River cruise through Netherlands and Belgium with castle visits, canal cruises and local guided tours
Amsterdam canal cruise and Utrecht's Museum Speelklok organ collection
Castle de Haar, Bouchout Castle and Castle of the Counts of Flanders
Guided tours through Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp and medieval Bruges
Trip Details
Departs
Sat 19 Dec 2026
Returns
Sat 26 Dec 2026
Embarks
Amsterdam
Ship
AmaStella
Operator
AMAWaterways
Immerse yourself in a feast for the senses as you travel through the Netherlands and Belgium. Taste rich Belgian chocolates. Listen to the distinctive clanks and charms of mechanical instruments at Utrecht’s Museum Speelklok. Admire the beautiful architecture and artistry of castles that include Utrecht’s de Haar, Brussels’ Bouchout Castle and Ghent’s Castle of the Counts of Flanders. Inhale the aroma of freshly pressed Belgian waffles and street fries. Cruise through the iconic Amsterdam canals. As a diverse array of knowledgeable and gracious local guides share each destination’s unique history with you, you’ll return from this cruise having experienced the best of Holland and Belgium!
This river cruise journeys through Netherlands and Belgium, calling at Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Hellevoetsluis, Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp, Dordrecht and Amsterdam.
You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaStella.
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Life in transit
Your transportsAmaStella
Details · AmaWaterways
AmaStella
Deck plans
4
AmaStella · Deck plans
Piano Deck
Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026.
Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.
Day by day
Itinerary
1
Amsterdam
Sat 19 Dec
AMSTERDAM – EMBARKATION. Board the ship in Amsterdam for your Best of Holland & Belgium cruise.
2
Amsterdam
Sun 20 Dec
AMSTERDAM – UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS. There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, enjoy a scenic cruise through the IJsselmeer to Utrecht, the religious center of the Netherlands since the 8th century and a far-reaching city boasting a medieval old town, canals and a beautiful Gothic cathedral, some of which you may see on your walking tour, which includes a visit to the whimsical collection of automatically playing musical instruments at Museum Speelklok. Alternatively, marvel at the largest castle in Holland, De Haar on a walking or biking tour. Straight out of your fairytale dreams, this castle inspires awe with its turrets, moats and suspension bridges as well as its luxurious interior.
3
Hellevoetsluis
Mon 21 Dec
HELLEVOETSLUIS, NETHERLANDS. Enjoy a scenic morning cruise through the delta before arriving in Hellevoetsluis, an island metropolis of South Holland. During your tour of this medieval harbor town, you may see enchanting sites such as its iconic working De Hoop windmill and witness the charming wharf houses. Later in the day, you may discover the intriguing history of how the Delta Works, a unique storm surge barrier, came to be while visiting the Flood Museum. More than half of the Netherlands lies below sea level and the Delta Works were built to prevent a recurrence of the 1953 flood disaster. Alternatively, visit a traditional Dutch flat-bottom boat and learn about the history of this unique type of vessel. For those who prefer an active adventure, pedal from Hellevoetsluis, with its cobblestone streets and charming harbor, across the Haringvlietdam and back.
4
Ghent
Tue 22 Dec
GHENT, BELGIUM. There are several choices of excursions in Ghent, depending on your interests. Stroll through the Capital of East Flanders, learning about its unique history on your walking tour, or pedal through the spellbinding town on a guided bike tour. Alternatively, visit Bruges, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, on a full-day excursion that includes the renowned Church of Our Lady, home to the beautiful Carrara marble Madonna and Child sculpture by Michelangelo. If you prefer a shorter excursion in Bruges, visit the town later in the day or spend your afternoon at Ghent’s moated Castle of the Counts, which boasts an eye-catching design as well as a ghoulishly interesting collection of medieval torture devices. Not combinable with other tours on this day.
5
Brussels
Wed 23 Dec
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. Explore Belgium’s captivating capital on your guided walking tour or pedal through Brussels on a guided bike ride that takes you into Laeken Park, where you will see the unique architecture of the Far East Museums as well as the jaw-dropping iron molecule sculpture known as the Atomium. In the afternoon, visit Bouchout Castle, a 12th-century fortress built to protect the Duchy of Brabant from the County of Flanders and the lords of Grimbergen.
6
Antwerp
Thu 24 Dec
ANTWERP, BELGIUM. Explore Belgium’s trendy “City of Diamonds” on a walking tour where you’ll see Antwerp’s Steen Castle, Grote Market and Brabo Fountain, along with the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady. Active travelers may prefer instead to bike through Antwerp. Later in the day, beer enthusiasts will appreciate a tasting of the local brew while foodies may prefer our excursion to sample some of Belgium’s culinary delights such as its fresh and fluffy waffles. An afternoon bike tour is also available for those who prefer to get their heart beating later in the day, and it includes an opportunity to visit the Red Star Line Museum, highlighting the historic shipping line responsible for transporting three million immigrants to America.
7
Dordrecht
Fri 25 Dec
DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS. Established in 1220, Holland’s oldest city was virtually destroyed by a devastating flood in the 15th century that essentially created the city’s wetlands. Learn more about Dordrecht’s fascinating history on your walking tour, or visit Rotterdam, the “Gateway to Europe,” as well as Delfshaven, where, on August 1, 1620, the Pilgrim fathers departed on their epic journey aboard the Speedwell. Stopping in Southampton, many then boarded the Mayflower and concluded their journey at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. If you prefer to venture off the beaten path, go on an architectural bike tour through Rotterdam. In the afternoon, venture to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country’s greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century. You may also pedal past the windmills from the seat of a bike.
8
Amsterdam
Sat 26 Dec
AMSTERDAM. Disembark your ship and bid farewell to Amsterdam as you prepare for your return flight home. – Indicates Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are included on this day.
What you get for the price
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
Amsterdam Canal Cruise.
Scenic cruising out of Amsterdam.
Walking tour with Museum Speelklok (organ museum) visit.
Castle de Haar visit.
Castle de Haar bike tour.
Cruising the Delta.
Where you’ll stay
Accommodation
Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaStella.
Stateroom categories available
Suite
Category AA
Category AB
Category BA
Category BB
Category CA
Category CB
Category D
Romantic Danube (Taste of Christmas) stateroom
From the operator
Common questions about this voyage
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 8 days and 7 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 21 Nov 2026 and 26 Dec 2026, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Ready to lock in?
Book this cruise
Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.
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