Bike Tour: Northern Tour of Holland - 8 days

Cycling cruise ship De Willemstad 
De Willemstad is the youngest member of the “family”, which also includes De Amsterdam, De Holland and De Nassau. 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.

Description of the cabins
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.

Upper deck: 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 13 twin cabins (approx. 10 m² / 108 sq.ft) with two separate single beds; 1 double cabin (approx. 10 m² / 108 sq.ft) with a double bed (140×200 cm) and 2 single cabins (approx. 7 – 8 m² / 75.35 – 86.11 sq.ft). The cabins on the upper deck have a panoramic window that can be opened.

Lower deck: There are 25 twin cabins with two separate single beds and a large window with an upper hinged window that can be opened for ventilation.

Description of the ship
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.

Facts about the ship:
Year of construction: 1986, renovation: 2017/2018
Flag: Dutch
Length: 91.35 m / 300 ft
Width: 10.45 m / 34 ft
Draught: 1.45 m / 5 ft
Passengers: 96
Crew: 20
Number of cabins: 48 / 49
Credit and debit cards (with PIN): Visa, Master Card (no cash payment possible)
Currency on board: Euro
Wi-Fi on board (for a fee)
Languages ​​on board: English / German

Cycling cruiseship De Holland
De Holland is a medium-sized cozy river cruise ship, built in 1952 and extended by 16 meters in 2012. In the winter of 2017/2018 the ship has been completely refitted: new marshalling, spacious and more luxurious cabins and a full restyle of the interior. The ship sails under Dutch flag and management and has always been very popular and appropriate for the Northern and the Southern Tours of Holland.

Description of the cabins
The lower deck has 23 twin cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.). Two twin cabins in the front have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches) and an additional fold away bunk bed as optional third bed (only for children). 20 Twin cabins have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). All lower deck cabins have a window (80 x 40 cm – 31 x 16 inches) that – for safety reasons – cannot be opened.

The upper deck offers nine identical twin cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.) and one suite (13 m² – 140 sq.ft.), all with two separate beds set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). All upper deck cabins and the suite have a “French Balcony” (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors) instead of a regular window. On previous request, in most cabins beds, normally set as hotel-style beds, can be arranged as two separate single beds. All 33 cabins aboard De Holland have an individual climate control system, digital TV, mini-safe, small wardrobe, hair dryer, 230V sockets and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. The suite has the same amenities as the superior twin cabins but is larger.

Description of the ship
De Holland has a large salon with large panoramic windows on the upper deck that combines the restaurant, bar and a lounge area. Wi-Fi is available. On the partially roofed sun deck, chairs and sun loungers invite for a stay. Here you can relax and have a drink and enjoy the scenery while sailing.  Bicycles will be stored on a separate part of the sun deck.

Facts about the ship:
Length:           78,3 m (257 ft.)
Width:             7,3 m (24 ft.)
Crew:               11
Cabins:            33
Pass.:               66 (max.)

Cycling cruisehip Arkona
The Arkona is a very well equipped river cruise ship and was completely refurbished during the winter of 2017/2018. The modern and elegant atmosphere aboard the vessel will make your journey a relaxed experience. In recent years, the vessel has been operated for river cruises in Germany.

Description of the cabins
The lower deck offers space to 33 twin cabins with a window that – for safety reasons – cannot be opened.
The upper deck has 12 twin cabins and two single cabins (11 m² – 135 sq.ft.) with a small double bed (140cm) with floor to ceiling panoramic window of which the upper half can be opened. All comfortable twin cabins (11 m² – 135 sq.ft.) have two separate single beds. One of the separate beds can be turned into a sofa during the day. All 47 cabins aboard the Arkona have an individual climate control system, TV, wardrobe, mini-safe, hair dryer, 230V and 115V sockets and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin.

Description of the ship
The Arkona has a restaurant and separate lounge area with bar on the upper deck. Both are spacious and modern with large panoramic windows. Wi-Fi is available. On the partially roofed sun deck, chairs and sun loungers invite for a stay. Here you can relax and have a drink and enjoy the scenery while sailing.  Bicycles will be stored on a separate part of the sun deck.

If you have special dietary wishes (vegetarian meals, lactose intolerance or gluten-free diet), then please indicate this when you book your tour. Vegetarian meals are always available, but we need to know in advance; in all other cases we will check the possibilities for the tour of your choice. In some cases, a small fee for preparing special meals will be charged. This mainly applies to lactose or gluten-free meals. Unfortunately, we cannot offer vegan meals. This is because the kitchens in our ships are not large enough to guarantee that the food can be prepared completely vegan. The available space on board is limited, so the chefs cannot store the necessary tools and supplies to prepare vegan food.

• Cycling route distances in the travel program are approximate.
• On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.
• If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
• The tour itinerary and route are subject to possible changes due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or other unforeseen events.
• On the arrival day, you can leave your luggage on board the ship from 11.00 am.
• Detailed cycling maps, route tips and a GPS app are available for guests who wish to cycle individually and at their own pace. The tour guide is always available via cell phone in case of questions, breakdowns or emergencies.

Included in this tour:

• 8 days/7 nights
• 7 x breakfast
• Packed lunches
• 7 x 3-course dinner
• Coffee and tea on board till 4 PM
• Welcome drink
• Use of bed linen and towels
• Daily cleaning of the cabin
• Climate-controlled cabin
• Daily briefings
• Semi guided cycling tours (guest cycle independently, tour leader also cycles the tour);
• Some short walking tours
• Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
• GPS tracks
• Use of a waterproof pannier bag
• Biodegradable water bottle
• Ferry ticket to Texel
• Wi-Fi is available in restaurant – data use is not included
• Live music on board
• Carbon offset payment to the non-profit organization Justdiggit

Not included in this tour:

• Coffee and tea on board after 4 PM
• Drinks
• Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
• Helmet rental
• Personal insurances
• Gratuities (at your discretion)
• Entrance fees and excursions
• Fees for ferries (ferry to Texel included)
• Transfers to/from the docking place
• Parking fees
• SGR Insolvency protection

• Rental bicycle: € 91 per week
• Rental E-Bike: € 245 per week (only on request, limited number available)
• Helmets: A helmet can be rented for € 10 per week, only on prior reservation and payment.
• Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle € 14/week (only bookable in advance)
• Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike € 28/week (only bookable in advance)
• Parking own bicycle: € 14 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
• Parking + charge station own E-Bike: € 28 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
• Please click on this link for more information about the rental and own bicycles/E-bikes
• Canal cruise Amsterdam: Ticket for a 1-hour canal cruise through Amsterdam – special price for our guests: € 18 (at the ticket desk approx.: € 22). Please book your ticket in advance and you can collect it on board of your ship on the first day of the tour.
• Parking in Amsterdam (valet parking): prices and pre-booking on request.