Grand Holland & Belgium Cruise (Imagery II)
Grand Holland & Belgium Cruise (Imagery II)
Grand Holland & Belgium Cruise (Imagery II)
15 Days
Visiting: Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation), Nijmegen. Excursion To Arnhem, Maastricht, Namur, Belgium, Liège, Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Ghent. Excursion To Flanders Field Museum, Veere, Dordrecht. Excursion To Kinderdijk, Rotterdam, Haarlem, Amsterdam (Disembarkation), Europe
Tour operator:
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Tour Overview
Begin your tulip season cruise in Amsterdam. Visit Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands. Choose a visit to Arnhem’s WWII Airborne Museum or a bike ride. In Maastricht tour the old cobblestoned university town. On to Belgium for a sightseeing tour of medieval Namur and free time to browse its ancient architecture, charming cafes, and bookshops. In Liège, see the ancient quarters of the “Fiery City” as well as its romantic streets, steps, and tiny alleyways. Next, you’ll explore the city of Antwerp—birthplace of the master painter Peter Paul Rubens. Stroll its cobbled lanes amid 16th-century guildhall houses and the cathedral’s stunning altarpiece paintings by the famous artist. In Brussels, you’ll find landmark buildings and a collection of cafes and shops on your guided tour. Visit “The Diamond of Flanders,” Ghent, for stunning Flemish artwork in St. Bavo’s Cathedral. Explore more of the Flanders area with In Flanders Fields Museum and moving battlefield memorials and memorabilia. In Middelburg, explore its grand history in the Dutch East India Company. Visit the fascinating Flood Museum to hear and see the stories of the flood of 1953 . Continue your cruise through Kinderdijk—where windmills built in 1740 for water management helped the iconic structures become a symbol of Holland. See the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, and the quintessential Dutch towns of Zaandam and Haarlem with their signature flower farms, windmills, waterways, and North Sea trading. Your cruise through Holland and Belgium returns to Amsterdam for a guided canal cruise through the iconic city.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam,Holland (Embarkation)
Location: Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation)
Meals Included: Dinner
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure. During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NIJMEGEN(D)AMSTERDAM-CANAL.jpg
Day 2: Nijmegen. Excursion To Arnhem
Location: Nijmegen. Excursion To Arnhem
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a Guided Tour of Nijmegen— the oldest town in the Netherlands. Learn how this city was first built more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans and see the archaeological Roman-era ruins in the city that was also damaged in WWII, OR:
Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem.
NIJMEGEN. EXCURSION TO ARNHEM Wildlife, WWII Valor, and Famous MillsACTIVE Explore the beautiful landscape of lush fields and blue water on a bike ride through The Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour of Nijmegen— the oldest town in the Netherlands. Learn how this city was first built more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans and see the archaeological Roman-era ruins in the city that was also damaged in WWII, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem.You may join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Windmill of Thorn or an Optional Cooking Workshop.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAASTRICHT(B,L,D)NIJMEGEN.jpg
Day 3: Maastricht
Location: Maastricht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover this vibrant university town with its lovely cathedrals, old houses, historical buildings, and impressively cobblestoned town center.
MAASTRICHT Dutch History, School Spirit, and an Architectural Feast Enjoy an early morning sailing to Maastricht.ACTIVE Maastricht's charm awaits. Follow your Adventure Host for a walk in this lovely town, OR:CLASSIC Discover this vibrant university town with its lovely cathedrals, old houses, historical buildings, and impressively cobblestoned town center.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NAMUR(B,L,D)MAASTRICHT.jpg
Day 4: Namur,Belgium
Location: Namur, Belgium
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the picturesque old-town, fortress citadel, and medieval architecture.
NAMUR, BELGIUM Ancient Architecture and Charming CafésACTIVE Explore Namur's countryside by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the picturesque old-town, fortress citadel, and medieval architecture.Take free time to stroll along Namur’s cobblestone lanes and visit its charming cafés and bookshops. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LIÈGE (B,L,D)NAMUR.jpg
Day 5: Liège
Location: Liège
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Fiery City” of Liège with its beautiful ancient quarters, peculiar alleys, and romantic streets. Don’t miss sampling authentically sweet Liège Waffles.
LIÈGE Historic Wonders and Wonderful WafflesCLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Fiery City” of Liège with its beautiful ancient quarters, peculiar alleys, and romantic streets. Don’t miss sampling authentically sweet Liège Waffles.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP(B,L,D)LIEGE.jpg
Day 6: Antwerp
Location: Antwerp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a Guided Tour of this sophisticated city to visit the central Grote Markt, lined with 16th-century guildhall houses. You’ll also see the beautiful city hall, the Cathedral of Our Lady with its stunning altarpiece paintings by Rubens.
ANTWERP A Rubenesque Cathedral in Artful AntwerpJoin your Adventure Host for today's special activities.ACTIVE Explore Antwerp by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of this sophisticated city to visit the central Grote Markt, lined with 16th-century guildhall houses. You’ll also see the beautiful city hall, the Cathedral of Our Lady with its stunning altarpiece paintings by Rubens.Later, enjoy dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRUSSELS (B,L,D)ANTWERP-GROTE-MARKT.jpg
Day 7: Brussels
Location: Brussels
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a do-it-yourself chocolate workshop for a fun and interactive experience, OR:
Join a Guided Tour of Brussels, see the Town Hall with its landmark buildings and discover the many local bars, cafés, and shops of the Lower Town Streets.
BRUSSELS Ancient Landmarks and New HauntsACTIVE See Brussel's Aquaculture farm on bike with your Adventure Host, OR:DISCOVERY Join a do-it-yourself chocolate workshop for a fun and interactive experience, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Brussels, see the Town Hall with its landmark buildings and discover the many local bars, cafés, and shops of the Lower Town Streets.The afternoon is free to explore Brussels at your pace.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS (B,L,D)BRUSSELS-TOWN-HALL.jpg
Day 8: Brussels
Location: Brussels
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
BRUSSELS Filling Fare and Fabled Beer Spend a day at leisure to sample Brussels hearty cuisine and famous beer. Enjoy dinner on board as you sail for Ghent this evening.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GHENT(B,L,D)BRUSSELS-BEER.jpg
Day 9: Ghent
Location: Ghent
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore Ghent– “The Diamond of Flanders”— with a Guided Sightseeing Tour of this showcase of medieval Flemish wealth. You’ll visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral—with its remarkable Flemish artwork.
GHENT Medieval Masterpieces and Flemish FineryVisit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.ACTIVE Explore a different side of Ghent by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Explore Ghent– “The Diamond of Flanders”— with a Guided Sightseeing Tour of this showcase of medieval Flemish wealth. You’ll visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral—with its remarkable Flemish artwork.Alternatively, you may choose to join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion of Bruges to explore its canals, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings. You’ll see its crisscrossed canals, the 13th-century belfry of Market Square, and charming patrician houses.This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN GHENT(B,L,D)GHENT.jpg
Day 10: Ghent. Excursion To Flanders Field Museum
Location: Ghent. Excursion To Flanders Field Museum
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Experience the Last Post Ceremony, taking place nightly under the arches of the Menin Gate. Enjoy some free time for dinner before the Ceremony starts.
GHENT. EXCURSION TO FLANDERS FIELD MUSEUM Battlefield Remembrances in FlandersDISCOVERY Visit the In Flanders’ Field Museum in Ypres— learn about the story of the invasion of Belgium, the first months of the mobilization, the four years trench war in the Westhoek, the end of the war, and the permanent remembrance ever since. After your visit, enjoy lunch at the museum’s café.DISCOVERY Following the museum, visit, battlefields, cemeteries, memorials, and private collections.DISCOVERY Experience the Last Post Ceremony, taking place nightly under the arches of the Menin Gate. Enjoy some free time for dinner before the Ceremony starts.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MIDDELBURG(B,L,D)YPRES.jpg
Day 11: Veere
Location: Veere
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the town of Veere with an expert local guide.
MIDDELBURG, HOLLAND A Spicy History in Middelburg’s Dutch Harbor TownCLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour through the winding cobblestones and canals of Middelburg. See the15th century Gothic Town Hall and learn about its important role in the spice trade and Dutch East India trading.Enjoy lunch on board while cruising to Veere.ACTIVE Alternatively, bike from Middelburg to Veere with your Adventure Host.VEEREHistory and Scottish HousesCLASSIC Explore the town of Veere with an expert local guide.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DORDRECHT(B,L,D)MIDDELBURG-DETAIL.jpg
Day 12: Dordrecht. Excursion To Kinderdijk,Rotterdam
Location: Dordrecht. Excursion To Kinderdijk, Rotterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam featuring innovative architecture, including the marvelous Erasmus Bridge.
DORDRECHT. EXCURSION TO KINDERDIJK–ROTTERDAM Harnessing the Wind 300 YearsJoin your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Kinderdijk where 19 windmills were built in 1740 as flood prevention and water management. You’ll hear about the windmill’s vital role in the Netherland’s history and why it became a national symbol of Holland.Enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbor.ACTIVE Experience Rotterdam by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam featuring innovative architecture, including the marvelous Erasmus Bridge.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ZAANDAM (B,L,D)KINDERDIJK.jpg
Day 13: Haarlem
Location: Haarlem
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Haarlem, a major flower-bulb-growing district outside of Amsterdam. Explore the former North Sea trading port with its medieval features, gabled houses, and leafy courtyards.
ZAANDAM Windmills, Waterways, and Waving Fields of FlowersArrive in Zaandam this morning with free time to explore this quintessential Dutch town. See windmills, waterways, and flower farms, while discovering Dutch history in its handicraft shops and museums. Cruise to Haarlem this afternoon while enjoying lunch on board. HAARLEMTulips and North Sea Trading PortsACTIVE Enjoy an easy bike ride to the beach with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Visit Haarlem, a major flower-bulb-growing district outside of Amsterdam. Explore the former North Sea trading port with its medieval features, gabled houses, and leafy courtyards.Enjoy dinner on board your ship this evening as you sail to Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)ZAANDAM.jpg
Day 14: Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age."
AMSTERDAM Canals of Colorful AmsterdamACTIVE Join a Biking Tour through the Dutch countryside past polders, dykes, and quaint centuries-old villages, OR:DISCOVERY Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR: CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age."OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)AMSTERDAM-CANAL-CRUISE.jpg
Day 15: Amsterdam (Disembarkation)
Location: Amsterdam (Disembarkation)
Meals Included: Breakfast
AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.(B)AMSTERDAM-SUNRISE.jpg
Notes
- In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
- Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Accommodation
Amsterdam:Movenpick Amsterdam City
Check out our Q&As
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Cuisine
All meals on board are prepared by accomplished chefs who prepare regional specialties as well as familiar favorites with only the freshest, local ingredients. Our Suite Ships® feature daily buffet-style breakfast and lunch with your choice of soups, main courses with starter, salad, or sandwich, and, of course, dessert. Complimentary room service is also available with Continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On the Mekong and Ganges, a mix of Western and local dishes is offered; in the Galápagos, you'll be able to taste some Ecuadorian specialties; and in the Amazon, you will be able to sample Peruvian specialties along with Western dishes.
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Cruise Director
A professional, experienced, English-speaking Cruise Director accompanies every departure. Naturalists are on board in the Amazon and Galápagos. Special Interest cruises typically include an expert specific to the cruise theme—from Wine Masters to History Experts.
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What about young travellers and children?
In our many years of cruising experience, we have found that children under the age of eight typically are too young to fully enjoy a cruise vacation. Because of this and for the safety and enjoyment of all passengers, we do not accept children under eight years of age. In addition, please note that there are no special arrangements or activities for children on our ships.
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What are single room supplements?
For single travellers who prefer the privacy of their own room and stateroom, single accommodation can, of course, be requested.
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Clothing & Dress Code
Your comfort is our first concern. Onboard and onshore dress codes are casual. Please bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing. Dinner attire is casual—open-neck shirts and slacks for men; slacks, skirts, or dresses for ladies. Coats and ties may be worn if preferred. The Welcome and Farewell Dinners in Europe are dressy, but not formal. On the Mekong, Ganges, Amazon, and Galápagos, dress attire, including coats and ties, is not recommended due to the warm, humid climate.
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When will I receive my digital travel documents?
Avalon will email you a set of travel documents, which includes a copy of your itinerary and, where applicable, information on your hotels and optional excursions. Electronic Travel documents, including applicable eTicket receipts, itineraries, and other information are sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure, provided full payment has been received.
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Where can I find the docking location for my cruise ship?
Avalon Waterways strives to bring you the best docking locations along Europe’s rivers. In many cities, this includes multiple docking sites. Docking positions at each port are assigned by local authorities, and may vary depending upon the number of ships in port on any given day. This can sometimes result in double-docking with more than one ship assigned to the same dock and the ships “rafted” together, temporarily obstructing some views from on board the ships. Exact docking locations will be available 24-72 hours prior to embarkation. Before your cruise’s docking location is available, you can download a map of all possible docking sites for your embarkation city at www.AvalonWaterwaysPorts.com. Once your ship’s docking assignment is available, you can download a map that shows only that specific location, including address.
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Are Avalon River Cruises Handicap Accessible?
Avalon Waterways makes reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled and mobility impaired travellers but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so. Because we cannot provide individual assistance to travellers in many situations, and most of our transportation services are not equipped with wheelchair ramps, we recommend that you view our terms and conditions for details or contact us to learn more.
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Internet Access
All Avalon ships in Europe have complimentary Wi-Fi available. On the Mekong and Ganges, complimentary Wi-Fi access is available in the Panorama Lounge. The signal is not always reliable, as you will be cruising through remote areas. To access the ship's Wi-Fi Internet network, you will be given a PIN number at reception to use on your laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Wi-Fi is not available in the Amazon or Galápagos.
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Onboard Language
The language on board is English. All staff, crew, and tour guides speak English. All announcements and commentary will be in English.
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Apr 05, 2026 - Apr 19, 2026Sunday - Sunday
Apr 19, 2026 - May 03, 2026Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Avalon Waterways requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of avalon waterways charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.