8 nights · Belgium · River cruise · Departs Brussels (Belgium) · Visiting Antwerp, Ghent, Zeebrugge, Dordrecht, Kinderdijk, Rotterdam, The Hague, Schoonhoven, Keukenhof Gardens-Lisse, Enkhuizen, Amsterdam · Aboard Riviera Travel on the MS Joy
Image courtesy of Riviera Travel ©
This river cruise sails the Scheldt and Rhine, departing Brussels.
| Cruise line | Riviera Travel |
|---|---|
| Ship | MS Joy |
| Duration | 8 nights |
| Port calls | 12 |
| Departures | 3 sailings |
| From fare | $5,790 per person |
| Year built | 2016 |
| Guests | 142 |
| Cabins | 67 |
| Crew | 39 |
| Length | 135 m |
| Beam | 12 m |
| Cruising speed | 12.0 kn |
Brussels rewards visitors who look beyond its reputation as Europe’s political capital. At the Grand-Place, gilded guildhalls frame one of the continent’s most beautiful squares. Nearby, the Magritte Museum reveals the Belgian surrealist’s wit, while Art Nouveau façades reward an unhurried walk. Make time for lunch: moules-frites, crisp Belgian fries, or a freshly made waffle. The city’s cafés and chocolate makers offer good reason to linger between sights.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kinderdijk is where the Dutch fight against water becomes unmistakably visible. Nineteen historic windmills stand among canals and green fields, built in the eighteenth century to drain the Alblasserwaard polder. Recognised by UNESCO, this working landscape rewards a slow walk beside the waterways. Selected mills open as museums, revealing how generations kept farmland dry. Arrive by waterbus from Rotterdam for a memorable approach, then explore at your own pace.
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.
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.
The Hague pairs Dutch political power with an unusually rich cultural life. At the Mauritshuis, Vermeer’s *Girl with a Pearl Earring* hangs among masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age. The Peace Palace gives the city its global identity. In the historic centre, elegant avenues lead to galleries, cafés and the Hofvijver. Finish at Scheveningen, where a broad North Sea beach and lively promenade offer a bracing change of scene.
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.
Schoonhoven has earned its name as the Netherlands’ Silver City, where centuries of silversmithing remain part of daily life. At the Nederlands Zilvermuseum, historic pieces and demonstrations trace the craft from guild tradition to contemporary design. Beyond the museum, canals, brick lanes and the fifteenth-century town hall reward an unhurried walk through the compact center. Beside the Lek, Schoonhoven offers a quieter view of Dutch life, with heritage to explore and silver to take home.
Keukenhof turns a 32-hectare estate near Lisse into one of Europe’s great spring spectacles. Each year, gardeners plant about seven million bulbs, creating vivid displays of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. The gardens open for only several weeks each spring; arrive early for quieter paths and gentle morning light. Beyond the flower beds, explore themed gardens, indoor displays and the estate’s historic windmill. Book timed entry in advance, and check the season’s dates before travelling.
Schoonhoven has earned its name as the Netherlands’ Silver City, where centuries of silversmithing remain part of daily life. At the Nederlands Zilvermuseum, historic pieces and demonstrations trace the craft from guild tradition to contemporary design. Beyond the museum, canals, brick lanes and the fifteenth-century town hall reward an unhurried walk through the compact center. Beside the Lek, Schoonhoven offers a quieter view of Dutch life, with heritage to explore and silver to take home.
Enkhuizen rewards travelers who look beyond Amsterdam’s canals. On the IJsselmeer, this former Zuiderzee port grew wealthy through trade and fishing during the Dutch Golden Age. Its historic harbor, gabled merchants’ houses and 16th-century Drommedaris preserve its maritime character. At the Zuiderzeemuseum, exhibits trace life around the former inland sea, with an outdoor village reached by seasonal ferry. Wander the old center, then watch boats cross the broad horizon.
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.
Published September 10, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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