MS Arkona

Boat Bike Tours

Boat Bike Tours

Boat Bike Tours

Boat Bike Tours

The MS Arkona is 83.03 metres long and 9.64 metres wide. The MS Arkona was completely renovated in winter 2017/2018 and offers a modern and elegant atmosphere. The ship offers space for a maximum of 92 passengers in 47 outside cabins. On the lower deck there are 33 twin cabins (approx. 11 m² in size) with a window that cannot be opened. On the upper deck there are 12 twin cabins and two single cabins with a floor-to-ceiling panoramic window, the upper half of which can be opened. All cabins are approx. 11 m² in size.

All twin cabins have two beds at ground level, one of which can be converted into a sofa during the day. All cabins are equipped with shower, WC, individual air conditioning, television, wardrobe, mini safe and hairdryer. On the upper deck, in addition to the cabins, you will find the spacious restaurant and a separate lounge area with bar. The partially covered sun deck with chairs and deckchairs invites you to linger. The bicycles are stored on a separate part of the deck.

Boat Bike Tours

Tour

Embarkation takes place between 2 pm and 4.30 pm, use the time until then to discover the city centre of Amsterdam or take a canal cruise. At 5 pm the crew will welcome you on board with a welcome drink and you will receive important information for your upcoming journey. During dinner, the MS Arkona will take you to Zaandam, where you will spend the night.

Your first cycle tour awaits you today: you cycle through small villages and the beautiful, flat polder landscape to the Zaanse Schans museum village. Mustard, spices, colours and oils are still ground there. Marvel at the village with its quaint wooden houses, windmills, cheese and clog makers. You then cycle through the beautiful polder landscape of North Holland, the land of Jan Adriaanzoon Leeghwater, before reaching the former whaling village of De Rijp and the museum windmill of Schermerhorn. In Alkmaar, your ship awaits you near the historic city centre.

Today is all about the dunes: discover the North Holland Dune Reserve - a forest and dune area of around 5300 hectares with a unique landscape. The drinking water for almost the whole of North Holland is extracted from these dunes. You will then visit the beautiful white beach and take a break in the artists' village of Bergen before travelling back to Alkmaar. There you should not miss a visit to the beautiful historic city centre. In the late afternoon, the MS Arkona will take you through the North Holland Canal to the naval harbour of Den Helder.

Today is all about the island of Texel: after breakfast, you will take a ferry (ticket included) from Den Helder to the island of Texel in approx. 20 minutes. On the largest of the Dutch North Sea islands, you will take a round trip through dune and meadow landscapes, pass through beautiful nature reserves and have the opportunity to take a break on the beach, perhaps taking a dip in the sea. Alternatively, you can also visit the "Ecomare" seal sanctuary. In the late afternoon, take the ferry back to Den Helder and the MS Arkona will take you from there across the Wadden Sea to Den Oever.

While you enjoy a leisurely breakfast, your ship will take you across the IJsselmeer to Stavore in the province of Friesland. Now you can choose whether you want to go on a longer or shorter cycle tour: Visit the peace and nature of Gaasterland, explore the southern part of the famous Frisian Lake District or combine both tours. Spend the evening in the harbour of Stavoren, one of the eleven traditional towns in the province of Friesland.

Early in the morning, the ship sets off again across the IJsselmeer and takes you to Medemblik. Today you can also choose whether you want to go on a shorter or longer cycle tour. The shorter option takes you over the dyke along the IJsselmeer directly to Enkuizen. Enkhuizen has a beautiful old harbour and a historic town centre. The Zuiderzee Museum is also well worth a visit. If you opt for the longer stage, take a detour to Hoorn, whose harbour was one of the most important harbours in the world in the 17th century. You then cycle on to Enkhuizen. After dinner, a short city tour awaits you in Enkuizen.

Your ship will take you to Volendam first thing in the morning. Your last cycle tour starts there: you will discover the beautiful Waterland region with its countless small lakes, ditches and canals. On the way you have the opportunity to visit a cheese farm. Would you like to cycle a few more kilometres? Then you should definitely make a detour to the former island of Marken, which is now accessible by bike via a causeway. You cycle back to the capital Amsterdam through the beautiful Waterlands landscape. Here you have the afternoon to explore Amsterdam. If you did not take a canal tour on the day of your arrival, you should definitely do so today.

After breakfast (until 9.30 am) your bike & boat trip on the MS Arkona ends.

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.

2025: SGR Guaranteefund:

For this trip, there is a fee of 5.00 euros per traveller for the SGR guarantee fund. This fee is mandatory in the Netherlands 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 (for 2025), 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