How much does it cost?

From £2,199 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,970 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is all rail travel included?

Yes. Eurostar to and from London St Pancras (Standard or First Class options) and the Medemblik Steam Train are included in the package price.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the eight days.

What ship do we cruise on?

MS Amadeus Amara, a five-star river cruise ship with complimentary Wi-Fi, all-inclusive meals and drinks with dinner, and live music each evening.

Are meals and drinks included?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day are included, plus a drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise and a gala dinner with Dutch sea shanty choir performance.

What is not included?

Cancellation and travel insurance, and gratuities or tips (at the guest's discretion).

When does this trip run?

Currently, one departure is confirmed in April 2027.

Great Rail Journeys · River Cruise

Springtime Tulips Cruise: Netherlands & Belgium

Eight-day river cruise from London through tulip season in Netherlands and Belgium

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted river cruise, beginning in London and ending in Brussels. Travellers depart London St Pancras by Eurostar, joining the five-star MS Amadeus Amara in Amsterdam on Day 1. Over the following week, the ship sails through the Netherlands and Belgium, with guided excursions to the fairytale streets of Bruges, the wartime battlefields of Ypres, and the historic harbour town of Hoorn. Day 6 includes a nostalgic heritage steam train journey through the Dutch countryside. Day 7 features a full visit to Keukenhof Gardens, the world-famous floral showcase with over seven million spring bulbs. The itinerary blends leisure with purpose: expert talks on the Battle of Arnhem and Operation Market Garden ground the tour in twentieth-century history, while onboard performances from a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir and appearances by horticulturist Charlie Dimmock enhance the experience. All meals, drinks, guided tours, and rail transfers are included. This cruise suits couples seeking luxury travel, history enthusiasts interested in European battlefields, and travellers who prefer fully guided itineraries with no independent logistics to arrange.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £2,199 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Only one departure is currently listed: April 2027; confirm availability before committing
Single supplement is GBP 1200, raising the single-traveller price to GBP 3399; couples or sharing saves significantly
Keukenhof Gardens is open end of March to beginning of May only; this trip is timed for April tulip season

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Onboard MS Amadeus Amara, Amsterdam
To Amsterdam to board our luxurious ship
Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, meeting the Tour Manager and rest of the group before boarding the Eurostar, travelling by rail to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. On arrival, we head to our luxurious cruise ship and are welcomed by our crew, with free time to settle into cabins before a welcome drink and dinner in the panoramic restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2overnight: Onboard, sailing towards Ghent
Exploring the sights of Amsterdam
After breakfast onboard, we get to know Amsterdam on a scenic canal cruise. Lunch is back onboard, followed by a free afternoon to explore Amsterdam at your own pace. We set sail towards Ghent later this afternoon and enjoy dinner onboard. (On the 6th May departure, Days 2 and 7 are swapped, visiting Keukenhof Gardens on this day instead.)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3overnight: Onboard, Ghent area
Excursions to beautiful Belgian cities
Breakfast onboard before arrival in Ghent, with an onboard expert talk on nearby battlefields en route. After lunch, choose between an afternoon coach tour to Bruges or a guided sightseeing tour of Ghent including a local chocolate tasting. Return to the ship for dinner and drinks.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4overnight: Onboard, sailing to the Netherlands
The battlefields of Ypres or at leisure in Ghent
Optional excursion to the Ypres battlefield including entrance to Sanctuary Wood, or explore Ghent at leisure. Return to the ship for lunch as we set sail towards the Netherlands, with a relaxed afternoon onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5overnight: Onboard, Arnhem
Heritage and history in the Netherlands
Breakfast and lunch served onboard while sailing towards Arnhem, with a battlefield expert talk on the Battle of Arnhem. On arrival, choose between a guided tour of the Hartenstein Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek or the Netherlands' Open-Air Museum. Dinner and drinks onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Onboard, docked at Amsterdam
Hoorn & the Medemblik Steam Railway
Arrival in Hoorn for a guided walking tour of its historic centre and traditional Dutch apple pie, followed by a nostalgic ride on the Medemblik steam train through Dutch countryside, tulip fields and windmills. Rejoin the ship for dinner and drinks as we begin sailing towards Amsterdam.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7overnight: Onboard
Charlie Dimmock talk and the Keukenhof Gardens
Horticulturist Charlie Dimmock joins onboard for a talk and Q&A session, followed by a visit to the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens. The evening features a gala dinner with live music from a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After a leisurely breakfast, disembark and say goodbye to the ship's crew. From Amsterdam railway station, travel towards Brussels and catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where the holiday ends.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Scenic canal cruise through Amsterdam, passing gabled townhouses and charming bridges
Day 3Choice between a coach tour of Bruges with cobbled lanes and tranquil canals, or a guided walking tour of medieval Ghent
Day 6Nostalgic journey aboard the Medemblik Steam Train through Dutch countryside from Hoorn, after exploring the 15th-century Hoofdtoren and the historic main square
Day 7Full day at Keukenhof Gardens, the Garden of Europe, with over seven million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and spring-flowering bulbs

Included

Tour Manager/Cruise Director team escorted throughout
7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara, five-star service, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
First & Standard Class rail options available; Eurostar Plus on First Class departures; all rail and coach travel throughout
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a gala dinner
Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
A superb choice of excursions
Three exclusive onboard talks
Onboard Dutch Sea Shanty Choir performance
Live music each evening

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance
Tips/gratuities (not added to the bill; an envelope is left in your cabin on the final evening if you wish to tip)

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,199 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,970 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is all rail travel included?: Yes. Eurostar to and from London St Pancras (Standard or First Class options) and the Medemblik Steam Train are included in the package price.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the eight days.
What ship do we cruise on?: MS Amadeus Amara, a five-star river cruise ship with complimentary Wi-Fi, all-inclusive meals and drinks with dinner, and live music each evening.
Are meals and drinks included?: Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day are included, plus a drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise and a gala dinner with Dutch sea shanty choir performance.
What is not included?: Cancellation and travel insurance, and gratuities or tips (at the guest's discretion).
When does this trip run?: Currently, one departure is confirmed in April 2027.