Comfort or Comfort Plus fleet: how to choose the right licence-free houseboat?
The boat is part of the experience
Picture yourself on the deck, drink in hand, the canal slowly drifting past. That moment depends partly on the boat you've chosen. At CrisBoat, the Comfort and Comfort Plus ranges are the ones that most often cause hesitation. They look similar from the outside, but the differences are real, especially when you're cruising in the middle of July. Here's everything you need to know to make the right choice.
What exactly is the Comfort range?
The Comfort fleet strikes the right balance between modern comfort and accessibility. These boats are recent, well-designed, and every cabin has its own private bathroom. Most models also include a bimini canopy, a microwave, a flat-screen TV and an air cooler. The dual helm station (indoor and outdoor) lets you navigate in the sun or the shade depending on your mood. The range accommodates between 2 and 10 people depending on the model.
And the Comfort Plus range, what's different?
The Comfort Plus range steps things up in terms of space and equipment. You'll find air conditioning, a built-in plancha grill on the deck, a bow thruster (and sometimes a stern thruster) to make manoeuvring easier, and an internal 220V circuit available even while under way. Every cabin still has its own private bathroom.
Is air conditioning really essential on a river cruise?
In July on the Canal du Midi or the Camargue, temperatures can easily exceed 35°C. The Comfort Plus range includes air conditioning on most of its models, which the Comfort range does not offer. For a summer boating holiday in the South of France, it's often the one feature that makes all the difference between a relaxing cruise and a sleepless night.
Can you cook and eat outside on both ranges?
Both ranges include a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor deck with garden furniture. But the Comfort Plus goes further with a built-in plancha grill on the terrace. It's a feature you appreciate every single day — an evening moored up at the pontoon with a plancha going is one of those moments that makes a river holiday so special.
Which range should you choose for a family river cruise?
It depends on the ages of your children and your destination. For a houseboat holiday in Brittany or Burgundy in spring, the Comfort range is more than enough. For a week in the South of France in July with young children, the Comfort Plus is the better choice: air conditioning and the more generous living spaces genuinely change day-to-day life on board.
Did you know? CrisBoat licence-free houseboats measure less than 15 metres and travel at a maximum speed of 8 to 10 km/h on canals. The perfect pace to enjoy the scenery and let children move freely around the deck.
Is the Comfort Plus range suitable for first-time boaters?
Yes, like all CrisBoat boats, it requires no licence and no prior experience. A training session of around one hour is provided by the base team before every departure. The bow thruster, often fitted on Comfort Plus boats, is actually a real advantage for beginners: it makes mooring and lock manoeuvres significantly easier.
Is there a real price difference between the two ranges?
The Comfort Plus range is naturally a little more expensive than the Comfort range, but remains well below the Premium fleet. For a group of 6 or more looking for a relaxed summer cruise without compromise, it often offers the best value for money. Many returning guests who come back for a second river holiday choose to upgrade to Comfort Plus for exactly this reason.
👉 Still undecided? Submit a quick quote request at crisboat.co.uk and the team will guide you to the boat that fits your plans perfectly.
FAQ — Comfort and Comfort Plus fleets at CrisBoat
Most models in the Comfort range do not have air conditioning. For a summer houseboat hire on a warm route such as the Canal du Midi or the Charente, the Comfort Plus range is the better option.
The Comfort Plus range offers air conditioning, a deck plancha grill and an internal 220V circuit available during navigation. Both ranges provide a private bathroom per cabin and a dual helm station.
Yes. Like all CrisBoat boats, they require no licence. The bow thruster, common on this range, also makes docking and first manoeuvres noticeably easier.
Poursuivez votre lecture !
How Much Does a Licence-Free Houseboat Holiday Cost?
Which Licence-Free Houseboat Should You Choose: Sedan 1010 or Tarpon 32?
