What others write about us

We can\'t say enough positives about our recent experience aboard the Merlijn. Coen, Cristina and the entire crew were phenomenal. They provided a perfect balance of professionalism and warmth. Our guide was amazing as she was faced with some minor hiccups such as detours and closures along some of our biking routes. The cabins were updated (bathroom) and clean. Cristina\'s meals were excellent and she is such an amazing chef. We both appreciated the bikes that were easy to use and comfortable to ride. We would absolutely do this cruise again and highly recommend Merlijn.

My wife and I were booked on the Sept cruise but due to an unexpected medical issue we had to cancel and we didn't join the Merlijn. While Merlijn attempted to find replacement passengers to help us avoid additional cancellation fees this was not successful. I will admit that I should have purchased trip insurance but was fully committed to joining the cruise with other family members. As I have learned the cruise actually booked 23 passengers (out of a capacity of 24). I submitted an email request for consideration in receiving a refund that would have been equitable. My experience with Merlijn is not positive! 

Dear Merlijn crew, It always happens. After a trip, a friend of yours may ask you what the \"best and most memorable moment\" of the trip had been. Here is our answer (Assumpta\'s and mine): The whole trip was memorable! There are a few reasons why the whole trip surpasses by far the \"one memorable moment\" that most people enjoy taking from a trip. Firstly, the captain, the chef, the guide, and the rest of the members of the crew demonstrated one of the highest levels of professionalism and also a most friendly welcome aboard throughout the trip. Secondly, the Merlijn was kept in such a state of good care and good taste that it was the perfect \"home away from home\". And thirdly, although pure coincidence, from the very first moment we set sail and, again, throughout the trip, the best rapport and camaraderie permeated the whole group of twenty people who didn\'t know each other previously and came from so many different walks of life. By the way, you can read my full report NATURA i AIGUA - BICI i BARCASSA (Nature and Water - Bike and Boat) at my blog: https://esporqueret.net/2024/09/08/natura-i-aigua-bici-i-barcassa-alemanya/#more-14653 So, one word is in order: Congratulations! With our best wishes and kindest regards. Julià & Assumpta Barcelona Catalonia

We had such an amazing trip! The food was amazing and the biking routes were so beautiful. The crew was so welcoming and professional. We highly recommend this cruising company.

It\'s been 2 months since our fantastic trip and I still think about it every day! Coen and Christina are committed to excellence in every aspect - and I think they\'ve gotten better since my first trip with them 3 years ago! The Netherlands is a pristine and beautiful landscape, the food on and off the boat was spectacular, and my friends and I had the time of our lives! The trip was super organized, and our guide was personable and knowledgeable. I highly recommend the Merlijn and hope to go back a third time!!

We thoroughly enjoyed the 11-day Brugge to Amsterdam itinerary. Accommodations are excellent, Chef Christina creates magic from her kitchen, and the scenic countryside is postcard-perfect. The bikes and equipment are excellent and Wi-Fi-helmets a must-have. Not all barge and bike trips have Wi-Fi helmets. The group size of 20 was excellent. Finally, each crew member was welcoming and excellent in their role. Pack light and be open to weather-related and urban traffic issues.

What a phenomenal experience! We absolutely loved staying onboard the Merlijn, and the itinerary took us through some of the most charming towns along the Moselle as we made our way through France, Luxembourg, and Germany, led each day by our fantastic guide Lia. Wed booked our trip over a year in advance and my knee had significantly deteriorated in that time, so thank goodness for the e-bikes which made the rides a breeze. Cristinas culinary skills were showcased nightly in what were essentially 5-star meals something we looked forward to after a day of riding in the cool, damp fall weather. The accommodations were comfortable, always tidy, and being part of such a small tour was an absolute delight. We cant wait to join Coen, Cristina, and the rest of the crew again in the future.

My wife and I looked forward to this adventure for 9 months, and it did not disappoint. It was a good thing we did a lot of riding every day, because Cristina sure spoiled us with fantastic meals. How much fun we had with the crew and other passengers can not be stressed enough. The ship is well appointed, and clean, clean, clean. Highly recommend this to anyone with a sense of adventure who likes to cycle.

We had such a great time biking then eating, then biking again! Love the Merljin, everything is up to date and well taken care of. Caen and Christina take very good care of their passengers! Our guide, Lia, was exceptional! We weren\'t able to finish the trip, but hope to schedule another trip soon!

The Merlijn is owned and operated by Coan and Christina . They both take great pride of the vessel and making their guests feel comfortable and well fed. The crew of 3 and cycling guide are very pleasant and helpful The vessel, accommodation and bikes are very well maintained compared to other bike/barge tours that are owned by larger companies that simple hire captains and crew

The entire trip was amazing! Everything was first class: crew, barge, cabin, bike, bike guide, food, service, attention to detail, communication. This was my first barge trip and I will be back!

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!

We enjoyed a wonderful trip on the Danube with the Merlijn. The bike tour was very fun. We enjoyed the sights and the guides knowledge of the area. The relaxing environment and excellent food made each day special. We cant thank the captains and crew enough for their hospitality, hard work, and humor. Im sure we will travel with them again.

Last September, 24 friends from West Michigan biked along the Danube. Each day there was beautiful scenery and our guide, Ilse, was very knowledgeable about the history and interesting places that we visited. The Merlijn was our home for seven nights. The rooms where very comfortable abd had everything you needed. The food was delicious. Each morning there was something different for breakfast and the dinners were top notch. The barge was spotless, everything looked like it had just been painted or cleaned. The owners, Coen and Christina were very attentive to our every need. This was our third trip with the Merlijn and everything just keeps getting better.

This was our third different trip on the Merlijn. This trip was a wonderful view taking a lot of nature and of course some very wonderful towns along the way. Lia our guide was amazing and very well versed in the history of the places we visited. The Merlijn is just a lovely experience. Coen and Christina are excellent at running the boat and keeping everything on track. Coen was very nice in answering all my many questions. This is a wonderful trip if you won\'t be disappointed.

What a fabulous tour this was with the knowledgeable and fun Lia as our guide and the wonderful Kristina who prepared the most delicious meals. It surpassed all our expectations and I highly recommend it. The itinerary was well planned and the barge very comfortable.

The trip on the Merlijn Magic on the Water was our first Bike and Barge European vacation. From the first friendly greetings as we embarked in Frankfort day one till we docked in Ludwigsburg, everything was impeccable. The Merlijn accommodations, the owners, Coen and Christina and their entire team provided a 5-star experience. The food was delicious, fresh, and individualized as requested. After each day of biking and touring, it was a delight to know that a special gourmet dinner expertly prepared by Christina and her team was the culmination of our day. Our terrific guide, Felix lead the daily bike rides following plentiful German bike paths that meandered thru ripe vineyards, quaint villages and beautiful, lush landscapes. Thank you to Coen and Christina and their team for creating an entertaining, stress free, holiday adventure; you have set the gold standard for Barge and Bike vacations! Stu and I are looking forward to our next tour!

Twenty-four members of the Space Coast Ski & Travel Club just finished a 3 Country cruise on the Saar and Moselle Rivers. I was the Trip Leader and the tour exceeded all my expectations! The boat was immaculate, comfortable and well-equipped. Coen, the Captain, and his crew were wonderful and welcoming. All of Capt. Christina\'s meals were delicious in their beautiful new dining lounge. Daniela and Clara really took great care of our group. The bike guide, Ilsa, led us on beautiful trails along the rivers stopping for photo ops and breaks. At the end of the biking day, she then led us on hikes through the villages where we docked and told us the history of each area. It was very enlightening. I highly recommend the Merlijn for anyone looking for a delightful Bike & Barge Tour!

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.

My husband I just enjoyed a great week on board the Merlijn. We traveled along the Saar and Moselle rivers, seeing Germany, Luxembourg and France in a \"golden\" time of the year as the leaves were changing. We biked each day in the beautiful countryside and enjoyed many informative city tours along the way. Coen and Cristina were wonderful hosts, along with their staff. Cristina cooked us a delicious breakfast and 3 course dinner each day, as well as yummy bag lunches as we biked. Ilse was a fantastic bike guide and shared history of the areas we traveled through. The boat is beautifully maintained and this was the trip of a lifetime. We thank you for the great care you gave us and look forward to another trip on the Merlijn!

Fantastic Trip!! Exceeded all expectations. Not just saying that but it was great. Capt Coen and Christia and crew did a fantastic job. The boat is spotless- inside and out, the activities and food was fantastic. Also- Christina worked with us as we are vegans without making us feel arkward. Ilse the \"Bike Wrangler\" did a great job leading us on great bike trips and the entire crew worked with the weather to make the best of one rainy windy day. Highly recommend this trip as \"bucket list\" trip except I want to do some more bike barge trip with the Merlijn.

Excellent in every detail!!

The Merlijn is a beautifully restored barge with private bathrooms in every cabin that are larger than those of large cruise ships and long river boats. The entire crew were attentive to every detail and kept the barge immaculate. Christinas meals were 5 star with every course beautifully presented. I enjoyed Daniellas excellent bartending skills especially the Negroni! Klara kept our rooms neat and clean as well as the entire barge. Kohn was an excellent captain in every way. I enjoyed my time on the Merlijn and highly recommend it to anyone wanting perfection in a bike and barge vacation.

Wij hebben begin augustus een midweek gelogeerd op De Merlijn. Vanuit Dordrecht hebben we gefietst in de Alblasserwaard en de Biesbosch. De binnenstad van Dordrecht lag op loopafstand zodat we s avonds nog makkelijk even wat konden eten of drinken. Elke dag kregen we een heerlijk ontbijt, geserveerd aan tafel vanwege de Corona voorschriften. De eerste avond hadden we een voortreffelijk (voor mij vegetarisch) diner. De bemanning is zeer vriendelijk en behulpzaam. Een aanrader!

Merzig to Cochem 'Moselle & Saar 2-river tour in Germany"

The entire trip was memorable , all 6 days of it , right from the moment we boarded till we disembarked everything was perfect, absolutely no complaints. The Barge Merlijn, the owners, Coen and Christina and their entire team were par excellence ! Our guide , Lia was fantastic, with great sense of Humour and was prompt in taking care of any bike related issues . The food was exquisite, the most delectable vegetarian food we ate lovingly prepared by Christina. The bike paths thru the Vineyards and the varied landscapes were perfect along the river Saar and Mosel. It was in reality doing a leisurely tour on a bike. The hike up the mountain to view the Saar Loop was awesome. Thanks once again Coen and Christina and not to forget the team. - Thanks and all the very best- Ravi

Just finished a Bike and Barge Tour on this lovely ship. Great fun, clean, wonderful food and amazing friendly, helpful, skilled Captain and Crew!

Malchin - Berlin 'Premium Amazone of the north"

Highly recommend! Come meet the new owners. You will love them and the itineraries.

The Merlijn and its crew are a gem. It is completely clean, lovely. Food excellent, bikes the best and staff ever-helpful. Enjoyed it immensely. June 2019

Berlin - Malchin 'Premium Amazone of the north"

Just wanted to thank you very much for organising such a splendid holiday for me.  The entire tour was a great success with no hiccups or hitches whatsoever, thanks to your efficiency.  The barge Merlijn exceeded my expectations in every way.  The Captain, crew and guides were very professional and at the same time ensured we all had a fun trip. My trip home to Wales to see my family was also a very happy event All in all it was a holiday to remember. Thank you again, Dai.

Malchin - Berlin 'Premium Amazone of the north"

Dear Coen & Christina, Thanks for making our second tour even better than our first, an amazing accomplishment! Greatly appreciated your sharing of your home, and you certainly made our entire group feel like members of your extended family; you truly love what you do and it shows. Your crew and our guide was prepared for every contingency and assured that we had "smooth sailing" through out our visit and journey. The meals and sack lunches prepared were absolutely fantastic! We are looking forward to booking our third tour in the very near future, keep up the good work you two, and we'll visit with you again soon. Kind Regards, Brad and Gwen Hontz

Magdeburg to Berlin 'West meets East Germany tour"

Thank you, Coen and Christina! This was our third trip aboard the Merlijn and we had a wonderful time. Your hospitality is excellent—our whole family enjoyed the cruise—and we recommend your bike and barge trips for people who appreciate great biking, comfortable accommodations, and an all-around great experience. Merlijn continues to be magic on the water and we look forward to our next cruise with you.

Malchin - Berlin 'Premium Amazone of the north'

Dear Coen and Cristina, your extended family crew, and of course Felix our tour guide, You all made our first trip to Germany a fantastic and memorable time. The boat and accommodations exceeded our expectations, and your service and food on board (and the packed lunches off board) was the best! Felix, our tour guide is a great addition to your family team and his daily entertainment on the trails, and knowledge of the historical sites and bakeries along the way each day seemed to make our day just that much better. Thanks for a great time, and we look forward to doing it all over again on the Merlijn for another trip down the road! Best to you all and hope you have great year ! Bob and Faith McDonald, So Burlington, Vermont USA"

Amsterdam - Den Bosch

Our tour from Amsterdam to Den Bosch was a trip of a lifetime!!! Coen and his wife Cristina made us feel like family and the accommodations were fabulous!!! Cristina was the Chef and the food was beyond compare. Captain Coen was the most skilled and versatile I have ever sailed with. Lia was our guide and I learned more about the Netherlands in one week than I learned in the four years I lived in Holland forty years ago. This is a small group experience where you come aboard as strangers and leave as life-long friends. Many thanks to Captain Coen and his crew!!! Ernie & Kelly-USA

Amsterdam to Koblenz, August 11th - 18th 2018

Dear friends,

Nancy and I truly enjoyed our time with you and your crew on the Merlijn!!  Everything exceeded our expectations. We are constantly recommending your cruises to our friends and neighbors. The Merlijn turned out to be our favorite home away from home. We hope that are paths may cross again.

 

Mark Keegan, USA 

 

Berlin/Spandau to Magdeburg, July 14th 2018

Dear friends,

Patti and I had a wonderful time on our trip.   You were all so focused on ensuring everything was perfect for our group. 

I came with very high expectations and they were greatly exceeded!  As an engineer I was so impressed with the barge.

Thank you once again for treating us to such a fine adventure! 

Regards, Ed Buehler

Authentic Holland, May 19th - 25th 2018

"Dear Merlijn & staff, Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. We could not have had a more fun family vacation. It's usually only once in a lifetime that a family can all be together and have so much fun. You are the best crew ever and EVERYTHING on the Merlijn was just perfect. The boat is spotless, the food amazing, the beer & bourbon exceptional, the bicycling through the country was gorgeous and each day brought new scenery. The E-bikes were so much FUN even though some of us felt a little lazy using them! We did turn them on and off so we wouldn't feel so guilty. And singing Karioke had to have been the highlight! We didn't know he had such talent!! That was definitely a surprise. And a very special Thank-you to you for your unsurpassed hospitality and the Birthday "Surprise" for Lauren. (Definitely keep those placemats). You are the Hostess with the Mostest!

We love you all and thank you so very much. We already miss your smiling faces.

Bruce, Theresa, Donna, Nolan, Lauren & Jordan

Barging and Biking through the Netherlands, April 21st - 28th 2018

My dear friends of the Merlijn

How I miss you all - I miss your "Dear Guests" every morning and evening! What a wonderful trip. Thank you so much for your gracious hospitality - I now know what my Dutch friends mean by 'gezellig'!
Hope to join you again in 2020.
Karen Commeret, USA

 

We did the Koblenz to Merzig trip at the end of Sept 2017. It was a 60th bday celebration and we had a blast. The crew was exceptional. The bikes are great...much better than I expected. The mornings were chilly and sun in the afternoon. You will help arrange any post travel needs you have for a taxi, train, etc. Bed and food fantastic. Thank you for making our celebration so special!
Cindy Kreutz and friends, USA

Berlin/Spandau to Malchin,  May 20th - 27th 2017

Dearest friends of Merlijn,

We knew we were "in goede handen" the moment we walked on board...... Zelfs het weer heb je goed verzorgd :)

You took care of us so well on so many levels in so many ways!
We love you!

Bremen - Magdeburg - Spandau May 6th - 19th 2017

Hi friends of Merlijn!

Bob and I wanted to thank you for another great trip on the Merlijn. We always enjoy your hospitality and cooking! We especially enjoyed your German friend Klaus. The day we left for the airport Lia and Klaus graciously carried our luggage to the taxi stand and made sure we were safely on our way to the airport. Flights were good all the way home. Have a great summer. We are already looking forward to another trip on the Merlijn and hopefully with Klaus!

We did the Tour of Tulips of last day 8 April 2017. Our group was of 9 brazilians and the compliments were unanimous. The boat is amazing, very cozy and comfortable, the food delicious and the wonderful staff. Our guide, Lia, was extremely professional, attentive and available. The bike tour was really indescribable. We’ve been through wonderful places and we could learn a bit from Netherlands and its charms. I would like to especially thank you for all the care and attention with which she dedicated to me, when I hurt my ankle. Thank you for everything! We hope to see you soon in another bike tour. Big hug !

Carla Puntel, Brasil

Belgium and Netherlands, from Bruges to Amsterdam, April 22nd 2017

Hi friends of Merlijn, We had a wonderful first bike/barge trip with all of you! The food was delicious, and the accommodations were great. I loved all the colorful table settings, and how friendly everyone was. Sorry the electric bike did not work out for me. I was able to handle the mileage well without it, and was more comfortable on a "regular" bike. We had nice visiting in Amsterdam (though very crowded for the holiday) and also in Haarlem. Again, thank you for a memorable trip!
Fran and John Betz