River Duchess, 9 Night Tulips & Windmills ex Antwerp, Belgium to Amsterdam, Rivers

From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Dordrecht, Hoorn, and Enkhuizen, and the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee Museum. “Do as the locals do” with an immersive tour in Antwerp and drift along the canals of Bruges. All along the way, you’ll savor Dutch delights and Belgian treats as you sail the aquatic highways and byways of two amazing countries shaped by water.

This cruise is for those who wish to step back in time to visit historic villages and medieval city centers. Art lovers will enjoy guided museum visits, while garden lovers will find a host of wonders with springtime blossoms.

Day 1 - Antwerp (Embark)
Arrive at Brussels International Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Day 2 - Antwerp (Scheeldekai)
It may be the diamond capital of the world, but Antwerp is also known for a number of other sought-after cultural gems, including Golden Age art and Belgian beer, waffles and fries. Visit Antwerp’s striking Cathedral of Our Lady, with its UNESCO-designated belfry and its historic surroundings, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, hop on the metro and experience the city like a local.
* A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Day 3 - Ghent (Bruges)
Your next day in Belgium offers you the chance to visit one of two national gems: beautiful Bruges, the capital of West Flanders and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, or fascinating Ghent, the capital city of East Flanders, whose long history does not weigh on its vibrant present. Belgium’s second largest city, Ghent abounds in medieval architecture, but there’s nothing museum-like about the city. It’s lively and brims with cutting-edge boutiques and galleries.

Day 4 - Dordrecht
Your ship docks today in Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland. With around 1,000 historic monuments seamlessly integrated into the city center, some now home to boutique shops and charming restaurants, the city's past and present mingle to create a rich and distinctive atmosphere.

Day 5 - Rotterdam (Kinderdijk)
Rotterdam is thoroughly modern—you’ll soon understand why it’s sometimes called “Manhattan on the Meuse.” The Maas Tower, the Montevideo, the Millennium Tower, and the spectacular Erasmus Bridge make for a dazzling skyline. Explore this modern city on a tour that highlights its eco-friendly innovations, or use it as a jumping point for a visit to Mauritshuis museum in The Hague or the colorful windmills of Kinderdijk.

Day 6 - Nijmegen
For your choice of excursions today, visit the Dutch Freedom Museum, which is dedicated to Holland's struggle for liberation against the Nazis. Alternatively, opt for a walking tour of Nijmegen.

Day 7 - Hoorn, Enkhuizen
Discover the town of Hoorn’s seafaring past, where the swashbuckling derring-do of Dutch explorers will come to life on a guided walking tour of this historic locale.

Day 8 - Zaandam
Sitting just north of Amsterdam is the quieter town of Zaandam, beloved for its traditional green cottages, windmills, craft shops, and quirky modern touches.

Day 9 - Amsterdam
The Netherlands’ largest city, Amsterdam, has been an international port and financial center for 400 years. Your choice of excursions today: either a morning visit to the Fabrique des Lumières or a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on a canal boat.
* A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Day 10 - Amsterdam (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for your flight home.

The 130-passenger River Duchess is decorated in soft hues of blue and green complemented by soothing earth tones, providing a tranquil and elegant onboard ambiance. Enjoy spectacular and ever-changing views of Europe’s most enchanting waterways in the ship’s stylish Blue Danube Lounge, Palace Restaurant, or the La Motte Sky Lounge.

Leading the Way since 1976
We were the first American company to set sail in Europe, and we’ve been revolutionizing the landscape of river cruising ever since. With more experience than practically any other line on the rivers, we spent our time developing deep local connections, destination expertise, and the most incredible crew in the industry. Over the years we’ve grown to offer unparalleled itineraries on the rivers of Europe, Egypt, India, Southeast Asia, and the Peruvian Amazon.

The Original Floating Boutique Hotels
We took everything travellers love about boutique hotels and made it float—think warm and personalized service, unique design schemes that highlight your destination, locally-inspired dining, thoughtfully curated activities, and ultra-comfortable furnishings. Each member of our fleet is one-of-a-kind, a work of art with its own bespoke details, custom fabrics, and local craftsmanship to bring the destinations outside in. Many of our ships even share a design team with the award-winning Red Carnation Hotel Collection. And the best part is, you’ll wake up to a wonderful new place to explore every day.

The Highest Quality in All-Inclusive Luxury River Cruising
Our all-inclusive itineraries are tailored to deliver authentic luxury. You can keep your wallet closed the entire trip, and still find everything you need and more to have a fantastic time. What truly distinguishes the meaning of “All-Inclusive” at Uniworld is our commitment to quality and passion for Tiny Noticeable Touches™. Handmade Savoir beds, a wide selection of premium wines and spirits, and delicious cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients—every piece of the Uniworld experience is hand selected to transform good experiences into exceptional ones.*

No Request Too Large, No Detail Too Small®
“No request too large, no detail too small”—that’s our driving ethos, and every member of the Uniworld crew lives by it. Our service is second to none. With a 2.4-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio and the longest tenured team in the business, our team starts to learn your name and your drink order from day 1. It’s little touches like this that make you feel like family onboard with us, and what makes returning for your next sailing feel like coming home.

Our Travel Family
We’re proud to be a part of The Travel Corporation (TTC) collection of award-winning travel brands—including Trafalgar Tours, Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Contiki, and African Travel. We share a collective ethos: treat your guests, your staff, and the local communities you visit like family, and you’ll create the most rewarding travel experiences out there.

*Note: Inclusions may vary in Egypt, Asia, and Peru.