Welcome onboard

Merlijn is a fully equipped small River-Cruise-Ship, capable of hosting 24 passengers. Built in 1930 as a freighter and converted to a luxurious and authentic cruise ship in 2002. Since then she is without a doubt the most elegant lady on the European rivers.

Luxury cruising, Boutique cruises or Small ship cruises, sounds familiar to you? you should look further.

Cruise in style on a converted vintage barge

What we offer you

  • Bike & Barge trips in Europe
  • Individual bookings directly through our website
  • Reserve and pay online
  • Reserve the entire barge for your group
  • Charter the entire barge with your company
  • Large, bright lounge/restaurant
  • Professional kitchen
  • Manned bar service
  • Luxurious, spacious cabins
  • Your own private bathroom

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.

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".

Exciting news: 2026 sailing schedule now available for group bookings

We are thrilled to announce that our sailing schedule for 2026 is now available! Are you with a group and do you want to book the entire ship? Plan your next adventure with Merlijn. Our new routes promise unique and unforgettable experiences, combining the best of cycling and barge cruising. Individual bookings will be available starting February 2025.   

We at Merlijn have a lot of exciting plans for 2026!

Where 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

Thank you for your wonderful reviews!

Tuesday 17 september 2024

Thank you for your wonderful reviews!

We want to sincerely thank you for the many beautiful stories we’ve received. Your experiences are invaluable to future travelers. While we’ve already received a lot of stories, there’s still room for more on our website! Haven’t shared yours yet? Now’s your chance to inspire others.

Always in motion: constantly changing landscapes

Tuesday 10 september 2024

Always in motion: constantly changing landscapes

At Merlijn, every journey is an adventure in itself, thanks to the ever-changing landscape and the unique variety along the way. We would like to share two special highlights from this past spring with you: our new routes in the Netherlands!

The Hanseatic Route
Although this route is not entirely new, it had been five years since we last offered it. On this journey, we sailed through the east of the Netherlands, a region rich in history and culture. From the charming Hanseatic cities to the beautiful nature surrounding us on the way—it was a true journey through time, full of stories from the past. You can enjoy this wonderful journey in 2025 as well. Discover more!

The Holland Texel Island Route
A completely new addition to our program was the "Holland Texel Island Route". This route let us discover the magic of the Northwest of the Netherlands. From lively Holland to serene Friesland and the unique island of Texel, it was a refreshing adventure that showed a completely different side of the Netherlands. As small as the country is, this route felt like a whole new experience, and with so much enthusiasm from our guests, it will definitely remain part of our program. Discover more about this journey.

Farewell to Sacha, our loyal companion

Tuesday 10 september 2024

Farewell to Sacha, our loyal companion

With great sadness, we want to inform you that we recently had to say goodbye to Sacha, our beloved beagle and mascot of Merlijn. For almost 15 years, Sacha was a constant presence in our lives and, for the past 5 years, she traveled with us on every Merlijn journey, becoming a beloved member of our crew.

Her joyful presence and the way she welcomed guests on board will always be cherished. Sacha was more than just a pet; she was a part of the Merlijn family, and her absence leaves a great void.

We want to thank you for the many beautiful moments we were able to share with her.

Merzig to Nancy/Frouard

October 16 - 23 / 2021
My wife and I, along with 11 other couples had a fantastic bike and barge adventure on the Merlijn. Captain Coen was a very gracious host His wife Christina cooked us gourmet meals every day. Danille our server was a real delight, and Carla kept everything clean. The ship was spotless! Our tour guide Ilysa (sp?) kept our group of 24 riders in sync. This was a journey of a lifetime and I highly recommend it to others.