BARGING AROUND BELGIUM WITH CROISIEUROPE

MS Raymonde

A floating Journey Through Belgium cruising the Canals Aboard the MS Raymonde

There are few better ways to discover Belgium than by drifting gently along its historic canals aboard a boutique barge like MS Raymonde, one of CroisiEurope’s intimate hotel barges. With only eleven cabins, it’s a floating retreat where personal service, fine dining, and the service and lure of small-group travel create an experience that feels like a cruise with friends.

Itineraries on the MS Raymonde can include a French champagne region cruise or Belgian Canals, exploring cities like Ghent and Bruges. Both itineraries offer a blend of scenic, historical and cultural experiences like wine and cheese tasting, casual strolls and fine dining on board.

On the Halle to Ghent cruise, each day reveals a new side of Belgium—abbey breweries tucked into forests, centuries-old churches rising above sleepy hamlets, and vibrant market squares alive with the scent of frites and spices. Excursions may include tasting sessions at local chocolatiers, visits to belfries and UNESCO-listed towns, or simply watching the rhythm of life along the canals: cyclists waving from the towpath, swans gliding beside the hull, and locals pausing to chat at the locks.

Effervescent Purser, Hans created some highlights with his clever, witty and humorous presentations, calls to meals, general information and specialty cheese presentations. A real-life character to be sure. Hans has been on board for many years and along with the captain and crew of only five they keep the ship steady as she goes.

Engineering Marvels and Timeless Towns

Bruges, Carmersbrug (Carmelite Bridge)

One of the cruise’s highlights is the awe-inspiring Strépy-Thieu boat lift, a masterpiece of modern engineering. Towering 100 metres above the valley, it raises the Raymonde—and her passengers—like a toy in a vast steel cradle, offering breathtaking views across Wallonia’s rolling hills. It’s a surreal moment: a floating hotel suspended in the sky.

Further along, the barge moors near Oudengaarde, a picturesque Flemish town famous for its tapestries, ornate belfry, and charming riverside cafés. Guests can stroll or cycle along the towpaths, exploring Gothic architecture and enjoying a quiet drink in the town square as church bells echo across the rooftops. In the evening, Raymonde becomes a cozy retreat, her lights glowing softly in the reflection of the canal.

Belgian Pleasures Along the Way

MS Raymonde

The Raymonde’s compact size belies her comfort. Each cabin is elegantly fitted with picture windows, soft lighting, and modern amenities. Meals are an event in themselves—Belgian cheeses, freshly baked bread, and regional specialties like waterzooi or carbonnade Flamand paired with robust local beers. On deck, guests sip aperitifs or enjoy a glass of bubbly in the spacious hot tub while the barge glides through green fields, quiet villages, and rows of poplars that seem to march along the canals.

After six leisurely nights, the Raymonde glides into Ghent.

Guests disembark with new friends, a camera full of momentous moments, and perhaps a few extra souvenirs: a box of chocolates, pralines, a bottle of Trappist beer, and the memory of “mussels in Brussels,” shared over laughter and candlelight.

In a country celebrated for its art, architecture, and indulgence, a cruise aboard CroisiEurope’s MS Raymonde offers something more, a chance to slow down and see Belgium not just as a destination, but as a living, breathing landscape best admired from the water.

Website: CroisiEurope https://www.croisieurope.travel/en
* Written by John Savage