MS De Willemstad

Boat Bike Tours

Boat Bike Tours

Boat Bike Tours

Boat Bike Tours

The comfortable ship was completely renovated and converted in 2017/2018. There are two tour leaders on board during the tours with this ship. The ship was used for cycling cruises for several years on the Danube river under its previous name Arlene II. Look forward to meeting nice people, riding beautiful bike tours and spending pleasant hours on board. All cabins are ‘outside cabins’ that are equipped with two single beds, TV, mini safe and individually controlled air conditioning. Each cabin has a bathroom with shower, toilet and hairdryer. There are 8 suites (approx. 15 m² / 161 sq.ft) with a French balcony and opening floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door, two single beds, set together as a queen size bed and a small seating area. On the upper deck there are also

16 twin cabins (approx. 10 m² / 108 sq.ft) with two separate single beds. The twin cabins on the upper deck have a panoramic window that can be opened. There are 24 twin cabins with two separate single beds and a large window with an upper hinged window that can be opened for ventilation. In the salon / bar with large panoramic windows on the upper deck, you can review the day’s experiences in a pleasant way while enjoying a beer or a glass of wine. Your physical well-being is taken care of in the tastefully furnished and air-conditioned restaurant on the lower deck. The spacious and partly covered sundeck offers space to let the landscape pass comfortably in a deck chair. The bicycles are stored on the rear part of the sun deck.

Boat Bike Tours

Tour

Embarkation and check-in between 2 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. in Amsterdam. Take the opportunity to go shopping, to explore downtown Amsterdam, to make a canal cruise or to visit a museum. At 5 p.m. welcome drink and safety instructions, dinner and first briefing on board. During dinner short cruise to Zaandam.

The first cycling trip of this tour takes you via small villages through the beautiful flat and green polder landscape. The first stop is at the Zaanse Schans open air museum (free entry) with its traditional Old Dutch wooden houses, windmills and the cheese- and clog factory. After this visit you will cycle through the “Land of Leeghwater”, a green polder area between Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Hoorn. Stroll through the former whaler’s village De Rijp and pass by the windmills of Schermerhorn. Your ship will be waiting for you near the historical city center of Alkmaar.

Today you can discover the beautiful North-Holland Dune reserve. This is a 5.300 hectare large forest- and dune area with its unique landscapes. In these dunes the drinking water for almost the whole province of North-Holland is gained. After a visit to the beach and artists village Bergen you will return to Alkmaar where you can visit the wonderful city center. In the afternoon the ship will sail over the North-Holland Canal to the navy harbor of Den Helder.

After breakfast you’ll take a 20-minute ferry ride (ticket included) from Den Helder to the isle of Texel, where you can make beautiful cycling tours on the largest of the Dutch North Sea Isles. Ride through meadows, nature parks and dunes to small villages and have the opportunity for a stop and some bathing at the sandy North Sea beach, or visit the “Ecomare” seal sanctuary. In the late afternoon you will return by ferry to Den Helder. During dinner your ship will sail to Den Oever.

The vessel will cross the large inland lake IJsselmeer to sail to Stavoren in the Province of Friesland. You can opt for a shorter or longer cycling tour: discover the nature area of Gaasterland or explore a part of the wide lake district, that Friesland is well-known for. You can also combine both options. Night in the small harbor of Stavoren, one of the famous traditional 11 cities of Friesland.

The ship will cross the IJsselmeer again during breakfast. Take the short cycling trip from Medemblik along the IJsselmeer coast directly to Enkhuizen, where you can spend the afternoon. Enkhuizen is an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. The “herring city” boasts a beautiful old harbor, a historical old town centre and the very interesting Zuiderzeemuseum. If you prefer a longer cycling tour, ride from Medemblik to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, in the 17^th century one of the world’s leading harbors. Enjoy your lunch break and make a short stroll in the old city centre. Continue by bicycle to Enkhuizen via some picturesque rural villages. In the evening you can join a short city walk.

During breakfast the ship will sail to Volendam. Your final day of cycling will lead you through the beautiful area of Waterland, with its hundreds of small lakes and tiny canals. Near Volendam you will have the opportunity to visit a cheese farm. Recommended (extra cycling miles) is a tour to the former island of Marken, to continue through the water shaped region of Waterland back to the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. If you didn’t go for a canal cruise on the first day, you can do so today.

You holiday ends leaving the ship after breakfast abaout 09.30 a.m.

Itinerary and program changes:

The planned route is always subject to possible changes due to nautical, meteorological or organisational reasons. If, for example, a route cannot be travelled due to low water, high water, bad weather or construction work, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety. This is not a legally valid reason for cancelling the trip free of charge. The same applies in the event of officially ordered lock or bridge repairs or in the event of engine or propulsion damage to the ship through no fault of the captain.

As your ship usually sails to the next harbour on the same day, your time frame for your own activities and sightseeing is limited. On some bridges, the clearance height is so low that the sun deck is closed for your safety.

SGR Guaranteefund:

For this trip, there is a fee of 5.00 euros per traveller for the SGR guarantee fund. This fee is mandatory for this trip and will be shown separately on the invoice.

Map

Prices / Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services / Info

Services

7 x accomodation in outside cabins with shower/WC and air conditioning in the booked category
Full board (7x breakfast, packed lunch, 7x 3-course dinner)
Coffee and tea on board until 4 p.m.
Welcome drink and tour briefing
Music evening on board
Daily cabin cleaning
Bed linen and towels
Daily programme and tour briefing
Some short tours
Ticket for the ferry to Texel
Map material and information package (1x per cabin)
7-day hotline service

Info

Below you will find specific information about the bike and boat tour in Holland. If you have further questions about this trip, you simply call us: Phone: 06421 – 886890.

Arrival by train
Amsterdam is easily accessible from all major cities in Germany by train. You will receive detailed information about where to find the ship together with your tour documents approx. 2 weeks prior to your arrival. Current schedule information and price information can be found at: www.bahn.de.

Train Connections

Parking possibilities in Amsterdam
If you come to Amsterdam by car, we recommend that you use Centralparking.nl 's valet service, which we offer with a pick-up and return service ("Valet Parking"). You will receive a registration form with the travel documents.

Valet Parking:
With valet parking, you drive your own car to the ship, from where your car is driven by a driver to a monitored parking area. A driver will be waiting for you in front of the ship, who will help you with your luggage. The driver, who is familiar with the area and the vehicle, will bring your car to a parking lot where your car will be parked under constant camera surveillance; When you return from the trip, your car will be in front of the ship within about 30 minutes of your call, so you can board and drive straight away.

Benefits of the Centralparking Valet Service
No waiting, no loss of time, no boarding/departing/changing bus journeys, no need to carry luggage.
Because you reserve in advance, you have the security that a parking space is available.
You are immediately at your destination without having to take a taxi or public transport.
Your car is parked safely and guarded.
Reliable and responsible drivers with the appropriate papers take care of your vehicle.
Centralparking Valet Parking is cheaper than many public car parks in Amsterdam and is accessible 24/7.

How much does valet parking cost from Centralparking?
Valet parking: For only around €185.00 you can park your vehicle (car) securely and guarded for a week, including 2 x transfer services for your car.

Luggage
Please notice that in the cabins is only a very little space for a suitcase!

Available rental bikes
So-called unisex bikes are available (suitable for men and women). They have a 7-speed gear shift with coaster brake and are available in different frame sizes. Please enter therefore your weight when booking the tour. On request and extra charge some electric bikes can be made available.

Bring your own bikes
It is possible to take your own bicycle on board to a limited extent. There is limited space available on the ship "De Willemstad" for an additional charge. For safety reasons, it is not possible to charge the batteries of your own electric bikes in the cabin and the crew will inform you where you can charge your battery on deck/on board. In this case, the ship's crew and organiser are not liable for any damage, loss or theft of your own bike or e-bike. It is necessary to book in advance if you wish to take your own bike with you.

Lactose-free and gluten-free food
If you require lactose-free or gluten-free food, this is possible on board. There is a surcharge for this, which must be paid on board. Please indicate when booking if you require a lactose-free or gluten-free diet.

Extra costs which are not included in the tour price
Guaranteefund € 5.00 per person, will be shown separately on the invoice, arrival and departure, parking fees, drinks and coffee and tea after 4 p.m., rental bikes, entrance fees and excursion fees, personal insurance, tips and personal expenses.

7 days hotline service
In case of chain breakdown, flooding or other bad surprises that makes a continuation of your tour impossible: no problem, we also work during weekends and you can reach us 7 days a week in case of emergency.

Passport and visa requirements
For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Travel insurance
We recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Your travel expert for this tour