The first "Liberty" arrived in Castelnaudary, France, at the beginning of February. On 25 April, the first guests will board for the maiden voyage on the Canal du Midi. The new model will also be offered in other French regions, on the Mecklenburg Lake District, on the Thames and in the Netherlands.
Lots of comfort and easy to manoeuvre
With the new premium model, the company is responding to the increased expectations of boat tourists for "unique and luxurious holidays". It is intended to tap into further customer potential at the upper end of the product range. According to Le Boat, the two-cabin boat is perfect for couples and small families, offering a high level of comfort, easy manoeuvrability and luxurious furnishings in bright, spacious cabins with panoramic windows. The interior can be air-conditioned and heated. The modern kitchen has a built-in dishwasher and a Nespresso coffee machine. A Smart TV, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth provide entertainment in the saloon. Another big plus is the additional space on deck thanks to the flybridge and the sun deck with barbecue plate, fridge drawer and sun loungers at the bow.
New all-inclusive package in the bag
A classic one-week cruise in the Franche-Comté in Burgundy, for example, costs from 2,739 euros per boat (equivalent to 547.80 euros per person with full occupancy for five people). With the launch of the "Liberty", Le Boat is offering a new all-inclusive concept: Additional services such as bicycles, boat cleaning, car parking and a food starter pack are already included in the price.
Charter houseboat as an investment property
A boat owner programme is designed to bring investors on board: Houseboat fans could invest in the new luxury boats and benefit from returns and holidays lasting several weeks a year, Le Boat entices on its homepage: "As an owner, you enjoy an average of eight weeks' holiday per year on your own or a sister boat in 18 cruising areas in Europe and Canada, while Le Boat takes care of maintenance, mooring and service."
Larger models in planning
Le Boat plans to gradually equip its bases on the most beautiful waterways in Europe and Canada with the new addition. In addition to the one- and two-cabin versions, Le Boat and the Groupe Beneteau shipyard are currently developing a larger version of the "Liberty" with three to four cabins, which is due to be launched in 2027. The company is investing a total of 100 million euros in 400 new houseboatsone of the largest investments in the charter industry. The ten-year project with the French Groupe Beneteau will increase the fleet of Europe's largest provider of licence-free boating holidays on inland waterways to 1,300 boats.
Le Boat offers licence-free boating holidays on over 900 houseboats in nine countries (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, England, Scotland and Canada). The boats, which are divided into four comfort classes and can accommodate between two and twelve people, can all be navigated without any previous experience.
