“A lovely cruise, staff are magnificent!! Nothing too much trouble and always with a smile on their faces. Accommodation small but perfectly adequate. Food excellent in quantity and quality and the boat is spotless. Excursions were varied and well organised. Only problem we experienced were the directions to the boathouse. Clearer signage would definitely assist. Can’t wait to go again.”
“Good itinerary, very nice comfortable boat, well-appointed cabins, brilliant crew who worked so well as a team to make our trip so enjoyable, very good, well-presented and varied food. Couldn't be faulted. We shall recommend to friends.”
“We have river cruised in Europe many times and in no way am I trying to make a direct comparison. In Europe the ships take around 130 guests and so I appreciate everything can be done at a different level.
Having said this, I feel some very small and simple changes would put the Edward Elgar into a different league. I got the impression that the company is trying to provide a reasonably high standard of service.
Firstly the delightful staff need very simple additional training. For example: drinks need to be served in the correct glass. The announcement that drinks would be available in the bar 15 minutes before the meal was much too late. By the time some guests were served, we were being called to the table. As an all inclusive holiday, some knowledge of wine and spirits should be taken as given. It is going to sound very petty but any chance of presenting a more up market holiday was immediately lost with the provision of the cheapest and lowest quality of napkins. They were of a quality served in Costa Coffee.
There are very good material imitation disposables available. The napkins provided really were unforgivable. Would napkin rings numbered 1, 1a and so on to 11a with a cloth napkin for the week be an idea?
For this type of holiday,food is quite an important consideration. It was not good. In fact on the first night, much was inedible. Frying and poaching eggs should be a basic ability.
I appreciate using the boat House was a recent experience and will require some practice.
Let me say, I and my friends had a most enjoyable time. I don't want my comments to be negative and as a small business would very much like to see it grow and to be something to recommend. Our frustration was that any changes need not be big. Very small changes would make a remarkable difference.
We all said, we would delight in a short period of staff training.
Very best wishes for a successful future.
Yours
Robert Williams”
“A nice restful journey. I was particularly impressed by how the staff and suppliers handled my unusual food intolerance issue. Early season weather and the state of the river caused some disruption to the schedule; the crew worked hard to minimise this.”
“Even though the weather conditions threw up problems due to high water levels, we were kept informed and all trips went ahead. Very comfortable, good food and friendly crew.”
“This is one of my favourite holidays. The weather was poor but it made for some interesting sailing conditions. Of the excursions I liked Slimbridge and the Royal Worcester museum best. I thought the crew were professional and friendly . As I am vegetarian I have to commend the chef as he made me some lovely dishes, well presented. I did not find moving about the boat difficult despite being 91 years old.
A fun thing to do.”
“The Elgar is looking very smart. I like the cabins which are well fitted out. The atmosphere on board is very welcoming and crew most helpful. Food good, the dining/sitting area smart and comfortable. The programme of our trip was very interesting.
|My one suggestion would be to encourage the guests to change tables otherwise we never meet anyone but the ones who share our table.”
“An enjoyable and restful trip. The trips off the boat to Worcester Cathedral and the steam railway were both accompanied by excellent guides. The food on the trip was excellent (but I craved a curry as soon as I got back!).
I'll certainly consider booking another trip.”
“I did not know what to expect. The cabins were rather more compact than I anticipated, BUT it was a great trip. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The excursions were most interesting, the food was good, and we have nothing but praise for the staff who were friendly, supportive and highly efficient. We were fortunate, too, in having 18 passengers who all got on well together.
Would happily recommend.”
“Can’t praise the crew enough for making our weekend on board one to remember. All of them were friendly, a great laugh and attentive. The food was great too. The whole family thoroughly enjoyed themselves, would definitely recommend!”
“We had a very memorable trip on the Edward Elgar, celebrating my dads 70th birthday.
The team on board couldn’t have done any more to make us feel at home. Louis was the perfect captain.
Beds were surprisingly comfortable too!
Well done everyone and thank you x”
“A brilliant long weekend, highly recommend!
Made by the amazing staff though, thanks to Louis, Katie, Ethan and Chef Shaun!
Great memories were made on a relaxing break!”
