It all depends on your priorities. Some are also built with the traditional materials, steel hulls carrying oak framed wooden cabins, and some have steel cabins, but all contain refinements the old boatman would never have dreamed of. The advantage of a trad style is that the steerer has a protected position against wet or cold weather and the additional advantage of the heat from the engine or the boatman's cabin stove around their legs. There is also a very real feeling of closeness to the canal traditions.
Friends can stand on the gunnels or sit on the roof.
The main seating area is in the bow. The Cruiser Style has a large flat rear deck which gives no protection, but it is large enough for several people to sit together at the rear - a useful feature for young families and older folk. Before you take over your boat, it is cleaned, serviced, checked and filled with water, gas and fuel. Operating the boat is easy and licenses or technical skills are not required. Beginners start with a tuition period which includes handling the boat and working a lock.