Travels through the Netherlands take you through historic canals and flower-dotted landscapes. See highlights like the historic windmills in UNESCO World Heritage town of Kinderdijk and the canal-lined city of Utrecht while cruising its waterways, or dive deeper into history and art in the country’s vibrant capital, Amsterdam.
Netherlands River Cruises
Sailing This Itinerary
Discover Amsterdam and Historic Canal Cities
Each Dutch town and city reveals a different personality and a chance to experience the country’s culture from a new angle. In Amsterdam, explore iconic canals and creative scenes, while historic Utrecht invites a slower pace centered around its canals and café-lined streets. In between, smaller towns like Haarlem and Hoorn offer charm and glimpses of the Dutch landscape.
Featured Experiences in the Netherlands
Cycling Among the Windmills of Kinderdijk
Pedal past 18th-century windmills in this iconic UNESCO site, where Dutch ingenuity has shaped the land for centuries.
Cruise Amsterdam’s Historic Canals
See the city from the water as you glide past narrow townhouses, arched bridges, and tree-lined canals that reveal Amsterdam’s architectural rhythm.
Discover Historic Dutch Port Town, Hoorn
Visit a former Dutch Golden Age trading port, to tour the Zuiderzee Museum, walk through town, take a bike ride, or see a family-run tulip farm.
Take a Guided Tour Through Historic Zierikzee
Embark on a guided walking tour through its medieval streets, where architecture and canals reveal the character of this lesser-visited Dutch town.
Sample Local Flavors on a Rotterdam Walking Tour
Explore modern Rotterdam on a tour that includes a chance to sample local specialties and experience the city’s food culture up close.
Not sure where to start?
Let us help you choose the right cruise. Our river cruise experts are here to help you find the perfect journey, tailored to your interests and travel dreams.
Sailing the Rhine
Testimonials
“We’ve told so many people about how river cruising with AmaWaterways is the best-kept secret in travel, and we are already talking about what river we will experience next.”
MF
Meghan F.
“Hats off and a bow down to the AmaSiena crew for providing a wonderful experience. I want to give a special shout-out to our Cruise Director. She was there for us all the time including pre- and post-cruise experinces. She is the best Cruise Director of any cruise we have ever been on! ”
TC
Tom C.
“We had planned our river cruise during Christmas, but we didn’t even miss celebrating at home because AmaLucia was completely decked out with wreaths, ornaments, and lights and there were at least four Christmas trees on board. Our gift to the kids this year was the river cruise, but we did take advantage of the ship’s tradition of everyone putting their slippers out to sneak some trinkets into theirs. It was so fun; we may even start doing this at home! On board the ship, our family played a lot of board games in the lounge and danced to the live music each evening. We also spent some quiet time together in the stateroom watching Christmas movies. The gift of traveling with your family is that you don’t have constant distractions or activities to run to – you can just spend more time being together.”
JV
Jennifer V.
“As a slightly disabled 80-year-old, I missed out on many included excursions with other companies. Then I found AmaWaterways and their gentle walker options and my world opened up.”
PT
Patricia T.
“From the moment we landed in Amsterdam for the pre-cruise until the last day of the post-cruise in Zurich, our tour manager, Florentin, made us feel welcome and safe. He remained with us throughout the trip and was extremely professional, knowledgeable and resourceful. Florentin always had a smile on his face and interesting details about the cities on our trip.”
ER
Ernestina R.
Land Extensions
Spend Extra Time in Amsterdam
Linger in Amsterdam before or after your cruise to dive deeper into the city’s art, history, and creative spirit—whether on a guided walk along its historic canals or during a visit to the windmills at Zaanse Schans.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Hungary
Set along the Danube, Hungary offers exploration of grand architecture, café culture, and centuries-old traditions. Budapest anchors the experience with its architecture and energy, complemented by scenic stretches and historic towns like Esztergom and Szentendre.
Austria
While traveling in Austria, weave between refined cities and quaint river towns shaped by centuries of culture and tradition. Cruise its most storied river, the Danube, and discover Vienna, shaped by its enduring musical legacy, before continuing into the Wachau Valley, where vineyard-lined hills and historic villages offer a quieter pace.
Germany
Germany unfolds gracefully along its rivers, where medieval towns, vineyard-lined hillsides, and grand cities reveal centuries of culture and craftsmanship. Cruising the Rhine, Main, Danube, and Moselle connects you effortlessly to historic castles like Burg Eltz and vibrant cities like Cologne and Munich—inviting you to explore at an unhurried pace.
Journeys That Move You.
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