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

Spring is perfect for river cruises from Brussels, especially April and May when you can see millions of tulips blooming at Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. Summer (June through August) brings comfortable temperatures between 68-77°F (20-25°C), which is great for walking around the ports. If you like Christmas markets, book a December cruise to experience the festive atmosphere in cities like Brussels and Antwerp. Many travelers choose April or July trips because the weather is reliable and most attractions are open.

What are the most common ports visited after departing Brussels?

After leaving Brussels, your ship will typically stop in the Belgian cities of Ghent and Antwerp before crossing into the Netherlands to visit Maastricht, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. One traveler wrote: "The transition from Belgian cities like Ghent with its stunning St. Bavo's Cathedral to Dutch gems like Kinderdijk's windmills creates a perfect cultural contrast." You'll usually spend 2-3 days exploring Belgian ports before moving on to other countries.

How much daily sailing time should I expect on these river cruises?

Most of your sailing happens early in the morning, in the evening, or overnight, so you get full days to explore each port. The distance between stops is usually between 30-100 miles (48-160 kilometers). For example, you'll spend about 4 hours on the water between Brussels and Antwerp. Longer stretches, like Amsterdam to Cologne, take 8-10 hours, but you'll be traveling through beautiful riverside scenery.

What's the average cost per day for river cruises from Brussels?

Expect to pay between $221 and $970 per day. High-end cruise lines like Scenic and Uniworld are at the top of that range. Your fare covers your cabin, all meals, guided tours, and onboard activities. For example, an 11-day cruise might cost around $7,499 (about $682 per day), while a 6-day trip could start at $1,329 (about $221 per day).

Which destinations are commonly included in river cruise itineraries from Brussels?

Your cruise will likely visit major cities in Belgium and the Netherlands, with some trips going on to Germany and Switzerland. You'll stop in Antwerp to see its famous diamond district and Cathedral of Our Lady, explore medieval Bruges, cruise Amsterdam's canals, and visit Rotterdam's modern harbor. Longer trips often continue along the Rhine Valley to towns like Cochem, Bernkastel, and Basel, giving you a good look at Western Europe's waterways.

Which main waterways do river cruise tours from Brussels typically navigate?

Your journey begins on the Willebroek Canal in Brussels, then connects to the Scheldt River before joining the Rhine and its network of canals through the Netherlands. Fellow travelers often mention how much they enjoy the views along these waterways, especially in the Rhine Gorge between Koblenz and Rudesheim, where you'll see medieval towns, hilltop castles, and terraced vineyards. This stretch is so special it's been named a UNESCO World Heritage site.

River Cruises from Brussels

Ever thought about cruising from Brussels to Antwerp for Rubens' art and traditional Koninck beer, then Rotterdam for those architectural wonders? You'll discover Willemstad's impressive fortress and iconic windmills, explore Ghent's medieval canals, then return to Brussels for authentic chocolate and craft beer. Belgium's extremely charming from the water.

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10 best River Cruise tour packages from Brussels

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River Cruise
Dutch & Belgian Holiday Celebration (2026, Brussels to Amsterdam)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Hasselt, Liege, Maastricht, Antwerp,Rotterdam,Delft,The Hague,Amsterdam+4 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Victoria
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
From
US$6,999per person
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Belgian & Holland Delights with Copenhagen 2027 - 14 Days (from Brussels to Copenhagen)
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Denmark
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Emerald Sun
River
Rhine The Scheldt
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
19% off
From $7,505
US$6,058per person
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Windmills, Tulips & Belgian Delights with Amsterdam & Enchanting Belgium 2027/2028 - 13 Days (from Brussels to Amsterdam)
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Brussels, Bruges, Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Delft, Kinderdijk,Veere,Antwerp,Ghent,Arnhem,Apeldorn,Hoorn,Keukenhof+7 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Jade Scenic Ruby+1 ship
River
Rhine The Scheldt
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
16% off
From $8,031
US$6,781per person
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Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Bruges 2027 - 18 Days (from Brussels to Zurich)
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Ruby Scenic Pearl+1 ship
River
Rhine MoselleThe Scheldt+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
20% off
From $12,610
US$10,081per person
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Belgian Delights & Splendours of Europe & Prague
Duration
21 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany Austria Czech Republic Slovakia Hungary+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Sun Emerald Star+1 ship
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
19% off
From $8,750
US$7,119per person
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Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Switzerland & Enchanting Belgium 2027 - 22 Days (from Brussels to Zurich)
Duration
22 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Ruby Scenic Pearl+1 ship
River
Rhine MoselleThe Scheldt+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
16% off
From $15,425
US$12,896per person
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Windmills, Tulips & Belgian Delights with Enchanting Belgium 2027/2028 - 11 Days (from Brussels to Amsterdam)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Brussels, Bruges, Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Delft, Kinderdijk,Veere,Antwerp,Ghent,Arnhem,Apeldorn,Hoorn,Keukenhof+7 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Jade Scenic Ruby+1 ship
River
Rhine The Scheldt
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
21% off
From $7,360
US$5,833per person
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Belgian Delights & Splendours of Europe
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany Austria Czech Republic Slovakia Hungary+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Destiny Emerald Sun Emerald Star+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
20% off
From $8,085
US$6,454per person
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River Cruise
Belgian Delights & Holland in Bloom
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Brussels, Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans, Rotterdam, The Hague,Delft,Willemstad,Antwerp,Bruges,Nijmegen,Apeldorn,Zaandam,Keukenhof,Aalsmeer,Hoorn+10 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Sun Emerald Sky+1 ship
River
Rhine The Scheldt
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
25% off
From $5,830
US$4,383per person
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Rhine, Moselle & Belgium Grand Discovery (2027, Brussels to Basel)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany Luxembourg France Switzerland+1 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Victoria
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
25% off
From
US$7,299per person
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River Cruise
The Treasures of North - Through two extraordinary countries: Belgium and The Netherlands
5.0 (1 review)
"The boat was beautiful, room clean and comfortable. The food was excellent and unlike what we have here in the States."
Marlene, traveled in October
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Amsterdam,Volendam,Zaanse Schans+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ships
MS Lafayette MS Victor Hugo+1 ship
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
25% off
From
US$1,326per person
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River Cruise
Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time (2027, Brussels to Amsterdam)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Brussels, Antwerp, Maastricht, Gorinchem, Dordrecht,Kinderdijk,Schoonhoven,Amsterdam,Keukenhof+4 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Victoria
River
Rhine The ScheldtMeuse+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
25% off
From
US$5,299per person
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An Enchanting Cruise: Exploring the Christmas Markets in Ghent and Bruges (port-to-port cruise)
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Brussels, Bruges, Aalterbrug, Ghent
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Raymonde
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
25% off
From
US$1,508per person
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River Cruise
Belgian Holiday Markets (2026, Brussels to Brussels)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Victoria
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
25% off
From
US$4,449per person
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Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Iconic Switzerland & Enchanting Belgium 2027 - 30 Days (from Brussels to Zurich)
Duration
30 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Pearl
River
Rhine MoselleThe Scheldt+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
9% off
From $23,469
US$21,454per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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