An Exclusive Cruise to Top Sites in Northern Europe (port-to-port cruise)

BRUSSELS – ANTWERP – GHENT – VEERE – DORDRECHT – BRUSSELS

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail.

This morning, the optional excursions are:

- CLASSIC: The must-see sites in Brussels. Our tour of the Belgian capital begins with a panoramic view by coach to discover the city's most famous monuments such as Laeken Park and the 1958 World's Fair Atomium landmark. We'll then head to the city center, which is jam-packed with exceptional architecture attesting to its deep history. The Grand-Place is surrounded by extravagant guildhalls, the City Hall, and the Broodhuis museum—listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The magnificent, ornate building exteriors present a harmonious mix of Gothic, classic, and baroque styles. We'll also see the Royal Palace—where the Belgian royal family members carry out their work—the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries, the Sablon neighborhood, and, of course, the famous Manneken Pis. Enjoy some free time to have a bite of some local specialties, including chocolate, waffles, fries, and much more.

- DISCOVERY: Brussels, the Comic Strip capital. Did you know that Brussels claims to have the largest number of comic book authors per square mile? In honor of their artists, the city has decorated its walls with its well-known authors and characters. We'll set out on an urban hike to spot the murals that include Tintin, Gaston Lagaffe, Lucky Luke, Astérix, Corto Maltese, and many others. We'll find other affirmations along the way, such as street signs and statues referencing the "9th Art." Then, dive into the world of comics at the Belgian Comic Strip Center—a marvelous universe where comics are in the limelight. Inaugurated in 1989, the center houses permanent and temporary exhibits focusing on European comics and their progression.

We'll return on board the ship. We'll spend the afternoon cruising towards Antwerp. Leaving Brussels behind, our ship will glide along one of the oldest navigable waterways—the Willebroek Canal—to the Scheldt River. The Scheldt River crosses through three countries—France, Belgium, and the Netherlands—before emptying into the North Sea. We'll arrive in Antwerp in the evening. We'll remain in port overnight.

Optional excursions:

- CLASSIC: Antwerp, its historic center, and the Het Steen fortress. The oldest building in the city sits on the banks of the Scheldt River. The medieval fortress Het Steen was built between 1200 and 1225 to defend and protect the inhabitants from invaders. Today, it houses a multimedia exhibition called The Antwerp Story, which traces the city through time in a surprising and innovative fashion. Travel from century to century as you traverse the rooms. Discover the tales, hidden secrets, and historic sites in the surprising city of Antwerp. The fortress roof offers an uncluttered view of the river, city, and the second-largest shipping port in Europe. After this immersive intro, we'll head over to the historic center and Grand-Place. The city hall—listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is, without a doubt, the most remarkable building. Richly decorated guildhalls line the edges of the Grand-Place. The square's center contains the eclectic Brabo Fountain. The stunning Gothic masterpiece—the Cathedral of Our Lady and its single belfry—has dominated the horizon for over five centuries.

- DISCOVERY: Antwerp, the Red Star Line Museum and Nottebohm Room. We'll begin our tour of Antwerp this morning at the Grand-Place, surrounded by the elegant facades of ancient halls. We'll stop in front of the Flamboyant-style city hall. Then, we'll head over to the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library for a visit to one of the country's most prestigious book rooms. We'll visit the Nottebohm Room to learn about the rare historic collection it holds. The room is located in the library's oldest wing and was made into a showroom in 1936. Afterwards, we'll visit the Red Star Line Museum, which traces the saga of the great wave of Europeans emigrating to the USA between 1850 and 1930.

We'll return on board for lunch while the ship continues towards Ghent. We'll cruise on the Scheldt River, gliding past huge salt marshes and plains before reaching the Terneuzen Lock and the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. We'll arrive in Ghent in the evening. 

Optional excursions CLASSIC / DISCOVERY :

Morning: Ghent : Discover the highlights of the largest city in East Flanders during this guided tour. Follow in the footsteps of Charles V of Spain and admire the monuments of one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. The historic centre of Ghent is a pedestrian zone that feels like an open-air museum, where typical Flemish architecture reveals a rich medieval heritage. Afterwards, enjoy a beer tasting at a local brewery. Ghent once had a vast number of breweries, and today, brewers are rediscovering the city. The most famous one is Gruut, which makes its beer not with hops, but with spices. Afternoon: Bruges : Departure by coach to Bruges. Its art collections, gentle lifestyle, romantic charm and architectural elegance make it one of the most beautiful cities in Flanders and a must-see stop in Northern Europe. A wealthy maritime city in the 14th century, Bruges retains the refined and harmonious architecture of that golden era. Visit a historic brewery whose story began in 1856, followed by a tasting.

Return on board. Evening at leisure.

Morning navigation along the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal towards Veere. Pass through the Terneuzen lock, which connects Ghent to the sea via the Scheldt River. Continue along the Scheldt and the Walcheren Canal before reaching Veere in the early afternoon. Enjoy some free time or join us for an option CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion to the Delta Works. We'll set out to visit the largest flood protection system in the world, located along the Dutch coastline. The Delta Works was built to battle maritime inundations affecting the local provinces. Construction of the works lasted over 40 years and includes five storm surge barriers, two locks, and six dams. Traveling the Expedition Delta route brings the impressive works to life.

Our tour will take us to one specific area of the Delta Works. After our excursion, we’ll return on board for dinner. Our ship will cruise to Dordrecht overnight.

Navigation to Dordrecht. In the morning, the optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion is: The Windmills of Kinderdijk. Discover the magnificent Windmills of Kinderdijk and learn how the Dutch have tamed the surrounding water for more than 1,000 years using their unique approach. We’ll set out on foot to visit the windmills. It’s the only place in the world where we can see so many windmills in one place, and that’s also one of the reasons why they were listed as a prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Return on board. Afternoon navigation to Brussels via the Hollandse Diep, the widest distributary of the Rhine delta in the Netherlands.

Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Arrival in Brussels during the night. Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.