- 50 min.
Discover the city with the best view in Haarlem: from the water on board one of our ships! Sail through the center of Haarlem and pass the most beautiful sights of Haarlem. Learn more about the history and secrets of the city.
Our Story
Smidtje Canal Cruises is a sister company of ‘t Smidtje. Shipping company ‘t Smidtje was founded in Amsterdam in 2001 by Tomas de Smidt. From an early age, Tomas had a thing for water and sailing. His father and grandfather often took him sailing in the North Sea and when his uncle Ben Bosboom founded the water taxi in Amsterdam, he became interested in large motorized boats. From cleaning pedal boats during his secondary school years to sailing the Amsterdam canals alongside his studies. The freedom of sailing and the sociability were his fuel.
Being able to arrange everything himself was his dream. In 2001, he decided to literally and figuratively carpentry on his dream. From the houseboat of his mother at the Ruysdaelkade, who had established a flower shop ”the Flowerboat”, his brother Tijn carpenty a mini office on the outer deck of the houseboat. Meanwhile, Tomas bought his first boat, ‘t Smidtje, and Rederij ‘t Smidtje was born.
The name ‘’Flowerboat’’ is still used and now represents the headquarters of shipping company ‘t Smidtje. Shipping company ‘t Smidtje includes Smidtje Canal Cruises, Smidtje Luxury Cruises and Amsterdam Circle Line.
Haarlem also has its own houseboat where it receives all its guests and has their own office, called ”Boothuys”. An old Dutch phrase for house for boats.