Itinerary
- Day 1
Cologne
You'll land in Cologne and have time to walk around the cathedral city before your Rhine cruise departs at 19:00. If you get there early enough, check out some of the monuments and attractions scattered throughout town. The other option is to skip the pre-cruise exploring and do that after your trip ends instead.
Optional Activities
- Explore Cologne's cathedral city monuments and attractions
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral - Day 2
Willemstad
The ship pulls in at Willemstad around 11:00, giving you the whole day in this quiet Dutch village. There's a nice harbor to walk around and a traditional windmill to see. You'll head back to the ship before it leaves at 22:00, so there's plenty of time to explore without rushing.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Comprehensive breakfast buffet with live-cooking stations), Lunch (Comprehensive lunch buffet with live-cooking stations), Dinner (Comprehensive dinner buffet with live-cooking stations)
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Willemstad
- Explore the harbor and windmill
Landmarks/POIs Willemstad - Day 3
Antwerp
Arriving at 07:00 in Antwerp, Belgium's 'Diamond City,' you have until 18:00 to spend here. The city's known for its art, culture, and food scene with Belgian waffles, chocolates, and fries. Later in the evening while sailing, you'll pass the seaports at Antwerp (19:00) and Westerschelde (20:00).
- Meals
- Breakfast (Comprehensive breakfast buffet with live-cooking stations), Lunch (Comprehensive lunch buffet with live-cooking stations), Dinner (Comprehensive dinner buffet with live-cooking stations)
Optional Activities
- Explore Antwerp's art and cultural attractions
- Sample Belgian specialties (waffles, chocolates, chips)
- Visit diamond trade-related sites
Landmarks/POIs Antwerp - Day 4
Ghent
The ship gets to Ghent at 02:00, which is early, but you won't leave until 19:00 so you've got the day here. This Flemish art center has some great architecture to see, including Saint Bavo's Cathedral and Gravensteen castle. After walking around, grab a meal at one of the old town cafes and try some Belgian food.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Comprehensive breakfast buffet with live-cooking stations), Lunch (Comprehensive lunch buffet with live-cooking stations), Dinner (Comprehensive dinner buffet with live-cooking stations)
Optional Activities
- Visit Saint Bavo's Cathedral
- Explore Gravensteen castle
- Discover old town architecture and artistic masterpieces
- Sample Belgian coffee and delicacies
Landmarks/POIs Saint Bavo's Cathedral Gravensteen - Day 5
Dordrecht
Dordrecht is Holland's oldest city and you'll have from 07:00 until 15:00 to see it. The town sits right where three rivers meet (Merwede, Noord, and Oude Maas), and walking through it gives you a feel for its waterfront character. There are various monuments and small harbors worth checking out around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Comprehensive breakfast buffet with live-cooking stations), Lunch (Comprehensive lunch buffet with live-cooking stations), Dinner (Comprehensive dinner buffet with live-cooking stations)
Optional Activities
- Explore Dordrecht's monuments
- Walk through the city harbors
- Experience the city's waterfront character
Landmarks/POIs Dordrecht - Day 6
Lelystad
You arrive in Lelystad at 06:00, the capital of Flevoland province, which sits between the Ijsselmeer and Markermeer. If you're into nature, the nearby Oostvaardersplassen reserve has tons of wildlife and plant life to see. It's a different kind of Dutch destination, being in this unique spot between two bodies of water.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Comprehensive breakfast buffet with live-cooking stations), Lunch (Comprehensive lunch buffet with live-cooking stations), Dinner (Comprehensive dinner buffet with live-cooking stations)
Optional Activities
- Visit Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve
- Explore Lelystad's waterfront between two lakes
Landmarks/POIs Oostvaardersplassen - Day 7
Lelystad to Harlingen
After leaving Lelystad at 08:00, the ship heads through the Wadden Sea and arrives in Harlingen by 14:00. This Friesland harbor town has a nice center where the harbor comes right into town. Being close to the Wadden Sea, it gives you a chance to experience what authentic Dutch regional character feels like.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Comprehensive breakfast buffet with live-cooking stations), Lunch (Comprehensive lunch buffet with live-cooking stations), Dinner (Comprehensive dinner buffet with live-cooking stations)
Optional Activities
- Explore Harlingen's harbor and city center
- Experience Friesland region attractions
- Visit the Wadden Sea area
Landmarks/POIs Harlingen Wadden Sea - Day 8
Harlingen to Hoorn
Leaving Harlingen at 06:00, you'll cruise through the Markermeer and IJsselmeer before reaching Hoorn at 12:00. You've got until 18:00 here in this historic town that was hugely important to the Netherlands back in the 16th century. Historic buildings throughout town still show what that golden era was all about.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Comprehensive breakfast buffet with live-cooking stations), Lunch (Comprehensive lunch buffet with live-cooking stations), Dinner (Comprehensive dinner buffet with live-cooking stations)
Optional Activities
- Panorama cruise through Markermeer and IJsselmeer
- Explore Hoorn's historic harbor and 16th-century architecture
- Visit historic merchant buildings
Landmarks/POIs Hoorn - Day 9
Emmerich
Emmerich, a charming town on the Lower Rhine, is your stop from 09:00 to 15:00. Walking the promenade gives you nice views of the river and plenty of photo opportunities, especially of the distinctive red suspension bridge that locals call the 'Golden Gate Bridge of the Lower Rhine.'
- Meals
- Breakfast (Comprehensive breakfast buffet with live-cooking stations), Lunch (Comprehensive lunch buffet with live-cooking stations), Dinner (Comprehensive dinner buffet with live-cooking stations)
Optional Activities
- Walk along Emmerich's promenade
- View and photograph the Golden Gate Bridge of the Lower Rhine
- Enjoy Rhine river views
Landmarks/POIs Golden Gate Bridge of the Lower Rhine - Day 10
Cologne
The ship arrives back in Cologne at 06:00 and your Rhine cruise ends here. After disembarking, you can explore the cathedral city and its monuments if you have time, or just take it easy after being on the water for your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Comprehensive breakfast buffet with live-cooking stations)
Optional Activities
- Explore Cologne's cathedral city monuments and attractions
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral
