8 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Amsterdam

This springtime river cruise gets underway in Holland’s colorful capital of Amsterdam. This 700-year-old city offers an abundance of classic architecture, cafés, and restaurants to explore before you embark on your river cruise through Holland and Belgium. Sail through Rotterdam’s harbor, said to be the world’s busiest port. Garden enthusiasts will delight in a visit to see the breathtaking colors of Keukenhof, also known as the “Garden of Europe.” With 70 acres of parkland and lakes, it’s one of the world’s largest flower gardens with nearly 7 million flowering bulbs bursting with color. Next, sail to Antwerp, Belgium’s second-largest city, known for its centuries-old history in diamond trading amid ancient buildings and monuments combined with modern architecture. In Ghent, Belgium, join a local expert for a guided tour of the city, including a visit to St. Baaf’s Cathedral.

Your cruise traverses back into Holland where you’ll explore Middelburg, formerly an important trading city. You’ll still get a sense of its historic wealth today with its impressive structures like the Gothic Town Hall, Abbey Tower, and bustling Market Square. This beautiful and historic springtime river cruise concludes with more time to explore the wonderful city of Amsterdam. See the most fascinating views of the city on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”

Day 1: Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation)

Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Zaanse Schans where you’ll see a wonderful collection of well-preserved historic windmills and Dutch houses.

Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTTERDAM

Day 2: Rotterdam

Dutch Treats and Flowers Sweet

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

Active Excursion

Experience Rotterdam by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:

Classic Excursion

Join a full- or half-day Guided Tour of breathtaking Keukenhof—known as the “Garden of Europe”—for its 70 acres of lush parkland, lakes, and the world’s largest flower gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year.

Classic Excursion

As an alternative to the full-day tour, you can join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam featuring innovative architecture, including the marvelous Erasmus Bridge.

Take some free time to relax on the harbor-side in Rotterdam with an artisan beer, a slice of appeltaart (Dutch apple pie), and a koffie verkeerd, a typical Dutch drink with equal parts coffee and milk. Take a bike from your ship to explore Rotterdam and the surrounding area.

Before dinner, enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbor.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP

Day 3: Antwerp, Belgium

Cathedrals, Carats and Crêpes

Active Excursion

Explore Antwerp by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

Classic Excursion

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.

Not included: Guided Optional Excursion to the nearby capital, Brussels—considered home to the European Union, and admire its magnificent palaces and cathedrals.

You might prefer to take time on your own to indulge in Antwerp’s signature Belgian waffles and crêpes—or explore this bike-friendly city from its old wharfs to its legendary diamond district.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GHENT

Day 4: Ghent

Medieval Masterpieces and Flemish Finery

Active Excursion

Explore a different side of Ghent by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

Classic Excursion

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.

Not Included: 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. You won’t miss the opportunity to explore Ghent since this Optional Excursion ends with an orientation walk of the "Diamond of Flanders."

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MIDDELBURG

Day 5: Middelburg and Veere

A Spicy History in Middelburg’s Dutch Harbor Town

Join your Adventure Host for  special activities.

Classic Excursion

Join a Guided Walking Tour through the winding cobblestones and canals of Middelburg. See the 15th-century Gothic Town Hall and learn about its important role in the spice trade and Dutch East India trading.

Spend some free time biking or walking through Middelburg to sample Babbelaar cookies, fries, or beer before cruising to Veere.

During lunchtime enjoy a short sailing from Middelburg to Veere.

Active Excursion

Alternatively bike from Middelburg to Veere with your Adventure Host.

VEERE

History and Scottish Houses

Classic Excursion

Join a Guided Walking Tour of Veere—a delightful historic town full of interesting sights dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Immerse yourself in its rich heritage, explore charming streets, and uncover hidden gems.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WILLEMSTAD

Day 6: Willemstad

Willemstad’s Windmills and Historic Harbor

Active Excursion

See Willemstad by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

Classic Excursion

Join a Guided Walking Tour of Willemstad and discover its many beautifully restored buildings from the 17th and 18th Century.

Discovery Excursion

Later, enjoy a Cheese Tasting on board as you prepare to sail to Amsterdam.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM

Day 7: Amesterdam

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

Active Excursion

Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:

Discovery Excursion

Discover Aalsmeer Flower Auction—the largest in the world, where around 20 million flowers are sold every day. Later enjoy a typical Dutch breakfast, OR:

Classic Excursion

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 Excursion

Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”

Not Included: choose among the many Guided Optional Excursions available.

Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.

Day 8: Amsterdam (Disembarkation)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

2026 Spring Pricing:  Starting at $3,730* per person, double occupancy

Includes: 

• Classic, Active, and Discovery Excursions listed in the itinerary 
• Meals and drinks are included while aboard the Avalon Suite Ship.  
• *$500 credit per person on select Avalon Waterway River Cruise

Not Included:

• Flights 
• Extra Night Hotel Stays (Pre and Post Cruise) 
• Travel Protections
• Optional Excursions

Avalon Waterways includes Active, Classic, and Discovery Excursions to accommodate your travel style and desired activity level.

CLASSIC

A local expert is ready to guide your clients through the history and heritage of local destinations and the "must see" sites.

DISCOVERY

Inspiring and interactive hands-on activities designed to speak to your clients' interests - they spend their day immersing themselves in the destination’s unique culture.

ACTIVE

Embark on energetic excursions keeping them in motion and on the go — from a guided jogging tour, to biking, paddling, and hiking their way through scenic locales.

All excursion groups are small (<25).

You do have the option to add on excursions that are of special interest

Countries

• Netherlands
• Belgium