CRUISE HOLLAND & BELGIUM

The Treasures of The North · September 22nd 2026 - September 27th 2026

Join Theatrical Adventures on a brand new cruise through the Low Countries, as we explore the treasures of the Netherlands and Belgium aboard the premium MS Lafayette, a boutique river ship accommodating just 60 guests. This elegant vessel offers a refined and intimate experience, perfect for a relaxing and culturally rich escape. It is incredibly easy to join this cruise – it departs from Amsterdam and ends in Brussels, with easy Eurostar links each way and plenty of flight options to all major UK and international airports.

Our journey begins in Amsterdam, where we’ll enjoy a walking tour through the city’s historic heart before setting off to discover some of the region’s most iconic destinations. We will visit the Keukenhof Gardens, home to a vibrant display of late-summer blooms including dahlias and artistic installations. We will then take a guided tour of The Hague, famed for its royal avenues, historic courtyards, and international institutions.

Next, we sail to Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world, for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the city’s renowned diamond district, where expert artisans cut and grade over 80% of the world’s rough diamonds. Our final day brings us to Brussels, where we’ll explore the historic city centre and indulge in a tasting of Belgium’s world-famous chocolate.

As always, we will travel with our Theatrical Adventures soloists and Musical Director, along with dedicated cruise directors, ensuring you have a fabulous journey through this fascinating part of Europe.

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Itinerary

22 September

Our cruise directors will be based at Centraal Station in Amsterdam to greet arrivals and help you to the ship. You are welcome to check-in onboard from 6:00 pm and you can leave luggage onboard from early afternoon.
We will introduce the crew at 7:00pm, followed by a welcome cocktail and dinner. Performance: Our onboard soloists entertain

23 September

This morning we will take a walking tour through the heart of Amsterdam. Lunch will be served onboard and we will then enjoy free time to explore the city under your own steam. Some of the options might include a visit to one of the many art museums, such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum, or you can visit the Anne Frank House, where visitors can step into the hidden annex and gain a powerful insight into one of the most moving stories of WW2. You can take a stroll down the bustling Damrak and take a canal tour around the city. There is so much to do and something to suit everyone.
We will reunite in time for dinner and 7:30pm, followed by our evening entertainment. Performance: Our onboard soloists entertain

24 September

We will depart by coach this morning for a trip to the Keukenhof Gardens, known as 'The Garden of Europe'. Visitors can expect a vibrant display of late-summer blooms featuring dahlias, asters and some late-blooming tulips around the stunning estate. The garden includes installations from Dutch artists - both contemporary and classical, that compliment the grounds.
Next, we will travel to The Hague. We will take a guided tour of the city, followed by some free time and then depart by coach to join the ship in Rotterdam, where we will spend the evening.
Dinner from 7:30 pm, followed by our evening entertainment. Performance: Our onboard soloists entertain

25 September

This morning will be spend sailing to Antwerp. For those who like to sing, our musical director will host a choral workshop - or you can enjoy being serenaded as we sail through the Netherlands.
We will arrive in the afternoon, before taking a guided tour through Antwerp's old town and into the Diamond District. Over 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through these streets where skilled artisans cut, grade and set the diamonds. On our tour we will see the complexity and scale of this immense industry and watch the artisans work. Even if you're not in the market for diamonds, this excursion offers a glimpse into a world that is usually kept behind closed doors.
We will return to the ship for dinner, followed by our evening entertainment. Performance: Our onboard soloists entertain

26 September

This morning will be spent sailing to Brussels. Again, there will be an opportunity for those who like to sing to join our musical director for another choral workshop, or spend time onboard watching the world roll by.
We will dock in Brussels and, after lunch, will take a walking tour through the historic city, followed by an opportunity to taste some of the world-famous Belgian Chocolate.
The remainder of the day is spent at leisure before we meet for a farewell cocktail and our gala dinner. Performance: Our onboard soloists entertain

27 September

We enjoy a final breakfast together onboard before disembarking in Brussels at 9:00 am. Performance: No concert tonight, we say 'Tot ziens' until next time!

What's included

All meals from dinner on 22 September 2026, through to breakfast on 27 September.
Beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner onboard
All listed excursions
Nightly entertainment from our professional soloists and musical director

What's not included

Personal Travel Insurance
Transfers to or from the ship

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Amsterdam

The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, is a city that balances tradition with an easygoing charm. Known for its canals, gabled houses, and vibrant neighbourhoods, it’s a place best explored on foot or by bicycle, where every corner seems to offer something new to discover.

The historic centre is a maze of narrow lanes and waterways, with the Jordaan district offering a particularly pleasant atmosphere. Once a working-class area, it’s now filled with independent shops, quiet courtyards, and cosy cafés. Nearby, the Anne Frank House stands as a moving reminder of the city’s wartime past, while the Westerkerk’s tower offers sweeping views over the rooftops and canals.

Amsterdam is also home to a world-class collection of art and history. The Museumplein is where you’ll find the Rijksmuseum, home to masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, and the Van Gogh Museum, which gives a vivid insight into the artist’s life and work. Just a short walk away is Vondelpark, a peaceful green space loved by locals and visitors alike.

Kuekenhof

Keukenhof Gardens, or the 'Garden of Europe', is one of the most popular places to visit in the Netherlands. Known for its colourful displays of tulips and other flowers, it’s a peaceful and enjoyable spot to spend a few hours walking through nature. The garden includes installations from Dutch artists - both contemporary and classical, that complement the grounds.

The gardens are set out with neat paths, lakes, and small pavilions, making it easy to explore. You’ll see millions of flowers in bloom—mainly tulips, but also hyacinths and dahlias. Each section of the park has its own design, with flower beds arranged by colour, pattern, or theme.

There are also indoor displays where gardeners show off more unusual varieties and floral arrangements. It’s a great place for photos, and benches throughout the park offer a chance to sit and enjoy the view.

The Hague

The Hague is a city with a mix of old and new, where historic buildings stand alongside modern government offices and embassies. It’s the political centre of the Netherlands, but it also has a quieter, more relaxed feel than Amsterdam.

The city’s old centre is full of wide streets, tree-lined squares, and elegant architecture. The Binnenhof, a large complex by the water, is where Dutch politics takes place and has been in use for centuries. Nearby, the Mauritshuis museum houses a small but impressive collection of Dutch paintings, including Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Just a short tram ride away is the coast, where you’ll find the beach at Scheveningen. There’s a long promenade, a pier with a ferris wheel, and plenty of cafés and restaurants looking out to sea.

The Hague also has a number of peaceful courtyards hidden behind old gates and alleyways—known as “hofjes”—which were once homes for the elderly and are now quiet places to explore.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a city with a strong sense of history and a reputation for craftsmanship, especially in its Old Town and diamond district. The centre is full of winding streets, lively squares, and grand buildings that reflect the city’s past as a major trading hub.

The Grote Markt is at the heart of the Old Town, surrounded by guild houses with ornate facades and the impressive City Hall. Just around the corner is the Cathedral of Our Lady, home to several paintings by Rubens and a landmark that towers above the city’s rooftops. The surrounding streets are lined with cafés, chocolate shops, and boutiques.

A short walk away is the diamond district, where traders from all over the world have been buying and selling stones for generations. It’s a busy, practical area, with security guards and small workshops behind unassuming doorways. Even if you’re not in the market for diamonds, it offers a glimpse into a world that’s usually kept behind closed doors.

Brussels

Brussels is a city with many layers—part historic, part modern, and full of quiet charm in between. The Grand Place sits at its centre, a wide square surrounded by ornate guildhalls and the Town Hall, all beautifully lit in the evening. It’s the kind of place that feels grand but still inviting.

Just off the square, narrow streets lead to chocolate shops, cafés, and traditional Belgian restaurants. The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, a covered arcade nearby, is lined with elegant shops and has the feel of old-world Europe.

A short walk away, the Mont des Arts offers views over the city and connects the lower town to the more formal upper district, home to museums, government buildings, and the Royal Palace. Further out, the European Quarter brings a more modern feel, with glass offices and wide boulevards.

Scattered throughout the city are quiet parks, comic book murals, and the occasional Art Nouveau building tucked between more everyday streets.

Old buildings in Amsterdam

1 - Amsterdam

Garden with flowering dahlias in shades of orange and red in front of Keukenhof castle on a sunny day

2 - Kuekenhof

The Hague, Netherlands at the Ridderzaal

3 - The Hague

Antwerp City Hall Stadhuis Antwerpen Renaissance Architectural style building and Brabofontein Brabo Fountain on Grote Markt Big Market Square in Antwerp city centre, Antwerpen old town, Belgium

4 - Antwerp

Grand Place Square in Brussels, Belgium

5 - Brussels

MS LAFAYETTE

At a Glance

Join us for a captivating Adventure through the Low Countries. Our vessel for this spectacular voyage is the premium MS Lafayette – a boutique luxury cruiser travelling with just 60 passengers.

Our itinerary starts with a walking tour of Amsterdam, followed by free time to explore the city. We will travel to Keukenhof Castle for the vibrant Dahlia Festival, followed by a tour of The Hague to explore its hidden, historic courtyards.

One morning will be spent sailing to Antwerp, where we’ll discover the famed diamond district and see how artisans cut and refine over 80% of the world’s rough diamonds.

Our final full day is spent in Brussels, where we’ll enjoy a walking tour of the historic city centre and indulge in a traditional Belgian chocolate tasting.

Excursions

The excursions include:

Amsterdam Walking Tour: A guided stroll through the heart of the Dutch capital, exploring its canals, historic architecture, and bustling city centre.
Keukenhof Gardens: A visit to the famous gardens known as the “Garden of Europe,” showcasing vibrant late-summer blooms such as dahlias and asters, set among art installations and landscaped grounds.
The Hague City Tour: A guided exploration of the political capital of the Netherlands, including historic courtyards, royal landmarks, and international institutions, followed by free time.
Antwerp Diamond District: A guided tour through the world-renowned diamond quarter, where over 80% of the world’s rough diamonds are processed by skilled artisans.
Brussels Walking Tour and Chocolate Tasting: A walking tour through the historic city centre of Belgium’s capital, ending with a tasting of the country’s famous artisanal chocolate.