A 19
th-century waterway was dug across Sweden, using lakes wherever possible, between Stockholm and Gothenburg. In the summer months, three tiny veteran canal boats taking between 50 and 58 passengers ply the scenic route.
Fleet
Of the three vessels, the Juno, built in 1874, qualifies asthe world’s oldest registered vessel taking overnight passengers while theWilhelm Tham was completed in 1912, and the Diana is almost a spring chicken bycomparison, dating from 1931.
Itineraries
Most cruises, lasting four to six days, operate across Sweden between Stockholm and Gothenburg. Sights are small medieval towns, rural landscapes,forests, lakes and locks.
Dining and Decor
The food receives rave reviews with buffets at breakfast andlunch and served dinners geared toward the largely European passengers in anintimate wood-paneled setting.
Programs
Most excursions are on foot from the gangway withEnglish-speaking guides.
Onboard Experience
The cabins are tiny with upper and lower berths and sharedfacilities, and the public spaces few as this is a sightseeing tour across Sweden with lots of time spent ashore. Locals and tourists come down to see the boats lockthrough.
Competitors
Scotland’s Caledonian Canal is the only other Europeanwaterway that has anything remotely similar and the Scottish vessels are muchnewer and more luxurious. The European barges are a more gastronomic experiencewith the atmosphere of a private inland yacht and the riverboats have a muchlarger capacity.
