Travel, Transportation, Family Bookings, Cabin Dimensions, Onboard Facilities, Dietary requests
This is a list of questions that future Athos passengers frequently ask us before their cruise. Questions are about travel information, mobility limitations, onboard equipment and what to bring. Read away, and by all means, send us an email if we’re missing anything important.
TRAINS AND TRANSPORT TO AND FROM ATHOS
Which are the closest international airports to Beziers?
Marseille, Toulouse, Montpellier and Barcelona Airports are all within a few hours’ drive from Beziers. We recommend that you have a look at our information page “How to Get to Beziers to Join your Athos Cruise”. Train scheduling times, websites and airport information are all on this page.
Our train arrives in Beziers station at 14:10 on the Sunday of departure. Please can we be picked up early? Or is there somewhere we can leave our luggage or go to wait?
We should add a ** to just how frequently this question arises. Here’s our best advice! We do not recommend that passengers turn up too early at the Beziers train station on the Sunday of arrival. There is no luggage storage at this station and limited seating and restaurant facilities. Trains should be booked to arrive between 15:30-16:30. We also don’t recommend trying to arrive in a restaurant after 14:00 for lunch. Many restaurants in France do not seat or serve lunch after 14:00.
Trains leaving Beziers on the Saturday departure morning can be booked between 08:00 and 11:00am. Please contact us before booking a departure that requires leaving the barge before 08:00am on the Saturday morning.
We are a family of 4. Our children are 10 and 14 and we’d like to join a cruise week and meet other families.
Athos happily welcomes families onboard who opt to charter the whole barge. On weeks with mixed passengers with individual cabin-bookings, our cruises and activities cater to interests like wine-tasting, history, art and culture. On weeks when families charter the entire boat, Athos is offers a mix of activities that are adult, teen and child-friendly. Read more about our Family Fun Charter here.
We’d like to stay a night somewhere in the area pre-cruise. Where does Athos suggest?
Athos recommends: Hotel Particulier, In Situ, La Villa Guy, Hotel la Prison in Béziers Centre. All have had recent renovations and are accessible to the town centre. All can be booked directly with the hotel either on their own website or by telephone. If you’d like Athos to ring on your behalf to book, please send us an email!
My husband/wife/travel companion uses a CPAP machine at night. Is there an accessible bedside plug, and which adaptors will we need?
Yes! And this really is one of the most frequently asked questions pre-travel to Athos. Many travellers bring CPAP machines onboard the Athos. We have silent nighttime running generators for important machines like CPAPs and air-conditioning! CPAP’s can plug directly beside the beds. The Athos has 220v electrics throughout, so that machines will need only the European plug adaptor. The actual 220v-110v adaptor is usually part of the machine. There are multi-plug and multi-USB adaptors by each bedside so that your devices aren’t in a mangle. They also leave room for those who need a CPAP plug.
Which electrical adaptors will we need for our Smartphones, cameras, etc?
Most modern digital appliances have the 220v-110v built in. All you’ll need is the plug adaptor, which is a 2-prong round European standard plug. From there, you can use your regular USB to device cable. As above – each cabin has adaptors by each bedside. Your device cables need not be in a mess and you can still plug in a CPAP.
Are there onboard hairdryers, shampoo etc?
Yes, hairdryers are provided in each of Athos’ en suite bathrooms. We also carry an onboard cosmetics range by Etre Bio. They include: luxury organic shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and soap.
How long is a cruise onboard Athos?
6 nights and 5 days. Athos meets passengers at 4pm on Sundays and finishes on the following Saturday morning by 10am.
How long is the canal du Midi, and will we cruise from end to end of it while we are onboard Athos?
The Canal du Midi is 241 km long, reaching from Bordeaux to the Mediterranean. Athos cruises a section of about 90 km over her cruise week. Athos beings at the Port of Argeliers and finishes at Marseillan Port on the Mediterranean Etang de Thau. Cruise direction alternates every other week.
Is it best to have the Athos cabin configured as 2 twin beds or 1 queen-sized bed?
This is entirely up to you and one of the questions that we ask on our Special Requirements form. The beds measure 190 cm x 80 cm as twin beds, or 190 cm x 160 cm as 1 queen bed. There is space of 60 cm between the two beds when configured as twin beds. Set up as 1 queen bed, there is the same 60 cm space down one side of the cabin, and space at the foot of the bed to get in and out. For people who get up frequently in the night or have mobility issues, two twin beds is a more user-friendly option.
We only drink Decaf Coffee – will there be any onboard?
Athos has a SAECO espresso machine onboard. Our hostesses are happy to step up as baristas over the course of your week. Decaf espresso, or French press are available. Passengers may also opt for traditional teas, or, herbal teas. Feel free to mention your preferences on the Special Requirements form that we’ll ask you to complete pre-cruise.
I am gluten intolerant (or have another significant dietary concern). Is Athos’ Chef able to cater to my needs?
Yes. The Athos Chef and crew cater to a variety of dietary needs and restrictions. They are often congratulated for providing creative and tasty alternatives for gluten-free, meatless or low sodium meals. Again, we ask Athos passengers to let us know well in advance about their dietary needs. This helps us to stock alternate ingredients, and to make extra safeguards against cross contamination.
I have some mobility limitations and use a cane that converts to a seat / or a wheelchair. Will I be able to participate in all the shore excursions while we are with Athos?
Athos Guide and crew make adaptations for passengers with mobility limitations. Athos onboard fittings include: a gang plank with rope hand-rails, 2 steps to the deck with side rails, 4 steps down to the salon with solid wood handrails. Also, a shower-stool and a small step for the slightly higher cabin beds can be requested. Equally, there is enough space in Athos minivans for a folding wheelchair. Where possible, Athos crew adapt and make wheelchair entry manageable.
Each evening, the Athos Guide discusses the next day’s shore-excursion plan with passengers. Based on that chat, they’ll make changes as needed. He knows the tour areas well and will find work-arounds to offer the best experience for everyone. The cobble streets in some Medieval towns like Carcassonne or the old centre of Narbonne are complicated for wheelchairs or for shaky footing. Occasionally, the guide walks shorter distances with part of the group, or suggests a café-break while others continue exploring on foot.
There are always crew members onboard and so it is ok to opt out of the visits and relax onboard. Most important, passengers are welcome to take each day and shore-visit according to their energy levels. Athos crew will make it as comfortable and workable for them as possible.
My husband / wife / son is 6ft ++ and wants to know if they will have trouble getting around the boat because of their height.
This is asked more times than you think! Rest assured, tall people, you’ll be alright on Athos.
Julian is 6ft’4 and lived onboard for many years. Without fail, he learned how to duck through the small wheelhouse doors. Fortunately, as a passenger, you are not required to go through the wheelhouse unless you want to.
The salon has plenty of head clearance, with a 9 ft ceiling. Cabins ceilings are slightly lower at 7ft. Doorways through cabins and corridor are standard at 6’8.
Do you have other questions that should feature on Athos’ FAQs board? Please, write to us and let us know!