Houseboat holidays: Locaboat and Nicols merge to form Riverly
Through the merger, the two sister companies want to combine their decades of experience in houseboat holidays, their fleets and sailing areas. "For us, this merger is more than just a merger - it is the beginning of a joint journey in which we want to make houseboat holidays in Europe even more attractive and accessible in the long term," says Yvonne Schön, Marketing and Sales Manager at Riverly. The new offer is valid from the 2026 season.
More information about the latest type of boat from the houseboat provider:
Clear structuring of the fleet
Guests can choose from a wide range - from small houseboats for couples and family-friendly models through to spacious yachts for travelling with friends or for multi-generational trips. The structure of the fleet is new: the names have been standardised so that it is clear at first glance which boat best suits your needs. Two types of boat are available: the characteristic pénichette, built in the company's own shipyard and inspired by the French barge, and modern cruisers, which offer contemporary comfort and promise that yacht feeling. For better orientation, the range has been divided into three comfort levels: Classic, Comfort and Premium.
New areas and additional starting points
With Portugal and Hungary, further areas are added to the programme. In Portugal, the Grande Lago, one of the largest reservoirs in Europe, is part of Riverly's programme. Here, holidaymakers can expect an almost untouched landscape with small islands, secluded bays and traditional villages along the shore - an area that is particularly suitable for nature lovers and those seeking peace and quiet. Hungary is also opening up to houseboat holidaymakers through Riverly. In the Eastern European country, the Tokaj region around Bodrog and Tisza is accessible. Guests can set off from Tokaj and explore the wine country on licence-free houseboats, glide through nature reserves and reach historic places such as Sárospatak or Sátoraljaújhely on the border with Slovakia.
Expansions in existing regions
Additional departure harbours are also being added to the range in well-known and popular areas. In Alsace, for example, houseboat holidays are now also available from the port of Saverne, which offers ideal conditions for varied routes with its historic old town and location in the Zorn Valley. From here, both short trips to Strasbourg and longer tours through the wine regions are possible. New departure ports have also been added in other popular regions such as the Mecklenburg Lake District and the Canal du Midi to offer guests even more flexibility and choice. These additions allow travellers to tailor their houseboat trip even more individually and discover new, attractive destinations.
Commitment to environmental protection
According to Riverly, sustainability is an important topic in the company's corporate philosophy. Since 2025, almost the entire Riverly fleet has been running on HVO fuel, a hydrogenated vegetable oil that is renewable and biodegradable. This would reduce CO₂ emissions by 92 per cent. 38 boats are equipped with hybrid drives and two boats are powered by electricity. In addition, four Riverly bases have been awarded the Blue Flag for sustainable tourism. The company has also been involved in reforestation on the Canal du Midi for years. Over 19,000 new trees have now been planted there. All boats are also cleaned with environmentally friendly cleaning agents, are equipped with recycling bins and waste separation is practised at all Riverly harbours.
