River cruise fans looking for an even more boutique experience afloat are discovering the joys of steering their own boat on Europe's waterways. You don't need any boating experience to set off on one of Le Boat's cruisers, which come in a range of sizes to suit parties of two to 12 – but hands-on briefings and extensive advice about routes are provided in case that sounds a little scary. The boats motor along at a maximum speed of 7km/h and some have bow-thrusters to make mooring easier; they also have rubber protection for the inevitable little bumps that happen with beginners.

Le Boat operates 850 boats on rivers, canals and lakes in eight countries – Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, England, Scotland and Ireland – and itineraries range from three nights to two weeks. However, "itineraries" are as loose as you like; once you've left the base where you pick up your boat, it's up to you how far you want to cruise and when and where to moor. And because the routes are on recreational rather than commercial waterways, you don't need to worry about being mowed down by fast-moving cargo barges.

According to David Reid, director of sales and marketing for Le Boat's parent company, Tui, many cruisers who take mainstream river journeys then decide to explore less-travelled waterways under their own steam.

"There's a parallel to the days when people took coach holidays in Europe, then did self-drive trips to see more at their own pace," he says. "Our boating holidays are popular with Australians and New Zealanders, who are often more independent travellers. We are seeing increasing numbers of multi-generational groups because it's fun, anyone can steer, kids can help, it's educational and off the beaten track."

France's Canal du Midi is the No. 1 destination for Le Boaters, followed by Burgundy, Italy and Northern Europe. Apart from the scenic surroundings and relaxed pace, attractions include mooring your boat in the heart of a medieval village and walking a few metres to enjoy a long lunch at a waterside restaurant, cycling along a towpath or dropping anchor in the middle of a lake to do a spot of fishing.

The boats are graded one to five-star according to their facilities and prices vary accordingly. Next year, 45 new Horizon cruisers will be added to the fleet, in two-, three- and four-cabin versions. They are all self-catering but you can request a provisioning service – but then you'd miss out on the fun of shopping in local markets.

See leboat.com.au

MEET THE CREW

NAME Zisis Taramas, Captain, from Greece

POSITION Captain, Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Solstice

MY JOB As captain of a Celebrity ship, it is my duty to look after the safety and wellbeing of everyone on board.

A TYPICAL DAY … starts with a navigational bridge visit early in the morning. After that, I answer emails, followed by a whole-ship inspection from the top deck to the engine room, along with the ship's chief engineer and staff captain. At the same time I like to engage with guests and see how they are enjoying their cruise.

FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT Whenever I'm out walking the ship during my daily rounds and guests approach me with positive comments about their cruise experience and the friendliness of the crew.

FAVOURITE CRUISE PORTS Alaskan cruises are among my favourites. The ports of Seattle, Skagway and Ketchikan are amazing. South Pacific, Australian and New Zealand itineraries are also great, with Sydney, Tauranga and Auckland.

INSIDER TIPS We work every day to ensure our guests feel at home on board. Guests should always voice any requests they may have as it will help our crew make their holiday even more memorable.

TIP

Don't forget to pack an international adaptor when you're cruising as most ships are fitted with American plugs. New models have handy USB power outlets.

NEWS 

Ponant Explorers

Ponant recently announced that its four sleek new expedition ships will be named after famous French explorers: Le Laperouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville and Le Kerguelen. The first two will set sail in mid-2018 and the other two a year later. They will be slightly smaller than the current quartet – each will have 92 staterooms and suites, measure 131 metres in length and have 110 crew members. One of the ingenious design features is a submersible watersports marina for easy access to Zodiacs, kayaks and snorkelling and scuba-diving (pictured). The four Explorers will explore polar regions on White Expeditions, tropical and subtropical spots such as Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, Indian Ocean islands and South America, including the Orinoco River in the Amazon, on Green Expeditions, and Oceania on Blue Expeditions. See ponant.com/cruises/

Curiouser and curiouser

If you're looking for an escorted cruise to the Galapagos Islands, with a maximum of 16 like-minded travellers (including experienced hosts Ian Connellan and Gail MacCallum), check out The Curious Traveller's March 2017 itinerary. March is the "green season" in the islands when sea turtles are hatching, newborn sea lion pups are exploring, frigate birds are nesting and blue-footed boobies are performing their mesmerising mating rituals. The 11-night trip incudes eight days' cruising on the 16-passenger catamaran Seaman Journey, daily hikes, snorkelling, small-boat trips, visits to the Galapagos tortoises' breeding centres on San Cristobal Island and at the Charles Darwin research station, plus two days in the 16th-century town of Quito. See curioustraveller.com.au 

Plan a Cruise Month 

Each one of Carnival Corporation's seven lines lines – P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Cunard, P&O Cruises World Cruising and Seabourn – is offering special deals to mark Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia's Plan a Cruise Month. The promotions run until October 31, and include up to $200 on-board credit, a soft-drink package and bottle of wine per cabin with P&O Cruises' bookings; up to $100 on-board credit and 50 per cent reduced deposits on Princess Cruises' domestic and overseas cruises; up to US$100 on-board credit per suite and a complimentary upgrade to a veranda suite with Seabourn – a 10-night Mediterranean cruise on Seabourn Odyssey starts from $6999. Contact a CLIA cruise agent at cruising.org.au.

DEAL OF THE WEEK 

Fly from Australia, cruise to India, the Seychelles and Maldives then visit the Taj Mahal, Delhi and Jaipur with Cruise Traveller's new 28-night package. The 20-night cruise on board Azamara Journey is a round-trip from Mumbai, India, departing April 22; it will visit Kochi (India), Mahe, Praslin and La Passe (Seychelles), Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Goa (India). Departing Australia April 21, 2017, fares start from $9695; offer valid until October 31. Phone 1800 507 777. See cruisetraveller.com.au

MORE DEALS

AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES Book an inside cabin before November 30, 2016, and you'll be upgraded to a Club Verandah stateroom on most of Azamara's 2017 European cruises. For example, fares for Azamara Journey's seven-night Tapas and Wine cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon, departing on June 7, 2017, start from $2999. Phone 1800 754 500, see azamaraclubcruises.com 

MSC CRUISES has special deals on a range of seven-night cruises in 2017 in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe and Arabian Peninsula, when booked by October 31, 2016. Fares start from $649 (Mediterranean), $709 (Caribbean), $1189 (Northern Europe) and $709 (Arabian Peninsula). Phone 1300 028 502, see msccruises.com.au