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AvantiDaytours and ArrangementsThe Avanti is fully operational. It is possible to plan your own trip all over Holland and Belgium. Rotterdam for instance, the worlds largest port, takes just one day to reach by ship. Belgium is only two days away from Amsterdam. Price: From US$42.16/€27.50/£20.44 per person
Direct telephone: +31-6-28652430
How to get there:
Walking from the Central Station, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get to the Avanti. Leaving the Station at the front, you cross the large bridge and turn left. You walk along the Prins Hendrikkade towards the IJ-Tunnel. Just before the tunnel you will find the Oosterdok on your left.
A well recognisable ‘neighbour' is Nemo, a large green building that looks like a ship. It is built right on top of the IJ-Tunnel. By car, the thing to do is get to the circular highway (Ring A10) of Amsterdam. From the North side of the A10 you take the exit S116 (Centrum) and go through the IJ-Tunnel. At the end of the tunnel you turn right at the traffic lights, onto the Prins Hendrikkade. Directly after the lights there is a bus stop. Turn right immediately after the bus stop (before the bridge) and you will go round the corner, down to the jetties of the Oosterdok. Parking space directly next to the jetties is limited and expensive (€ 3,40 per hour!). It is possible to use these spaces shortly to unload and then park in a different part of town, where parking is cheaper or even free. Free parking is only a few bus stops from the Oosterdok. You can call arriving at Central Station or make your booking sending us an e-mail. I will send you the details of your trip, and will inquire after any particular wish or request you might have, and will answer any questions you have. I hope we will meet soon, and I wish you a comfortable and exciting stay on board the Avanti.
The interior On arrival you will find all linen is provided. The beds are made and the bathroom has plenty towels. Music can be played, the CD-player is serviced from the wheelhouse. Music can be listened to in the living room and in the wheelhouse. The kitchen is fully equipped with pots, pans and cups. It also has a toaster to make toast for breakfast, and is amply supplied with coffee, tea, etc. The bathroom has towels, soap and a hairdryer. Water pressure of the shower is high so you will enjoy a comfortable shower in the morning! The toilet is in a separate space. The DVD-player goes with a standard supply of 16 DVD’s with the latest movies. The TV has 26 channels through digital connection with the shore. There are no internet facilities on board. In winter the ship has central heating. The Avanti has a storage capacity of 10,000 liters of fresh water. Because the ship is regularly making tours, it is for its electricity fully self-supplying using a generator. The generator has a specially designed silent packing and can be turned off at any time. Temperature within the ship is regulated by a climate control system. On arrival all will be explained to you and is very easy to operate. A tourist guide is provided with a street map of Amsterdam. The ship has a desk with all kinds of tourist information about Amsterdam and many other places of interest you may want to visit with the Avanti. On arrival you will be instructed on the equipment, the mooring place and where to buy your groceries. We will also discuss with you the details of your itinerary. Living aboard the Avanti is as simple as being at home, so you won’t have any problems finding your way around!  More information:
Because of the many canals and other waterways in Holland, transportation was most efficiently carried out by ships and barges. In 1922, the year the Avanti was built, the diesel engine was a relatively new invention which was soon applied in ship-building. Thus transportation by water became more profitable and reliable. Because of the specific characteristics of the Dutch waterway system, shipsof special size and measurements were required for the often narrow canals (and, especially, the locks) to be able to sail to and from major cities like Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Alkmaar. Many canals and locks had been constructed as early as the beginning of the 19th century. Consequently shipbuilders always had to take into account the restrictions and possibilities placed on their designs by the existing waterways. The Luxe-motor
The Luxe-motor in their time were famous for their strong and sturdy hull. They were pre-eminently the ‘supermarket’ and transportation ships of the 1920’s and 1930’s. The Avanti has been in service until 1961. By then, with its size of 34 m. by 5.4 m. and a cargo capacity of 220 tons, it couldn’t compete any longer with modern ships. The owner at the time decided to change it into a charterboat, which could then be moved to herever he wanted. The ship has been in Belgium, France and Germany, amongst others. After one year of reconstructing the Avanti has become a most comfortable residence! It still retains the characteristics of its original destination, but with all the comforts of modern times. The Avanti has a very luxurious kitchen, DVD, satellite TV, dishwasher, washing machine.
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Photo: Avanti entering Amsterdam
