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Netherlands River Cruises

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Start your European river cruise in Holland, where long-hulled riverboats allow you to sail in comfort and style through a network of canals and rivers. In Amsterdam, explore popular Dutch sites like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, palaces, and windmills. In Middelburg, explore the city on foot or perhaps see the amazing Delta Works storm surge barrier, where 147-foot wide steel doors hallmark the genius of Dutch engineering. Bicycle tours through Holland are a great way to explore the cities and countryside. The Rhine River empties into the sea at Amsterdam, where you can journey from Ijsselmeer Lake upriver through Germany to Switzerland. You can even sail the Danube River from Amsterdam to Eastern European classics like Vienna and Budapest. Contact one of our European river cruise specialists for help planning your trip.
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10 Best Dutch River Cruises for 2024-2025

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10 Best Luxury Cruises to Holland for 2024-2025

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
The Enchanting Rhine - From Zurich to Amsterdam$487912Mar 23, 2024After spending two nights in both Zurich and Lucerne, Switzerland, board the MS Amaprima on an exclusive 7-day Rhine River cruise through the …
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Grand Tulip Cruise of Holland & Belgium$699815Apr 15, 2024Board Avalon Imagery II for a 15-day Rhine River cruise of the beautiful blooming fields in Belgium and the Netherlands. Along the way you'll see …
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Tulips & Windmills$399910Mar 26, 2024Enjoy a relaxing 10-day river cruise from Amsterdam to Antwerp aboard the River Duchess. Step back in time to visit historic villages and medieval …
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Springtime in Holland$13675Apr 6, 2024Embark on this 5-day cruise aboard MS Lafayette to discover the Netherlands in springtime. Visit Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam, where you can …
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Springtime in Holland$12985Apr 18, 2024Join this 5-day cruise on MS Beethoven to see the beautiful canals of Amsterdam, learn about the traditions of Volendam and Zaanse Schans, and visit …
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Tulip Time Cruise$31998Mar 30, 2024The Avalon Panorama hosts this cruise along Amsterdam's elegant canal lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Tour Keukenhof, …
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Rhine Getaway$21998Mar 19, 2024Explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers, the Rhine, during this 8-day voyage. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic …
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Rhine Highlights$90908Apr 8, 2024Journey along the Rhine in all-inclusive luxury aboard Scenic Crystal. Visit delightful towns and cities along the Rhine river valley, such as …
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Best of Holland and Belgium$36998Dec 23, 2024Join this 8-day Best of Holland and Belgium cruise from Amsterdam and back aboard MS Amaserena. Taste rich Belgian chocolates, listen to mechanical …
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Castles along the Rhine$29998Mar 23, 2024Cruise the Rhine between France and Germany on this 8-day cruise aboard S.S. Antoinette. Alsace's mixed French-German ancestry gives it great …
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Netherlands Travel Guide

What to see & do in the Netherlands

Adjacent to Germany and Belgium and right on the North Sea, the Netherlands provides a great window into the culture of northern Europe.
  • The majority of our cruises depart from the country's capital, Amsterdam. This bustling city will acquaint you with the unique Dutch art, with a mix of museums and centuries-old architecture, reminiscent of the Golden Age of the 17th century.
  • Departing from Amsterdam, your cruise will take you to various cities around the country, like Hoorn, Enkhuizen, & Lemmer. Each one is home to a number of museums where Holland's history and culture is proudly displayed. One museum you might visit is the Dutch Cheese Museum. Later on, your cruise will take you to the Zuiderzee Museum or the D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station. 
  • Many cruises will also visit the cities of Utrecht and Nijmegen too.
  • If your cruise departs from nearby Rotterdam, then you will head down the Rhine River into neighboring countries, like Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and Austria, just to name a few. 
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European River Cruise Stories

Netherlands FAQs

Why should I choose a river cruise?
River cruises are Europe's fastest growing travel trend, and it's not hard to figure out why. They are a great all-inclusive way to see all that a certain region of Europe has to offer. Unlike land-based tours that either only explore one or two cities around your hotel or require you to pack and unpack every day, cruises allow you to settle into your cabin at the beginning of the cruise and stay there until the end. Plus, cruises use the nights while you're sleeping or dining to cover the long distances, which means that you won't have to worry about wasting time on buses or trains and you can even see more destinations and visitor sites throughout the Netherlands and the surrounding countries.

What should I look for on a riverboat?
Riverboats are relatively new to the tour scene throughout Europe, so there aren't really any 5-star vessels yet. The main reason is the space constrictions of river vessels – they are specifically designed to navigate the rivers, which means they are smaller and usually have space for only one large dining area with a bar, a spacious panoramic sun deck, and comfortable cabins. Some of the more luxurious vessels do feature pools or Jacuzzis and perhaps even an exercise room. No matter which vessel you choose, we guarantee you will enjoy comfort, style, and a friendly captain & crew.

Should I get a room with a balcony?
You can but it's not necessary. Balcony rooms are generally considered the best of the cruise ships, but in the case of river cruises and smaller yachts, that's not always the case – while they do provide a nice quiet place to enjoy a cup of coffee or watch the sun set, they cost hundreds more, lose floorspace in the cabin, and pail in comparison to the tremendous views and social atmosphere provided by the sun deck. 

What is dining like?
Enjoy local cuisine prepared by expert chefs in the spacious dining rooms of your ship or river vessel.

Do Netherlands cruises ever visit destinations that aren't on the river or sea?
It's not uncommon to visit some sites in the Netherlands that aren't on the Rhine River or the coastal regions. While the major ports of all of the Netherlands cruises do host myriad activities to keep you busy and entertained, there are a few destinations on Holland cruises that are further from the water, which you will arrive to via luxury coach (already included in your ticket price).

Will my vessel have WiFi?
Not always. Some vessels do, some don't, but even those that do might not offer it for free and it might not be a consistent signal. You might be able to connect to WiFi hotspots in cities, but it's just as likely that you will spend several days without any connection at all.

What kind of power outlets are there? Will I need a converter?
Throughout Europe the electricity is 220v, whereas North America has 110v. While most devices can handle both voltages, you will need plug adapters to go from the standard two prong American plugs to either the three flat pronged British plugs or the standard two round prongs throughout Europe. Wrap tape around your adapters so that you don't forget them when you unplug your devices.

How can I save money on a river cruise?
Save money on a cruise by going through our promotions pages – either let us know which ones interest you or check back on the deals page for your destination periodically to find some of the best offers. Don't save money by getting a cheaper room because this can often negatively impact your experience. 

Are cruises in the Netherlands a good family vacation?
Absolutely! The Netherlands can be a fantastic family destination. Check out our family travel article for more information.

Do Americans and Canadians need a passport and visa to travel to the Netherlands?
All citizens of North America traveling to Europe need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. In recent years, it has not been necessary to apply for a visa before traveling to Europe if you plan to stay less than three months, however, this situation may change in the future. See current European visa requirements.

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