Amsterdam Cruise Report
6 of the fleet met at Burgh Castle on Friday 30th May prior to our departure the following morning and enjoyed a meal at The Fishermans Inn.
We departed Great Yarmouth on a 0700hrs Haven Bridge and met two other boats that had come from Lowestoft. We had one other boat that met us at Ijmuiden having come from Chatham that morning. The weather was warm and sunny and the sea flat calm.
Just over 5 hours later the fleet moored at Marine Seasport Ijmuiden after a faultless crossing. Once signed in with Dutch Immigration we met for drinks and dinner at the marina restaurant over looking the North sea and witnessed a quite magical sunset.
The following morning after a leisurely start we locked through onto the Noordzeekanaal and made our way to Amsterdam Marina. This is a modern marina with excellent facilities on the north side of the river. There are free ferries that cross the river regularly that take you to the city centre.
We spent two days in Amsterdam sightseeing, shopping, eating and drinking.
On Tuesday morning we slipped our lines and made our way further downstream to the lock onto the Markermeer, a vast body of water, 700km² to the south of the Ijsselmeer. We headed south from here to Marina Muiderzand, a 1150 berth marina and like most things Dutch, it was very well kept and had a choice of restaurants in close proximity.
One night here and we were on our way again this time to the pretty town of Harderwijk some 25 miles to the west. We moored in the old harbours a stones throw from town and spent a very relaxing and sociable couple of days.
Next stop was Naarden another enormous marina just off the Gooimeer, a couple of miles out of the old town with the local market in full swing. The rate for diesel here was comparatively competitive for Holland (but massively expensive compared to NYA Fuel Club).
So the fleet filled up in readiness to go home. We couldn’t go home however because the forecast was awful – strong winds and rain. And so our holiday was extended which everyone seemed quite pleased about.
Onwards then to Monnickendam on the north western shore of the Markermeer. A small traditional Dutch town with a handful of restaurants, two supermarkets and moorings with a lovely view across the water. Two days later and we were on the move again. Strong winds and rain were the order of the day as we made our way back down the Markermeer, Happily the rain stopped before we got back to the lock in Amsterdam. Back down the Noordzeekanaal to Seaport Marina in readiness for a North sea crossing on Wednesday. There was 30 knots of wind blowing from the North West as we pulled into Seaport Marina but everyone got moored without incident. The wind dropped off as forecast whilst we had dinner in a rather cool surf bar on the beach at Ijmuiden.
We departed Seaport Marina the following morning @ 0630hrs. There was a fair residual swell as we left the harbour but the winds were light and the sea state got better and better as we closed the Norfolk Coast.
If you haven’t experienced boating in Holland, I really cannot recommend it more highly. The scale of the inland cruising ground is staggering as is the quality and number of facilities both in marina’s and towns – and the wonderful Dutch people make you feel very welcome.
Comments-
“Thank you all for a lovely trip, it’s been a lot of fun. See you all soon. RR”
“Thank you to all at NYA for this wonderful cruise and thank you James, Sam, Speedo and Rob, and all boat skippers and crew for your company, friendship and support. We enjoyed it all! Looking forward to doing it all again next year. xx”
“Thanks everyone for a great trip especially James and Team for their efforts we have had a brilliant time 👌 hope to see you all again soon until then safe travels x”
“Thank you James, Speedo, Rob and Sam lovely, memorable trip for all the right reasons again with lots of great company. Lovely trip everyone, thanks for your company and a big thanks to James and his fantastic crew for putting this all together and their input. You’re an awesome team Thank you one and all I have really enjoyed it 🏴🍺🏴🍺🍺”
“Me too, best wishes to you all, thank you for my birthday party 🥳 🤪 Also a big thank you to our sweeper team, PJ4 😘”
