The Netherlands by ferry

[citrusfruit1]

Has anyone been to The Netherlands by boat? We are quite unadventurous when it comes to holidays, kids (9 and 6) are very used to centerparcs. Has anyone done centerparcs in NL? Reviews don’t look too great. Also looking at Hof van Saksen which looks lovely but quite a drive, we would do the Harwich to Hook of Holland crossing. Anyone been to any of these or have any other good suggestions that aren’t too far to drive once we get to NL?

for the north there is also the ferry from newcastle - ijmunden (close to amsterdam)

Ahh I love how positive all these messages are. Making me very excited for our trip!

Been to the Netherlands lots as a family, great holiday destination! We go through channel tunnel and drive which is really straightforward too and doesn't take that long. Recommend CP Kempervennen with real ski slope if in to that. Upgrade to vip rooms like pp said- much cheaper than UK (although I've never been in UK. Efteling is fab and so is their accommodation.

We took the ferry across a few times when DC were little. We did the Dutch Centre Parcs because DC wanted slides and rapids like the Uk and would have been bitterly disappointed with anything less. The parcs were similar to UK but more downmarket / a bit shabbier, they also had more to do in an evening. This is some years ago.
My feeling was that such a place would never be my first choice for a holiday but happy children = happy parents.

We went for a week and also did lots of trips out. A day at efteling (a day is more than enough). Overloon war museum and Liberty Park were good. Also the windmill river (can't remember the name).

The Hull Rotterdam ferry route was better for us because it's slightly longer and you get a decnet night's sleep. We didn't like the Harwich one also because Harwich was a nightmare to drive to from the North.

Hof Van Saksen is incredible. We did a week there and will be returning. Efteling is magical (did that in a dedicated trip) we had 4 days in the park! Just booking a Beekse Bergen and Efteling trip for later this year. Hof van Saksen has ruined uk center parcs for us. It was so gorgeous and so much is included in the price

|A lot of Landal parks are old parcs they bought from Centerparcs they dont look very good value compared to Centerparcs , lot less to do etc, at least it wasnt last time i looked.

We used to go to centerparcs every year when DC were young until they were in their teens , they are 26 and 28 and want to do another family holiday at Kempervennen (ski slope and water ski link) Efterling is very special to me as it is where DH and got to know each other and he asked me out when we got back! We have been to Kempervennen , Het Meerdal, De Eemhoff, Hettenhaugte, and ERperheide as Beligium. I would definitely upgrade to VIP. We also have been to Duinrell, which we really enjoyed
We are near London so used to go Harwich to Hook of Holland but that was when they had the fast ferry, when they cancelled that we used to go via Dover to Calais or Zebrugge and not really much longer if you are going

@bruffin my DC are the same age and we also used to do CP every year. We've done Kempervennan and het heiderbos. They have said they'd like to do a family holiday again - with partners this time. I wonder whether it might feel disappointing as they are very child focussed. One thing I do remember from the Netherlands parks was there was more going on in the evenings- music and entertainment.
@Onedaylikethi5 Hof van Saksen looks fab. The water park definitely rivals center parcs.

We had a great family trip with a 4 year old and 7 year old. Overnight ferry to Hook of Holland with cabin, then drove to de kempervennen centre parks. We stayed in one of the house boats which was lots of fun and cosy. The whole family enjoyed the freedom of whizzing around on hired bikes, visiting the little onsite farm, playgrounds, activities and the pool complex. We ate at the restaurants on site which weren't bad. We spent the day at Efteling on the way back up to get the overnight ferry back to UK.

We went to Amsterdam via the harwich to hook of Holland overnight ferry, worst bit was the M25! Would do it again, it was super easy.

We've done CP De Kempervennen three times - ferry Dover > Dunkirk (half an hour longer ferry time than Dover > Calais and corresponding half hour knocked off your driving time).

Then takes around 4hrs to drive.

Worth the VIP chalets if in budget, fresh rolls delivered every day.

We've never done CP in UK so can't compare (because of the price!) but we've had loads of fun there and great range of activities for your age kids at much more reasonable price than UK.

Recommend a trip to Bij de Neut a short drive (or cycle) from CP for pancakes.

@Tukto
Thats why we were thinking Kempervennen as they have the ski slope and the water ski link on the lake which are adult orientated. They have both just done CP in the uk with friends and enjoyed it. They do have very fond memories of Pepe TV though! It was when DD came back from the UK one that she said she wanted to do a family holiday at CP again and DS was up for it.

@bruffin when DS was 18 he wanted to do a post A level trip center parks with his friends instead of a " lads" holiday in Magaluf. Unfortunately they don't take group bookings for under 21s. 😂
Kempervennan is a good call for an all adult group.

Just updating as I was the OP - we booked 7 nights at het vennenbos as it looked best for our family distance and activity wise, and then 2 nights at Efteling. Very excited and appreciate all the advice on here.