A bachelor/bachelorette party aboard a barge, a great idea!

The programme usually includes games of varying degrees of fun, relaxation and, often... a fair amount of alcohol. If you've chosen to celebrate this moment on board one of our boats, here are a few tips to ensure that your hen (or stag) party goes off without a hitch.

Unbreakable crockery

As is often the case when friends get together, there can be a lot of excitement, and sometimes... broken crockery. When you return to the base at the end of the cruise, the base manager will check the condition of the boat and its equipment, including the crockery. If there's only one broken glass, chances are he won't say anything to you; on the other hand, if you bring back a boat where all the crockery on board has to be replaced, you run the risk of having the value of the damaged goods deducted from your deposit!

The best way is not to use disposable crockery, which is extremely harmful to the environment. Instead, use washable bamboo for the plates, recyclable wood for the cutlery and, for the glasses, why not use individual tumblers personalised with photos of the bride and groom.

This type of goblet will leave a lasting impression on guests and, above all, will also be remembered by those who are taking part in the party but won't be at the wedding.

This type of crockery has nothing but advantages. It's washable, reusable and, should it fall into the water, it won't sink but float: there's nothing to stop you - you could even say it's a code of good conduct - from using a landing net the next morning to pick up any rubbish in the water, whether it's made of wood, plastic or bamboo.

And remember: the place was clean before you arrived... leave it in the same condition when you leave!

Preparing meals

To make life on board easier to organise, especially meals, plan your menus in advance. To avoid running out of the last ingredients you need, bring as many as possible of the ingredients, food and drinks you will need for your stay on board.

On board your NICOLS barge you will have :

• a 220-litre fridge with freezer compartment
• a mini oven for reheating pizzas or ready-made meals.
• You can also hire a plancha barbecue from the base, so you can organise a nice little barbecue party during your cruise!

Don't forget to bring your own food!

Hire a barbecue for barbecue parties

The one who steers is the one who doesn't drink

Traditionally, these parties are often quite alcoholic. Whether or not you agree to drink alcoholic beverages, there is one rule to bear in mind: the person who steers, or who will steer if necessary, does not drink a single drop of alcohol.

The safety of all the guests and the boat may be at stake if you can count on someone who will remain totally sober and who can, for example, move the boat if it gets in the way (you never know) or throw the buoy in the event of an accidental fall into the water.

This ‘Sam’ has a major responsibility for the smooth running of the EVJF and should be selected from people you can trust... And who know how to handle a boat. He or she should therefore take part in the sailing instruction given by the base manager when the keys to the boat are handed over

Games that won't end up in the water

While a stag party is often accompanied by a variety of games, avoid as far as possible any games that could result in a fall into the water. There is a risk of drowning for the participants and even the best swimmers will lose some of their skills through fatigue, alcohol, food, etc.

So have fun, but be careful. On land, stay relatively far from the water's edge: move away from the bank to organise your games. On the boat, be responsible, both when sailing and when moored alongside: don't behave in a risky way that could lead to falls or accidents.

And if you inadvertently fall overboard, use the safety buoy at the back of the boat to rescue the person. Help the person back on board using the bathing ladder - compulsory safety equipment - at the stern of the boat. If necessary, call the emergency services (18 or 112), specifying the location of your boat: find the kilometre point (PK) where you are moored in the river guide and give it to the emergency services so that they can reach you as quickly as possible.

Avoid town centres

A stag or hen party is usually held in a remote location. The idea is to be able to make a bit more noise than normal, play a bit of music or let the laughter flow.

For these reasons, we recommend mooring the boat to a pontoon or to poles in the countryside. You'll then have plenty of time to make as much noise, sing, laugh and chat as you like - the night is yours!

Bateau sali, on le nettoie

After the party, it's almost inevitable that the boat will be relatively dirty from guests. If only because of trampling, spilt drinks or food that has fallen on the floor. The interior and exterior of the boat must be cleaned before you return your riverboat at the end of your stay. Don't forget that you left a cleaning deposit when you boarded, and to get it back you must return the boat as clean as you found it!

Tip: water from the canals of rivers and streams, while not always drinkable, is very useful for cleaning the deck and foredecks of the boat. And it's an activity that can be carried out on the return journey, in a smaller group, to celebrate on a high note and avoid any disputes when the keys are handed over to the base manager.

To clean up, no chemicals, only ecological solutions. In fact, the water on the deck of the boat will be returned to the river, along with the rinsing solutions. More often than not, the best cleaner is elbow grease and water, which clean the decks of Nicols barges without any real difficulty.

Fun and enjoyment with respect for all

A stag or hen party is an important moment in a person's life, a joyous and fun occasion. The groom, bride and guests are all there to have fun, to the detriment of everyone else. Especially not the neighbours.

Whether it's your neighbours on the pontoons, in the harbour or in town, try as far as possible to be discreet and respect a few simple principles, as well as other harbour users: don't climb onto a third party boat, or even slam the door of the harbour toilets.

In short, it's all about good manners and having fun, both on land and on the water!