Dutch River Cruises

River cruises through the Netherlands offer travelers a chance to see beautiful countryside, historic landmarks, and bustling metropolitan cities. A well-rounded experience, these trips are some of the most popular European river cruises. Dutch river voyages typically follow the Danube or the Rhine, two of the continent’s largest and most populated waterways. Along voyages on the Danube River and cruises on the Rhine River, travelers will get to see a number of amazing sights and delve into the Dutch way of life.

Visitors to Holland, a region of the Netherlands, will get to see how exciting the country is. Holland and the Netherlands are often used interchangeably nowadays. Travelers will get to explore great places with voyages like Amsterdam cruises, where a bustling cityscape and great food await. Another destination is The Hague, a city with major connections to the United Nations. Smaller villages dot Holland’s rivers, where cruise excursions let visitors stretch their legs and check out rich history. One common theme throughout all of the Netherland’s river cruises is beauty -- whether that’s in nature or urban life.

Windmills in Kinderjick, Netherlands

Explore culture on Dutch river cruises

Culture runs deep through the Netherlands. The Dutch culture has developed its own cuisines, architecture, art, and music. Travelling around the country, visitors will see and be able to try all of these things.

Voyagers will have the option to dine in one of one hundred Michelin-starred restaurants, spread across the entire country. Much like nearby Germany and Belgium, great food can be found around every corner, and there are some must-try Dutch staples. Stroopwafels are a must for foodies visiting the Netherlands. They’re a small sandwich made of two thin waffles with a filling in the middle. For the less faint of heart, Dutch New Herring is a raw herring served with onions and pickled cucumbers. Regardless of your dining preferences, the Netherlands has something for you.

For history buffs, there’s plenty to see. The Netherlands were a location for many happenings during World War II, and tributes exist to this day in honor of them. Dutch history is also prevalent in the country, which travelers can explore and learn about through tours and guides. In fact, just walking around the country’s cities, visitors will get to experience Holland’s history. Near-ancient town squares are common, with buildings that are spectacularly still intact.

Visit the greatest cities in the Netherlands

There are plenty of great little villages spread throughout the country and visited by Netherlands cruises. While there’s a high number of potential stops, two cities tend to take precedence on these river cruises. Those two places are the Netherland’s capital, Amsterdam, and The Hague.

Popular things to do in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is renowned throughout the world as one of Europe’s biggest cultural centers. Popular with tourists, Amsterdam is a lively city. Bicycles are the primary means of transportation in the city, perfect for touring its sights. Here, we’ve listed a few of the most popular destinations in the city:

The Anne Frank Museum. This is the actual house that Anne from The Diary of Anne Frank hid in during World War II, turned into a museum. It’s a remarkable sight to witness the tragedies she suffered, and an important spot at that.
Leidseplein. This small district is home to tons of great food and shopping. River cruisers visiting the area can pick up a snack at a local cafe and then walk over to an interesting museum or relaxing park.
The Van Gogh Museum. Due to historic events that have happened and famous people that have lived in Amsterdam, the city has several museums. The Van Gogh Museum hosts the largest collection of the artist’s works in the world. It offers travelers the chance to see firsthand his most famous works, which is always entertaining.
Amsterdam’s Canals. The canals of Amsterdam are lined with walkways, shops, and plenty of places to stop and relax. Taking in boats calmly passing by with a Dutch pastry in hand has to be one of our favorite ways to take a load off in the city.

Rotterdam and the Erasmus Bridge

Rotterdam's Veerhaven

The Stuw Driel weir controls water levels.

Binnenhof Palace at The Hague

The Anne Frank House and Museum in Amsterdam

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

Peace Palace in The Hague

Dutch Tulip Fields

Popular things to do in The Hague, Netherlands

The Hague is known for being a center for government, including national and international affairs. This city is home to the United Nations’ criminal court. The Hague isn’t all business though -- it’s a great city where the rich Dutch culture runs deep. Travelers will find historic buildings, neat museums, and great food in the Hague as well. Here are some of our favorite places in The Hague:

Scheveningen Pier, The Hague

The Peace Palace. This mixed-use building is the home to the UN’s International Court of Justice and a couple other UN divisions lie in the palace. It was built in the early 1900s by Andrew Carnegie, the American industrial baron.
Scheveningen. This seaside pier is the best place to enjoy The Hague’s beaches. It features shops, restaurants, and a ferris wheel. It’s reminiscent of the famous Santa Monica pier in Los Angeles, California, and is a popular spot for tourists and residents alike.
Kunstmuseum Den Haag. A museum that tells the story of The Hague’s past, the Municipal Museum is an interesting spot for those needing a dose of history. It features photographs, artifacts, and art from the city’s past.

Preparing for a Dutch river cruise

No matter where you’re visiting in Holland, you’ll find unique places just like the ones we’ve mentioned before. It’s a historic country with tons of great, modern parts as well. When you’re cruising the Dutch Rhine River, we recommend trying to visit as many places as possible.

The country has a perfect climate for voyagers too. It’s weather is usually very temperate, with moderate summers and winters. When visiting the Netherlands, it’s best to be prepared for some rain with a jacket or umbrella.

Overall, Holland’s residents are very welcoming and helpful to travelers. Dutch river cruise visitors have the unique opportunity to explore the best that the Netherlands has to offer, all from the comfort of world-class, luxury cruise ships. Dutch cruises are a can’t miss experience that we can’t recommend more.