathrooms. Bicycles are available on board.

France: Southern Burgundy, Eastern Lorre
Passengers: 24. This 1999 barge has air-conditioning and heating throughout. Crew of 7. There are 12 twin cabins with private shower and toilet. There is a family cruise in July and a wine cruise in October. Bicycles are on board. Fares for six nights are $1,490 to $1,990, with a $470 single supplement. Charter is $32,780 to $43,780.

PARAGUAY
On the Paraguay River in South America
Passenger Capacity: 50
Length: 197 ft.
Staff and Crew: 20; French, English, Paraguayan

• Itinerary: Six-night cruises go year-round on the Paraguay River in the wilderness areas of the Panantal and Grand Caco regions. Voyages go from Asuncion to the plains of Puerto Bahia Negra and include Concepsion, Puerto Diana, Puerto Casdo, and Belen.
• Cabins: 25. Cabins are outside and have a lounge area, private bath with shower, tv, telephone, and have heat and air-conditioning. There are several suites.
• Facilities and Activities: There is a pool, casino, theater, dancing, library, and conference room. Passengers have the opportunity to see rare mammals such as giant anteaters, giant armadillos, the maned wolf, river otters, tapirs, marsh deer. There is a visit to the Chamacocos tribe, and launches go up the Negro River to where the Negro and Paraguay Rivers meet and divide Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay and where passengears can ride horses or take carriage rides.
• Typical Rates and Special Deals: Fares per person double occupancy are $1,690 to $2,290. Whole-boat charter for 50 people is $89,740. Fare includes shore excursions.

Holland, Belgium
Passengers: 22. Built in 2000 in Holland, it has six-night tulip cruises from mid-March to mid-May in Holland. From May through October cruises of  Holland and Belgium begin in Amsterdam and go to Haarlem, Schoonhoven, Kinderdijk, Veere, Middelburg, Ghent, and Bruges. Cabins are all on the lower deck, are heated and air-conditioned, and are either twin or double with private bath and either portholes or windows. There are two single cabins. There are shore excursions to Keukenhof Gardens, the flower auction in Aalsmeer, and walking tours with guides. Bicycles are available on board. Fares range from $2,290 to $2,490 per person double occupancy; cabins for singles are $2,190. Charter rate is $46,660. Rates include wine at lunch and dinner, an open bar and shore excursions.

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