Spring
in Holland - cruising through the tulips
Discover
the beauty and history of the Dutch and Belgian rivers and canals in springtime
on a 148-passenger riverboat. Visit Amsterdam, admire the colorful carpets
of tulips and flower displays at the Keukenhof Gardens; stroll through Kinderdijks’
lush green countryside dotted with the world-famous windmills, taste the local
cheese and learn about the traditions of the friendly Dutch and Flemish people.
In Belgium, tour great medieval cities like Antwerp, Ghent and Brugges with their
stunning architecture and traditions and sample the delicious pastries and chocolates.
The
Keukenhof gardens are the world's largest flower park. Some seven million bulbs
are planted there every year. The park is located south of Amsterdam in an area
called the "Duin-en-Bollenstreek" (Dune and Bulb) region. Keukenhof
has been the world's largest flower garden for over fifty years. It is open from
late March to the middle of May. The best time to see the tulips is usually mid-April,
depending on the weather.
TYPICAL
RIVER CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)
B
= Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day
1: Depart USA.
Board your overnight flight to Amsterdam, Holland.
Day
2: Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland (D).
Welcome
to Amsterdam, a modern city with a rich and fascinating history. Explore the 700-year-old
European capital with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés, restaurants,
lively marketplace and exciting nightlife. Perhaps visit one of the city's renowned
museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House.
Tonight, meet your fellow passengers on board your elegant riverboat for the welcome
dinner.
Day
3: Amsterdam - Volendam - Edam
(B,L,D). After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic morning cruise through the historic
canals of Amsterdam. Then on to Volendam. The afternoon tour takes you to the
village of Edam, famous for its wonderful cheese.
Day
4: Arnhem - Nijmegen (B,L,D).
Arrive in Arnhem early this morning. Tour the Arnhem Museum Hartenstein, which
shows the course of events during the Battle of Arnhem, one of the major battles
of World War II. After the tour, return to the riverboat around lunchtime and
cruise to Nijmegen, where you'll have some free time. This evening, you'll enjoy
scenic cruising through Holland and on to Belgium.
Day
5: Antwerp (B,L,D). This morning, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of
Antwerp, one of the world's most important ancient seaports. See the Grote Market
with its beautiful city hall and the Church of Our Lady and admire the city's
superb architecture. The afternoon is free to explore Antwerp on your own or take
an optional excursion to nearby Brussels. After dinner, your cruise departs for
Ghent.
Day
6: Ghent
(B,L,D). Disembark the riverboat after breakfast for a guided sightseeing tour
of Ghent, the fourth largest city of Belgium. This city is the real diamond of
Flanders. In its own way, Ghent has preserved its medieval charm while remaining
current with the times. The afternoon is yours to explore Ghent further or to
take an optional excursion to Brugges, one of Europe's most perfectly preserved
medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day
7: Willemstad - Dordrecht (B,L,D).
This morning, cruise through the Dutch region of Zeeland. This region is home
to one of the world's most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works, which
took over 30 years to complete. During this morning's cruise, you will pass this
magnificent project, then stop in charming Willemstad for a walking tour. During
lunch on the riverboat, continue cruising towards Dordrecht and the 18th-century
windmills of Kinderdijk, the largest group of original windmills in Holland. Tonight,
enjoy a special music performance on board.
Day
8: Utrecht - Keukenhof - Amsterdam (B,L,D). Cruise along the Amsterdam-Rhine
Canal to Utrecht, where you disembark for a morning excursion to the famous Keukenhof
Gardens to admire the spectacular display of bulb flowers in bloom. Keukenhof
also offers several ponds, sculpture gardens, greenhouses, a windmill which can
be toured and several terraces for relaxing. Return to your riverboat in Amsterdam
for lunch. Spend the afternoon as you wish - sightseeing, shopping, or just relaxing
on the sun deck.
Day
9: Depart Amsterdam (B).
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport. Extra nights are available
if you wish to extend your stay in Amsterdam.
This
itinerary is subject to change without notice.
See
additional cruise: Holland
- Keukenhof.
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Included
- 7-night
deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom
- Superb
dining with all meals included
- Unlimited
wines from Europe's great wine regions with every dinner on board the ship
- Cocktail
reception, welcome dinner and captain's gala dinner
- Daily
sightseeing program as outlined in the itinerary
- Special
highlights including folklore dances, lectures, theme dinners, on board music
performances and afternoon & evening piano music
- Services
of a professional cruise director
- All
transfers with the purchase of cruise and air package
- All
local taxes
Available
at Additional Cost
- Roundtrip
air from many US cities
- Transfers
to/from the river boat if you book your own air
- Optional
activities
- Extra
nights in Amsterdam
- Health
and travel insurance
Not
Included
- Crew
gratuities (suggested 15 euros per person per day)
- Personal
expenses
- Other
items not listed in "Included" above
River
Boat Features
- 41
English-speaking crew members
- Length:
360 ft.; width: 38 ft.
- Grand
Panorama Lounge with bar. Aft Lounge with bar for up to 35-50 Passengers - ideal
for special group events/meetings
- Elegant
restaurant that accommodates all guests in one seating without fixed seating arrangements.
"Hot station" at buffet breakfasts.
- Wellness
Center includes a fitness center, sauna and massages
- Sun
Deck with whirlpool and walking track
- Onboard
amenities including beauty and hair salon, souvenir shop, and giant chess game
- Bicycles
for your use
- Non-smoking
environment (smoking only outside on Sun Deck)
Staterooms
- 70
deluxe river view staterooms (one 225 sq. ft., the rest 170 sq.ft. outside cabins)
with hotel-style beds that can be set up as two twin beds or one large queen bed
-
3 junior
suites (255 sq.ft.) on the upper deck
- 2
single staterooms (140 sq. ft.)
- Category
A-C staterooms and junior suites have French balconies with sliding glass doors.
Category D and E staterooms plus the single staterooms have fixed windows.
- Infotainment
system in all staterooms with Internet, movie and music library and English language
TV stations. Internet access and TV programs are free; movies are pay-per-view.
- Terry
bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding in all staterooms, plus hair dryer
and safe.
Cruise
Dates & Prices (Guaranteed Departures)
USA
Departure | Cruise
Only* | Cruise
& Air** | Port
Charges |
4/1/2010 | $1,999 | $2,799 | $133 |
4/4/2010 | $1,999 | $2,799 | $133 |
4/11/2010 | $2,099 | $2,899 | $133 |
4/17/2010 | $2,199 | $2,999 | $133 |
4/18/2010 | $2,199 | $2,999 | $133 |
4/22/2010 | $2,299 | $3,099 | $133 |
4/25/2010 | $2,399 | $3,199 | $133 |
*Prices
are per person double occupancy in Category E (deluxe outside stateroom
with fixed window). To upgrade to a higher Category, add the following amounts
per person:
Category | Deck | Stateroom
Window | Add |
E | Piano | Fixed | $0 |
D | $169 |
C | Cello | French
balcony with
sliding glass doors | $499 |
B | $699 |
A | Violin | $799 |
A+ | $999 |
Jr.
Suite | $1699 |
**Included
airfare from New York is estimated and does not include taxes, fees or fuel surcharges.
Actual airfares from all gateways will be advised at time of booking.
Single
supplement: add 50% of twin price; Jr. Suites add 100% of twin price.
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