French Country Waterways Offers 30 Percent Commission

French Country Waterways is offering a 30 percent travel agent commission on bookings made this year on 45 departures in July and August 2008. The commission increase is good on individual and group bookings and charters on all five of the company's luxury barge cruises.

Prices have not yet been set for 2008 but 2007 all-inclusive prices range from $4,495 to $5,995 per person, double occupancy, and $42,360 to $84,510 for whole barge charters.

Weekly departures are scheduled from April 6 to October 26, 2008. Each barge carries eight to 18 passengers on six-night cruises through Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace-Lorraine and the Upper Loire Valley.

Cruises include a dinner ashore at a Michelin-starred restaurant; four-course candlelit dinners accompanied by Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines; and daily sightseeing excursions to nearby medieval towns and churches, châteaux and famous vineyards.

There is no smoking inside the barges and coaches. The all-suite, 12-passenger Nenuphar, which plies the canals of Champagne, has been totally renovated and rebuilt with custom cherry paneling and furniture, a choice of king-size or twin beds, and marble bathrooms.

The 18-passenger Esprit sails through Burgundy's Côte d'Or wine region. The 12-passenger Adrienne, launched in 2005, sails in the Upper Loire, gateway to the châteaux country, while the eight-passenger Horizon II cruises Burgundy on the Canal de Bourgogne.

The eight-passenger Princess, formerly the private barge of shipping magnate Daniel K. Ludwig, makes its way between Strasbourg and Nancy, capitals of Alsace-Lorraine.

The barges all have a sundeck, lounge and dining room, well-stocked bar, bicycles and library of books, music and games. Suites and staterooms feature full-size beds, individual air-conditioning and heating controls, private bath, hair dryer, extra pillows and fresh flowers.

Cruise rates include suite or stateroom accommodations, all meals, estate-bottled wines at lunch and dinner, one dinner ashore at a Michelin-starred restaurant, open bar, tours and excursions, private wine tasting, bicycles, and escorted transfers between Paris or Strasbourg and the barges. Hot-air ballooning is an option. For more information, call 800-222-1236 or visit www.fcwl.com.