Specialist boating holiday agency, Waterways Holidays has introduced more than five million pounds’ worth of top of the range narrowboats and cruisers to its portfolio of hire boats for the 2012 season.

The company reports strong demand for high quality boats with the latest technological advances, fixtures and fittings such as satellite TV tracking domes allowing FreeSat TV channels.

“People increasingly look for the same high specifications in a holiday afloat as they enjoy at home” says Waterways Holidays’ managing director Nigel Richards, “and it’s not unusual to find on board features such as full body massage showers, premium sound systems, wine coolers and flat screen satellite TVs with USB connectivity – not to mention both bow and stern thrusters with joystick control to assist with easy mooring and manoeuvring.

“Waterways Holidays boating holiday sales revenue increased by 5.1% for 2011 compared to 2010, with boats at the top end of the range representing the major growth sector.  For 2012 we expect to see significant further expansion in bookings for new luxury narrowboats and cruisers.”

As an example of what’s new for 2012, Royale Light is a 44ft high specification cruiser (sleeps eight) which features granite effect work tops, teak and holly laminate strip flooring throughout, comfort sprung bed systems, bow and stern thrusters, satellite tracking dome to receive FreeSat channels, LCD TV/DVD and a premium sound system.