Norfolk Broads Direct Reviews 

We have booked with you for many years and always thought yours was the cleanest fleet. Unfortunately it’s was not so this time. The boat especially on the outside needed a good clean, in fact my husband spent the week cleaning it 😂 also we were told that there were no curtain for the main sitting area, and we had to peg towels up at the windows for some privacy, only to find them under a seat half way through the holiday which was a bit annoying. Overall we had a fab holiday, but attention to detail goes a long way with us, so we would consider another yard next time.

We have had one of the best holidays ever! We hired the Fair Crusader (this was our first time hiring a boat) & we were not disappointed. The boat is very well equipped and easy to handle. Plenty of fuel provided allowed us to explore most of the northern Broads - a peaceful 3 night break. It was a bonus to drive from the top of the cruiser so we could see a lot of wildlife and had amazing views.

This was our 9th holiday with NBD and as always the staff were very friendly and helpful. The apartment was very clean and there was plenty of spare towels and bed linen, my only criticism is that while the other apartments have been beautifully upgraded number 12 hasn’t been. It really is time that the en-suites were replaced.

Very enjoyable holiday the boat was very clean and a joy to drive special mention to the boat yard staff who where very helpful from handover and throughout excellent service its was very very hot and theses guys just kept working away

Very nice holiday, staff friendly, but the armchairs and sofas were very uncomfortable, the depth is way too deep and makes it impossible to sit comfortably

This is our 5th year booking our boating holiday with Norfolk Broads Direct (NBD) and what can I say but it was perfect, from the initail starting of booking the holiday to the very last day.

The booking process is easy and the staff are very helpful. We were informed of all the costs and what you are paying for your holiday, there are no hidden charges/fees.

We booked the Fair Prince 2 for our boating holiday, as this vessel accommodated 2 adults very comfortably, plus the craft is easy to manouver on the rivers and when mooring. One of the bonuses of the Fair Prince is the canopy slides back, which opens up the sitting and driving area to gives you a more easy access view of the beautiful scenery, as you travel on the broads

The craft has a separate eating and galley area to the living area, which has enough space for 2 people to relax, whilst the boat is at moorings. The bedroom consisted of a slightly small double bed, with bedding supplied for your stay. attached to the bedroom is the toilet/shower/sink, that does the job for a short stay holiday.

The vessel is well equipped with all the necessary items you need for your holiday. ranging from kitchenware (Microwave, Toaster, Kettle) cooking equipment (Pans, Frying Pan, Bowls, utensils), crockery and cutlery. to a small fridge, which is about half the size as a normal fridge (Keep that in mind when bringing refridgerated ingredients).

As for the holiday, on arrival we parked the car in the secure parking area, went to the main office to register we had arrived. Whilst waiting for notification that the boat is ready, we had a short walk in to Wroxham to get a few things (Maggots for fishing, a bit to eat etc)

Once the boat was ready, we recieved a text and procedued to the boat to load our baggage on to the craft and to meet with the company representitive, who are all very friendly and knowledgable.

Our representitive was Becky, she went through the various safety features of the boat to get us familiarised with them. Becky took us out on a short trip from the boatyard and down the river to give us advice on how to handling the boat and the rights/wrongs of traveling on the rivers, as well as how to moor safely. All this time you are steering the boat, to show your handling skills to the representitive. After the short tripe assessment we return to the boat yard to drop off Becky and our holiday started.

From the start to finish of the holiday it peaceful and tranquil, going at our pace, and the speed limits of the rivers. Each evening we planned where we wanted to go and how far it was, worked out were to stop for breaks or to have a look at places. The whole holiday was relaxing and a great way to unwind.

One of the great experiences of the holiday is crossing Brydon Waters to get to the other side of the braods. You have to work out the tides as you can only go under the bridge at Great Yarmouth Yatching Station on a low tides, But for me visiting places like Beccles and the oulton broads is beatuiful, especially if you manage to be at Oulton Broads on a Thursday, when on occassions they hold powerboat racing.

Overall our boating holiday on the Broads and hiring through NBD was a great experience and one that I will be doing again next year.

Firstly we have been with NBD for a number of years and been more than happy. However this year the boat was not the cleanest it looked like it hadn’t been cleaned including the cooker which was rotten. We request 4 double beds but the bow was left as 2 singles. There was only 4 quilts so the 4th bedroom would not have had a quilt. The beds were not made up either which we have always found a nice touch on arrival. The back rests of the upper deck seating were missing and when I asked about them I was told they were previously damaged and decided not to replace them, this left the connection arm sticking out and a number of my crew banged their legs on them. We booked this boat based on number of rooms and the upper deck area. We felt we didn’t get what we paid for. The upper deck driving position, the wheel boss was leaking oil when driving for more than a hour. We have always returned to NBD based on the fleet being the nicest and newest fleet, friendly staff but felt let down by the quality of this boat which is in need of a refit

Lovely boat, staff were friendly and helpful.

We have been with NBD many times and this time had Fair Majesty 2. To be honest not the best boat for our needs. Prefer a separate shower, electric mud weight and struggled with the canopy even though we are two fit adults. Much prefer the electric canopy. Staff again were lovely and helpful and the welcome pack as always fabulous.
We will return again but just not this boat..

Great boat and great team at Norfolk Broads Direct. Fair Marquess is a fantastic boat for 2 people. Easy to get on and off and patio doors direct from the bedroom. Full size shower cubicle, bow thrusters, steer from high position outdoors for great views or inside the cabin if the weather is poor. The team at NBD are very friendly, knowledgeable and always happy to help. Thanks for another great break which passed all too soon.

Friendliness of all the staff, cleanliness of the craft and the handover to make sure we understood the operation of the boat

Good communication on phone when booking
2 very helpful ladies in office.
Lovely welcome pack and nice gentleman who "ringed" all the pubs for us.
The boat was lovely cant fault it at all.
The weather perfect
However it was disgustingly filthy.
That boat had NOT been cleaned at all.
Cupboard for the clothes were full of cobwebs, bath full of hairs, toilet smelt as tho it wasnt emptied. Crumbs everywhere. We are a family of cleaners for a living and wow we were shocked at the cleanliness or lack of. The toilet/shower room had urine down the front of the loo my daughter didnt see it until she had a shower and she ended up standing in it!!!
We spent all day cleaning.. the last straw was the cooker... full of grease and the toast rack 1 inch of fat in the bottom. Now we never ate on the boat thats why we had a map ringed with pubs. I dont cook on holiday and i certainly didnt expect to clean either.
Please consider changing your staff and get someone who knows how to clean
Even the public toilets were disgusting there are hundreds of people visiting that place everyday it shouldn't be like that.
It turns people off going back!!
Filthy toilets NOT acceptable

Great long weekend on Norfolk Broads with NBD.
Everything ran very smoothly, easy collection and return. Boat was exactly as described, very clean, all onboard amenities are of a decent quality.
Would definitely use again.

Great break as always. Team fantastic the office makes arrival excellant Pat Becks and the back room make the boats brilliant. Great again for another year well done and thanks

Fair statesman is a fantastic example of a boat very roomy great lay out easy to handle just a fab boat all round x

The boat could have been better, interior dusty, exterior did not look like it had been cleaned windows dirty, no mop to clean the decks
We did enjoy the the cruising and visited many places

A relaxing and cearfree holiday. With so many interesting places to see and visit, all at your own pace.

It’s the first time we have booked Fair Marquess 2! We loved the boat, the staff were friendly, efficient and helpful.
We had 10 days on the beautiful Norfolk Broads, especially the River Ant, which is our favourite!

I thought from the point of our arrival the staff were great the location also and the craft we selected was a good choice, thanks and we will see you again next year.

The people who work in reception are so nice and very helpful. Your company must be doing good as this was our thirty year staying with you