At a glance
- Many cruisers find sailing the Dutch Waterways particularly worthwhile in spring
- Highlights of the Dutch Waterways include food, art, history and natural beauty
- Dutch Waterways cruises aren’t for everyone; cost and weather can put people off
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World of Cruising, along with our sister publication Cruise Trade News, has one of the UK’s most experienced teams of cruise journalists and contributors. Our experts have racked up hundreds of nights at sea and sailed with most cruise lines. Most weeks, one of our writers will be at sea or on a river. We don’t just write about cruising, we experience it.
What are the Dutch Waterways?
This network of rivers, canals and lakes stretches across the Netherlands and connects with Belgium, which is often featured on cruise itineraries, as well as parts of Central Europe. The intricate system, which includes the Waal, Maas and Scheldt rivers, offers an easy and pretty way to explore the Low Countries.
Five reasons to go on a Dutch Waterways cruise
1. No flights necessary
Unlike cruises on rivers such as the Douro, which usually require a flight, you can sail the Dutch Waterways without setting foot in an airport. Rail and sail itineraries are easy to arrange, with most cruises departing from Amsterdam or Rotterdam, both of which are well connected by train to the UK.
You can reach Rotterdam Centraal in around three and a half hours from London St Pancras, or it takes just over four to get to Amsterdam. Some cruise lines, such as Riviera Travel, include either flights or Eurostar tickets as part of the overall fare, so the choice is completely yours.
2. You’re sailing through history
A Dutch and Belgian Waterways cruise gives you the chance to travel through thousands of years of history, tracing the legacy of Roman, medieval and Golden Age Europe.
For many, the World War II landmarks and memorials alone make the cruise worthwhile. A visit to Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam is a sobering but poignant experience. Arnhem, meanwhile, is home to museums and memorials dedicated to the city’s wartime past. The events that unfolded here later inspired the 1970s epic A Bridge Too Far.
3. An art scene for the ages
Amsterdam stands out for art lovers, with the Rijksmuseum showcasing Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Judith Leyster and Frans Hals. Meanwhile, the internationally renowned Van Gogh Museum is well worth a visit to see Sunflowers and Almond Blossom.
If your itinerary extends to Belgium, you may see Ghent’s Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, also known as the Ghent Altarpiece. It’s often described as the most stolen artwork in history, having been targeted by thieves, iconoclasts and wartime looters repeatedly over the centuries.
Antwerp, meanwhile, is closely tied to Peter Paul Rubens. His former home, the Rubenshuis museum and garden, provides an intimate glimpse into the baroque superstar’s life and legacy.
4. It’s a gourmet delight
The Low Countries are often overlooked in favour of France or Italy when it comes to the culinary arts. But they shouldn’t be. Both the Netherlands and Belgium have gastronomic traditions well worth travelling for.
Dutch cheese and Belgian chocolate are celebrated worldwide for good reason. Either would be worth a cruise in and of itself. But there is so much more to discover. In Zeeland, for example, you’ll find outstanding oyster farms. Meanwhile, Belgium quietly holds its own when it comes to fine dining, with an unusually high concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants.
And it’s not just about what’s on the plate; drinks are far from an afterthought. Jenever, considered the forefather of gin, is where we get the phrase ‘Dutch courage’. Belgian beer needs no introduction, but there is no shortage of intriguing varieties. In Ghent, for example, gruut is brewed with a medieval herb mixture instead of hops.
5. Outstanding natural beauty
What draws many cruisers to the Dutch Waterways is the promise of a tapestry of tulips in every imaginable shade. Cruise lines such as Viking Cruises and AmaWaterways offer itineraries timed and designed to showcase the floral displays, from countryside flower farms to Keukenhof, the botanical garden home to seven million blooms. For a lot of travellers, seeing the bulbs burst into life is reason enough to go.
And that’s before you consider what the Netherlands has to offer beyond flowers, including cycling and hiking trails through open heath and painterly countryside. National Park Veluwezoom and De Hoge Veluwe National Park are particularly pretty, providing the chance to spot deer and wild boar among the trees.
Overall, while your cruise might not offer up vistas of snow-capped peaks or lava fields, if you know where to look, there’s plenty to hold your gaze.
Why Dutch Waterways cruises aren’t for everyone
1. Questionable weather
If you’re travelling in October, hoping for a final burst of warmth, this probably isn’t the cruise for you. The Netherlands often drops to around 10 °C in autumn, while winter is as bitterly cold as you’d expect – even with a mug of steaming bisschopswijn (Dutch mulled wine).
Spring is the most popular season to sail, but even then, the weather can be hit or miss. Blue skies turn grey in a flash, and sudden downpours are common. Even so, April showers bring May flowers, and the region’s lush, tulip-filled landscapes rely on a bit of rain.
In summer, meanwhile, the relatively mild weather is often seen as a plus. Temperatures in the mid-20s °C appeal to cruisers looking to hop on the ‘coolcation’ trend and avoid the 40-plus °C heat of the Mediterranean.
2. There are cheaper options
Don’t get us wrong, river cruises tend to be excellent value given how much they include. Many fares cover flights or train tickets, select shore excursions and even drinks. That said, it remains a premium experience, typically akin to staying in a four- or five-star hotel.
If you’re on a tight budget, there are certainly cheaper ways to see the Netherlands, though these might be less convenient and comfortable. Common money-saving measures include staying in hostels, picnics and food markets rather than restaurant meals and off-peak train travel to save on transport.
3. It’s not a wild atmosphere
If you’re hoping for late nights experiencing the Netherlands’ edgiest bars or techno scene, this probably isn’t the travel experience for you. While you’ll likely visit at least one lively city like Amsterdam or Rotterdam, possibly with an overnight stay, the emphasis is on cultural outings and daytime exploration rather than nightlife.
However, what you will get is a wonderfully relaxing experience. Think afternoons spent leisurely sailing past historic towns and scenic countryside with a glass of local wine.
Here’s what else to know before you book:
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