Dear Maureen,
Thank you for your comments, and we're glad the crew looked after you well. We're sorry the engines are loud when we're cruising. We run a battery system overnight instead of generators to keep the boat silent so everyone sleeps well and we never cruise at night. So, hopefully, the cabin was nice and quiet when it mattered most!
“As per our feedback form. All personnel were A1. Helpful, empathetic, and welcoming (not patronising which tends to happen to older folk!) and despite obviously being rushed off your feet - didn't let it show. Only at the end because of the tight schedule felt a little pushed off the boat.....
Cabins were a little basic but everything reassuringly clean to a high standard and comfortable. Food very acceptable except for cold eggs. Outings well organised. Highly enjoyable and relaxing holiday. Thank you . Mark & I appreciated all that was done to make it so good.”
“Overall, a good cruise, relaxing, and with very pleasant company. The Crew were excellent, friendly and professional.
Our only gripe was the food which was cold on occasions and the main lunch course was more like a starter sometimes. We enjoyed most of the food, we just feel it needs a little tweaking maybe.
The visits were interesting, but Slimbridge left me rather disappointed.”
“Interesting trip . Staff attentive , well organised outings and good entertainment. Welfare of passengers first rate . Food varied and enjoyable
Make more of name of ship . Play some Elgar music occasionally .”
“Lovely cruise, staff could not be more helpful from making sure they meet your dietary requirements to assisting you around the boat. Cabins are on small size so better to be in saloon, bar or on top deck (weather permitting). Boat is very much covid secure as they allocate you a table for whole cruise which includes own water bottle, and everyone wears masks. Food is really nice and plenty of it, tea , coffee, water etc available all day just serve yourself. Tours are good value and interesting and if you have mobility issues transport is provided. We had such a good time weather just chilly for August, boat was warm keeping us cosy”
“We loved our cruise. It was so enjoyable and everything was according to plan. We had one criticism of the cabin - not enough shelf space. Both of us needed medication close at hand and insufficient shelving did not permit this.
Thank you for a lovely holiday.”
“Booked this cruise with an open mind. On boarding the Edward Elgar, we received a warm welcome from the crew. We quickly discovered that the space available was used to it’s maximum effect. We found the cabin to be adequate, plenty of storage, the toilet and shower room was excellent. The COVID precautions were excellent, temperature check each morning. The chef, Miles went out of his way to cater for everyone including gluten free. Each meal was very good. The wines with the meals were excellent. As for the crew they worked well as a team, ably led by the Captain Steve, nothing was too much trouble. This was the most laid back holiday we have ever taken. The only downside was the overgrown river banks, the waterways authority should do more to maintain the condition of the river.”
“very friendly and helpful crew. delicious imaginative food. we would have liked the captains comments and amusing little asides transcribed for perusal. and more historic information about the places we were to visit. maybe the night before arrival.”
“The whole boat operation, and the visits were superb, it is not something you control but rather naively I was hoping for better views from the boat. Not your fault at all, but I was disappointed with the general view of the bank of willows leaning over into the water, I realise the willows and other trees are essential to hold the banks together.The visits to various towns Slimbridge and the railways were all very well planned, the food and service on board were excellent.”
“The crew of the Edward Elgar are to be congratulated for their efforts to make the boat safe from the covid virus; the modifications made to the boat were excellent and the crew meticulous in their procedures. We felt safe throughout the voyage and have no hesitation in recommending the boat as a very safe place to holiday.”
Paul, thank you so much for your kind review! The crew have trained very hard and were integral to our re-opening planning. Great to see you feel the new system is working without taking away from the experience.
“The food could be much better. Go on a Majestic Line cruise from Oban and see what they manage on a smaller boat with a much smaller galley
The crew were superb.”
“Everything about this cruise made us happy, from the booking process to the crew and especially the captain Steve who was entertaining and educating. His crew could not be faulted in any way being efficient, professional and friendly at all times.
However on this particular occasion the chef was on leave and his relief chef had to cry off at short notice, unfortunately the 3rd choice "chef" was not capable of meeting the required standard,in fact the food was very poor indeed.
The owner, Richard Clemens, joined the cruise for dinner for the penultimate night, having told him of our only criticism of the trip he seemed very reluctant to accept our and others very valid complaints regarding the 'chefs' capability to deliver the brochure promise food,in fact it was dire.
I regret having to post this but it is true reflection of our experience.
I would seriously suggest that you check which chef is on board before booking, if his name is Ed don't book!!”
“Sadly the weather has a major impact on our holiday. Due to flooding on the Severn our Cruise holiday became a minibus holiday in parts. The Severn was closed for the second half of our holiday. The food on the cruise was excellent but the cabins are very cramped. On Sunday morning, our last day, we were able to sit on the roof deck and enjoy the view for the only time during the cruise for a couple of hours before embarkation.”
