Luxury hotel barge cruise operator European Waterways is offering substantial discounts on certain vessels and sailings until the end of the year.

For example a €500 (about R5 500) per person discount is being offered on all cabin bookings and charters on the Enchante for all its 2010 cruises. The Enchante operates on Canal du Midi in the Provence region of France.

A 25 percent discount is being offered on an eight-passenger charter booking on La Nouvelle Etoile for its April 4-10 cruise from Belgium to Holland.

The 10-day "Paris Marathon" cruise on Renaissance is being offered for the price of a six-day cruise. This Paris and Burgundy cruise departs on April 7.

A saving of up to €500 per person is being offered on La Belle Epoque on its Burgundy Walking Cruise October 10-16.