Frequently Asked Questions about Booking, Payment, and Insurance. Have more questions? Contact us!
The price lists and more information can be conveniently downloaded.
If you would like to book a ship, you will first receive an offer. Once you accept it, you will then receive a rental agreement from us via email. Please return the signed rental agreement to us within 14 days by post, fax, or email.
The following terms and conditions apply to our bookings.
All rental prices include 9% VAT, harbor fees, tourist tax, and diesel costs (maximum of 1 hour of engine use per day).
Our payment terms depend on the booking time, i.e., how far in advance of the trip the booking is made.
For reservations in the following calendar year, the payment terms are as follows:
If you rent a ship in the current calendar year, the payment terms are as follows:
Unfortunately, it can happen that a trip does not go as planned. Therefore, we recommend that you take out insurance to avoid any unexpected costs. For taking out the appropriate insurance, we refer you to the insurance provider RecreatieVerzekeringen.nl/en.
If you have chosen a sailing ship and later wish to change the ship due to changes in your travel group, a paid rescheduling is possible. The costs for this depend on the cancellation fees outlined in our terms and conditions.
In general, pets are not allowed on board.
On some ships, it may be possible after consultation. Please check with Holland Sail in advance. Some skippers have a dog or cat on board.
Frequently asked questions about food and drink.
Holland Sail offers a diverse catering menu, with drink arrangements available upon request.
If you have ordered catering, a cook will accompany you to take care of your meals. On some ships, a cabin will be reserved for the cook.
We would be happy to send you an offer.
All our ships are equipped with a fully stocked galley.
There are enough pots, plates, cutlery, etc. available. Basic spices, as well as salt and pepper, vinegar, and oil are not provided on board.
For the first day, we provide dish towels, dish soap, toilet paper, and garbage bags. For the following days, please bring these items yourself.
If you are self-catering on board, simply bring your own food. Alternatively, at some departure ports, it is possible to have your groceries delivered directly to the ship.
At the departure ports, there are various supermarkets where you can do your shopping. A few weeks before your trip, you will receive the departure information from us, including an overview of the shopping options available at your departure port.
During the trip, you will also dock at different ports, where the skipper will be happy to inform you about the local shopping possibilities.
Usually, the skipper and crew member eat with the guests.
If you prefer to have your meals privately, just let the skipper know.
It depends on the ship and the booking period. If the final cleaning is included, for example, during a weekend booking, you don't need to worry about it.
If final cleaning is not included, you can arrange to have it done for a fee at the end of your trip. The cleaning costs vary by ship and can be paid onboard. We kindly ask you to leave the ship tidy and broom-clean. If you choose to do the cleaning yourself, cleaning supplies will be provided.
On the water, the weather can be unpredictable. We recommend packing the following::
These items will help ensure you're prepared for a variety of weather conditions and make your time on board comfortable and enjoyable!
All beds are equipped with bed sheets, pillows, and pillowcases. Whether blankets are included in the price depends on the ship and the date. The details of what is included and what to expect on board are specified in your rental contract.
On many ships, you can bring your own sleeping bag/blanket (with cover) or rent one (€18 per unit). Please let us know at least one week before departure if you would like to rent a blanket. The rental fee can be paid in cash directly on board.
You can bring your own towels or rent them on board (€8 per unit).
Please let us know at least one week before departure if you would like to rent towels. The rental fee can be paid in cash directly on board.
The day starts with breakfast together. You will discuss your wishes with the skipper and together determine which route is feasible, as the sailing route always depends on current wind and weather conditions.
Next, you will practice the essential knots with the crew, and once you leave the harbor, you’ll hoist the sails. In the afternoon, you will arrive at the next harbor where you will spend the night. Once the ship is docked, you can go ashore and explore the harbor town. If you prefer, you can stay on board and relax.
The next day, after breakfast, you will set sail again for a new route to the next harbor. On the last sailing day, you will return to the starting harbor.
The length of your sailing day is mostly up to you, in consultation with the skipper.
Typically, the ship departs from the harbor around 10:00 AM, allowing you to have a relaxed breakfast and maybe do some shopping. Of course, it’s also possible to leave earlier or later. On the Wadden Sea, the tides determine the schedule, including the arrival and departure times.
If you'd like to take a bike tour or visit a museum in the next harbor, the sailing time will be shortened accordingly.
Together with the skipper, you’ll discuss the possible sailing routes on board. Depending on your preferences, the wind, and the weather, various options will be suggested.
Possible routes (always dependent on wind and weather, and therefore to be discussed on board!):
From Harlingen, sail to a North Sea island (Texel, Vlieland, or Terschelling) or through the Kornwerderzand lock to Makkum, Workum, Stavoren, or another harbor on the IJsselmeer. For longer trips, you can combine a route over the IJsselmeer and Wadden Sea.
From Enkhuizen, you can head toward the Frisian coast, visiting Makkum, Workum, Stavoren, or Lemmer. It may also be possible to sail a section through the canals in Friesland. For longer trips, you can combine a route over the IJsselmeer and Wadden Sea.
From Enkhuizen, sail to Medemblik or Den Oever heading towards the Wadden Sea. Alternatively, you can head to the Markermeer towards Hoorn, Volendam, or Lelystad.
You won’t sail if, for example, you wish to spend an entire day on an island or in a harbor town. It may also be the case that weather conditions prevent sailing.
There are sufficient life jackets on board.
If children's life jackets are required, please let us know the weight of the children, and we will provide the appropriate life jackets.
Our flat-bottomed ships are very stable in the water, thanks to their excellent sailing characteristics, so seasickness is rare.
However, if you are prone to seasickness, we recommend eating well and regularly, getting enough sleep, and staying on deck while sailing. Travel tablets or chewing gum can also be helpful as a preventive measure.
With the travel documents, you will receive the skipper's phone number.
You can contact them anytime. The phone number can also be found on the ship's page on our website.
For adults, we generally rely on personal responsibility. For children and anyone under 18, alcohol consumption on board is not permitted.
At Holland Sail, sailing is an active experience and guests are asked to help with handling the sails. The charm of sailing is that the ship is powered by the wind, but the moments when the sails need to be adjusted cannot always be predicted. This depends on wind, weather, waves, the waterway and other traffic. Even if you are relaxing on deck, you need to remain alert and steady on your feet, especially when there is more wind and waves.
Alcohol can impair your reactions and decision-making. For this reason, the crew is cautious about allowing alcohol consumption while sailing. The crew is responsible for the safety of all guests as well as themselves. Therefore, you must always follow the crew’s instructions, including those concerning alcohol.
Yes, after sailing it is absolutely fine for adult guests to enjoy a drink on board to end the day on a pleasant note. Guests under 18 can enjoy non-alcoholic drinks. Please always follow the crew’s instructions and be considerate of others on board.
In every harbour we are guests, and we show respect to the local community. Please do not disturb residents, fellow guests on your ship or people on neighbouring ships with loud, inappropriate or disruptive behaviour.
From 10:00 p.m. harbour quiet hours apply. We kindly ask you to respect this so that everyone can enjoy a peaceful night.
Disrespectful or inappropriate behaviour – whether through language, actions or harassment – will not be tolerated. Every guest is expected to behave respectfully towards others. If you do not follow these rules, the crew may decide that you are no longer welcome on board and you may be excluded from the rest of the trip.
No, carrying or using drugs on board is strictly prohibited by law. The use of such substances not only poses a risk to your own safety and well-being, but also to that of others. Anyone who does not comply with this ban may be immediately excluded from the rest of the sailing trip.
In Enkhuizen, you can park for free; the parking area is not monitored.
In Harlingen, there are paid, monitored parking spaces available for your car. IMPORTANT: Parking reservations are recommended or even required!
For more information about these parking spaces, please visit:
No problem at all. You can easily bring your luggage by car to the ship and then park your vehicle in one of the designated parking areas.
The ships have fixed berths in the harbors during the season.
A few weeks before your trip, you will receive departure information, including the ship's berth. Look out for the purple flag on the ship and keep the skipper's phone number handy just in case. If you've booked multiple ships, they might be moored together and not at their usual berth.
We are happy to arrange your arrival and departure in a comfortable coach.
For groups of 20 or more people, we offer attractive options for round-trip travel in comfortable coaches, often at a more affordable price than other bus companies. We are happy to provide you with a suitable offer.
Unfortunately, boarding earlier is not possible due to cleaning and stocking of the ships. The skipper has limited time between sailing trips to prepare the ship. However, if you need to board later than the agreed time, please inform the skipper in advance.
Discuss the departure time on the last day with the skipper.
It is possible to disembark earlier if it better suits your schedule (e.g., for a train or bus connection). However, disembarking later than the agreed time is not possible.
Holland Sail is happy to assist you during your sailing journey, as it's much easier when you don't have to do everything yourself. Read more about our services in the areas of bed linen, bus transport, cleaning and catering.
The enthusiasm for sailing is deeply ingrained in all skippers and employees of Holland Sail. Sharing this passion has therefore become our trademark for many years.
With great care and dedication, we maintain and preserve our traditional sailing ships — true ambassadors of a maritime tradition that has been making sailing history for over a century. This ensures that every sailing trip with Holland Sail becomes an unforgettable experience.
