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Spring in the Netherlands: Amsterdam & the Tulips Discovery Cruise

Spring in the Netherlands: Amsterdam & the Tulips Discovery Cruise

About This Cruise

The Netherlands is a place where windmills fill the sky, tulip fields paint the landscape, and canals weave through towns like pages from a storybook. 

Imagine the Netherlands unfolding like a well‑loved fairytale: windmills turning, tulips blooming, and Dutch waters carrying you from one chapter to the next. Colour takes centre stage in spring, when tulips, hyacinths and daffodils bloom in painterly swirls at Keukenhof and another page opens on everyday life from bygone eras in the Zuiderzee open‑air museum. Then there’s Amsterdam – its 17th‑century canals, moored houseboats and tall gables, the echoes of Anne Frank, markets to rummage, and galleries to get delightfully lost in. Evenings onboard are warm with conversation and regionally inspired dinners.

Each moment is crafted for discovery, camaraderie, and a touch of whimsy. This is travel for the curious – perfect for those who love both history and nature. And as the final page turns and the lights of the city shimmer on the water, you’ll close the book on your Dutch adventure with memories that feel truly magical.  

Who Is This Cruise For?

  • Couples

    Luxury service and an intimate, small-ship feel

  • Over 50s

    A gentle pace with daily excursions and no sea days

  • Solo travellers

    Riviera Travel offers dedicated solo cabins or solo fares

Type

River, Luxury

Ship

MS George Eliot

Departure Date

9 April 2027

Cruise Line

Riviera Travel

Duration

4 Nights

Select Your Cabin Type
Select your cabin type
Call Us at 01 6874149

Itinerary

Netherlands

Zaandam

Zaandam - Arrive in Zaandam and board your ship in the late afternoon. If you're here before then, enjoy free time in Zaandam – celebrated for its green-painted wooden houses and charming windmills.A warm and attentive crew will greet you on board, ensuring a smooth check-in and guiding you to your elegant, generously sized cabin. From the moment you arrive, comfort and sophistication set the tone for an unforgettable experience.

Netherlands

Huizen

Zaanse Schans & Huizen - Travel from Zaandam to Zaanse Schans, where the soft thrum of turning mills welcomes you into a pocket‑sized Netherlands. Timber houses, quaint canals, little bridges, and workaday windmills set the scene. Follow the sweet scent of Dutch pancakes and fresh timber, pause to watch sails catch the breeze, and wander between workshops where time seems to have politely slowed its pace. It’s an easy morning of gentle exploring and as many photo‑worthy angles as your camera can hold. Cast off over the broad, ink‑blue stretch of the Markermeer. The shoreline glides past like scenes from a moving picture, each view unfolding into the next: reed beds, church spires, the odd heron supervising proceedings. High tea is served on board – cups that clink, cakes that disappear a little too quickly, and enchanting riverside scenery. We arrive in Huizen with time to stretch our legs before dinner. Stroll the harbour where neat little boats bob on the water and fishermen’s cottages stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder. It’s the sort of place where you catch yourself walking more slowly, just to make the moment last longer. With the arrival of the first course at dinner, the ship slips into the broad expanse of the old Zuiderzee. As you sail towards Enkhuizen, the horizon transforms – its blues giving way to copper tones in the fading light.

Netherlands

Enkhuizen

Keukenhof & Enkhuizen - This morning, we take the drive through the Dutch countryside to Keukenhof – the Netherlands’ legendary flower garden, sprawling across nearly 80 acres. 7 million blooms – tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and more – unfurl in ribbons, swirls, and painterly mosaics. Wander through themed gardens, past lakes and pavilions, where the artistry of planting reaches its crescendo. It’s a spectacle that leaves even seasoned gardeners wide-eyed. As the morning’s kaleidoscope lingers in your mind, you’re free to chart your own course. Return to the ship for lunch, then set out for the Zuiderzee open air museum – a time capsule of Dutch life, with over 140 historic buildings, from humble homes to a bustling shipyard. Meander through cobbled lanes and step inside stories from centuries past.Or linger longer in Keukenhof, letting curiosity lead you through hidden corners and quiet glades and enjoy lunch at leisure. Later this afternoon, we’re back in Enkhuizen. The town invites you to explore its winding streets, harbourside charm, and local secrets. Later, gather for a dinner crafted by our chef, each dish a nod to the region’s flavours and traditions. It’s a meal that celebrates the day’s adventures – colourful, inventive, and served with a generous helping of Dutch hospitality.

Netherlands

Amsterdam

Amsterdam - Begin your day with the gentle rhythm of the ship gliding across the Markermeer, leaving Enkhuizen behind as the water stretches out in every direction. The morning is yours to savour– whether you’re curled up with a book, sharing stories over coffee, or simply watching the Dutch landscape drift by. It’s a peaceful passage, with time to reflect and enjoy the easy camaraderie of life on board. After an early lunch, we take the short drive to Amsterdam’s storied heart. A guided walking tour takes you through cobbled lanes, past centuries-old houses, and beside tranquil canals – a network of 165 canals, built in elegant rings during the 17th century. Your guide brings the city’s tales to life – artists, merchants, and dreamers all leaving their mark. The city’s past is ever-present: you might glimpse the former homes of Rembrandt, the Dutch Golden Age master, or Anne Frank, whose diaries echo with hope and resilience. Afterwards, you’re free to wander at your own pace: perhaps browsing a quirky shop, pausing for a slice of apple tart, or simply soaking up the city’s vibrant energy. As evening settles, gather for farewell drinks – a chance to raise a glass with new friends and reminisce about shared adventures. Dinner follows in the ship’s restaurant, where the flavours of the region are served with a side of good company. And as the city lights shimmer on the water, the night is wrapped in familiar melodies, courtesy of a guitar performance that brings a gentle, joyful close to your journey.

Netherlands

Zaandam

Zaandam - Flight time permitting, enjoy free time in Zaandam before your journey home.

Overview

The Netherlands is a place where windmills fill the sky, tulip fields paint the landscape, and canals weave through towns like pages from a storybook. 

Imagine the Netherlands unfolding like a well‑loved fairytale: windmills turning, tulips blooming, and Dutch waters carrying you from one chapter to the next. Colour takes centre stage in spring, when tulips, hyacinths and daffodils bloom in painterly swirls at Keukenhof and another page opens on everyday life from bygone eras in the Zuiderzee open‑air museum. Then there’s Amsterdam – its 17th‑century canals, moored houseboats and tall gables, the echoes of Anne Frank, markets to rummage, and galleries to get delightfully lost in. Evenings onboard are warm with conversation and regionally inspired dinners.

Each moment is crafted for discovery, camaraderie, and a touch of whimsy. This is travel for the curious – perfect for those who love both history and nature. And as the final page turns and the lights of the city shimmer on the water, you’ll close the book on your Dutch adventure with memories that feel truly magical.  

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Balcony

Deluxe Balcony Suite

For the ultimate in space and river cruise luxury, the spacious Deluxe Balcony Suite offers a generous living area with chairs and table, plus soft cotton bathrobes and slippers. There are floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors that open out on to a small balcony with a table for two.

There are four Deluxe Balcony Suites on the Diamond Deck (upper deck).

Features

  • Individual climate control
  • Floor to ceiling windows with outside balcony
  • Twin beds which can be configured as double
  • Nespresso machine and tea making facilities
  • Spacious ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Luxury toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, soap
  • Towels, bathrobes, slippers and hairdryer
  • UK plug sockets & 2 USB charging points
  • Table and chairs
  • Telephone, radio and flat-screen TV
  • Safe & mini fridge
  • Turn down service

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Suite

Superior Suite

Superior Suites on the Diamond Deck and Ruby Deck benefit from a generous living area, plus floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open up to create a French balcony for guests to enjoy panoramic river views.

There are two Superior Suites on the Diamond Deck (upper deck).

Features

  • Individual climate control
  • Floor to ceiling windows with French style balcony
  • Twin beds which can be configured as double
  • Nespresso machine and tea making facilities
  • Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Luxury toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, soap
  • Towels, bathrobes, slippers and hairdryer
  • UK plug sockets & 2 USB charging points
  • Table and chairs
  • Telephone, radio and flat-screen TV
  • Safe & mini fridge
  • Turn down service
Suite

Superior Suite

Superior Suites on the Emerald Deck benefit from a generous living area and smaller fixed windows.

There are two Superior Suites the Emerald Deck (lower deck).

Features

  • Individual climate control
  • Fixed window
  • Twin beds which can be configured as double
  • Nespresso machine and tea making facilities
  • Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Luxury toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, soap
  • Towels, bathrobes, slippers and hairdryer
  • UK plug sockets & 2 USB charging points
  • Table and chairs
  • Telephone, radio and flat-screen TV
  • Safe & mini fridge
  • Turn down service
Suite

Standard Suite

Standard Suites are 172 square metres and feature full floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a French balcony. Standard Suites are located on the Diamond Deck and Ruby Deck.

Features

  • Individual climate control
  • Floor to ceiling windows with French style balcony
  • Twin beds which can be configured as double
  • Nespresso machine and tea making facilities
  • Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Luxury toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, soap
  • Towels, bathrobes, slippers and hairdryer
  • UK plug sockets & 2 USB charging points
  • Table and chairs
  • Telephone, radio and flat-screen TV
  • Safe & mini fridge
  • Turn down service
Suite

Standard Suite

Standard Cabins on the Emerald Deck have smaller fixed windows. Some are available for sole occupancy (supplements may apply) and are subject to availability.

There are 10 Standard Cabins on the Emerald Deck (lower deck).

Features

  • Individual climate control
  • Fixed window
  • Twin beds which can be configured as double
  • Nespresso machine and tea making facilities
  • Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, soap
  • Towels, bathrobes, slippers and hairdryer
  • UK plug sockets & 2 USB charging points
  • Table and chairs
  • Telephone, radio and flat-screen TV
  • Safe & mini fridge
  • Turn down service
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fine

Main Restaurant

The spacious main restaurant offers an intimate yet relaxed fine dining experience with informal free seating. Guests are spoilt for choice with a hearty buffet at breakfast; a salad and dessert buffet plus pasta station at lunch with served soup and main courses, and sumptuous four-course dinners executed with silver service.

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casual

Riverview Kitchen

Escape to the Riverview Kitchen at the rear of the ship and enjoy a quiet read on the terrace.

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Sun Deck, Pool Deck

Sun Deck

Crowning MS George Eliot is the Sun Deck, the ideal spot for taking in unhindered river views. There is a shaded seating area with plenty of comfortable outdoor chairs and sun loungers, as well as a putting green and splash pool.

Please note: The Sun Deck is only accessible by stairs.

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Bar, Lounge

Observation Lounge & Bar

At the heart of the ship is the elegant panoramic observation lounge, where guests can enjoy marvellous views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Take a seat on a leather armchair or modern settee, while the charming bar staff prepares your drink. During the evenings, the ship pianist entertains with a relaxing repertoire.

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Reception, Atrium

Reception and Travel Desk

Should you have any queries, stop by the reception desk in the lobby, or let our Cruise Concierge or Cruise Director at the travel desk help you with your travel arrangements.
Shop

Souvenir Shop

The Souvenir Shop can be found on the Diamond Deck.

Salon

Hair Salon

Book an appointment at the hair salon, which also offers manicures and pedicures for a small additional fee.