VacationPort Partners with French Waterways to Bring Luxury Barge Cruises to North American Travel Advisors

A new partnership makes it easier than ever for advisors to showcase immersive, slow-travel journeys through rural France

 

[Portland, OR – September 26, 2025] – VacationPort (formerly Passport Online Inc.), the leader in travel content distribution for the leisure travel industry, is proud to announce its partnership with French Waterways, specialists in curated luxury hotel barge cruises throughout the French countryside. This collaboration gives North American travel advisors unparalleled access to a hand-picked collection of intimate, all-inclusive barge cruises—one of the cruise industry’s most refined and best-kept secrets.

 

“The VacationPort partnership supports French Waterways’ mission to provide travel advisors across North America with unparalleled access to an exceptional collection of hand-picked luxury barge cruises throughout the French countryside,” said Rosie Mansfield, CEO of French Waterways. “Barge travel is a hidden gem in the cruise world, and I want to help advisors who serve sophisticated clients seeking privacy, indulgence, and exquisite cuisine on their cruise vacation. Clients often say to me, ‘We want to be pampered,’ and then I know they’re in the right place. We’re proud to support our advisor partners with expert insight and truly bespoke and personalized service.

 

With more than 15 years of experience and deep local expertise, French Waterways offers immersive journeys aboard boutique floating hotels that glide through iconic regions like Burgundy, Provence, and the Loire Valley. Each cruise includes six nights aboard a fully crewed barge—complete with a private chef—offering refined gastronomy, vintage wines and champagnes, private transfers, expertly guided excursions, and enriching cultural experiences. These small-scale voyages are crafted for discerning travelers accustomed to the highest standards of comfort and service, delivering a level of personalization and elegance typically reserved for the world’s most prestigious hospitality experiences.

 

“At VacationPort, our goal is to provide travel advisors with seamless access to unique and high-quality travel experiences,” said Sarah Bauman, Vice President of Product Management for VacationPort. “French Waterways brings something truly special to our platform—slow, luxurious travel that advisors can now easily share with clients looking for authenticity, elegance, and intimate adventure.”

 

Through this partnership, advisors using VacationPort can now integrate French Waterways’ visually rich and informative offers directly into their digital channels, allowing them to inspire clients and drive demand for these one-of-a-kind cruise experiences.

 

About French Waterways

With more than 15 years of on-the-water expertise, no one knows the rivers and canals of France quite like the team at French Waterways. When you travel on a luxury hotel barge with us, you’ll experience a journey that’s thoughtfully curated, expertly guided, and deeply rooted in the beauty and culture of France’s quieter corners.

We specialize in barge cruises for travelers who value authenticity, elegance, and the joy of slow travel. Whether you’re marking a special anniversary, exploring with close friends, or seeking a solo escape rich in wine, food, and discovery — we welcome you aboard.

About VacationPort

VacationPort is a leading provider of digital solutions for the leisure travel industry, specializing in website development, rich web content, email marketing, and social media strategies. As a major content distribution channel, VacationPort helps leisure travel suppliers grow their digital presence by connecting with top consortia, retail travel agencies, professional home-based agent networks, and their clients. The platform powers millions of monthly shopping sessions across thousands of travel agency websites. For more information, visit https://vacationport.com.