Admire the genius of the Dutch Masters at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. Explore Hoorn’s seafaring heritage, Arnhem’s World War II history, and Antwerp’s Renaissance splendor. See colorful ribbons of farmland as Dutch tulips come into bloom. Sample Belgian beers and chocolates. Step into the Middle Ages in Bruges. Roam Keukenhof Gardens, the world’s largest floral park. The best time to see the Low Countries is spring, and the best way to see them is on our 10-day cruise.

April 13-April 22, 2024

Arrive in Amsterdam, then transfer to your ship. After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits, you may wish to visit the Rijksmuseum, or the van Gogh Museum next door. (Dinner)

Embark on a canal tour by glass-topped boat to see architecture from the city’s Golden Age, then take free time to visit the Van Gogh Museum, the renovated Rijksmuseum, or just explore the city’s charming neighborhoods. Alternatively, visit a Delftware factory this afternoon to see how the famed porcelain is made. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Sail across the IJsselmeer (once known as the Zuiderzee) to the ancient shipping village of Hoorn. Follow a guided walk through Hoorn’s cobblestone streets and then enjoy a free afternoon to explore Hoorn, visit a local bakery, and shop for souvenirs. Or, take an optional excursion into the countryside to a tulip farm and see how windmills have changed over the years. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Join us on an included excursion to delve into the city’s role in Operation Market Garden, an ill-fated Allied World War II operation. Witness a battle reenactment during your visit to the Airborne Museum, and pay your respects at the Airborne Cemetery. Also available today is an optional excursion to an open-air museum with 80 historic structures and a tram ride through 200 years of traditional Dutch country life. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Arrive this afternoon in Kinderdijk and disembark for a tour of this ingenious 18th-century community. Learn the history of windmills and see how they work, then tour a working windmill to see its pumping mechanism and living quarters at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also take an optional excursion to explore The Netherlands’ renowned cheeses and windmills or cycle past Kinderdijk’s 19 historic windmills. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

This morning, enjoy a half-day tour of Antwerp featuring the Cathedral of Our Lady with its three monumental altarpieces painted by Peter Paul Rubens; the Grote Markt (Grand Square) surrounded by the Golden Age Town Hall and guild halls; and Het Steen (Steen Castle), Antwerp’s oldest building. You can take an optional excursion to enjoy Antwerp’s traditional specialties or explore the major sights of Brussels (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

From Ghent, travel to Bruges, one of the oldest towns in Flanders. Your city walk takes you through its cultural and artistic center, home to important Flemish painters such as Eyck and Memling. Also see the Béguinage, a hidden courtyard inhabited by nuns, and the town’s scenic network of canals. Stay in Bruges for lunch on your own, or return to Ghent for lunch on board and an afternoon exploring this exceptionally charming, canal-filled capital of East Flanders. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Travel to the region of Walcheren, formerly an island of the southwest Netherlands. Stop in Veere and enjoy a walking tour of this engaging, time-honored town. From here, travel to the Delta Works, the ingenious system of enormous doors that can be lowered during spring tides to protect the area from floods while allowing the tides to ebb and flow. Or you may choose to visit a local oyster farm to shuck and try the oysters. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, visit the picturesque Keukenhof Gardens, the world’s largest floral park. Admire the stunning beauty at both indoor and outdoor exhibits of millions of vibrant blooms including tulips, hyacinths, crocuses, and daffodils. You may choose the option of spending a full day at the gardens, with lunch on your own, or heading to explore historic Haarlem, discovering Amsterdam’s hidden treasures. You may choose to explore Museum Square, take a bike ride, or shop for colorful clogs and tulip bulbs. Enjoy dinner on board your ship, followed by free time to enjoy Amsterdam’s nightlife. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight. (Breakfast)