Friendly staff. Boat available early. Goody bag most welcome. Extra bedding and towels provided for our second week. Towels could be a little bigger. Boat was immaculately presented as always. Parking... See more
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With over 125 miles of stunning waterways and vast diverse wildlife to discover we know that a boating holiday has something for all of the family to enjoy. At Norfolk Broads Direct our visitors are our primary focus and we aim to ensure your visit to the Norfolk Broads lives long in the memory.
Contact info
The Bridge, Wroxham, NR12 8RX, Norwich
- 01603 782207
- info@broads.co.uk
- www.broads.co.uk
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a great boating holiday
getting onboard and casting off all went very smoothly, having experience and being prior customers helped.
Our biggest issue was that the boats batteries had low voltage, our 50 minute journey to our first nights stop did little to charge them. the fridge wouldn't work at low voltage and our night stop-off didn't have shore power. as we didn't get to a shore power supply until the middle of the next day all our food in the fridge was spoiled. This made a big impact on meals for the next few days. once the batteries had been charged the boats engine kept them charged.
overall we had a fantastic holiday even with the indifferent weather we experienced.
The apartment was lovely but the pigeon…
The apartment was lovely but the pigeon issue needs resolving the gutters are full of poo and the stairwell landing and handrails always covered in pigeon poo which will put us off returning
We both had a fantastic time as usual…
We both had a fantastic time as usual on the broads with the fair president which was extremely spacious for the two of us , we really liked the boat which was very easy to handle however we both thought the boat in places was looking a bit tired especially the window frames and the panoramic sun roof which looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a good while. Overall we have to say the service from NBD and the boat was very good and we will be back..
NBD totally professional service
From the first contact with NBD (Becky) we were assured that the holiday would be managed by a competent, professional team. From Booking to arriving at the quay communication was excellent. The boat handover was easy and clear thanks to Dylans easy manner and precise instruction. The Broads delivered a delightful, peaceful weekend.
End-to-end pretty good - very minor picking points
End-to-end, it was good and pretty easy.
Parking was easy. Signage could be better, but no big deal. Queues and waiting to get on the boat were short. The walk through the boat was simple and clear - with videos available beforehand. The boat was great. Bedrooms were very good. Showers and toilets very good and good.
Only fault was one less-than-helpful and terse boatyard person telling us "what we could NOT do" instead of telling us "what to do". But no-one is perfect.
Unforgettable holiday!
We were treated very well from the start upon arrival. The boat was well prepared and clean. The preparation and handover was professional and we were able to leave the port with confidence. The holiday was wonderful and we had an unforgettable experience. One thing we did miss, however, were the gauges for fuel, water and grey water levels, leaving us to constantly guess where we were at. However, this did not spoil our holiday.
The Marquess overall was a lovely boat
The Marquess overall was a lovely boat, with a few minor issues.
1. The bow thruster on the upper helm
worked intermittently.
2. The seating at both helms becomes
uncomfortable after a while owing to
the distance from the controls, and
the lack of a back rest.
3. The mattress was uncomfortable.
We would hire the boat again but are
looking for something that solves
some of these issues.
Thank you, yours, Eric.
We’ve been coming to wroxham for 30…
We’ve been coming to wroxham for 30 plus years and we’ve never had any problems

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Great place
The accomadation was lovely and very clean and comfortable great place too stay in a beautiful place

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
15 minute lesson to be in control of a great white shark
We arrived approximately 2.00pm checked in and were contacted approximately 3.40pm to go to boat
Given it was our first time I think the test drive was short and not all that informative given we were away to drive a 50 foot cruiser. We also encountered a few problems outwith our control and called engineer to rectify. Given the cost of hire I would have expected a descent shower and more towels.

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Was a great trip
Was a great trip, the Fair President is well appointed and easy to use. The Broads are a great place to visit and just chill out for a few days.

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Great company would definitely recommend
Fair Regeant 3 for a week - Super communication from start to finish. Run well from moment we got there. From pleasant staff to texting letting us know what was happening. The whole procedure was effortless and flowed superbly well. Great company that includes everything with no hidden extras. Boat was excellent and in a very clean condition and good state. If I was going be picky did find the bed very hard but it’s not a proper bed mattress your on a boat it is what it is you adapt and make do. Boat was perfect for two people, good size spacious airy with lots of windows and a sliding canopy good facilities on board the boat and had everything you need. Loved the welcome pack and bottle of Prosecco. Would definitely recommend and use again a really great company and boat was a brilliant weeks holiday on the broads. Good value for money for the week.

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Good people,good boats but ours was…
Good people,good boats but ours was just beginning to show a bit of age for a premium boat that cost over£2000 for a long weekend! So I can’t give it 5 stars,sorry.
Our double(at stern end) was tiny and incredibly hard.
Bathroom sink very difficult to wash/shave in as under the edge of the boat. Shower ok though.
Mid ship double very hot and cramped as its bed is half under the mid deck. Bow bedroom, two singles probably best room.
But generally well equipped and steers well.
Ludham bridge exciting!!

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
A really great boatyard
A really great boatyard. The staff here are amazing - always make you feel really welcome and relaxed, and big smiles all round. The boat selection are great (although not yet managed to get Regal!) and the whole experience exceptional. best boatyard on the Broads

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Excellent boat and service
We had Majesty 1 for four nights, boat was lovely and clean, beds made up and towels provided (although if you are used to larger bath sheets - bring your own), as well as washing up liquid, sponge,J-cloth and tea towels and all kitchen/cooking equipment needed, but we brought our own non-stick pan as we knew from experience, they are not provided. Very efficient check in and out, goody bag was an unexpected bonus, with prosecco, tea, coffee, milk sachets, sugar, biscuits and crisps, also bags of dog treats if taking your dogs. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Only negative comment is that you don’t get reimbursed for fuel you don’t use, which other providers do, we didn’t use much fuel at all so having a refund on the full tank would have given NBD 5 stars!

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Staff and assistants very nice
Staff and assistants very nice, polite, helpful, knowledgeable.
Unfortunately the boat we had fair empress was less impressive.
I did not like anything about it, visibility in wet weather poor, cleanliness of the boat was not great, cooker, toilets and outside area not very clean.
Mop was dirty.
It cost over £1800 which is quite expensive for 4 days, I don't think this boat was worth it.
It's also quite old and tired.
I

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
More training
More training especially for beginners and what to do if trying to navigate in the boatyard during a storm with minimum visibility. Also a map with public moorings shown.

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
We have really enjoyed our holiday with…
We have really enjoyed our holiday with you it was fantastic everyone so friendly we had a boat it was a lovely experience even my little dog enjoyed himself cotman cottage was really nice but l think you could do with putting a slip mat in the bath because it was slippery when you’re having a shower but all in all wonderful holiday thank you so much

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
This is the third time I have used NBD
This is the third time I have used NBD, and, as experienced previously, their service was first-class. From the time I arrived, I was warmly greeted, despite being two hours early due to travelling from overseas.
After being checked in, I was surprised that I could drive through the barrier to unload my luggage and then wait for the text to say the boat was ready. I had Fair Chancellor for three weeks. Everything was perfect with the boat. Spotless, neatly arranged, with extra towels and linens provided in a plastic bag for later use. As returning customers, the transfer was smooth and swift, and we were quickly on our way.

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Fair Jubilee 2
Likes - good handover and secure parking whilst away
Dislikes - this is our fifth broads boating holiday in two years and the first with NBD. Unfortunately the Fair Jubilee 2 left a lot to be desired regarding its cleanliness, dirt in door-runners, stained toilet and musty wet smell throughout the boat. Not the Premier Cruiser it was badged as on their website. Real shame.

Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
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