Tulip Time Cruise with The Gems of the Netherlands & Belgium

Day 1 - Flight to Amsterdam

Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Day 2 - Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam, a fascinating 700-year-old city of picturesque canals, world class museums, and cafés. You will be met and transferred from the airport to your Hotel.

Day 3 - Amsterdam

Follow your guide through the charming capital of the Netherlands, with its iconic meandering canals, bridges and distinctive architecture.

Meals included: (B)

Day 4 - Amsterdam & Embarkation

Enjoy an enchanting cruise along the canal in Haarlem outside of Amsterdam, passing historic architecture, bridges and even a windmill iconic of the region. Later in the day, transfer to your ship.

Meals included: (B, D)

Day 5 - Amsterdam & Bruinisse

Enjoy a scenic cruise through the IJsselmeer to Bruinisse. Here, you may join a guided tour to the medieval harbor town of Zierikzee, brimming with delights, from its 16th century stonebuilt Gravesteen to its lovely harborside shops and cafes. You may also choose to explore the remarkable history of the 1953 flood disaster and uncover the incredible engineering feats behind one of the world’s most impressive storm surge barriers at Neeltje Jans. This iconic structure is part of the Delta Works, a series of groundbreaking flood protection projects designed to safeguard the Netherlands from the sea. Prefer discovering Bruinisse on two wheels? Join our guide for an exhilarating bike tour.

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Ghent

Admire Ghent’s canalside architecture and some of its famous sights on a guided tour, including the Castle of the Counts and St. Bavo’s Cathedral and its Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Those with a sweet tooth can visit a chocolate maker’s shop. After being greeted with a glass of champagne, a master chocolatier will brief you on the history of chocolate. You will also have the opportunity to taste different types of pralines and try your hand at making your own. Alternatively, take a fullday tour of Bruges, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through Grote Markt and Burg Square, visit the centuries old Church of Our Lady with its prominent spire, and, if you choose, sample some of the local specialties, from Belgian fries to waffles to chocolate, before returning to the ship.

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Antwerp

Explore this trendy city on a walking tour where you’ll see Antwerp’s Steen Castle, Grote Market and Brabo Fountain, along with the UNESCO designated Cathedral of Our Lady. For a more active exploration of the area, join a guided bike tour. Later in the afternoon, you have a choice of two excursions. Foodies will want to go on a culinary tour to indulge in chocolate, waffles, and beer. Flower lovers and gardeners can roam through the Floralia, an annual spring flower show featuring approximately one million bulbs that are hand planted each year by the castle staff.

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Nijmegen

Experience a captivating day in Nijmegen, the Netherlands’ oldest city. Choose from a guided walking tour through the charming streets and
vibrant squares or delve into World War II history with an Operation Market Garden tour, exploring the city’s pivotal role and the iconic Waal Bridge. Alternatively, discover the storied past of Valkhof Castle, once a residence of emperors and a symbol of Nijmegen’s medieval power, now set in a picturesque park overlooking the river. For a more active adventure, opt for a scenic bike tour through the city.

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 9 - Dordrecht & Rotterdam

During the morning, venture to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country’s greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century. Visit a private windmill via electric boat. You may also pedal past the windmills from the seat of a bike. In the afternoon, you can go on a walking tour of Rotterdam, nicknamed the “Gateway to Europe,” and taste local specialties. Alternatively, go on an excursion to Delft, known as the home of the painter Johannes Vermeer, Delft Blue earthenware and the Royal House. While here, you’ll visit the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory and Museum. Or, if you wish to explore the history of US immigration, join an excursion that visits Delfshaven, where, on August 1, 1620, the Pilgrim fathers departed on their epic journey aboard the Speedwell, plus tour the FENIX Museum of Migration, a former harbor warehouse transformed into a unique educational experience.

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 10 - Amsterdam

Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising before venturing out in the afternoon on a smaller boat specially designed to glide beneath the many bridges of Amsterdam. Admire the city’s historic harbor and canals, where you’ll see beautiful homes lining the water and the fabled Skinny Bridge. Alternatively, marvel at one of the most impressive public gardens in the world, Keukenhof**, which presents a spectacular display of millions of flowering tulips spread out over 70 acres. Spend time ambling through this legendary garden, open only nine weeks a year and sometimes referred to as the “Garden of Europe.”

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 11 - Amsterdam

Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home. Fly back home.

Meals included: (B)