Reviews

This trip was a retirement present to ourselves as both Wanda and I had recently retired. We did this trip with 4 family members. Everything was great and exactly as advertised. We met many great people and enjoyed lots of laughs and conversations. We would like to do more trips like this in the future.

A great adventure for a reasonable cost! The crew of the Fluvuis was delightful, the food was surprisingly upscale, the accommodations were nicer than the photos, most of the bikes were brand new and perfectly adequate, the routes were engaging. The group pace was slow for us so we cycled on our own, following the routes, and had no problems. Hardcore cyclists take note – this is a slow, easy ride. Be prepared for cruiser bikes, 10 miles per hour, lots of stops, no inclines.

We had an amazing trip aboard the Fluvius. Onboard we were very well taken care of by the captain and crew. The food was delicious and the amenities were exceptional. Our bike excursions through the countryside were very picturesque and our knowledgeable tour guides gave additional historical perspectives that were educational and interesting. We also received nightly tours of the city which were very informative. All in all, we would highly recommend this trip to anyone who is looking for a biking vacation. The only unfortunate aspect is that the WIFI was not operable during the course of the trip which limited our research of looking up additional historical facts.

I never knew a boat/bike trip like this existed. My sister and brother in law suggested since we both love bike riding. It was a great time. We traveled in the first of May and the weather was not the best. We had cool and rainy days. But the whole crew and all the other passengers made the best of everything and we had some wonderful bike rides. The countrysides, canals, windmills and UNESCO sites were memorable.

Breakfast could have had a little more verity

Best Trip Ever! Crew was awesome, food was delicious, Fluvius/cabin was great, guides were super, bike routes excellent. Everyone was very enjoyable, lots of conversation, laughing………happiness surrounded us! No one went home disappointed !

A friend of mine & I coordinated a trip from 5-4 to 5-11 (Amsterdam to Brugge) about 2 dozen of us from the great State of Michigan were on Fluvius for the week. The weather was not the best yet we preserved and made the best of each day. Grateful the weather person was wrong most days. Bring rain pants, rain coat and a positive attitude and you will be good to go. Yes more sun and warmer temps would have been nice. We went prepared to bike – enjoy the sites, nature and history of area. I was not disappointed one bit. Plenty of wildlife, fields, historically sites, fresh strawberries,bike museum, wooden escalators. ( the list was endless and being near water so peaceful) The crew extended great hospitality. We had the chance to mingle with them and enjoy getting to know each of them as well. Meals, well each morning you were able to choose from two entrees for dinner. The evening meals were four course. Fresh, hot and nice presentation. Breakfast had many options and this is when you packed your lunch for your day trip. Small yogurts to go for lunch would have been nice. Available a few mornings not entire week. Our cabins were larger than I anticipated and met our needs. I did wash a few items and plenty of space to hang a travel clothesline. Appreciated them being energy conscience- you could opt out of new towels each day. Beds were comfortable. Safe inside room so you could lock valuables. We were in the lower deck and able to enjoy the water out our window half the time. Split docking side throughout week. Pannier bags which easily attacked to your bike was generous in size ( app. 6” x 10” x 13”) easily attached on and off. As our week showed rain everyday we could take or wear rain pants, rain coat and adequate layers without any problems. Bikes were very comfortable- great seat, shocks and easy to use locks. I wish our tour guide took us through the wind mills rather than on the road yet this wouldn’t stop me from recommending. The captain shared his love for the country on 4-5-19 when there was a memorial service and 2 minutes of silence. ( very touching, a time to reflect on all those that have serviced in war or lost their lives.) Live entertainment was on the boat one evening – nice change. Perhaps due to our questionable weather. Felt safe and secure in boat. Riding with the group or going on your own are doable. Fantastic maps. Walking tour by one of the guides in the arrival town was nice bonus. We had two large groups and two from Cali & two from Canada. What a joy to meet other people and get to laugh, ride and mingle with them. Everyone was pleasant and welcoming. Make sure you bring bike clothing with padding. At the end of the day you will be glad you did. Beds were comfortable. One of our group requested lactose free and another vegetarian. To my knowledge both were happy with alternatives. One needed distilled water for C Pap machine and very accommodating. This was my type of vacation – accommodations, food, crew and activities were awesome. Some individual chose not to ride which worked out fine for them. Rain or shine, I went and had a great day. I rode on my own with a small group 3 of the six days. The variety was nice. The groups were on the large size yet don’t have suggestions unless a third guide was added.

Great trip !! Staff was outstanding ! Meals were very good

We had a wonderful week. From staff, the itineraries, the food, the excursions….everything was super. Thank you.

My husband and I signed up for the BoatBike ride from Amsterdam to Bruges for April 20-27, 2019. We had never been to the Netherlands or Belgium, we like recreational biking at home (in the US) and after reading several reviews decided it would be a great adventure. We tried to explain to our friends that there was no safety van riding along side us if we got tired, not it was not a cruise but a converted barge, yes would sleep and eat on the barge etc. Yes we would ride rain or shine! It was all that. We booked the smaller, standard room and it was plenty comfortable, air and heat worked great and the cot style bed with lovely bedding was super comfy. The fixed window was nice and big and the room was spacious enough. We ate breakfast and dinner on the barge, and packed a bag lunch for the day. Hans and Hester were our lovely bike leaders, unflappable and informed. I rode 175 miles (skipping the last day) and was quite comfortable and proud. Many used electric bikes and they were also happy. We rode many hours at a leisurely pace, in 2 groups, mainly with no cars nearby, breaking for coffee, beer, bathroom breaks and lunch. The group was very nice, mainly from Canada and mainly large groups traveling together.. We were just 2 but not a problem. Suggestion: I would have liked a tour every evening or morning in the towns were were stopped in. I loved the biking but wanted a peak at more culture. We did have a lovely evening walk one night in Dortrecht guided by Hester-very informative. We also had a few hours in Ghent and in Antwerp but without a tour, even an informal one, we didn’t feel as enlightened.. We often didn’t return to the barge until 530 and had to rush to a 630 dinner. another suggestion: later dinner at 7 or 730 as this was our evening activity. Also when we returned we were offered a brownie, cake etc. as a post riding snack. A healthy alternative, fresh cut up fruit, nuts etc would have been quite welcomed. Or even a happy hour late afternoon, fruit and cheese and crackers party? The food was quite tasty with several courses at dinner, but the actual dinner entree portions were very skimpy, with the desserts, also delicious being as large as the entree. They were out of decaf coffee for many nights; when they served coffee after dinner we were never offered a second cup; kind of rushed to the “orientation program” for the next day’s riding. The drinkable water had an awful taste the first day which seemed to have improved after that day. We had lovely entertainment 2 nights on the ship but perhaps local musicians would have liked to come on board the other nights? Hester gave us a beautiful oboe concert. another suggestion is a communal photo drop place so we could all share photos which we managed to do individually at the end. The literature says to board the boat in Amsterdam on the starting Saturday, between 1 and 130 with a 2:00 departure but when we rushed to arrived at the dock at 1 we were told to leave our bags and take a walk on the pier and come back at 2. Some of the other communication could have also been improved. All in all, it was a really fun experience, the Captain and dining crew were friendly and tried hard to help us enjoy. Again, my main criticism is not enough time to actually visit and guided tour the many beautiful cities we rode through. Another thought, if it is a bike trip why are we paying extra for the bikes? We are offered the option of bringing our own bikes, but discouraged. The cost of the bike should be included and maybe a supplemental cost for the ebikes is another thought. I will consider another boatbike trip in the future. Thanks to all of you for your hard work and positive energy on this trip!