Photographs © John H. Luxton 2011

English Holiday Cruises were established in 1992 to operate cruises on the River Severn and the Sharpness and Gloucester Canal. The company’s first vessel was a Dutch barge which dated from 1922. This was converted into a large four deck cruise ship styled to represent a Mississippi river paddle steamer – albeit propelled by a screw propeller with a stern paddle wheel which rotated as the ship moved. This vessel was named OLIVER CROMWELL and featured on a number of TV travel programmes during her career which began in 1993. During her period of operation she carried over 30,000 passengers in her twin berth cabins. She is the largest river cruise vessel to have operated in the UK.

OLIVER CROMWELL operated alongside EDWARD ELGAR her smaller purpose built in 2000 until retired in 2008 due to her age and problems caused by silting in some locations. OLIVER CROMWELL has been berthed at Alexandra Quay in Gloucester’s historic docks as a floating hospitality venue, night club and hotel providing accommodation for coach tour groups since 2009.