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Cruise on the IJsselmeer, one of Holland's treasures (port-to-port cruise)

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FromAUD $2,204

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Cruise snapshot

Duration6 Days
Trip codeAIJ_PP
OperatorCroisiEurope Cruises

Overview

Cruise on one of the largest lakes in the Netherlands in the heart of authentic towns and villages. Between historical monuments and unmissable traditions, discover the beauty of Holland through its canals, the cheese museum, the mills of the seventeenth century, old fishing ports and the village of Giethoorn. The Keukenhof Gardens, true haven of peace, are considered the most beautiful floral gardens in the world.

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Highlights

THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE

  • All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
  • Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail
  • Free Wi-Fi onboard
  • Headsets are included for excursions
  • Official welcome from the captain and crew
  • Onboard activities
  • Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
  • All port fees included

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Cruise along the most beautiful canals and lakes in Holland
  • Discover(1):
    • Fishermen's huts typical of the Dutch countryside
    • See Amsterdam and its Architecture from the Canals or on a Bike
    • The ancestral know-how of cheese and clog makers in Zaanse Schans

What's Included

Inclusion

Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day - onboard drinks included (except for drinks from our special lists) - double-occupancy cabin with shower in bathroom - assistance from our onboard multi-lingual host/hostess - welcome cocktail - gala dinner - onboard entertainment - travel assistance and repatriation insurance - all port fees.

Itinerary

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner. Free evening.
AMSTERDAM or surroundings(3)

Shore Excursions

Guided tour of Giethoorn
Guided tour of Giethoorn

Imagine a town straight out of a fairytale with no pollution nor cars to be found: this is Giethoorn.

We’ll leave from Lemmer by coach to reach Giethoorn, a charming lakeside town.

Located inside the Weeribben-Wieden National Park–part of the Overijssel province, lovely canals intertwine among a lush flora and 17th-to-18th century thatched farmhouses built on peat islets connected to each other by more than 170 wooden bridges. This idyllic setting is best discovered on foot or by boat.

Our trip will take us on a one-hour boat ride along the canals for an original discovery of this typical village. You'll be enchanted by the beautiful scenery of this town by the water and the welcoming spirit that suffuses the air. Before heading back to Lemmer, you will have some free time to wander about the humpback bridges or small footbridges spanning the canals.

PLEASE NOTE

  • Good walking shoes are recommended.
  • The town can only be visited on foot or by boat.
  • The order of the visits can change.
  • Times are approximate.
EXC_GIETH
Pre-paid: $161
On-board: $179
Biking on the Polders
Biking on the Polders

Take a bike tour of Hoorn and its surroundings. Located on the banks of the Ijsselmeer, Hoorn was one of the important Dutch East India Company towns in 17th-century Holland. Hundreds of merchant ships left Hoorn to sail across the world and return loaded with merchandise, especially spices such as peppercorn, nutmeg, clove and mace. Our guide will explain the city's celebrated past in detail. The outskirts of Hoorn itself are dotted with biking and hiking paths that cross the superb polders, following the river dykes and passing by old villages and the ancient Westfriese Omringdijk—an almost 800-year-old dyke. The Beemster polder, the first in the Netherlands and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a masterpiece of creative planning and a superb example of the conflict the inhabitants have waged with water in this area. You'll get to see old windmills.

PLEASE NOTE

  • Good walking shoes are recommended.
  • The order of the visits can change.
  • Times are approximate.
  • Attention: children are under the responsibility of their parents and must be autonomous by bike.
  • Helmets are provided on all our cycling tours.
EXC_ALKMA2
Pre-paid: $158
On-board: $175
Guided tour of Alkmaar
Guided tour of Alkmaar

Departure by coach from Volendam or Enkhuizen for the town of Alkmaar.
We'll reach the city center on foot in the company of our guide. Alkmaar is a historical town with over 400 monuments. The Waag (weigh house building), dating from the 14th century, the Town Hall dating from the 16th century, the Grote or Sint-Laurenskerk (St Lawrence church) and a multitude of enclosed courtyards, noteworthy facades and canals all partake in the particular atmosphere of this city. However, Alkmaar is particularly known for its cheese. From the 1st Friday in April to the 1st Friday in September, the traditional cheese market is held every Friday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The traders sell their cheeses using a barter system. The cheese carriers' guild, which has existed for 400 years, transports the cheeses on wooden barrows, after weighing the batches at the weigh house. Inside this building, a guided visit to the Cheese Museum will teach you all about the various steps to making dairy products. You'll discover the beautifully ornate cheese presses and various other implements and tools used to make cheese and butter over the centuries. The first floor houses documentation illustrating how cheese is made today on the farms and dairy factories, as well as this industry's major influence on the Dutch economy.
After some free time, return to the ship for lunch.

PLEASE NOTE

  • Wear sturdy shoes: the streets are cobbled.
  • On Friday, the visit is to the cheese market instead of the museum.
  • The order of the visits can change.
  • Times are approximate.
EXC_ALKMAR
Pre-paid: $118
On-board: $131
Amsterdam by bike
Amsterdam by bike

You'll leave on foot to head to the bike rental office. This guided bike tour will last about 2.5 hours, and you'll be able to explore and learn about all the must-see and out-of-the-way sites in Amsterdam. Enjoy some free time at the Flower Market or at the Albert Cuypmarkt.

PLEASE NOTE

  • Good walking shoes are recommended.
  • The order of the visits can change.
  • Times are approximate.
  • Attention: children are under the responsibility of their parents and must be autonomous by bike.
  • Classic bikes provided (no electric assistance)
  • Helmets are provided on all our cycling tours.
EXC_AMS3
Pre-paid: $131
On-board: $145
Amsterdam tour by riverboat
Amsterdam tour by riverboat

Departure for a tour of Amsterdam by riverboat. With your guide, we'll glide further into this "Venice of the North” along the renowned Amsterdam canals, providing an ideal vantage point on the city's wonderful architecture. Our tour will take us through the four large canals surrounding the center - the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel canals. The Singel river was transformed into a canal in the 14th century to become part of the city's defensive belt, while the other three were conceived at the beginning of the Golden Age as a means to expand the city. Construction started in 1560 and lasted for more than a hundred years. The historical center is now surrounded by those four canals, parallel to one another. Shaped in half-moons, they follow the sun rays making sure that each and every house gets direct sunlight at some point during the day. When looking at a city map, Amsterdam resembles a half-bicycle wheel. Enjoy some free time in the city. Return on board.

PLEASE NOTE

  • Times are approximate.
EXC_AMS7
Pre-paid: $100
On-board: $111
Excursion to the Keukenhof Gardens
Excursion to the Keukenhof Gardens

Departure by coach in the company of your hostess towards Keukenhof. Upon arrival, your hostess will give you an entry ticket that will allow you to stroll freely inside this beautiful flower garden extending on 32 hectares (79 acres). You'll be delighted by its wonders, from the enchanting colors and fragrances of the many tulips, narcissus, daffodils and other ornamental bulbs to the orchid pavilion and the Japanese country garden. Do not miss the breathtaking view over the tulip fields from the 1892 windmill located at the back of the garden!
In the 15th century, the garden as we know it today was nothing but hunting grounds where aromatic herbs were grown for the kitchens of the castle belonging to Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut, hence its current name, "Keukenhof” - "kitchen garden” in English.
Return on board in Amsterdam by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

  • Only on pre-booking.
  • Good walking shoes are recommended.
  • Free visit in the park; open from March 20th to May 11th 2025. The opening dates are subject to change by Keukenhof Flower Park. 
  • The order of the visits can change.
  • Times are approximate.
  • Wheelchairs are available through online booking on the Keukenhof website (passengers will have to use their own credit card).
EXC_KEUKEN
Pre-paid: $125
On-board: $140
Excursion to Volendam and Zaanse-Schans
Excursion to Volendam and Zaanse-Schans

We'll leave by coach with our guide for Volendam, a charming village that has preserved its character for over six centuries thanks to the tough vitality of its fishermen. We'll then visit a cheese factory in the area to discover how the famous Gouda cheese is made. We'll enjoy tasting the different flavors and ages available of one of the most popular cheeses in the world. We'll then head for Zaanse Schans, an open air museum with wooden windmills, barns, and houses. Take a walk through the stunning buildings and the unique peat landscape or watch traditional clog making techniques. Don't miss the small but impressive clog museum that features one of the largest and most attractive collections of wooden shoes in the Netherlands: painted, carved, ice clogs with iron trimmings, horse clogs, and decorative clogs. Take advantage of some free time on this excursion to indulge in authentic Dutch traditions. We'll return to our ship in Amsterdam by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

  • Good walking shoes are recommended: guided visit on foot at Volendam and Zaanse Schans.
  • The order of the visits can change.
  • Times are approximate.
EXC_MARKEN
Pre-paid: $100
On-board: $111
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Frequently Asked Questions

We appreciate your interest in our tours. For our small group tours, we have a policy in place that states we do not accept children under the age of 12. Our small group tours are carefully curated to provide a specific type of travel experience that may not be suitable for younger travelers. We aim to create an environment that allows all participants to fully engage with the itinerary and activities, ensuring a cohesive and enjoyable group dynamic. The age restriction is in place to ensure that all travelers can make the most of their journey and create memorable experiences that cater to their preferences.

If you are interested in traveling with younger children, we do offer alternative tour options that are designed to be family-friendly. These tours often include activities and accommodations that are better suited for travelers of all ages, allowing families to embark on adventures together.

If you have any further questions or if you would like assistance in finding a tour that best suits your needs and preferences, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team. We're here to ensure that you have the best possible travel experience with us.

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