Our Canal boat hire reviews!
If you’d like to share your own thoughts, simply click on ‘Send a Review’.
We’re thrilled to share the outstanding results from our most recent Customer Service feed back forms.
97% rated their holiday experience as Good or Excellent
95% would recommend Canal Cruising Holidays to a friend
96% would highly recommend the cleanliness of our boats
98% would recommend our Instruction/Handover procedure as excellent
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Review Submission
Canal boat holiday
Mr A Donkin
Carey | Sept 2012
Having previously hired boats from Harry Machin of Holidays Afloat in Market Drayton we were determined to find a Hire Company which was still independent and thus offered the same level of service to which I was accustomed. Holidays Afloat recommended us to Canal Cruising in Stone. Our high expectations of a Family operated Company were more than met. From the simplicity of booking via their website to the personal service given when they were telephoned to confirm pick up details, nothing could have been easier, businesslike or more friendly. We had seen in Magazine reviews the concerns expressed in some quarters of the lack of adequate training given to those hiring Canal Boats. Karen could not have been more helpful or informative as she carefully took myself and my partner through the workings of a lock pointing out throughout the training session the possible pitfalls and dangers of not being careful and attentive at all times when working a lock. Only when she was completely satisfied that we knew what we were doing did she let us leave on our holiday. The boat itself was a joy to handle and was very well equipped in all ways. Very clean and well furnished it was truly a home from home. We would have no hesitation in recommending Canal Cruising, Stone to either veterans or novices on the Inland Waterways.
Williams
Lucy | Sept 2012 | South on the Trent & Mersey
Hired Lucy Ginger. Have you enjoyed your holiday - good. Cleanliness - very good. Design & Accommodation - very-good. Instruction/handover - good. Reliability - Throttle cable repair needed - Good response to call out. Staff - Good. Website - Good. Thank you for a lovely holiday and your patients at the boat yard.
Laget
Rosemary | Sept 2012 | Cheshire Ring
Thanks for the friendly reception. We had a delightful lazy holiday in a clean and well furbished narrowboat, just first - rate for the two of us. I have recommended your company, and our booking for next year is on its way.
Jeanette Clements
Maria | 2012 | Cauldon Canal
Hired the narrow boat "Maria" in August 2012.We had a friendly greeting on arrival, shown to our boat which was beautifully presented, lovely and clean. We were given plenty of time to put our things on board and we were impressed with the efficiency of the run through of how the boat worked. Thanks had a great time. will definitely go again.
Vernon Family
Patricia | 2013 April | Caldon
Have a very good Holiday despite being cold the sun came out. The boat was very clean, The Staff and the hand over very good,found the web site to be very informative. The boat was very comfortable.
Maybury Family
Olivia | Easter 2013 | Marple
Just returned from a holiday on Olivia Ginger. She was clean and well designed. The staff, instruction and web site are good. Administration following our booking was excellent!!! One of the mattresses needs upgrading/replacing and informed the yard. Other than that a very enjoyable holiday and would recommend your Company. Thank You.
Burndred Family
Agnes | Day Hire April 2013 | Sandon
We had a very enjoyable day out, good service and induction. The boat was very clean well designed and this website was good.
Stone Food and Drink
Email: info@stonefooddrink.org.uk
Telephone: 01785 818289
Visit the web site for news and details of our up and coming Festival 2012.
Leisure Trade Directory
Website: www.leisurerentalsdirect.com
Email: info@leisurerentalsdirect.com
Telephone: 01629 790014
Search for a motorhome, caravan, boat, cottage rental local to you and book direct with the owner. Visit/search the INSPIRATION section - Leisure Trade Directory at the bottom of the home page. Really useful stuff.
Georges Canal Cruises
Email: info@georgiescanalcruises.co.uk
Telephone: 07946490203
Skippered trip boat which offers a licenced restaurant.
Considerate Boater
Website: www.considerateboater.com
Email: info@considerateboater.com
Telephone: 01785 813982
The aim of this initiative is to promote considerate boating and good boating etiquite on the Inland Waterways.
Considerate Boater reviews many practises that you might want to adopt, not only the new boater but experianced boaters as well to keep harmony on the UK Waterways.
Marrin Family
Rosemary | 2013 April | Four Counties Ring
Excellent for the price. Would recommend you highly. A lot of thought has gone into your boats which helped us have a perfect holiday. The boat was very clean, the instruction was excellent. Would have prefered cottong ropes. but understand the nylon ropes are practical on a hire boat. Many thanks.
Mr & Mrs D Brown
Carey | Summer | Black Country Ring
Just spent two weeks on Carey Ginger doing this ring boat good clean and comfortable. Had to make a detour due to Wolverhampton locks being out we went down to Stourbridge well worth the extra mills and locks brilliant only one thing wrong i lost my I phone in blowers green locks [if found please return]. Would recommend this boatyard to anyone Karen and Peter are great to deal with, staff always helpful and pleasant if you have not done this kind of holiday before they will give you training.We have already booked for next year.
Derek and Gill
Month and year Travelled: July 2025
Boat: Alice Elizabeth
Route: Congleton
Name and Origin: Turner Family
Loved the layou, worked well for us. Excellent handover!
Very enjoyable holiday. Superb through the tunnel to congleton, going 1st up and back. Pottery visits ecellent ending with a brilliant factory tour at Wedgewood.
Month and year Travelled: June 2025
Boat: Frances
Route: Four Counties Ring
Name and Origin: Allen Family
| Really enjoyed our week out on the boat. Booked last min due to it being a good weather forecast, but it ended up being a bit too hot on a few days, making the locks a bit hard work. The boat was really comfy with everything you need and more. Lovely and clean with good quality crockery etc. The staff were very welcoming and informative and gave us great instructions to get us on our way. We dud mot have to worry about filling up with fuel as the boat was filled up as part of the hire deal, which is a bonus not having to pay extra for the fuel you use on your return. I would highly recommend Canal Cruising Company if you are considering narrowboat hire. |
Month and year Travelled: June and July 2025
Boat: Emily
Route: Birmingham Canals
Name and Origin: Shepherd
Very friendly staff, helpful. Had a lovely time again. No problems with the boat just a few water issues on the canal, easily sorted by CRT
Month and year Travelled: June 2025
Boat: Ginette
Route: Upper Caldon then to Congelton on the Macclesfield Canal
Name and Origin: Holland Family – Australia
We spent the most relaxing week in the most gorgeous countryside. The staff were amazing and welcoming. We will be back !!
Month and year Travelled: June 2025
Boat:Patricia
Route: South
Name and Origin: Keemar Family
Great Value, Lovely people, Beautiful Boat
Month and year Travelled: May 2025
Boat: Carey Ginger
Route: South
Name and Origin: Barley Group
We’ve used CCC several times now. The boats are clean and comfortable with everything one needs. The staff are friendly and helpful, so that instruction, handover and return are really quick and easy and part of the excitement of a narrow boating holiday.
Month and year Travelled: June 2025
Boat: Maria
Route: Rugeley
Name and Origin: Jackson Family
A Lovely Staffordshire Break – Excellent 4 nights spent on ‘Maria’. Extreamly comfortable for 2 with all amenities included. We had a relaxing trip and recieved excellent tuition before heading out to Rugeley with a slow amble back including a stop at Shugborough Hall. Thanks to Canal Cruising Company for a great time. I’m sure we’ll be back!!
Month and year Travelled: June 2025
Boat: Lillian
Route:
Name and Origin: Prittie Family Amerca
Totally enjoyable. We really reccomend! Company was great. Excellent orientaion. Lovely english experience.
Month and year Travelled: May 2025
Boat: Lillian
Route: Norbury
Name and Origin: Davies Family
As always a GREAT WEEK! Will always come back to the Canal CruisingCompany. Clean boats, well amintained, friendly staff. Thank You PauL and Diane – Wrexham
Month and year Travelled: May 2025
Boat: Mino
Route: South
Name and Origin: Pearce Group
A suggestion, Would have been nice to have water proof cushions for sitting outside. Great fun, first experience on the canals. Despite the issues we had with water levels, we would definitely do it again.
Month and year Travelled: May 2025
Boat: Agnes
Route: Shardlow
Name and Origin: Bickerstaff Brothers
Another enjoyable week on the canal. We’ll be back again next next year to explore more of the canal network.
Month and year Travelled: May 2025
Boat: Mino
Route: Shardlow
Name and Origin: Lucas Family
Very Clean Boat. We found it cosy. Brilliant Customer service. Recommend Canal Cruising. You can get in touch any time you need to. We found the boat very reliable, especially in the wide beam locks going to Shardlow.
Very sorry that the holiday has ended .
Thank you Canal Cruising.
Month and year Travelled: May 2025
Boat: Angela
Route: South
Name and Origin: Nelson Family
Instruction-Comprehensive – thank you to Kimberley.
Staff – Very Helpful
An enjoyable 4 nightbreak with an unexpected ‘adventure’ at the end owing to a low water event. Angela is a vintage boat but is still serviceable and quite comfortable despite her age.
Month and year Travelled: May 2025
Boat: Olivia
Route: Norbury and back
Name and Origin: Hankin Family
The whole trip hasbeen fabulous- although great weather definatly helps. Staff friendly and helpful giving clear instructions. Boat clean and well equiped.
Many thanks – we will return.
Month and year Travelled: May 2025
Boat: Maria
Route: Four Counties Ring
Name and Origin: Quilian Party
Absolutly enjoyed my trip. The boat was very clean. The boat was perfect for me. The instruction was excellent, I felt very confident for my first time. Very fiendly staff. Definatly come again with this company . Briliant.
Month and year Travelled: May 2025
Boat: Emily Ginger
Route: Norbury
Name and Origin: Stevens Family and Friends .
As returning customers Canal Cruising provided an excellent value package.The boat was well appointed and easy to handle all contributing to an enjoyable holiday.
Month and year Travelled: May 2025
Boat: Carey Ginger
Route: Caldon Canal
Name and Origin: Weisner Family and Friends – Canada.
Canal Cruising is a great rental company. They gave us lots of instructions, in a very friendly, knowledgeable way. The boat wasfully stocked with all the sishes/pots/untensil one could use for a goremet meal! Definatly rent from Canal Cruising again! 5 STARS!
Month and year Travelled: May 2025
Boat: Emily Ginger
Route: Caldon Canal
Name and Origin: Cannon Family and Friends – England
Beautiful boat, handles really well. A real pleasure. Lovely Portmerion Crockery. Caldon Canal stuningly Beautiful.
Month and year Travelled: Sept 2024
Boat: Carey Ginger
Route:
Name and Origin: Jenkins – Wales
A huge thank you to Canal Cruising Company for making our family holiday in September 2024 truly unforgettable! We rented two boats for our group of 12, and were thrilled to snag a 6-berth boat at half price—what an amazing deal!
We enjoyed a beautiful trip along the Caldon Canal, with a convenient bus ride to Leek, which made it easy to take the kids to Alton Towers for a fun day out. Along the way, we stopped at Hattie’s Tea Room for a delightful break—absolutely fantastic! We also had the pleasure of experiencing a ride on the steam railway, which was a real highlight of our trip.
We’re already planning our next adventure with Canal Cruising next year, and we’re thinking of taking advantage of their buy two, get one free offer to rent three boats for the whole family! We’re also excited to visit the Churnet Valley Railway and try the restaurant train next time. Can’t wait!