MULTI AWARD WINNING CANAL BOAT HIRE FLEET

Certificate of Outstanding Performance

Before David and I bought Valley Cruises just over a year ago, our only real experience of canal boats was as holiday hirers. We always had lots of fun and basked in the glorious scenery but we felt a little disappointed in the boats. They were reasonably clean on the inside, but the outside was often dirty with scrapped gunwhales and engine bays full of greasy water. Most boats had the feel of being a ‘floating caravan’ and the service was often lacking too. We felt that there had to be a better way.

Valley Cruises already had a very good reputation. The boats were beautifully maintained and the purpose built marina setting was glorious. David and I set about adding the Excellence Afloat touch. Every aspect of the boat interior is spotless. The exteriors are washed and polished before every hire. The gunwhales are re-blacked whenever necessary, the engines serviced, the engine bays cleaned and every aspect of the interior workings, from taps to TVs, is checked. Attention to detail is our byword.

From the customer’s first enquiry onwards we try to offer the very best standard of service. David or I personally greet each party and show them aboard their boat. Everyone is welcomed with fresh flowers, wine, chocolates, teas and coffees and a bathroom “pamper hamper”. Special occasions are marked with a card from our team. Full tuition, both in the marina and out on the canal, is given by David or one of our engineers, with each crew receiving a level of instruction tailored to suit their experience and knowledge. We follow up with over the phone advice and will go out and visit any party who are experiencing difficulty.

Parties are personally welcomed back and we are keen to receive any comments in order to know where we are getting things right and where we can improve the service or the boats. We have had some lovely verbal compliments and some fantastic written commendations (see “Our Luxury Narrowboats”).

Blakes Holiday Boating, the premier booking agent for the UK, also request customer feedback from every guest. They use this information to award a Certificate of Excellence 2007 to the companies that provide “excellence to the Holiday Boating Industry”. They also award one company the Certificate of Outstanding Performance 2007 for the “Best Performing Canal Operator”. Excellence Afloat at Valley Cruises is very proud to have won both of these awards in our very first year. It means even more to us because it is our customers who have decreed us the best of the best.

Our greatest asset has been to run our company from the customer’s point of view. Throughout 2008 we shall continue to ensure that our largely five star boats are more floating hotel room than caravan, that our customer service and attention to detail is uncompromising and that our guests are made to feel special.

P.S. We have also won the Leicestershire Review CANAL BOAT FLEET OF THE YEAR 2008!