Boonstra River Line

Boonstra River Line and easyCruiseTwo

The Dutch company Boonstra River Line owned the riverboat easyCruiseTwo in 2006 and 2007, and was also the first franchise partner of easyCruise. The 80-metre-long vessel was previously known as MS Frontera. A report dated 19 April 2006 announced weekly departures beginning on 14 July, with Amsterdam as the starting point and Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels as stops. Travel Weekly reported in August 2006 that the first franchise cruise had begun in July. An industry report in April described Boonstra as the owner of ten riverboats.

At the time, the cabins included outside cabins with private shower rooms. Amenities included a sun deck, a whirlpool, a bar and a restaurant. The brand was used under a franchise arrangement: Boonstra River Line was responsible for the riverboat, while easyCruise provided the brand.

Schedule and end of the season

Following the first season, an extended schedule running from March to December was announced for 2007. Published options included three-, four- and seven-night itineraries, such as a weekend cruise from Amsterdam to Brussels or a four-night trip in the opposite direction, from Brussels to Amsterdam. The route went via Rotterdam and Antwerp. The pages on Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels provide information about the city ports. According to the schedule, the ship departed in the morning and reached the next port around midday.

The three-night weekend cruise from Amsterdam to Brussels was scheduled for Fridays, and the four-night cruise from Brussels to Amsterdam for Mondays. During the evening passage through the canal, onboard dining was available at the World Cafe, accompanied by a DJ. The ship was also described as having a fitness room, a covered sun deck with a cocktail bar, and two whirlpools.

Sources give the 2007 operating capacity as 52 cabins for 112 passengers and 18 crew members. On 14 August, Boonstra River Line announced that, for financial reasons, it would be unable to operate any more cruises after 17 August. This was six weeks before the season end of 28 September cited in August; guests were offered refunds. The announcement explicitly stated that easyCruiseOne, the brand’s own ship in Greece, was unaffected.