History

Industrial herritage sails as classical luxurious cruise ship

Build in 1930 by shipyard Boot in Leiden, Netherlands and named 'de Adelaar' (Eagle)

It was one of the first freight ships with a build-in engine, the model name is 'luxe motor'. The ship has been sold a few times and changed names several times as well. The last years as a freighter it sailed with the name 'Frisica 2'.

The main transported cargo was sand & stones through the Netherlands & Germany.

 

A new future for this ship was designed in 2001 when the previous owners Henk & Jantien bought the freighter and coverted it into cruise ship Merlijn the magic of water. One of the most successful Bike & barge ships was born, many satisfied customers can confirm!

Cologne to Saarburg

July 16 - 23 / 2022
The trip was perfect: well organized and beautiful scenery. Easy biking mostly along paths instead of city streets. Delicious gourmet dinners on the Merlijn. Comfortable beds, pretty ship with bouquets of flowers. Lia, the biking tour guide was amazing; informative, flexible, fun, and strong! I was proud that I could do all the biking with the trusty e-bike!