Luxury Cruises to the Netherlands
Netherlands cruises take you to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, two of the most exciting cities in this colorful, compact country. All the aspects of Dutch culture you’ve ever imagined are here, from brilliant tulips in spring to cheese, canals, and cycling. Both cities are central to Europe’s art scene. Yet while Amsterdam’s center dates back to the Middle Ages, Rotterdam is all avant-garde contemporary architecture, creating a fascinating contrast.
But there’s so much more to this eclectic country. On a cruise to The Netherlands with Celebrity, you can learn about the tragic history of Anne Frank and her family as they hid from the Nazis. Be dazzled by the world’s biggest flower auction at Aalsmeer, or the rainbow colors of beautiful Keukenhof Gardens in spring. Head to Kinderdijk, near Rotterdam, to gaze at the row of 19 historic windmills, or learn how the famous Dutch cheeses are made in pretty villages like Gouda or Edam. Experience the charm of The Netherlands on a European cruise with Celebrity.
Netherlands Cruise Highlights
Amazing Art Galleries
Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. Nearby is the MOCO, featuring works by Banksy, Jeff Koons, and Andy Warhol. The magnificent Rijksmuseum, meanwhile, is home to priceless masterpieces by Dutch artists, including Rembrandt’s Night Watch. In Rotterdam, head for Museumpark for contemporary works at the Kunsthal, design and fashion at the Het Nieuwe Instituut, and 1930s style at the Sonneveld House.
Wondrous Waterways
Historic canals are a distinctive part of the Dutch landscape, particularly in Amsterdam, where they loop in concentric circles around the central Dam Square. The waterways here were completed in the 17th century to bring merchandise from all over the world into the city. Lined with grand old merchants’ houses and flower-bedecked houseboats, they’re best seen from a glass-topped boat that glides through the narrow waterways and under slender bridges.
Cheese
The Netherlands is world-famous for its cheese, and a visit here presents plenty of opportunities to see how and where it’s made. Gouda and Edam are the most famous, but you’ll also find Leerdammer, Frisian, Maasdam, and Old Alkmaar, among others. Visit the pretty village of Edam, filled with cobbled streets and ancient drawbridges, and spend time at a cheesemaker’s, with a chance to taste the firm, creamy cheese.
Featured Netherlands Cruise Ports
Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s canal-lined streets, overlooked by old patrician houses, are a joy to explore, whether you walk, cycle, or take a sightseeing cruise. Jordaan is one of the prettiest neighborhoods, with narrow lanes, flower-filled window boxes, and indie boutiques. Linger over waffles and whipped cream in a coffee house. Don’t miss the Anne Frank House, a poignant memorial of the Holocaust. Art lovers should head straight to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum.
Rotterdam
Multicultural Rotterdam fizzes with energy and is a hub of creativity that’s expressed in its extraordinary architecture. Check out the Cube Houses, yellow cubes tilted at more than 50 degrees. Admire the shimmering, futuristic Markthal, and step inside for an array of cheeses, deli snacks, and coffee shops. Gaze at the graceful Erasmus Bridge, a symbol of the city known as The Swan, and visit Delfshaven, a historic neighborhood of canals, cafés, and craft breweries.
Netherlands Cruise Itineraries
Cruises to The Netherlands last from four to 13 nights, with a wide range of itineraries to choose from. You could sail round-trip from Rotterdam to the serene Norwegian fjords, or head north on a voyage that circles volcanic Iceland and calls in Britain and Ireland. See the best of Scandinavia on a cruise from Amsterdam, or cross the Atlantic to or from Fort Lauderdale, visiting Bermuda, the Azores, and Ireland along the way. Finally, opt for a mini-cruise from Southampton, which gives you a full day in either Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
Itineraries
Why Cruise to the Netherlands With Celebrity Cruises
Cruise to The Netherlands with Celebrity and you’ll enjoy the comforts of a sophisticated, contemporary ship as a luxurious home during your European adventure. On Celebrity Apex, head to the leafy, light-filled lounge, Eden, for cocktails and dinner, or have lunch in the sunshine at the Rooftop Garden. Celebrity Silhouette comes with its own lush lawn, where you can picnic, read, or play boules. Choose The Retreat for suite accommodation with access to a private sundeck and lounge, and a table in the chic restaurant, Luminae at The Retreat.
See the best of The Netherlands on your cruise with Celebrity, whether your passion is art, architecture, flowers, food—or whether you’re simply enchanted by the idea of soaking up the good-natured atmosphere of this quirky, history-packed corner of Northern Europe.
