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MULTI AWARD WINNING NARROW BOAT HIRE FLEET
Certificate of Outstanding Performance
Before David and I
bought Valley Cruises just over a year ago, our only
real experience of narrow boats was as holiday cruising hirers. We
always had lots of fun and basked in the glorious
scenery but we felt a little disappointed in the narrow 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 narrow 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 narrow 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 narrow 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 narrow 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 narrow 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! |
