When you start a biking and boating tour, it’s easy to fall in love with the obvious things: the soft light in the morning, the quiet satisfaction of cycling through little villages, the feeling of returning “home” to a cozy and comfortable ship at the end of the day. But here’s what most guests don’t see immediately: the people who make that floating home run.
For this episode of the Boat Bike Tours Podcast, Ennie sat down with Marnik, the 29-year-old owner and skipper of the La Mar, and Jurre, his 22-year-old deckhand who’s working toward becoming a captain one day. They share what life on board really looks like, and why the atmosphere guests feel doesn’t happen by accident.
Their stories reveal five key insights into what makes our tours feel less like a trip, and more like a shared experience.
1. Passion is what makes the long days work
Life on board starts early and ends late. Jurre is honest about that: “These are long days. But if you’re passionate about it, it’s a really nice job.”
A deckhand’s day includes breakfast service, dishes, preparing bikes, cleaning the ship, handling locks, welcoming guests back on board, bar shifts, and everything in between. During the winter, when there are no guests, the work continues, doing maintenance and repainting the ship. “The work never ends,” Jurre says, “but it never gets boring.”
That combination – hard work and genuine enjoyment – sets the tone for the entire ship. Guests feel it immediately.
2. On the La Mar, teamwork matters more than titles
One thing becomes very clear in the conversation: The La Mar doesn’t run on strict hierarchy. Marnik explains that everyone has a main role, but no one sticks to just one task. “We all have our jobs, but at the end of the day, we do it together.”
Deckhands help in the kitchen. Housekeeping checks if the chef needs a hand. Sometimes the chef even helps with the bikes. For guests, this creates a relaxed, open atmosphere. “It’s not like I’m ‘the captain’ and he’s ‘the sailor’,” Marnik says. “We just do it all together.” That mindset turns the ship into a small community, one where guests feel welcome, and guests and crew call each other by name.
3. The La Mar is designed to feel like home, not a hotel
When Ennie asks what life on the La Mar feels like, Jurre doesn’t hesitate: “It feels like home. Really warm.”
After buying the ship, Marnik redesigned the interior completely. The goal wasn’t luxury for the sake of luxury, but comfort. More space. A proper bar. A separate restaurant area. And, above all, a cozy atmosphere.
Before making changes, Marnik even asked guests what they valued most. “I wanted to keep the soul of the ship,” he explains. “A lot of wood, a warm feeling, but also make it a bit more modern.”
Guests often say the same thing when they step on board: from the outside, the La Mar looks modest. Inside, it feels surprisingly spacious and welcoming.
Some guests get so comfortable they wander around barefoot. “It’s not a luxury hotel,” Marnik laughs. “It’s their home while they’re sailing.”
4. The real highlight is watching guests connect
Both Marnik and Jurre say their favorite moments aren’t about sailing or technical challenges. They’re about people. Jurre compares his work now to his time on cargo ships: “Containers don’t talk back. People do. I need that.”
Marnik describes a moment that happens almost every week. Guests arrive as strangers: Twelve couples who don’t know each other. By the end of the trip, they’re exchanging emails, taking group photos, and planning future meetups.
“Sometimes people save a long time for this trip,” Marnik says. “So we remind ourselves every week: this is new for them. We need to give them memories.”
That awareness shapes everything the crew does, from the welcome on day 1 to the goodbye at the end.
5. A Boat Bike Tour works because it’s simply smart
When Ennie asks why people should choose a Boat Bike Tour, the answer comes easily. “If you want to see the Netherlands or Belgium,” Jurre says, “this is the best way.”
Marnik explains why the concept works so well. Guests travel at their own pace. They can stop whenever they like. And at the end of the day, their hotel is always waiting for them. “Your hotel travels with you,” he says. “That’s the smart part.”
No daily packing. No rushing to the next place. Just cycling, sailing, and settling back into the same familiar space each evening.
“It’s really the best way to explore,” Marnik adds. “Not only the places, but the feeling they give you.”
A ship that feels personal
What comes through most clearly in this podcast episode is that the La Mar isn’t just operated; it’s lived in. Marnik brings the pride of an owner who never planned to own a ship but took the chance when it appeared. Jurre brings the energy of someone who’s learning every day, with his eyes already on the future.
Together, they create the atmosphere that guests remember long after the trip ends.
And when guests return from a day of cycling, there’s a phrase the crew often uses: “Welcome back home!” After hearing their story, this doesn’t sound like an exaggeration at all.
Inspired to start your own adventure?
Have Marnik and Jurre inspired you to plan your own bike and boat adventure? Just call us at (203) 814-1249 and ask us anything! You can also send an email to info@boatbiketours.com, if you prefer. Either way, we’ll be happy to help. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on our latest tours and special offers. We’d love to welcome you on board!
