Where do river cruises from Amsterdam typically visit?

Starting from Amsterdam, most cruises follow the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers. You'll stop at places like Cologne where you can visit its towering cathedral, the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and the beautiful palace in Würzburg. Many travelers love exploring Vienna's grand buildings and Budapest's impressive parliament. The route takes you through the Rhine Gorge, where you'll see more than 40 historic castles, and you can visit the amazing Melk Abbey. If you want to spend extra time in Amsterdam or Budapest before or after your cruise, many people stay at the Hotel Estherea or the Ritz-Carlton.

When is the best time to take a river cruise from Amsterdam?

Most people cruise between April and October, but each season offers something special. If you love flowers, come in April or May when millions of tulips are blooming. Summer brings warm weather around 72°F (22°C), perfect for walking around towns and sitting on deck. In fall, the trees along the rivers turn beautiful colors and temperatures stay mild at about 61°F (16°C). December is magical too - that's when you can visit traditional Christmas markets in towns along the way.

How long do river cruises from Amsterdam usually last?

Most trips run between 8 and 15 days. Many people choose the 8-day Classical Rhine Cruise, which gives you a good taste of the region. If you have more time, the 15-day Jewels of Europe cruise lets you really explore the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Many travelers tell us they like having enough time to properly see each place without feeling rushed.

What happens on the first day of an Amsterdam river cruise?

You'll usually board your ship in the afternoon around 4 PM. The crew welcomes you with cocktails and you'll meet your fellow travelers. Your first dinner on board is always special, and sometimes there's entertainment like Dutch singers performing traditional songs. One traveler told us: "The crew of 36 did everything they possibly could to make our trip both memorable and enjoyable from day one, starting with a wonderful welcome reception."

Which route do ships take after leaving Amsterdam?

Your ship will first sail to Utrecht, which takes about 4 hours. From there, you'll continue south through Dutch waterways toward Cologne, Germany. Most ships spend the first morning in Amsterdam so you can explore the city, then start sailing in the afternoon. Ships usually leave Amsterdam either around 10 PM on the first day or 8:30 AM the next morning.

What special events can I experience during different seasons?

Each season on the rivers brings different experiences. In spring (March to May), you can visit Keukenhof Gardens when millions of tulips are in bloom. Summer's long days and warm temperatures around 72°F (22°C) are perfect for exploring towns and relaxing on deck. Fall cruises coincide with grape harvests along the Rhine. In December, you can visit Christmas markets in places like Cologne and Strasbourg, where the old town squares fill with lights, decorations, and local food stands.

River Cruises from Amsterdam

Picture cruising from Amsterdam, heading to historic Arnhem and its green spaces, past Cologne's ancient cathedral, or drifting through the UNESCO-listed Romantic Rhine landscape. Strasbourg's historic sites and Alsace region await you, Alkmaar's cheese market's a true highlight, and the scenic Rhine Gorge? Pretty spectacular aboard the River Diamond. Zurich is another must-visit.

10 best River Cruise tour packages from Amsterdam

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River Cruise
Tulip Time Cruise for Garden & Nature Lovers 2026
4.6 (5 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, Middelburg, Veere,Willemstad+1 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Expression
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
From
US$4,099per person
+$231 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Romantic Rhine & Moselle 2026 - 15 Days
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Delft, Kinderdijk, Bruinisse, Veere,Arnhem,Koblenz,Fribourg,Basel,Zurich+5 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Pearl
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
54% Off
From $24,440
US$11,220per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Jewels of the Rhine 2026 - 8 Days (including Germersheim)
3.0 (3 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany Switzerland France
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Emerald Sky
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
59% Off
From $10,690
US$4,345per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Classical Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel) (9 destinations)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ships
AMADEUS Queen Amadeus Star Amadeus Cara Amadeus Riva AMADEUS Aurea+4 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Lueftner Cruises
59% Off
From
US$2,704per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
The Rhine & Moselle with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound) 2026
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany Luxembourg France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Imagery II
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
59% Off
From
US$9,511per person
+$330 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Holland and the romantic Rhine valley (port-to-port cruise) - DOUCE FRANCE
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Douce France
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
59% Off
From
US$2,314per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Springtime in Holland (port-to-port cruise) - FRANCE
3.8 (8 traveler reviews)
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Amsterdam, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Keukenhof, Volendam,Zaanse Schans+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS France
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
59% Off
From
US$1,029per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
The Rhine & Moselle (Southbound) 2026
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany Luxembourg France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Imagery II
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
59% Off
From
US$8,412per person
+$330 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium 2026
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Amsterdam, Keukenhof, Middelburg, Ghent, Bruges, Brussels,Antwerp,Rotterdam+2 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ships
Avalon Expression Avalon Illumination Avalon Impression+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
59% Off
From
US$5,898per person
+$231 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Highlights of Holland & Belgium 2026
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Arnhem, Maastricht, Namur, Liege,Antwerp,Brussels+2 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Imagery II
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
59% Off
From
US$5,598per person
+$231 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Tulip Serenade (Amsterdam - Amsterdam)
4.7 (18 traveler reviews)
"Pathways allowed for easy walking even though large crowds. Flower names helpful."
Janet, traveled in March
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Amsterdam, Arnhem, Middelburg, Ghent, Antwerp, Rotterdam
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ships
Amadeus Brilliant AMADEUS Queen Amadeus Imperial Amadeus Cara Amadeus Riva AMADEUS Amara+5 ships
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Lueftner Cruises
59% Off
From
US$2,128per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Amsterdam – Bruges (Tulip Tour, Spring)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Amsterdam, Oude Wetering, Gouda, Dordrecht, Zierikzee,Middelburg,Vlissingen,Ghent,Bruges+4 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English
Operator
Feniks Charter
59% Off
From
US$2,176per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
LEGENDS OF RHINE (Amsterdam-Mainz) MS River Diamond 5*
4.3 (20 traveler reviews)
"Our room was much nicer than expected. We had a juliet balcony which was really nice."
Donna, traveled in August
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS River Diamond
River
Rhine
Operated in
English, German,French,Spanish+2 more
Operator
Crucemundo
59% Off
From
US$2,459per person
+$124 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Tulip Tour, Bike & Barge in Holland
4.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"Such a pleasure to be with - knowledgeable, funny, patient, and accommodating of individual needs."
Pamela, traveled in April
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Amsterdam, Kudelstaart, Gouda, Kinderdijk, Delft, Leiden,Keukenhof,Haarlem,Zaanse Schans+3 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English, Dutch
Operator
Feniks Charter
59% Off
From
US$1,641per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Magical Rhine and Moselle Rivers (Amsterdam to Basel) (2026)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
59% Off
From
US$4,699per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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