Netherlands North Holland Cruise from Amsterdam — 8 Days

7 nights · Netherlands North Holland · River cruise · Departs Amsterdam (Netherlands) · Visiting Lelystad, Bruinisse, Ghent, Zeebrugge, Antwerp, Dordrecht, Rotterdam · Aboard AmaWaterways on the AmaSofia

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Waterways

This river cruise sails the Rhine, IJsselmeer and Scheldt, departing Amsterdam.

  1. Rhine →
  2. IJsselmeer →
  3. Scheldt →
  4. Rhine
Cruise lineAmaWaterways
ShipAmaSofia
Duration7 nights
Port calls8
Departures20 sailings
Year built2026
Guests156
Cabins76
Crew51
Length135 m
Beam12 m
Cruising speed11.0 kn
  1. Days 1–2

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Amsterdam pairs world-class museums with the everyday pleasure of canal-side life. Its Golden Age houses, narrow waterways and lively markets make the city rewarding well beyond its famous sights. Visit the Rijksmuseum for Dutch masters, then explore the canal belt on foot or by boat. Leave time for a neighbourhood café: in Amsterdam, the best discoveries often come between the landmarks.

  2. Day 2

    Lelystad, Netherlands

    Lelystad stands on land reclaimed from the Zuiderzee, in the Dutch province of Flevoland. At Batavialand, explore the story of the polders and step aboard a full-size replica of the 17th-century ship Batavia. Aviodrome traces Dutch aviation history, while nearby Oostvaardersplassen offers wetlands, birdlife and walking trails. Here, engineering transformed the landscape, and nature has reclaimed part of it.

    • Land Tour (Land Tour)
    • Land Tour (Land Tour)
    • Land Tour (Land Tour)
  3. Day 3

    Bruinisse, Netherlands

    Bruinisse is Zeeland’s mussel village, set on the eastern edge of Schouwen-Duiveland. Here, the working harbour and mussel fleet make the town’s maritime life more than a museum piece. Visit the Brusea museum for local fishing history, then look across the Oosterschelde, where tidal waters shape the landscape. Nearby Grevelingenmeer offers a gentler waterside contrast, with broad views and routes for walking or cycling. Come for Zeeland’s distinctive seafood culture and a quieter, distinctly local side of the Netherlands.

    • Land Tour (Land Tour)
    • Zierikzee (Ask Travel Agent)
    • Land Tour (Land Tour)
    • Land Tour (Land Tour)
    • Land Tour (Land Tour)
  4. Day 4

    Ghent, Belgium

    Step ashore in Ghent and find a Flemish city that feels lived-in, not preserved for show. Canals frame guildhalls and Gothic towers, while cafés keep the historic centre in motion. At the Graslei, old warehouses line the Leie; nearby, St Bavo’s Cathedral holds the celebrated Ghent Altarpiece. Visit Gravensteen, a 12th-century castle, then explore the lanes on foot. Compact and rewarding, Ghent offers art, architecture and an easy taste of Belgian life.

  5. Day 4

    Zeebrugge, Belgium

    Zeebrugge is Belgium’s North Sea gateway, but Bruges is the reason many travellers come ashore. The medieval city lies about 17 kilometres inland, its canals, brick gables and market square remarkably intact. The coast has its own appeal: stroll the broad beach, watch fishing boats return, or find seafood near the harbour. Choose your day well, and you can pair Bruges’ rich history with the Flemish coast’s open skies and sea air.

  6. Day 4

    Ghent, Belgium

    Step ashore in Ghent and find a Flemish city that feels lived-in, not preserved for show. Canals frame guildhalls and Gothic towers, while cafés keep the historic centre in motion. At the Graslei, old warehouses line the Leie; nearby, St Bavo’s Cathedral holds the celebrated Ghent Altarpiece. Visit Gravensteen, a 12th-century castle, then explore the lanes on foot. Compact and rewarding, Ghent offers art, architecture and an easy taste of Belgian life.

    • Land Tour (Land Tour)
    • Land Tour (Land Tour)
  7. Day 5

    Antwerp, Belgium

    Antwerp pairs a major working port with a rewarding historic center. At the Cathedral of Our Lady, Rubens’s paintings share space with centuries of Gothic stonework. Nearby, the Grote Markt frames guild houses and the ornate City Hall, with cafés offering an easy pause between visits. The Museum aan de Stroom explores Antwerp’s history and its enduring relationship with the river. Make time for a meal; Antwerp’s food culture is as compelling as its maritime heritage.

  8. Day 6

    Dordrecht, Netherlands

    Dordrecht’s historic centre sits on an island where the Oude Maas, Noord and Beneden Merwede meet. The city received its charter in 1220 and grew rich on trade, leaving handsome merchant houses along its harbours. Walk past the leaning Grote Kerk, explore the Dordrechts Museum, then pause beside the water as working ships pass. For a change of scene, National Park De Biesbosch lies just beyond town, its waterways best explored by boat.

  9. Day 6

    Rotterdam, Netherlands

    Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port, but its appeal extends well beyond the quays. Bold architecture rises beside the Maas, while the city’s maritime past remains close at hand. Cross the Erasmus Bridge for skyline views, explore the striking Markthal, or take a harbour cruise among working vessels. Rotterdam rewards curious visitors with modern design, excellent food, and a Dutch city that refuses to stand still.

  10. Days 7–8

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Amsterdam pairs world-class museums with the everyday pleasure of canal-side life. Its Golden Age houses, narrow waterways and lively markets make the city rewarding well beyond its famous sights. Visit the Rijksmuseum for Dutch masters, then explore the canal belt on foot or by boat. Leave time for a neighbourhood café: in Amsterdam, the best discoveries often come between the landmarks.

AmaSofia Cruises

Published September 20, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard


Cruise Disclosure

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