The Netherlands & Belgium

Timeless Tulips River Cruise with Amsterdam

9 days
from $3,515
or from $/mo
  • A picturesque canal in Amsterdam with vibrant autumn trees and traditional Dutch buildings in the background. The water reflects the scenic view of houses, trees, and blooming tulips. A bridge spans the canal, with bicycles parked nearby. The sun shines brightly in a partly cloudy sky.

Amsterdam, Ghent, Brussels & Antwerp

Netherlands & Belgium: A Journey Through Time and Tradition. Immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of the Netherlands and Belgium. Explore the charming canals and historic landmarks of Amsterdam, witness the architectural wonders of Rotterdam, and discover the medieval charm of Ghent, Brussels, and Antwerp. Wander through bustling markets, savor local delicacies, and encounter the warmth of Dutch and Belgian hospitality. This is a journey that will ignite your imagination and leave you with cherished memories. Experience the heart of Europe.

Itinerary

2025 Tour Itinerary:

  • 1 night at Amsterdam hotel
  • 7-night cruise through the Netherlands & Belgium: Amsterdam (Netherlands), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Ghent (Belgium), Brussels (Belgium), Antwerp (Belgium), and Dordrecht (Netherlands)
Tour Highlights
  • Keukenhof Tulips Gardens
  • Amsterdam walking tour
  • Cruise through Amsterdam’s fabled canals
  • Rotterdam walking tour
  • Walking tour of Ghent, a historic Flanders port
  • City & walking tour of Brussels, capital city of Belgium
  • Antwerp city & walking tour
  • Walking tour of Dordrecht, an island city and historic trading port
Included
  • Ground transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • 7-night cruise on the MS Crucevita
  • 20 meals: 7 buffet breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners
  • Complimentary house wine, local beer, soft drinks, juices, etc. from 10 am to 11 pm daily onboard
  • All on board activities, themed dinners, and special services including early riser breakfast, afternoon cakes & tea, 24/7 coffee station, late night snacks and live music each evening
  • Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees as per itinerary
  • Experienced, English-speaking Tour Director

2025 Tour Itinerary

Amsterdam

Welcome to the Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands. This city is known for its intricate canal system, museums, cafe culture, and bike culture. Today is free to settle in and explore or relax and recover. This evening, we'll enjoy a cocktail hour at our hotel.

Novotel Amsterdam City or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

A lush garden in spring featuring a vibrant array of blooming flowers in various colors, including red, yellow, pink, orange, purple, and white. The garden is surrounded by tall trees and greenery, with pathways winding through the colorful flower beds.

After breakfast, we'll check out of our hotel and depart on our half-day tour of the magnificent Keukenhof Gardens, home to more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths spread across 79 acres. After enjoying lunch on our own, we'll transfer to the port to board our river cruise ship. We'll check into our cabins and have time to explore our floating hotel prior to an information briefing followed by a delicious dinner.

Note: Due to government regulations to combat overtourism, our port of call may Zaandam, Coenhaven, or Haarlem, which are outside of downtown Amsterdam. Ports of call are determined by the local river authorities 2 weeks prior to sailing.

MS Crucevita

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A picturesque view of traditional Dutch buildings lining a canal in Amsterdam. The colorful buildings are reflected in the calm water, with trees and boats visible along the canal's edge under a partly cloudy sky. Consider taking Rhine River cruises from Amsterdam to explore more of this enchanting scenery.

After breakfast, our sightseeing tour of Amsterdam begins with a canal cruise followed by a walking tour introducing us to the city's highlights including a visit to Dam Square, a stroll past Anne Frank's house (outside), Museum Square and a stop at the Flower Market. We'll return to our ship for lunch and then enjoy free time for the rest of the day to further explore this unique city at our own pace. Tonight, we'll enjoy a welcome cocktail and crew introduction before dinner.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The image shows a cluster of modern, cube-shaped buildings with yellow facades and large windows, tilted at unique angles. They are set against a backdrop of a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The buildings appear to be residential and are architecturally striking.

This morning, we'll explore one of the largest harbors and commercial ports in the world! Our walking tour includes the harbor front, the whimsical architecture including the hanging Cube Houses, and the steamship “Rotterdam” once the flagship of Holland America Line. This afternoon we can join an optional tour to Delft and the Hague or explore the city on our own.

Note: Due to government regulations to combat overtourism, our port of call may Schoonhoven, Kinderdijk, or Utrecht outside of Rotterdam. Ports of call are determined by the local river authorities 2 weeks prior to sailing.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A vibrant street scene in Ghent, Belgium, showcases St. Nicholas' Church on the left with its historic gothic architecture. Cobblestone streets lead towards the Belfry of Ghent in the background. Modern buildings and shops line the right side under a bright sky reminiscent of an Amsterdam summer day.

Today, we'll delight in exploring Ghent, Belgium's hidden treasure! With its unique mix of ancient cultures combined with a lively modern student scene, bustling shops and gastronomic restaurants, Ghent will impress us with its winding canals, the famous three tower row featuring the Belfry, St. Bavo's Cathedral, and St. Nicholas' Church; its art, and architecture! The rest of the day is free to explore on our own. We might consider an optional excursion to Bruges, the unofficial capital of west Flanders, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A bustling city square with many people surrounded by ornate historic buildings, including a prominent, tall building with a spire. The sky is vibrant and partly cloudy, illuminating the architecture and creating a lively atmosphere.

Our guided city bus and walking tour of Belgium’s capital will highlight all the major attractions including St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Chinese Pavilion, Japanese Tower, King’s Square, Royal Palace and of course, the imposing offices of the European Parliament building. We'll end the tour with a walk through the beautiful Grote Markt. The balance of the day is free for us to explore at our own pace.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Statue in front of a historic building with spires and a clock tower, under a partly cloudy sky. The building features gothic architecture and is surrounded by leafy green trees and other old buildings. The scene is calm and picturesque.

This morning, we'll enjoy a tour of Belgium’s second largest city, home to famous painter Pieter Paul Rubens. The tour will include the city's medieval heart with café-filled cobblestone lanes, a riverside fortress, and the impressive Cathedral of our Lady featuring original paintings of Antwerp’s famous “son”.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A scenic aerial view of a quaint European town with canals and boats. The town features closely packed buildings with red rooftops, lush green trees, and a mix of old and new architecture, all situated alongside a river on a clear, sunny day with a blue sky.

Located on an island surrounded by wide rivers, Dordrecht is the oldest city in Holland, a historical region in the Netherlands. Our guided walking tour includes views of beautiful inner city harbors, quaint canals, wooden bridges and typical Dutch houses. Back on board, we'll enjoy a farewell cocktail followed by the Captain's Farewell Dinner.

Included meal: Breakfast

A picturesque canal in Amsterdam is lined with vibrant, historic buildings and lush trees. Bicycles are parked along the canal, with a boat casting its reflection in the calm water. The sun shines brightly in the partly cloudy sky, illuminating the entire scene.

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. We'll bid our crew goodbye and disembark by 9:00 AM.

Airplane flying in sky.

Flights

Book flights with ease with our partner, Exito Travel, to enjoy flexible flight options to and from our tour! Enjoy greater flexibility from flying from your preferred airport, picking your seat, upgrading to business class, and more.
 

You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.

Guided Tour Pricing

2025 Tours

Fri–Sat

Apr 11–19

From$3,799 $3,515

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Rates are per person based on double occupancy.

Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a date above to see the rates for that specific departure.


For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern) at 1.800.337.7773.


Reservations and Payments

Reservations can be made online or by phone (1.800.337.7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $300 per person. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.

Enhance Your Trip

Enhance your trip with these optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.

Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.

An aerial view of a historic European town with red-roofed buildings. A central square features a prominent clock tower and surrounding architecture. The scene is bathed in sunlight under a blue sky with scattered clouds, and green fields are visible in the distance.

Delft & the Hague Tour

Day 4 Afternoon Tour
Delft is a city well known for its ties to the royal family and to Dutch master Johannes Vermeer (Girl with the Pearl Earring), and for its blue and white pottery. You'll see the incredible historical monuments the city has to offer including the Hague, the seat of the Dutch government, and home to the royal family. The city center is easily accessible by foot and features architecture from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. You may also see Scheveningen, a fishing village and resort suburb featuring the magnificent building at the Kurhaus and a picturesque strip of sandy beach.

MUST BE BOOKED IN DESTINATION!

A picturesque canal scene in Bruges, Belgium, features colorful historic buildings lining both sides under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The water reflects the architecture and the central towering spire of Bruges City Hall in the background.

Half Day Bruges Bus & Walking Tour

Day 5 Afternoon Tour
The beautiful city of Bruges is one of the best-preserved medieval cities of Europe and its whole city center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has played an integral role in western trade as well as in Europe's artistic and architectural evolution, and has become one stop in Belgium you simply can't miss! With this excursion, we will discover one of the pearls of the Low Countries. Learn about the city's history and tradition during your bus ride to Bruges. Upon arrival, you will start your walking tour and discover all the highlights of the city including Saint John's Hospital, Our Lady Church, the Market Square with the Belfry, the old City Hall, the Holy Blood Chapel, and much more. After some time to explore independently, return to the ship.

MUST BE BOOKED IN DESTINATION!

What to Expect

Max Group Size: 30 travelers

Activity Level: Level 1

Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 3 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day) on easy terrain with some light stairs. Learn More

Pacing Level: Balanced

Expect either half-day or full-day tours most days with a free day or free half-day to explore independently in most cities. There may be a few early mornings or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 3+ nights. Learn More

New in Spring 2025: ETIAS Visa Waiver Required for U.S. Passport Holders

A valid passport is required for international tours. Effective for travel in Spring 2025 onward, U.S. passport holders are required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. Please visit our Passports & Visas page to learn more about any required actions, next steps, and additional costs.

The ship may dock in uneven terrain and travelers may encounter uneven surfaces, stairs, and significant slopes on shore excursions. Due to local conditions, wheeled and seated mobility devices cannot be accommodated. To combat overtourism, our port of call in Amsterdam will be an outlying port such as Zaandam, Coenhaven, or Haarlem.

For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit

Accommodations