Southern route Holland: bike & boat with MS De Amsterdam

With bike and ship through Holland

Great city names characterize this bike tour: Gouda, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Delft, The Hague, Leiden. Varied, interesting and often of picturesque beauty, this bike tour is one of the most attractive routes in the Netherlands. Experience the "typical middle of Holland" and enjoy the Dutch lansdschaft. Since 2018, the MS De Amsterdam, a comfortable and excellently equipped cruise ship, sails on this route.

MS De Amsterdam

DE AMSTERDAM is a 311 ft. long and 36 ft. wide, very well equipped river cruise ship. The vessel has 56 staterooms for max. 112 passengers. All staterooms are outside cabins. The lower deck has 10 twin cabins and 20 superior twin cabins (approx. 135 sq.ft.). All cabins have an individual climate control system, digital TV, roomy wardrobe, mini-safe, hair dryer, 230V and 115V sockets, 2 separate single beds (78 x 31 inches) and a private bathroom with shower, toilet, basin and bath products. All twin cabins have a large picture window (4.59 ft. x 2.95 ft.) that can be partly opened. The difference between twin and superior twin cabins on the lower deck is their location in relation to the engine room, stairs and salon. The upper deck offers 18 identical superior twin cabins and 8 spacious French Balcony Suites. The Suites (approx. 200 sq. ft.) have the same amenities as the superior twin cabins, but are larger and – in addition – also have a mini-bar and a “French Balcony” (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors) instead of a window. The beds in all suites are set as a hotel-style bed (78 x 62 inches) and can, optional (on request), be set as two separate single beds (78 x 31 inches). DE AMSTERDAM has a restaurant on the lower deck. You can enjoy the scenery in the cozy lounge / bar with dance floor and large panoramic windows on the upper deck. In the bar/lounge, Wi-Fi is available for guests (complimentary limited data packages included / additional data packages can be purchased online). On the partially roofed sun deck, chairs and sun loungers invite for a stay. Bicycles will be stored on a separate part of the sun deck. Inside areas of DE AMSTERDAM are non-smoking areas; the sun deck has a smokers’ area. Onboard languages: English/German (international guests, international crew).

1. day Amsterdam Arrival

Amsterdam Embarkation and check-in from 2 pm to 4:30 pm in Amsterdam. Take the opportunity to go shopping, to explore downtown Amsterdam, to make a canal cruise or to visit a museum Welcome drink, dinner and first briefing (at 5 pm) on board. First night on board in Amsterdam.

2. day Amsterdam - Breukelen - Utrecht - Rotterdam 25 - 40 km

Your first cycle tour starts in Breukelen. You’ll tour along the beautiful and winding river Vecht with its enchanting background of imposing castles, country houses and quaint tearooms. You will follow the Vecht into the center of Utrecht where you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful historical city center: the Dom Cathedral with its tower, the canals, special shops and nice cafes. In the afternoon you will continue by ship from Utrecht to Rotterdam.

3. day Round tour Delft 28 - 50 km

Today you will cycle via the “jenever city” of Schiedam and through the Delfland area to Delft, famous, of course, for its blue pottery. Visit the beautiful city center with its small canals, picturesque streets, bridges and alleys. For many of our guests a visit to the Delftware factory is one of the highlights of their tour. Afterwards, you will cycle back to Rotterdam, where you can enjoy a short city walk in the evening.

4. day Rotterdam - Alblasserdam - Kinderdijk - Schoonhoven 30 or 58 km

Today you can cycle the first part or the “waterbus” will take you and your bicycle to Alblasserdam. After just a few minutes of cycling you will reach Kinderdijk (UNESCO cultural heritage, with its impressive row of 19 large windmills). You then have the choice between a longer bike tour with a visit to the beautiful cheese city of Gouda and a short bike tour through the Alblasserwaard. Both tours end in the “silver city” of Schoonhoven, where you can visit a silversmith.

5. day Schoonhoven - Oudewater - Utrecht - Haarlem approx. 45 km

Today you will cycle from Schoonhoven through the beautiful “Green Heart” of Holland along small villages and quiet roads to Utrecht. On your way you can visit a traditional cheese farm and in Oudewater you can visit the Witches Weigh House. In the late afternoon the ship will sail from Utrecht to Haarlem.

6. day Round trip Haarlem - North Sea coast / Haarlem - Zaandam 40 or 50 km

Today you can choose from 2 bike tours. Both tours takes you through the beautiful Kennemer dunes, a national park where you can spot several bird species, Scottish Highland cows and Shetland ponies. After a visit to the seaside resorts Bloemendaal and Zandvoort you cycle through the forests and the center of Haarlem back to the ship. The longer cycling tour leads to the largest steam engine of the world, the Cruquius pumping station and back to Haarlem. During dinner your ship will cruise to Zaandam.

7. day Zaandam - Amsterdam 30 or 45 km

From Zaandam your final day of cycling will take you to the open air museum the Zaanse Schans (free entry), with its beautiful windmills, an Old Dutch village with traditional wooden houses, a cheese farm and a traditional wooden clog maker. After exploring the museum you cycle through the recreational area “Twiske” back to Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. If you didn’t go for a canal tour on the first day, you will have the opportunity to do so today.

8. day Amsterdam Departure

After breakfast (ca. 9:30 a.m.) your bike- and ship experiences end with the disembarkment.

Worth knowing

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 Amsterpark.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.

Amsterpark valet parking is cheaper than many public car parks in Amsterdam and is accessible 24/7.

What does Amsterpark's valet parking cost?

Valet Parking: For only approx. € 175, 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. 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 weight 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: € 10.00 per regular bike or € 25.00 per electric bike. Advance registration is required to bring your own bike.

Important note

The captain reserves the rights to make any necessary changes to the itinerary due to wind, weather and navigational features.

For every bicycle and boat tours there are special cancellation conditions which can be found in our terms.

Travel conditions

Extra costs which are not included in the tour price

A fuel surcharge due to the sharp rise in fuel prices, is not included in the cruise price and must be paid on board. The amount of the surcharge - if applicable - we will let you know approx. 3 to 4 weeks prior to your arrival.

Short history of MS De Amsterdam

By the end of the 2017 season, the river cruise ships Angela Esmee and Anna Maria Agnes had moved into their winter quarters in the port of Amsterdam. There was a serious accident in October. A freighter drove unchecked on the two side by side moored ships - and damaged them hard. Fortunately, there were no casualties in the collision.

After a shipyard had thoroughly assessed the extent of the damage, it was clear that the MS Anna Maria Agnes could not be repaired in time for the start of the 2018 season. Therefore, from 2018, the MS De Amsterdam - a larger, much more comfortable and better equipped ship - will drive the southern route in Holland. Since the new ship can accommodate more passengers, we set up a second tour guide on board, if more than 60 guests have booked the tour.

When booking, you also have the advantage of being able to select the new cabin categories "Superior Twin Cabin" and "Suite".

Cabin types

The ship "De Amsterdam" has a total of 56 comfortably furnished outside cabins for max. 112 guests. The following cabin types can be booked:

Under/Main deck: 10 x Twin-cabins (11m² - in the back of the ship) + 20 x Superior Twin-cabins (11m²)

Upper deck: 18 x Superior Twin-cabins (11m²) + 8 x Suites (15 m²)

Single cabins can be booked as a double cabin for single use (limited availability) . The twin cabins on the lower deck and the Superior Twin cabins on the upper deck are available for this purpose. 

Deck plan MS De Amsterdam

Lounge/ bar MS De Amsterdam

Bar with stairs to the restaurant MS De Amsterdam

Sun deck MS De Amsterdam

Twin cabin MS De Amsterdam

Suite MS De Amsterdam

Bathroom MS De Amsterdam

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, health regulations

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

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

An up-to-date overview of applicable measures and travel and safety advice regarding Covid-19 for all countries in the EU and Switzerland can be found here:
https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, 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.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the world. From Amsterdam canals to world-famous Amsterdam museums and historical Amsterdam sights, it is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe. Canal cruises are a popular way to see the city from the perspective of its canals.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is one of the world’s most famous museums, housing more than 8,000 works of art inside one of the Netherlands’ grandest buildings.  If you’re planning to visit the museum soon, read our insider's picks of unmissable artworks and interesting features.

Amsterdam Rijksmuseum

Amsterdam, Oude Kerk

The Oude Kerk in Amsterdam’s Red Light District is the city’s oldest building and one of the city’s youngest art institutions. In the seven or so centuries since it was founded, the church has evolved into one of the most imposing Gothic ecclesiastical buildings in northern Europe.

Oude Kerk

Oude Kerk

Utrecht

Utrecht is one of the Netherlands' oldest cities, with a compact medieval centre set out around canals unique to the Netherlands: there's a lower level where warehouses were located in the 13th century, giving the canals a split-level character and meaning that diners and drinkers can nip off the street and enjoy a snack or a drink down at water level.

Utrecht

Utrecht

Delft

Delft enjoys a worldwide reputation due to its connection with Johannes Vermeer, Delft Blue earthenware and the Royal House. Relive its glorious past as you wander along canals, churches, mansions and courtyards. This university town also offers canal tours, museums, markets and many pubs. 

Delft

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a city of many faces: a tough port city, a trendy nightlife city, a sophisticated shopping city, and a hip artistic city. Above all, Rotterdam is the architecture city of Holland that stimulates innovation. Its skyline is always changing. There are many things to do amid Rotterdam’s skyscrapers. You can go on a shopping spree, enjoy some excellent food, and visit a range of museums and attractions in and around the city centre.

Rotterdam

Erasmusbridge Rotterdam

The Erasmus Bridge is a striking feat of engineering and a must-see fixture on every Rotterdam visitor’s itinerary. The bridge and its surroundings have plenty to offer the curious visitor, from enjoying the historic Delfshaven to exploring the futuristic Kop van Zuid with its skyscrapers, Hotel New York and the Nederlands Fotomuseum. The Erasmus Bridge is also the backdrop for numerous spectacular events.

Erasmusbridge Rotterdam

Windmills Kinderdijk

For nearly a thousand years, the Dutch have been clever in dealing with the water that surrounds them. The sustainable blend of nature and technology used to keep Kinderdijk dry is so uniquely valuable that the area and its windmills were granted UNESCO World Heritage status. 

Windmills Kinderdijk

Haarlem

With an abundance of historical sights, cultural attractions and hidden gems crammed into a relatively small city, Haarlem truly is a sightseers’ paradise. There’s plenty to keep the visitor entertained, but thanks to its compact size, it’s easy to get a good introduction to the city even if you only have one day to explore it.

Haarlem

Zandvoort

Zandvoort is a popular beach destination located near to Amsterdam, with clean sandy beaches, trendy beach bars and family activities. Popular with tourists and families, Zandvoort boasts wide, sandy beaches and a good choice of funky beach bars for food and drinks overlooking the sea. Locals and visitors from all around Europe flock there during the warmer months for long lazy days of sun bathing and seaside fun. The water can feel pretty cold (that's the North Sea for you), but it does warm up on hotter days. The sea at Zandvoort is very clean, so if you're bold enough to brave the cold it's a lovely place to swim and splash about. 

Zandvoort

Zaanse Schans

The Zaanse Schans is a residential area in which the 18th and 19th centuries are brought to life. Stroll past the bakery museum and enjoy the smell of fresh bread, or take a look at the warehouse where clogs are made. You should be sure not to miss the cheese factory, pewter foundry and the various windmills. The Zaanse Schans is a unique part of the Netherlands, full of wooden houses, mills, barns and workshops. Make a cycling or sailing trip, browse the shops or treat yourself at the pancake restaurant. A day out at the Zaanse Schans in North Holland is fun and educational.

Zaanse Schans