AHOY! Overnight on a riverboat

A cruise down the historic canals of Amsterdam is a must for every visitor to the Netherlands. Not everyone, however, is aware that they can take their experience a notch higher with an overnight stay on a century-old river ferry in the nearby city of Utrecht.

For as low as P2,500 per night, one can rent a cabin on the Passenger Ship Ahoy, a converted river steamer built in 1914.

Owned by elderly couple Theunis and Margreet Hoekstra, the boat used to be a cargo vessel before it was turned into a river cruise ferry in 1966. Now wanting to have a “slower life,” the couple – who also lives on the boat – turned Ahoy into a bed and breakfast for tourists.

The boat has 14 cabins below deck that can accommodate two persons each. Every cabin has a wash basin, with two common showers and toilets at the end of the corridor. Guests can also stay at the large common room or a semi-covered deck outside, and chat with the owners who are more than happy to share tips on how to explore Utrecht and the nearby cities.

Theunis Hoekstra (above left) and his wife Magreet run the floating bed and breakfast ship Ahoy...

Located just outside the city center of Utrecht, Ahoy – which is usually anchored on Kanaalweg (although its location may change once in a while) – may be reached in 10 minutes from the city’s train station via bus, taxi or bicycle. Guests may also walk and enjoy the Dutch suburbs and canals along the way.

Built on an ancient fortress that dates back to the Roman period, Utrecht is just 30 minutes via train from Amsterdam. But unlike the latter that seems to be teeming with visitors all year round, Utrecht offers a more relaxed atmosphere, allowing visitors to explore its mix of modern and historical streets at their own pace.

One of the main attractions is the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Dom Tower, the highest bell tower in the entire country. Various museums are also located in the city, as well as Utrecht University, which is one of the oldest in the country.

Staying overnight aboard Ahoy was a unique experience. Unlike sleeping on a vessel at sea, one hardly feels any motion as the boat is anchored on a canal where the water is as still as you can get. Spring and summer appear to be the best seasons to stay aboard, although visitors who stayed during fall and winter say the boat is still a comfortable place to be despite the cold weather outside.

...which has 14 cabins...

Margreet prepares a breakfast that, while not a usual hotel buffet spread, makes one feel what regular life is for the Dutch people.

The downside of staying in a cabin, though, is that it would offer little space and, to some extent, less privacy due to the shared nature of the facilities. But that is what it’s like to live on a boat, isn’t it?

Guests with large luggage should consider leaving them in the locker rooms at the central train station in Amsterdam and just bring enough for the trip to Utrecht. Getting an OV-chipkaart, the country’s public transport smart card system, is also advisable as it would enable hassle-free travel across the country.

For Theunis and Margreet, opening their boat to travelers has become a significant part of their lives. They value meeting new people and, to some degree, fostering cultural exchange, especially among foreigners.

...and a large common room.

Unfortunately, this may not last very long as the couple is currently on the lookout for possible buyers of Ahoy. Getting on in years, the couple says they can hardly keep up with the demands of maintaining the boat and running a bed and breakfast.

But, fortunately, “we don’t know yet how soon that will happen,” they say with a warm, welcoming smile.

Passenger Ship Ahoy cabins may be booked via Airbnb. Details also available at: http://www.ahoyvakantievaarten.nl/english/