Netherlands River Cruises
Experience the Netherlands at its most vibrant. Wander the historic canals of Amsterdam, marvel at the UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk windmills, and lose yourself in the breathtaking tulip gardens of Keukenhof. Pedal through fields bursting with color, visit the Delft pottery factories, and take in the Zaanse Schans windmills. Discover Rotterdam's contemporary architecture and glide along the picturesque Dutch waterways. A perfect blend of relaxation and adventure awaits.
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Waltraud • traveled in May, 2025
It was a very experience. The ship was clean and the staff very helpful and friendly. The cruise directors were excellent. Some of the excursions were over priced.
Tulip Serenade (Amsterdam - Amsterdam) - SL
Shirley • traveled in October, 2025
If you are keen on the Rhine River boat experience, this is a good value. The rooms were comfortable, the food was plentiful and excellent quality and variety. The shore tours were not exceptional but were usually interesting. There is little time to wander. Individual tours are offered on the ship for a fee. Pricing for tours is better as a package deal. The staff works very hard to provide a good experience. The ship was clean throughout.
UNDISCOVERED NETHERLANDS, Cologne - Amsterdam - Cologne, MS Vista Rio - P
Pamela • traveled in May, 2025
Captain, First Mate, Chef, and Guide were beyond excellent. Such a pleasure to be with - knowledgeable, funny, patient, and accommodating of individual needs. They made the trip the absolute pleasure that it was.
Tulip Tour, Bike & Barge in Holland
10 best river cruises through Netherlands
Compiled by
MelissaNetherlands travel expert at TourRadar
- ESSENCE OF NETHERLANDS, MS LEONORA
- Tulip Serenade (Amsterdam - Amsterdam)
- Windmills, Tulips and Belgian Delights
- Holland & Belgium in Bloom
- Amsterdam – Bruges (Tulip Tour, Spring)
- Rhine Experience IJsselmeer 2026 (including Dordrecht)
- Tulip Time 2026
- Treasures of Belgium & Holland with 1 Night in Brussels 2026
- The Netherlands in Bloom 2026
- Tulips & Windmills (2026) (Amsterdam to Antwerp, 2026)
Duration 6 days Destinations Zaandam, Wijk bij Duurstede, Arnhem, Nijmegen, Amsterdam Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Operator Crucemundo From $2,164
30% Off- US$1,515+$88 upfront costsYou save $649
Tulip Serenade (Amsterdam - Amsterdam)
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Wonderful, outstanding, I had a fabulous time. The entire crew was outstanding.”
Kimberley, traveled in April
Sail Dutch waterways from Amsterdam to Rotterdam aboard ships like the AMADEUS Imperial or AMADEUS Queen, visiting the UNESCO-protected windmill complex at Kinderdijk and cycling through Waterland villages. The Kröller-Müller Museum in Arnhem houses the world's second-largest Van Gogh collection and makes for a worthwhile stop. Stroll through the 79-acre Keukenhof gardens during peak tulip season and taste artisan cheeses in the fishing village of Volendam. With 46 crew serving just 42 passengers, gourmet multi-course meals, 24-hour coffee service, and drop-down panoramic windows provide views of windmills and spring blossoms.
Duration 8 days Destinations Amsterdam, Arnhem, Middelburg, Ghent, Antwerp, Rotterdam Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From
30% Off- US$1,730
Float through Netherlands' waterways aboard a luxury Scenic vessel, visiting UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk's 19 windmills and Veere's Scottish merchant houses. View Delta Works' 3km barrier system and enjoy fresh oyster tastings while cruising scenic Dutch landscapes.
Duration 8 days Destinations Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Delft, Kinderdijk, Gouda, Veere, Arnhem, Hoorn, Keukenhof Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $9,990
70% Off- US$2,995You save $6,995
Sail Netherlands' scenic waterways from Amsterdam to Rotterdam aboard Emerald Luna or Sky. Visit Zaanse Schans' windmills, explore The Hague's coastline, and witness Keukenhof Gardens' spectacular tulip displays while enjoying luxury river cruise amenities.
Duration 8 days Destinations Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans, Rotterdam, Delft, The Hague, Arnhem, Keukenhof, Aalsmeer Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $8,690
68% Off- US$2,745You save $5,945
Pedal through Dutch landscapes on this comfort-focused cruise. Gentle routes covering 45km daily wind through tulip fields and historic towns, perfectly balanced with cultural experiences.
Duration 8 days Destinations Amsterdam, Oude Wetering, Gouda, Dordrecht, Zierikzee, Middelburg, Vlissingen, Ghent, Bruges Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Feniks Charter From
68% Off- US$1,632
Sail Netherlands' most scenic waterways aboard A-ROSA ALEA. Pass through Markermeer and IJsselmeer lakes, visiting historic Dutch ports including Dordrecht's triple-river confluence and Hoorn's Golden Age harbor. Take in traditional maritime culture in Huizen and Enkhuizen.
Duration 8 days Destinations Cologne, Dordrecht, Huizen, Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Nijmegen, Wesel Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
68% Off- US$1,518
Luxury vessels transport guests through Dutch waterways to Giethoorn's canal-laden villages and Kinderdijk's UNESCO windmills. Rotterdam's modern architecture and Keukenhof's famous tulip gardens captivate visitors. Dutch countryside cycling and cultural walking tours enhance the adventure.
Duration 8 days Destinations Amsterdam, Kampen, Giethoorn, Ghent, Antwerp, Rotterdam Age Range Ages 12+ Operator AmaWaterways From
68% Off- US$4,098+$250 upfront costs
Duration 9 days Destinations Brussels, Ghent, Middelburg, Veere, Rotterdam, Zaandam, Haarlem, Amsterdam Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
68% Off- US$4,198+$231 upfront costs
Avalon Panorama's 200-square-foot Panorama Suites provide luxury while cruising Netherlands' waterways. Kinderdijk's UNESCO windmills, Rotterdam's innovative harbor, and Keukenhof's spectacular gardens dot the journey. Gourmet dining and premium amenities enhance the experience.
Duration 10 days Destinations Amsterdam, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Nijmegen, Maastricht, Antwerp, Willemstad, Kinderdijk, Rotterdam Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
68% Off- US$6,941+$297 upfront costs
Tulips & Windmills (2026) (Amsterdam to Antwerp, 2026)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Good value for money very professional managed and staff were great.”
Pieter, traveled in March
Sail Dutch and Belgian waterways for 9 nights in a riverview stateroom with Savoir Beds of England and Egyptian cotton linens. The route starts in Amsterdam, passes through the IJsselmeer to Hoorn and Enkhuizen, follows the Meuse River to Rotterdam, then continues via the Scheldt estuary to reach Ghent and Antwerp. Unlimited fine wine, beer, and spirits come with the cruise while visiting 8 ports including medieval Dordrecht and the Biesbosch National Park wetlands.
Duration 10 days Destinations Amsterdam, Zaandam, Hoorn, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Veere, Ghent, Antwerp Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
68% Off- US$7,659
What our customers ask about Netherlands River Cruises
What's the typical length of a Netherlands river cruise?
River cruises through the Netherlands typically last between 5 and 11 days providing different options based on traveler preferences. CroisiEurope runs a compact 5-day Springtime in Holland cruise while A-ROSA offers an 8-day Rhine Experience. For those seeking a longer journey Scenic's 11-day Windmills Tulips & Belgian Delights tour presents an extended exploration. These durations let travelers see key destinations without feeling rushed. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Eight days was perfect to see the highlights of the Netherlands and Belgium without feeling rushed."
What are the best times of year to take a Netherlands river cruise?
Spring stands out as the prime season with March through May offering the most memorable experiences. April draws visitors to see millions of tulips blooming at Keukenhof Gardens. The moderate spring temperatures make walking tours in Amsterdam Rotterdam and Antwerp especially pleasant. One Amadeus Cara passenger shared: "The Netherlands are so very beautiful and the Tulip Festival was the cherry on top of the cake! Every moment was exciting!" Summer cruises from June through August benefit from long daylight hours and warm weather ideal for outdoor activities.
Which Dutch cities and landmarks are typically included in Netherlands river cruise itineraries?
River cruise routes connect Amsterdam's canal network Rotterdam's contemporary skyline and the historic windmills of Kinderdijk. The itineraries often include stops in smaller destinations like Hoorn Veere and Arnhem. Popular excursions feature Keukenhof Gardens Zaanse Schans windmills and the Delta Works engineering project. Avalon Waterways for example takes guests to Antwerp's Cathedral of Our Lady Ghent's St. Baaf's Cathedral and Amsterdam's Golden Age structures. As one TourRadar reviewer noted: "Visiting Rotterdam's innovative harbor and Kinderdijk's historic windmills in one day showed us the perfect contrast of old and new Netherlands."
When is the best time to take a river cruise in the Netherlands?
March through May marks the high season for Dutch river cruises coinciding with tulip season at Keukenhof Gardens and surrounding fields. Summer months bring warmer temperatures perfect for port explorations while September and October offer fewer crowds with mild weather. Winter cruises from November through December showcase holiday markets in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. A CroisiEurope passenger shared on TourRadar: "We went in April and the weather was perfect - cool mornings but sunny afternoons and the tulips at Keukenhof were absolutely spectacular."
What are the most popular ports and destinations visited on Netherlands river cruises?
Most itineraries center around major urban centers like Amsterdam Rotterdam and Antwerp balanced with visits to smaller locations such as Hoorn Kinderdijk and Nijmegen. The windmills at Kinderdijk a UNESCO World Heritage site draw significant interest while Keukenhof Gardens provides dramatic flower displays each spring. A Viking Cruises passenger remarked on TourRadar: "The variety of ports was excellent from major cities to small historic towns like Hoorn where we could really experience authentic Dutch culture."
What types of cabins are available on Netherlands river cruise ships?
Ships sailing Dutch waterways provide accommodations ranging from essential staterooms to expansive suites. The Viking Kvasir demonstrates this variety with five categories: Standard Staterooms French Balcony Staterooms Veranda Staterooms Veranda Suites and Explorer Suites. Each room includes standard hotel amenities such as quality bedding and private bathrooms. Uniworld's S.S. Victoria features some of Europe's most spacious river cruise suites at 506 square feet. A TourRadar guest commented: "Our Panorama Suite on Avalon was incredibly spacious with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and a seating area perfect for watching the Dutch countryside go by."