Summer is just around the corner… and the water is calling
Sunny days, terraces filling up, and the water beckoning you to get out and about. It’s the height of summer at Rederij Belle, too. Our ships are coming and going for corporate gatherings, family days, and special events. From Dordrecht’s historic city center to the Wadden Sea and from the Vecht River to Amsterdam’s canals: everywhere we go, we get to bring people together in the most beautiful spots in the Netherlands. And to cool off a bit now and then 💦.
In this issue, we’d like to take you on a journey through some of the special moments from the past few weeks and offer some inspiration for a wonderful summer on the water.
🚢 Behind the scenes: Sometimes a steamship requires heavy equipment
Even on the water, things don’t always go according to plan. During a recent voyage, our steamship Succes collided with a navigation buoy. The buoy ended up under the ship and struck the propeller. Fortunately, an inspection by a diver revealed that the damage was limited to the propeller and that the hull remained undamaged.
The ship has now been taken to the shipyard, where repairs are being carried out. And it’s quite a sight to behold. After all, you can’t just casually haul a historic steamship weighing no less than 340 metric tons out of the water. It takes a massive crane to carefully lift the ship out of the water.
A special look behind the scenes that shows just how much craftsmanship and care go into keeping our sailing heritage in top condition. Thanks to the quick repairs, we hope to have the Succes fully seaworthy again soon.
✨ Celebrating summer on the Vecht—a great idea for centuries
Anyone sailing on the Vecht today will immediately understand why this river has been so beloved for centuries. In the 17th century, as soon as summer arrived, wealthy Amsterdam merchants would leave the bustling city to seek relief from the heat at their country estates along the Vecht. Those stately estates, elegant tea pavilions, and colorful gardens still define the character of this special river.
It is precisely during this time of year that the many hydrangeas along the riverbanks are at their most beautiful. From the water, a landscape unfolds that seems to have hardly changed at all.
Whether you’re celebrating something with family or friends, or want to treat your business contacts to a relaxing day away from the office, a cruise on the Vecht remains one of the best ways to enjoy the summer together.
💡Did you know that…
…there are more than a hundred historic country estates along the Vecht? Many of them were built by Amsterdam merchants during the Golden Age. Some of the gardens are still virtually in their original condition and are best admired from the water.
🎉 Looking Back: It’s not every day we host a Norwegian delegation
Sometimes everything just comes together. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting a Norwegian delegation of no fewer than 150 guests at the Oosthal for a fully organized program.
The day got off to a special start. Guests were picked up from the station in our classic saloon boats for a cruise through Amsterdam, accompanied, of course, by a fine glass of champagne and elegant hors d’oeuvres. Afterward, the historic Oosthal served as the setting for a plenary program, followed by a guided tour of Museum ’t Kromhout.
After a delightful dinner, the saloon boats returned to take everyone back to the hotel in comfort.
It is precisely the combination of history, hospitality, water transportation, and this unique, nautically historic location that makes organizing such events so special for us.
✨ Meetings where nature sets the agenda
A meeting room with a view is nice. But a meeting room that moves with the wind and the tides creates a whole different dynamic.
Management teams often choose to spend one or two days aboard a sailboat. On the Markermeer, IJsselmeer, or the Wadden Sea, teamwork is not just a theoretical concept. Hoisting the sails together, setting a course, adapting to changing conditions, and perhaps even running aground on a sandbar—all of this requires communication, trust, and flexibility.
In between sailing sessions, there’s plenty of time for strategy sessions, after which the day comes to a relaxed close in a historic harbor or on one of the Wadden Islands. An experience that will be the talk of the town for a long time to come.
🎉Looking Back: Simmer Logs Her First Nautical Miles
Our newest addition, the beautiful Lemsteraak Simmer, recently embarked on one of her first special voyages during the Harlingen–Terschelling Race. With guests from Chemship and Victron on board, she demonstrated what a “fisherman’s” Lemsteraak is built for these days: powerful sailing, comfort, and enjoying the open water.
We are looking forward to a wonderful first full sailing season with this special ship.
We wish you a wonderful summer and hope to welcome you back on board soon!
Team Rederij Belle
Whether you choose a relaxing cruise on the Vecht, a day of sailing on the IJsselmeer or a cultural package in Amsterdam – the water remains the most beautiful way to experience the Netherlands.
We will be happy to think about a suitable tour for your party.
Feel free to ask about the possibilities or book your cruise directly.