Coen de Ruwe has been COO of Boat Bike Tours since the beginning of 2024, and he started his job with an adventure: together with his wife and children, he went on a “Sail & Bike” tour around the Wadden Sea. In this post, he tells us about his experiences on this special trip.
What impressed you most about this trip?
“The feeling of freedom, right from the first moment. It’s just great to move around in this way. Neither I nor my family have had much to do with ships before. This experience was completely new to us and we all really enjoyed it.
“What also surprised me was the like-mindedness of the guests on board: all open and interesting people. The travelers built a real connection with each other over the course of the week. We had a lot of good conversations, especially while eating together. It was nice to see how interested people were in the other guests and in the culture of the country.
“Another highlight was the hospitality of the crew. Everyone was very professional and attentive, and everyone had their own role. Even the cook took the time to present her dishes to the guests and to cater to special dietary requirements. Simply perfect!”
What is the difference between a cycling and sailing trip and a regular cycling holiday or a cruise?
“The combination of cycling and sailing is simply ideal for those who want to see a lot. For us as a family, it was the first opportunity to discover the Wadden island of Terschelling and it was really beautiful.
“I also really enjoyed that the daily program is already organized. So we didn’t have to constantly think about what we wanted to do. And unlike a regular cycling trip, the ship is waiting for you in the harbor every evening – that really is a fantastic feeling. I was surprised at how luxurious the cabins are. They feel more like real hotel rooms. And the food on board – simply delicious!”
How does sailing contribute to the overall experience? What role does nature play in this trip?
“As I said, the feeling of freedom is the focus for me. And that’s not just limited to sailing, but also includes the bike tours on land. You’re out in the fresh air all day and you’re always discovering something new. And from the ship, we also experienced nature in a completely different, much more intense way. The Wadden Sea is a truly unique place that is best experienced on a boat trip. We also saw lots of animals along the way: seals, birds and even a porpoise.”
How does this trip contribute to a sense of community among travelers? Were there special moments of togetherness?
“Yes, there were, definitely! Every evening we had the opportunity to sit together with the other travelers and get to know them better. Eating together, where you keep sitting in different places, is particularly interesting and leads to interesting conversations. There were even evenings when we spontaneously sang together! But of course, that’s not a must – if you’re looking for peace and quiet, you can go for a walk or retreat to your cabin instead.
“During the day, everyone does the bike tours at their own pace and not with the whole group. For us as a family with children, that was ideal because it allowed us to plan our days individually. For example, we know the island of Texel very well. That’s why we only cycled to the beach with the children there instead of seeing more of the island.”
Why is it important for the company that employees experience the product themselves?
“At Boat Bike Tours, the focus is on the guest. If the guest is not happy, we’re doing something wrong. Therefore, it is important for every employee to understand the guest’s perspective in order to be able to make the experience as good as possible. The tour leaders, in particular, play a key role in this. They are a crucial part of our community.
“This large community of ships’ crews, tour leaders and office staff is one of the most beautiful aspects of my work at Boat Bike Tours. The question is how we can organize this community as well as possible so that the tour leaders have the space to do their job as hosts as well as possible. In order to understand this connection even better, I have decided to accompany a tour myself next year, shadowing a tour leader.”
After this experience, do you have any ideas for improvements or new future trips?
“Absolutely! One of the things I noticed is that many guests extend their vacation before or after the tour. On this trip, for example, many chose to stay in Amsterdam so that they could see the city at their leisure. This could be an exciting starting point for us – to offer our guests even more support and experiences around their extended vacation.”
How about you?
Do you like the idea of a vacation adventure full of freedom? Wind in your hair, wide horizons and varied bike tours? Would you like to experience our cycling and sailing trip around the Dutch Wadden Sea? You can find the complete travel program [here].
Our travel experts will be happy to help you if you have any questions or need assistance with booking. You can reach us by email at [email protected] or by phone at (203) 814-1249 in the US or +31-20-723-5400 in the Netherlands. We look forward to hearing from you!
