MS Arkona
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.
Tour
If possible, arrive in Amsterdam early, because the city has a lot to offer: discover the city centre, go on a shopping tour, visit one of the many museums or take a canal cruise. Embarkation is between 2 pm and 4:30 pm. At 5.00 pm, the crew will welcome you with a delicious drink and you will learn everything you need to know about your upcoming trip. Afterwards you will enjoy your first dinner on board. The ship stays overnight in Amsterdam.
In the morning, your first trip with your floating hotel will take you to Breukelen. Once there, you get on your bikes for the first time. You cycle along the enchantingly winding River Vecht. Along the way, you will discover impressive castles, beautiful villas and tea houses lining the banks. You continue along the Vecht until you reach the centre of Utrecht. In Utrecht you can explore the beautiful city centre, visit the Utrecht Cathedral and take a trip up its tower, discover the canals, small, special shops and quaint pubs. Unfortunately, you will have to say goodbye to Utrecht in the afternoon and the ship will take you to the next highlight of your trip, Rotterdam.
Today, the "jenever city" of Schiedam and the flat Delfland await you. Your cycle tour takes you to Delft, which is famous for its "Delft Blue". Make the most of your time here and visit the famous "Delft Blue" porcelain factory and stroll through the beautiful city centre with its small canals, picturesque streets, bridges and avenues. Later, you will cycle back to Rotterdam along a beautiful cycle path, where a short city tour with your tour guide awaits you in the evening.
This morning you decide whether you want to take the "Waterbus" or cycle to Ablasserdam. From there, it's just a few minutes by bike to Kinderdijk. A UNESCO World Heritage Site awaits you there: 19 large windmills stand in a row. From there, you can either take a shorter tour through the Ablasserwaard polders or, if you want to cycle a little longer, continue via Gouda to the silver town of Schoonhoven on the Leek. There you will have the opportunity to visit a silversmith and the boat will also be moored there overnight.
2025: On some dates it is not possible to spend the night in Schoonhoven, in which case your boat will dock for the night in the cheese town of Gouda.
Today's cycle tour starts in Schoonhoven and takes you through the "Green Heart" of the Netherlands. You cycle past small villages and along quiet paths and country roads. A traditional cheese farm and the Witches' Weigh House in Oudewater are also on your route before you reach Utrecht again. In the late afternoon, your ship will take you from Utrecht to Haarlem, where you will spend the night at anchor.
On this day you again have the choice between two cycle tours: both tours take you through the Kennemer dunes, a nature reserve where you can see a variety of birds, Scottish Highland cattle and Shetland ponies. The tour continues to the seaside resorts of Bloemendaal aan Zee and Zandvoort. You cycle through beautiful forests back to the centre of Haarlem and the ship. The longer version of the cycle tour takes you past the world's largest steam engine (pumping station) at DeCruquius and back to Haarlem. While you enjoy your dinner, your ship will sail to Zaandam.
2025: For trips between 27 March and 2 May 2025, you have the opportunity to visit the famous Keukenhof tulip exhibition (not included in the tour price). You can make this excursion by bike or by public transport (not included in the tour price).
Today is your last cycle tour on the programme, starting with a visit to the Zaanse Schans open-air museum, which is free to enter. An old, traditional village with quaint wooden houses, a cheese dairy, a traditional clog maker and various windmills awaits you. You then cycle through the Twiske recreational area back to the starting point of your journey, Amsterdam. There you have the whole afternoon and evening to see the sights of the city. If you did not take a canal tour on your day of arrival, take the opportunity to do so today.
Disembarkation after breakfast (by 9.30 am) marks the end of your bike & boat trip on the southern route in Holland.
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
Services / Info
- 7 x accomodation in the booked cabin (with shower/WC)
- Cabin with air condition
- Bed linen and towels
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Full board (breakfast, packed lunch and 3-course dinner)
- Welcome drink and information talk on the 1st evening
- Coffee and tea on board until 4 pm
- Daily tour briefing on board
- Some short city walks
- On-board tour guide (also rides the bike tour and can be reached by mobile phone)
- Maps and information package
- 7-day hotline service
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 car
The ship's landing point is usually close to the train station. You will receive final information on the location of the ship with the detailed travel documents before you start your journey. If you arrive by car, we recommend that you first drive to the jetty and drop off your luggage and, if necessary, your bicycles there. We then recommend using the parking facility specified below.
Parking in Amsterdam
If you come to Amsterdam by car, we recommend that you use the parking service from Centralparking.nl, which we offer with a pick-up and delivery 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 to a monitored parking area by a driver. A driver is waiting for you in front of the ship who will help you with your luggage. The driver, who knows the location and the vehicle, brings your car to a parking lot, where your car is parked under constant surveillance by cameras. 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 get on and drive off.
Benefits of the Amsterpark valet service
No waiting times, no loss of time, no bus journeys on / off / transfers, no need to carry luggage. Since you reserve in advance, you can be sure that there will be a parking space. 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.
What does Centralparking's valet parking cost?
Valet Parking: For only approx. € 185,00, you can park your vehicle (car) safely and guarded for one week, including 2 x transfer services for your car.
Arrival by train
The ship's landing point is usually close to the train station. You will receive final information on the location of the ship with the detailed travel documents before you start your journey.
Current DB timetable information can be found very practically at www.bahn.de
Luggage
For reasons of space, we would like to ask you to refrain from luggage with a hard shell, the storage space in the cabin is very limited!
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 height when booking the tour. On request and extra charge some electric bikes can be made available.
Bring your own bikes
You can take your own bike with you to a limited extent. There is little space available on the ship for a surcharge. Advance registration is required to bring your own bike.
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, transfers, drinks, hire of bikes and helmets, personal insurance, tips and personal expenses, entrance fees, ferry fees and parking fees.
7 day 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.
I provide you with advice and assistance
Anja Benndorf