Rederij Lampedusa — Local services in Amsterdam

Some experiences simply defy description. This was certainly the case with our canal journey with Rederij Lampedusa, with Mr. Yusuf at the helm. He’s both a master of the waterways (he grew up as a fisherman in Somalia, perhaps explaining his facility with the boat), and a master of storytelling. Suffice it to say that his narratives—about Amsterdam’s history with migration, about the ongoing struggles of refugees in the city, and about his personal journey to Amsterdam—kept us rapt throughout the ride. Honestly, Mr. Yusuf’s rather wrenching narrative was far more compelling than the canals themselves; he reminded us of the struggles that tourist visits to the city so conveniently hide, and certainly infused our time in Amsterdam with a brilliantly sobering alternative perspective. Take this trip—it’s more than...

One of the most insightful and impactful experiences I had while visiting Amsterdam. The canal cruise is really quite intimate, with room for only 12 guests and the boat itself is a constant reminder of the mission of Rederij Lampedusa. Our captain/guide told us about his story as a refugee in the Netherlands, about the highs and (many) lows of the process, and how the organization works to improve this process for newcomers. While there are plenty of canal cruise options available (many of which are cheaper), I have zero regrets about choosing this cruise. The more intimate setting and the storytelling makes for a far superior experience to a tour guide with a megaphone lecturing about the history of Amsterdam's canals to a boat with...

Highly recommend the tour! Yusuf is a very personable, entertaining and knowledgable tour guide, who navigates the canals with confidence, humour and captivating stories. It is a great opportunity and privilege to learn not just about Amsterdam canals and house facades, but also about the serious circumstances that force fellow humans to leave their homes behind and face the instabilities and dangers that surround any attempt of seeking refuge in Europe. It is also a beautiful occasion to listen to well told stories while enjoying the Amsterdam canal views. I wish the project the success and visibility it deserves and all the very best to all...