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Netherlands Cruise

This exciting cruise starts with a coastal passage along the south coast of England and through the busy Dover Straits before crossing the North Sea bound for Den Helder in Holland. From here you will cruise some of the picturesque fishing ports of the Waddenzee before heading southwards through the lock gates that lead to the inland, fresh water, IJsselmeer.

Shoal draft Dutch sailing barges, dykes, daffodils, canals, windmills and tiny lifting bridges typify the area, which, before the dykes were built, was connected to the open sea. Continuing on into the Markermeer, the cruise takes in a visit to the town of Volendam, one of the loveliest and best-preserved ports in the Zuider Zee. Here you can pick up a supply of the cheese that helped to make the adjacent little town of Edam famous, before continuing on to Amsterdam, the principal city of the Netherlands. Negotiating the labyrinth of canals that criss-cross the city this inland passage finally leads to the 13 mile Noordzee Kanaal opening the gateway to Ijmuiden and a return to the North Sea and England.

This is a cruise that offers a whole range and variety of experience. Close quarters pilotage, coastal navigation, offshore passage making and negotiating inland waterways. Variety is the spice of life!