Sailing Adventure

 

With a total population of just over 16 million, Holland has more than 200,000 sail and motorboats and more than 350,000 wind surfers. Dutch ship builders have a long held international reputation and are especially noted for their custom built boats.

Cruising Holland's waterways
Formerly cargo barges, these small vessels have been converted into passenger ships, complete with cabins and private bathrooms, first-class restaurants, and depending on the size of the vessel and level of luxury, telephones and spa facilities. Each barge is staffed with experienced, friendly English-speaking crew, providing a high standard of comfort and service. Alternatively rent a barge or a yacht and cruise the canals on your own, experiencing life on the rivers/canals at your own pace.

River cruises
Large cruise vessels allow you to cruise the Dutch waterways and beyond. Most cruises will take you up the Rhine, through Germany and back. These luxurious floating hotels can hold up to 200 passengers and have 4- and 5- star accommodation with the facilities, services and cuisine of the same high standard. The cruise ships are built to a special design, in order to navigate the winding river safely. The ships are quite slim, as the river can get very narrow at certain points, they can not be too long lest they get stuck in the bends and last but not least they can't be too high (max. of 2 decks) due to low bridges

Traditional sailing
Besides sailboats and motorboats, you can also rent historic ships. By far the majority of these ships are flat-bottomed boats such as "tjalken" (spritsail barges), "botters" (fishing smacks), schooners, clippers and barges. The ships have been renovated and the hold transformed into sleeping quarters. You can book for a group or on an individual basis. Although the ships will have an experienced crew and skipper, you will be expected to chip in now and then and help out with various little tasks that make this such a unique experience...

More information
For information on sailing routes, opening times from dikes and bridges etc. you can call the ANWB Watersport Advieslijn on +31 70 314 50 20 or send an email to: Watersportinfo@anwb.nl