I absolutely love stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things. So, this summer I was thrilled when I had the chance to stay overnight on a houseboat. The experience was so cool and I highly suggest it to anyone wanting to set sail to their next adventure. With that said, there were definitely a few things that I wish I knew/considered before my stay, especially since I wasn’t staying on some superyacht.

Size:

Be prepared to be snug. The boat I was staying in was quite small. It’s basically a small studio apartment that moves if I’m being generous. I didn’t know what to expect, so I kept my expectations low. But when I walked in the first thing I thought was, “Wow, this is smaller than I expected, even just for two people.” Fortunately, the boat had two patios, one being the entire roof. This helped a lot because the inside was quite tiny.

Movement:

I had previously been on several boats, but they were either like canoe/kayak size or hundreds of people aboard—ferries, dinner cruises, etc. So, I had never been on a boat this size before and I was actually surprised at how much it moved. I, fortunately, don’t get seasick, but if you do, definitely be prepared for how much it moves. I found it quite fun actually, however, there were a few times that I had to catch my footing. I can’t imagine what it would feel like during a storm.

Internet/TV:

I honestly never considered in this day and age that I had to make sure a rental had internet, but it didn’t. Luckily, we had brought a game to play. So, I would just make sure that your rental has access to the internet and a TV, if that is important to you and/or come prepared.

Docking:

I really hadn’t considered the docking at all in my search for a houseboat to rent. But it is important to note that where the boat is docked might affect your view. If you are really close to the land it might hinder your total experience and the movement of the boat. I happened to be in the farthest dock, so I was out in the harbour, which allowed for a terrific view. Honestly, I would have been disappointed if I was docked closer to the shoreline. Location, location, location apparently applies to boats, too.

Kitchen:

With the rental I had, I wouldn’t have been able to cook basically anything. So, again, if that is important to you, just make sure to ask questions before you rent. However, I easily ordered food and had it delivered to the dock.

Climbing to the Top:

As I said earlier, we had a nice patio on the top of the boat, which was the best part of the stay, to be honest. We got to watch the sunset while enjoying wine on the roof, feeling the breeze. It was truly amazing. There was a ladder to get to the top, and the boat rocked a whole lot more once we were on the top.

Bed:

I don’t know if anyone would call what this rental provided an actual bed. It was like a platform with a flimsy cushion atop. It was super uncomfortable and I could not have slept on it long term. It was much smaller than it appeared in the rental photos, so make sure they have an actual bed, especially if you are booking for multiple days.

Noise Complaints:

The dock had strict quiet hours. This was disclosed to us before the rental, but it’s something to note. Most of the boats around us were empty, so it wasn’t really an issue, but depending on your neighbours it might be something to consider.

Bathroom:

Now, this was incredibly interesting, while also being quite uncomfortable. To call it tiny is an understatement. It’s similar to an outhouse, just hopefully cleaner. There was a button in the top corner, and it flushed like an aeroplane toilet. The “shower” was directly over the toilet, so I didn’t even attempt a shower while staying there. I had to use the kitchen sink to wash my hands and brush my teeth. Definitely far from a regular bathroom.

Overall my stay was far from luxurious, but still, a really cool experience and I definitely got to see Baltimore in a unique way. There are plenty of options for luxury houseboats as well if you’d prefer a more upscale vacation. But for me, sometimes the fun of staying somewhere new is the adventure that comes from being a bit uncomfortable. Happy travels!

This post is written by Jillian Pfennig. Follow The Mood Recipes for more posts like this one. 

About the Author: Jillian Pfennig is a freelance writer, artist, and photographer. Follow along with her adventures on Instagram @jillianpfennig