Tulip Time Cruise
Overview
This springtime river cruise gets underway in Holland’s colorful capital of Amsterdam. This 700-year-old city offers an abundance of classic architecture, cafés, and restaurants to explore before you embark on your river cruise through Holland and Belgium. Sail through Rotterdam’s harbor, said to be the world’s busiest port. Garden enthusiasts will delight in a visit to see the breathtaking colors of Keukenhof, also known as the “Garden of Europe.” With 70 acres of parkland and lakes, it’s one of the world’s largest flower gardens with nearly 7 million flowering bulbs bursting with color. Next, sail to Antwerp, Belgium’s second-largest city, known for its centuries-old history in diamond trading amid ancient buildings and monuments combined with modern architecture. In Ghent, Belgium, join a local expert for a guided tour of the city, including a visit to St. Baaf’s Cathedral.
Your cruise traverses back into Holland where you’ll explore Middelburg, formerly an important trading city. You’ll still get a sense of its historic wealth today with its impressive structures like the Gothic Town Hall, Abbey Tower, and bustling Market Square. This beautiful and historic springtime river cruise concludes with more time to explore the wonderful city of Amsterdam. See the most fascinating views of the city on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” [P]
Itinerary
Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation)Arrive 3:30 PM
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Zaanse Schans where you’ll see a wonderful collection of well-preserved historic windmills and Dutch houses.
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.
Evening/Overnight Cruise to Rotterdam
Dinner
While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.
Dutch Treats and Flowers Sweet
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
Wildlife, WWII Valor, and Famous Mills
Active Excursion
Experience Rotterdam by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join a full- or half-day Guided Tour of breathtaking Keukenhof—known as the “Garden of Europe”—for its 70 acres of lush parkland, lakes, and the world’s largest flower gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as well as other bulbs, planted each year.
Take some free time to relax on the harbor-side in Rotterdam with an artisan beer, a slice of appeltaart (Dutch apple pie), and a koffie verkeerd, a typical Dutch drink with equal parts coffee and milk. Take a bike from your ship to explore Rotterdam and the surrounding area.
Before dinner, enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbor.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
Evening/Overnight Cruise to Antwerp
Breakfast | 
Lunch | Dinner
Antwerp, Belgium
Cathedrals, Carats and Crêpes
Active Excursion
Explore Antwerp by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Tour of this sophisticated city to visit the central Grote Markt, lined with 16th-century guildhall houses. You’ll also see the beautiful city hall, the Cathedral of Our Lady with its stunning altarpiece paintings by Rubens.
Alternatively, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the nearby capital, Brussels—considered home to the European Union, and admire its magnificent palaces and cathedrals.
You might prefer to take time on your own to indulge in Antwerp’s signature Belgian waffles and crêpes—or explore this bike-friendly city from its old wharfs to its legendary diamond district.
Evening/Overnight Cruise to Ghent
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.
Ghent
Medieval Masterpieces and Flemish Finery
Active Excursion
Explore a different side of Ghent by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Explore Ghent—“The Diamond of Flanders”—with a Guided Sightseeing Tour of this showcase of medieval Flemish wealth. You’ll visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral—with its remarkable Flemish artwork.
Alternatively, you may choose to join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion of Bruges to explore its canals, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings. You’ll see its crisscrossed canals, the 13th-century belfry of Market Square, and charming patrician houses. You won’t miss the opportunity to explore Ghent since this Optional Excursion ends with an orientation walk of the "Diamond of Flanders."
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
Evening/Overnight Cruise to Middelburg
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.
Middelburg, Holland - Veere
A Spicy History in Middelburg’s Dutch Harbor Town
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Walking Tour through the winding cobblestones and canals of Middelburg. See the 15th-century Gothic Town Hall and learn about its important role in the spice trade and Dutch East India trading.
Spend some free time biking or walking through Middelburg to sample Babbelaar cookies, fries, or beer before cruising to Veere.
During lunchtime enjoy a short sailing from Middelburg to Veere.
Active Excursion
Alternatively bike from Middelburg to Veere with your Adventure Host. VEERE
History and Scottish Houses
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Walking Tour of Veere—a delightful historic town full of interesting sights dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Immerse yourself in its rich heritage, explore charming streets, and uncover hidden gems
Evening/Overnight Cruise to Willemstand
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Willemstand
Willemstad’s Windmills and Historic Harbor
Active Excursion
See Willemstad by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Walking Tour of Willemstad and discover its many beautifully restored buildings from the 17th and 18th Century.
Discovery Excursion
Later, enjoy a Cheese Tasting on board as you prepare to sail to Amsterdam.
Afternoon/Overnight Cruise to Amsterdam
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Amsterdam
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Active Excursion
Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:
Discovery Excursion
Discover Aalsmeer Flower Auction—the largest in the world, where around 20 million flowers are sold every day. Later enjoy a typical Dutch breakfast, OR:
Discovery Excursion
Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:
Classic Excursion
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
This afternoon choose among the many Guided Optional Excursions available.
Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
Overnight Docking in Amsterdam
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.
Amsterdam (Disembarkation)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
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A View with a Room
You've always forged your own path... with your own distinct perspective of looking at the world. Avalon Waterways presents a river cruise experience with your unique style in mind - offering expansive views and wider perspectives. That's why we've designed a cruise experience that's just a bit different.
Here are just some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board. See the Ship Amenities section below for more information about the amenities on this unique ship.
Map
How will I Make the Booking?
To make the booking, fill up the Enquiry form, email us on cruises@mercurytravels.in or call on 1800 266 2345.