The Owners
We are Coen & Cristina, here is a short introduction about us, the proud new owners of Merlijn.
A dream coming true, that is how we felt when we started of in april 2019. After working for years as Captains on big 5-star river-cruiseships (150 pax) we dreamed of something else; something smaller, more personal, specialized cruises, running our own business, the list of superlatives is long! We searched and had several ideas untill we coincidently ran into Merlijn. that was it, that was the ship that filled in all the blank spaces! We went a 100% for it, sold our first house, quit our jobs and moved to the Merlijn.
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Coen Captain, Engineer, Guestcontact. |
Cristina 2nd Captain, Host, Chef. |
What is the difference between 'Bike & Barge" and Bike, Barge & Cruise?
Some ship owners call it Bike & Barge, but we at Merlijn feel that term does not tell what a vacation aboard the Merlijn is all about!
Because in addition to cycling (Bike) and staying and dining on board (Barge), we also often sail with our guests on board. Imagine yourself enjoying the sailing during breakfast or after a strenuous bike ride, with or without a drink on one of our terraces.
That is what we mean by "Cruise".
Rhine, Moselle & Saar 3-river tour in Germany
September 09 - 17 / 2024
Moselle & Saar 3-Countries tour
October 12 - 20 / 2024
Holland Texel-island tour
May 10 - 17 / 2025Where we sail
The no. 1 in bike and barge cruises across Europe
The Merlijn sails on:
- All rivers & lakes of Holland/Netherlands, including the IJssel, Meuse, IJssel Lake, inland lakes of the Randmeren, the Waddensea, the Groene Hart van Holland (Green Heartlands) commencing in Amsterdam and running via Gouda/Delft to Kinderdijk.
- In Germany we sail the Rhine, Moselle, Saar, Main, Main-Danube-canal, Danube, Neckar, Midlandcanal, Havel, Weser, Oder, Peene & more.
- In Belgium we sail the Schelde and several canals to Bruges & Brussels, from there to Maastricht.
- In France we sail the Moselle, as far as to Nancy.
- In Poland we sail the West-Odra and cross the Lake Stettiner haff, also we dock in the city of Szczecin.
- The Danube deserves a special mention: from 2022 we will sail on this river through Germany & Austria until we reach Vienna.
- In the future we add a little more and we also cross Slovakia to sail as far as Budapest in Hungary.
Merlijn's Captain knows all these waters & their natural surroundings well, and knows where the most tranquil spots are to be found.
The last news
Friday 16 february 2024
Our ‘workcation’ in Spain
This past January, we took a workcation to the warmth of Spain, a welcome change from the Dutch winter.
Beyond the cruises you see, there's a world of tasks behind the scenes like writing travel guides, answering queries, and arranging excursions. We drove 2250 kilometers to South Spain, Sacha, our faithful dog, in tow, since flying wasn't an option for her.
During our time in Spain, we focused on enhancing the experiences for Merlijn's voyages. Weekends, however, were for exploring; we hiked through Andalusia's mountains, Sacha bravely joined us, albeit needing a little help at times. Our visits to various local spots revealed breathtaking scenes, making us wish Merlijn could cruise throug Spain.
Friday 16 february 2024
Want to cycle with a Merlijn bike this year?
We've heard from one of our partners that they still have rooms available for the coming season (2024)! This is quite unique and is almost always due to people, or even a group, having to unexpectedly cancel their trip. These rooms are now also bookable through our website. Do you think waiting a few months is long enough and are you ready to pack your bags within a few days? Then quickly take a look at our tour page.
Wednesday 29 november 2023
Looking back on Merlijn’s Bike, Barge and Cruise Season 2023
As the sun sets on the unforgettable 2023 Bike, Barge, and Cruise season on the Merlijn, we look back on the adventurous bike rides, picturesque towns, and delicious meals that made this trip so special.
We sincerely thank all our guests for joining us and for their pleasure. We love it so much to see how enthusiastically everyone comes on board, only to leave the ship full of memories at the end of the trip, sometimes with a tear! Let's not forget that without you we are nowhere, only through your enthusiasm can we run the Merlijn.Thank you!
Cycling enthusiasts and travelers enjoyed a season full of exploration and fun. Merlijn, our floating home, provided a unique perspective as we paddled through beautiful landscapes and discovered Europe.
From the charming streets of Bruges via former east and west Germany to Vienna in Austria, Merlijn took us on a journey through rich history and culture. Daily excursions brought us in the heart of cities, with Merlijn always on the horizon.
Whether we dined in Merlijn’s cozy restaurant or enjoyed a picnic in a village square, each meal celebrated Europe's diverse culinary treasures.
As we say goodbye to the season 2023 on board Merlijn, we cherish memories of cycling adventures, breathtaking landscapes and new friendships. Until next season 2024, when we set sail again on the Merlijn. We look forward to next season and hope to see you on board!