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

A cruise starting in Brussels is a great way to experience river cruising. We have 26 cruises that range from 4 days up to 32 days in length. The most popular time for river cruises leaving Brussels is August.

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River Cruise
DISCOVERING BELGIUM: Brussels - Brussels MS VistaGracia
4.0 (3 traveler reviews)
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Brussels, Antwerp, Dordrecht, Willemstad, Ghent
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ships
MS Crucevita MS Vista Gracia+1 ship
Operated in
English, Portuguese,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Crucemundo
From
NZ$2,340per person
+$129 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Treasures of Belgium & Holland with 1 Night in Brussels
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Brussels, Ghent, Middelburg, Veere, Rotterdam, Zaandam,Haarlem,Amsterdam+2 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Imagery II
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
From
NZ$10,513per person
+$392 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Treasures of Belgium & Holland
5.0 (8 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Ypres, Middelburg, Veere, Rotterdam,Zaandam,Haarlem,Amsterdam+3 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Imagery II
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
From
NZ$10,006per person
+$392 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Windmills, Tulips & Belgian Delights with Bruges 2026|2027 - 11 Days (from Brussels to Amsterdam)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Brussels, Bruges, Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Delft, Kinderdijk,Veere,Antwerp,Ghent,Arnhem,Hoorn+5 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Amber Scenic Ruby Scenic Pearl+2 ships
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
14% Off
From $9,035
NZ$7,735per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Bruges 2026|2027 - 18 Days (from Brussels to Zurich)
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Ypres, Koblenz, Fribourg, Basel,Zurich+1 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Opal Scenic Ruby Scenic Pearl+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
20% Off
From $15,305
NZ$12,305per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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River Cruise
Belgian Delights & Holland in Bloom
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Brussels, Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans, Rotterdam, Delft,The Hague,Antwerp,Arnhem+3 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Destiny Emerald Sun Emerald Sky+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
61% Off
From $16,999
NZ$6,574per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time (2026) (Brussels to Amsterdam, 2026)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Brussels, Antwerp, Hasselt, Maastricht, Gorinchem,Kinderdijk,Keukenhof,Amsterdam+3 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Victoria
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
61% Off
From
NZ$14,299per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhine, Moselle & Belgium Grand Discovery (2026) (Brussels to Basel, 2026)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany Luxembourg France Switzerland+1 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Victoria
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
61% Off
From
NZ$15,599per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Belgian Delights & Splendours of Europe & Prague
Duration
21 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany Austria Slovakia Hungary Czech Republic+1 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Sun Emerald Star Emerald Sky+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
53% Off
From $23,310
NZ$10,849per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Switzerland & Bruges 2026|2027 - 22 Days (from Brussels to Zurich)
Duration
22 days
Destinations
Belgium Netherlands Germany Switzerland France
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Ruby Scenic Pearl+1 ship
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
18% Off
From $19,400
NZ$16,000per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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River Cruise
An Enchanting Christmas Getaway between Ghent and Bruges (port-to-port cruise)
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Brussels, Ghent, Bruges
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Raymonde
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
18% Off
From
NZ$2,152per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
An Enchanting Cruise: Exploring the Christmas Markets in Ghent and Bruges (port-to-port cruise)
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Brussels, Bruges, Ghent
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Raymonde
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
18% Off
From
NZ$2,152per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Belgian Delights & Splendours of Europe
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Brussels, Budapest
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Dawn Emerald Sun Emerald Star Emerald Sky+3 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
56% Off
From $22,139
NZ$9,679per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Windmills, Tulips & Belgian Delights with Amsterdam & Bruges 2027 - 13 Days (from Brussels to Amsterdam)
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Brussels, Bruges, Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Bruinisse, Antwerp,Arnhem,Hoorn+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Scenic Ruby
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
15% Off
From $11,105
NZ$9,405per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Dutch & Belgian Holiday Celebration (2025) (Brussels to Amsterdam, 2025)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Hasselt, Maastricht, Antwerp,Rotterdam,The Hague,Delft,Amsterdam+4 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Victoria
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
15% Off
From
NZ$12,099per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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