Introduction

We're Lampedusa Cruises – a collective with members from Egypt, Eritrea, the Netherlands, Syria and Sudan. We organize alternative tours and cruises in and around Amsterdam.

Our mission is to use the traditional Dutch love of sailing as a way to meet others, teach them about how important immigration has been in Amsterdam's past, and integrate ourselves in Dutch culture.

Come sail with us! You're welcome on our Canal Tour, where we'll show you how immigration has shaped our city. Or stop by for some Friday afternoon relaxation on the Mister Friday – to share a meal, some music, and our stories. Right now, we have a winter break, but for the diehards we can always arrange something. Feel free to call us.

Since we're all volunteers, donations help us keep the boats afloat and the gas tanks full. If you can drop us a few euros at the bottom of our page, it'd really make our day!

Like to book a tour? Yes, let's go!

Tours

Friday Afternoons with Mr. Friday

Join us on a Friday afternoon for a tour with our flagship Alhadj Djumaa (which simply translated means 'Mister Friday' in Arabic). Twice a month we sail to the IJ from our little harbor at Mediamatic (Dijksgracht 6) to eat, drink and meet. We always have a cultural program aboard, ranging from musicians to theatre makers or story tellers, or we host a collaboration with a cultural organization from Amsterdam. Reservations for this Friday joy can be made by clicking on the link below. We like to see you on board! And feel free to bring some of your favorite snacks and drinks with you.

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Canal Tour

i.c.w. ZEP theatre productions

Every Saturday at 11:00 and 13:30, we sail with our alternative Canal Tour, in which we will focus on the role migrants have played in the making of Amsterdam. The open and tolerant character of the city has shaped her into the international hotspot it is today. Our guides tell you the hidden history of Amsterdam through the eyes of its immigrants and outsiders, including their personal migration story. This tour can also be booked privately!

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Shuttle

The ultimate shuttle service for your festival or event!

Our most compelling service is transporting people. Departing from Western Europe, destination .... you decide. Mail us at info@rederijlampedusa.nl to arrange a shuttle. Last year we provided the transport to festival De Parade, and we do so again this year. We are open to any other suggestions and opportunities, and love to bring you to your festival whilst you listen to the stories of the guide.

We Are Your Friends

Lampedusa Cruises is on a mission: to improve the integration proces and fix the image of newcomers. To continue our mission we seek friends who want to support us and keep us sailing. In return, we will give you our eternal love and devotion.

For more information please call, or send an e-mail to info@rederijlampedusa.nl and ask for Mohammad. He will explain all the ins and outs to you of being our friend.

Fleet

alhadjdjumaa

The official name of this Egyptian vessel is 'Alhadj Djumaa'. Alhadj means a wise old man who has been on pilgrimage, and Djumaa means Friday. It departed Egypt on the 25th of July 2013, headed for Lampedusa. It's only 12m by 4m, but it carried a staggering 282 passengers – 217 Eritreans and 65 Ethiopians. As far as we know, they all made it safely across the ocean.

The boat was seized the day after departure by the Italian authorities, who later gave it to us.

In between the oil barrels, life jackets and clothes left behind on board, we found a book of sheet music for guitar. One other line of text is written on the back of the vessel: road of safety, way of peace.

hedir

We don’t know much about the history of our smaller boat, except that it was picked up by the Italian coast guard on August 29, 2014, about 18 miles southwest of the Sicilian town of Portopalo. We call it "Hedir", the word that is written on the side, which means 'thunder' or 'roar' or 'powerful woman' in Arabic. Our only other clue to its history was a pair of diving goggles which were left on board.

At just 6m long, it's well suited for slipping through the canals and under bridges. Since all new vessels in Amsterdam have to be electric, we refitted this former refugee boat, so now it moves along silently.

Team

  • Sami

    24 years, Eritrea

  • Mutayam

    39 years, Syria

  • Rora

    27 years, Eritrea

  • Tommy

    32 years, Egypt

  • Yusuf

    34 years, Sudan

  • Teun

    37 years, Nederland

  • Omar

    25 years, Syria

  • Moe

    25 years, Syria

  • Felice

    33 years, Netherlands

Contact

For more information please send us an email at info@rederijlampedusa.nl
or call Felice on Monday or Friday between 9 and 5 at 06 20120897.

Home base and harbor:
Mediamatic
Dijksgracht 6
1019 BS Amsterdam

Thank you! You rock, you really do! Love from the whole crew. X

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