Netherlands River Cruises
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10 best river cruises through Netherlands
Compiled by
MelissaNetherlands travel expert at TourRadar
- Through authentic Holland (port-to-port cruise)
- Holland & Belgium in Bloom
- Windmills, Tulips and Belgian Delights
- Rhine City Experiences 2026
- Holland & Belgium Antwerp to Amsterdam
- Rhine Experience IJsselmeer 2026 (including Dordrecht)
- Holland & Belgium Amsterdam to Antwerp
- Rhine Concert Cruise with Andre Rieu - AMADEUS Cara (Cologne - Amsterdam)
- Rhine Concert Cruise with Andre Rieu - AMADEUS Silver II (Cologne - Amsterdam)
- Tulip Time Cruise 2026
Through authentic Holland (port-to-port cruise)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“From the big cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, to the smaller towns of Gouda and Delft, and all the villages, canals, churches, windmills, historic buildings, and country-side sights in between, we could not have asked for a better up-close and authentic”
LaurieM, traveled in April
MS Victor Hugo's renovated vessel charts Dutch waterways to Rotterdam's modern harbor, Gouda's cheese markets, and Delft's ceramic studios. Panoramic views from 45 well-appointed cabins enhance historic canal cruising.
Duration 5 days Destinations Amsterdam, Gouda, Rotterdam Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
- NZ$1,660
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 up to 90 year olds Operator Emerald Cruises From $14,440
50% Off- NZ$7,220You save $7,220
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 up to 99 year olds Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $6,745
19% Off- NZ$5,445You save $1,300
Float through Netherlands' waterways aboard A-ROSA SENA, featuring 21-28m² cabins and comprehensive dining. Tour Rotterdam's modern skyline, Amsterdam's historic district, and Utrecht's canal houses. Includes e-bikes for shoreline exploration and emission-free harbor entry.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cologne, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrecht Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
19% Off- NZ$1,819
Viking Kvasir sails Dutch waterways, showcasing UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk's windmills and Rotterdam's innovative harbor. The route includes Hoorn's cheese warehouses, Amsterdam's Golden Age canals, and Maastricht's basilicas. Luxury river-view accommodation and regional dining with wine pairings enhance the journey.
Duration 10 days Destinations Belgium, Netherlands, Germany Age Range 18 to 90 year olds Operator Viking Cruises From $8,303
31% Off- NZ$5,714You save $2,590
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 2 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
31% Off- NZ$1,915
Dutch maritime heritage comes alive aboard Viking Kvasir through Amsterdam's canals and Hoorn's historic harbor. The itinerary features UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk windmills, Rotterdam's cutting-edge port, and Nijmegen's WWII sites with guided tours.
Duration 10 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Belgium Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Viking Cruises From $9,598
40% Off- NZ$5,714You save $3,885
Duration 7 days Destinations Cologne, Bonn, Nijmegen, Arnhem, Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Amsterdam Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From
40% Off- NZ$2,932
Duration 7 days Destinations Cologne, Bonn, Nijmegen, Arnhem, Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Amsterdam Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From
40% Off- NZ$2,314
Elegant Avalon Panorama showcases Dutch waterways through wall-to-wall windows and 200-square-foot suites. The itinerary features Amsterdam's historic canals, Rotterdam's modern harbor, and Middelburg's spice trade heritage. Chef-prepared Dutch specialties and Sky Deck views enhance the experience.
Duration 8 days Destinations Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, Middelburg, Veere, Willemstad Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Avalon Waterways From
40% Off- NZ$6,313+$384 upfront costs
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."