When one of Holland’s most experienced ship builders and operators decides to build a ship that sets new standards for comfort and luxury for bike and barge tours, the result is truly remarkable.
Walter van Berkum spared no expense in constructing The Magnifique II in 2015/2016 and as a result, it’s the first passenger barge to have “upper deck suites”. This popular ship sails proudly under Dutch flag and management and can be booked for several tours in The Netherlands and Belgium.
The ship accommodates 37 passengers in 17 cabins. The four spacious suites (14 m² – 151 sq.ft.) on the upper deck each have two separate beds, large panoramic windows that can be opened and a small sitting area. Of the 13 cabins on the lower deck, twelve are twin cabins (11 m² – 118 sq.ft.) and one is a premium twin that includes an added sitting area (13 m² – 140 sq.ft.). All the cabins on the lower deck have two single, separate beds, most of which can be joined as a double on request. A third bed can be added in two of the twin cabins and one of the upper deck suites.
All cabins are fitted with en-suite, showers, basins and sinks, and have individually regulated air conditioning, flat screen satellite TV, a mini safe and a hair dryer. The portholes in the lower deck cabins are fixed for safety reasons, but the wide 2m / 6.6ft windows in the upper deck suites can be partly opened.
As magnificent as the rooms are, you’ll spend a great deal of time in the large, tastefully furnished salon on the upper deck, which includes a beautiful bar, lounge area with cozy seating, a restaurant area, wide screen TV, huge windows and Wi-Fi throughout. The partly-covered, teak-wood sundeck is the ideal place to enjoy a morning coffee or evening aperitif and the very top deck even has a whirlpool/Jacuzzi and deck chairs to kick back, relax and watch the world drift by.
