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Shannon River Cruising FAQ

If it's your first time to take a boat on the Shannon you'll have lots of questions. Below are the answers to the most common questions we're asked about Shannon cruising holidays, divided into categories. Click on one of the main categories below for questions and answers in that category.

What if my holiday is cancelled due to covid 19?
The policy with most of the cruiser companies is if they can't operate due to covid 19 related restrictions a full refund will be provided for all payments made. If they can operate but you can't make it to the base then a voucher will be provided. Silverline Cruisers are voucher only and Manor House Marine require a 5% insurance payment to guarantee a refund for covid related cancellations. Any cancellations not related to covid 19 will be subject to the standard cancellation terms & conditions with the exception of Manor Marine, their insurance will cover other cancellation contingencies.

Do I need experience at handling a boat?
No. All of the cruiser companies we represent provide full tuition when you first take the boat, and will stick at it until you're happy that you can handle the boat.

Do I need a licence to drive a boat on the Shannon River?
No. At present no license is necessary to drive a boat on the river.

Can I hire a boat for less than a week?
Yes. Most (but not all) of the companies will let a boat for a period of three or four nights. These short breaks are subject to availability and usually can't be booked until two weeks before the cruise is due to begin but some of the larger companies are more flexible. Prices for short breaks vary from company to company - please contact us for a quote.

What's the minimum age to hire a cruiser?
The minimum age to hire a cruiser 21 - most of the cruise hire companies require at least two adults over 21.

Can I take a pet on board?
€60-€80.

What are the collection and return times?
Seven nights is really six and a half days as the boat can be collected from 16:00 and must be returned by 09:00 or 10:00 on the last day. For short breaks most companies will allow a 14:00 collection.

Can I hire a boat at any time of year?
No. The cruiser companies operate from March to October only and there are no boats available during the winter.

Is there somewhere to park my car?
Yes. There's free car parking at all of the marinas in Ireland with the exception of the Emerald Star marinas who charge €6 per night to park a car. This parking is not supervised at night but the crime rate is very low in rural Ireland and we have yet to hear of a car being interfered with at any marina on the river.

What are the payment terms?
Payment terms with all of the cruiser companies is 33% (40% with Emerald Star) of the boat hire fee to confirm the booking and the balance is paid six weeks before the cruise is due to begin. For short breaks the full hire fee is required to confirm the booking.

How do I Pay?
At Shannon River we can take payment by credit card online or by phone, bank transfer or cheque - cheque payments should be made at least six weeks before the cruise is due to begin. You can send your card details with the booking form that we send, or we can take it over the phone. You can also make a payment online in our customer area, we'll send login details when you book your boat. Our bank details are available on the booking form.

Are there any hidden costs?
Two costs to bear in mind are the refundable damage deposit and fuel. Refundable damage deposits vary from €850 to €3,200 depending on the boat and are paid directly to the cruiser company when you arrive using cash or a credit card. The damage deposit is fully refunded when the boat is returned undamaged. Many companies offer a damage waiver instead of the deposit - this is a smaller amount than the deposit but is not refundable. The main difference between the two is that the amount you pay is the maxumum amount you're liable for should the boat be damaged. You'll find more information with the listing for each boat.

Generally you'll have plenty of fuel for your holiday and the fuel tank will be refilled at the end of the cruise and the fuel costs calculated. Emerald Star charge per engine hour for fuel, there's a gauge on the dashboard that displays the engine hours. The smaller boats use around 3 litres of fuel per hour and the largest boats can use up to 10 litres per hour. Fuel costs approximately the same as diesel in a filling station, sometimes more depending on the company. You can check the fuel costs before you leave and there's a meter at the helm of each boat to show how many hours you've travelled. Running the engine slower will use less fuel.

Are the boats insured?
The boats are fully insured against damage, although there is an excess with each boat equal to the refundable damage deposit. Please note that you, your crew or your belongings are not insured and you may need to take separate travel insurance for these items.

Do I need a fishing license?
It's recommended that you buy a license for a nominal fee if fishing in the Shannon - these are usually available from the cruiser company. A license is required to fish on the Erne. Please note that live bait is not allowed on the boat at any time. You can get details information on fishing licences at Fishing in Ireland

How do I get to the marina?
You can get detailed information on getting to the marina HERE but a summary follows. Most of the companies that we represent provide a transfer service from Major airports to their marinas. Shared transfers take passengers from several flights and take them to marinas on the river, and these cost between €65 and €80 per person for the round trip (airport-marina-airport), and one way transfer are available for approximately half the price. More information on prices for transfers is available on each company page (go to the map page and click on the name of the hire company). Shared transfers are available on Saturday for most companies, and Wednesday or Friday may also be available depending on the time of year and the company in question. Private transfers are also available, prices on request.

What time can I collect the boat, and what time do I bring it back at?
The collection time with all of the cruiser companies is 4pm - this is to allow time for the boat to be cleaned and maintained from the previous crew. All of the companies try to get short breaks out at about 2pm and usually succeed unless the marina is very busy. The boat should be returned by 9am or 10am on the final morning depending on the company, again to allow time to clean and maintain the boat for the next crew.

What's on the boat?
Everything that you need to live on board is provided on the boat. Fresh bed-linen and towels, all cutlery and crockery, cooking utensils etc. Every boat has at least one bathroom with shower, and from four berth up most will have two or more. There is a fully functional galley on board with a small cooker and oven/grill and a small fridge.

Is there electricity on the boat?
All of the boats have 12v cigarette lighter sockets for charging mobile phones or laptops, although you'll need to bring your own adaptor. Some of the larger boats have limited 220v outlets, and some have special low-voltage hairdryers, televisions and DVD players. Some companies will provide an inverter for 220v power.

Some of the newer boats on the Shannon have shore power, which means that you can plug the boats power system into the quayside and have full 220v power. The problem is that shore power is relatively new in Ireland and there aren't too many places to plug in. Waterways Ireland are adding new shore power points along the river and there are a list of available shore power points in the Guide to Irelands Waterways booklet, available here

Is there Heating on the boat?
All of the boats have warm air central heating that runs of it's own motor so there's no need to run the main engine to heat the boat. You'll need to run the main engine for hot water.

Are life jackets and safety equipment provided?
Life jackets are provided for crew members of all ages, and the marina staff will be happy to fit life jackets to children. Fire safety equipment is also on board - fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

How fast do the boats go?
Not very fast. The idea of a Shannon River cruise is to relax and unwind, and most of the boats have a maximum speed of about 10-15Kph.

What do I need to take with me?
All of the cruisers are fully equipped with everything you need to live on board - bed linen, towels, soap, toilet paper, a fully equipped galley with cooker and hob, all crockery and cutlery, a fridge. Life jackets are available for adults and children and fire extinguisher(s) and a first-aid-kit are on board. Most of the companies will supply a torch, binoculars and a dinghy. One thing we always recommend at Shannon River is that you take some extra towels if possible. You will of course have to provide your own food and drinks and optional recommended items include rubber-soled shoes for grip and soft luggage that stores easily (although most of the companies will store hard luggage for you on request).

Which way do I go?
Any direction you want within the limits of navigation. Bear in mind the times it takes to get from place to place, we've come up with some suggested routes to give you an idea of the best route for you.

Do I have to pay to moor the boat?
Although there are some private marinas that charge for mooring, there's free mooring at every town and village on the length of the Shannon and Erne waterways. There's a charge to moor at Athlone and this mooring is supervised.  At busy times it's acceptable practise to moor alongside another boat if there are no free spaces.

What about Locks?
Your cruiser company will supply information on how to operate any locks that you come across. There are 16 locks on the Shannon Erne Waterway, all of which are automatic, and you will need a swipe card to use these locks. Swipe cards are available from your cruiser company, as well as from many shops along the waterway. These swipe cards can also be used to access facilities at harbours along the river, such as showers or laundry. Locks on the Shannon-Erne waterway are open from 9:00 to 20:00 during the hire season.
Locks on the River Shannon are operated by lock keepers, and cost €1.30 to pass through. The opening hours for the locks are:
March to Early April: 9:30 to 18:30 on weekdays, and 9:30 to 18:00 at weekends
Early April to late September: 9:30 to 19:30 on weekdays, and 9:30 to 18:00 at weekends
Late September to early November: 9:30 to 18:30 on weekdays, and 10:00 to 18:00 at weekends
Early November to March: 9:00 to 12:00 on weekdays, and 9:00 to 11:00 at weekends

Portumna Bridge Opening Times. The bridge at Portumna opens on a fixed schedule and the opening times are below;
March 14 - March 31: 10:00 11:00 12:30 14:30 16:30 17:30 on weekdays and 10:00 12:30 14:30 16:00 17:00 on Sundays
April 1 - September 30: 10:00 11:00 12:30 14:30 16:00 17:30 18:30 on weekdays and 10:00 11:00 12:30 14:30 16:00 17:00 on Sundays
October 1 - November 1: 10:00 11:00 12:30 14:30 16:30 17:30 on weekdays and 10:00 12:30 14:30 16:00 17:00 on Sundays
November 2 - March 13: 09:30 10:30 11:30 on weekdays and 09:30 10:30 on Sundays

Find Your Boat
Offers

Book 3-5 nights with Silverline and get an extra night free

Book 3-6 nights starting in October 2025 and get 15% off.

Book a cruise of 10 nights and pay for 7 with Silverline

Book your 2025 cruise with Carrick Craft and get 15% off.

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