Tulip Time River Cruise 8 Days
Sail through tulip season — Keukenhof, Ghent, and Antwerp drift past your panoramic window as 7 million bulbs bloom outside
Price Per Person
Starting at TWD 162,000
Category
Every April, the fields of the Dutch countryside turn vivid red, yellow, and purple — nowhere in the world does spring look quite like this. Boarding an Avalon river cruise in Amsterdam and drifting through the Netherlands and Belgium is the most indulgent way to experience the tulip season: not rushing between car parks and tour buses, but watching flower fields drift slowly past your panoramic stateroom window over morning coffee.
Transportation & Stay
- Gratuities included
- Three meals daily onboard included
- Seven nights’ accommodation aboard Avalon
- Coffee, tea, and light snacks available throughout the day
- Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with all meals
Sightseeing tour
- At every port, choose from three included shore excursion styles
- Classic: guided sightseeing with a Local Guide covering historic sites and architecture
- Active: cycling or walking routes to explore cities on your own terms
- Discovery: local immersion — Zeeland salt tasting, Willemstad cheese tasting, and more
- Keukenhof Gardens tour included Day 2; Amsterdam canal cruise included Day 7
- Optional upgrades: full-day Brussels excursion, full-day Bruges excursion
Insurance
- Travel Consultation
- Travel Insurance (Overseas Coverage)
- NT$3,000,000 Overseas Travel Accident Insurance
- NT$1,500,000 Accidental Medical Expense Reimbursement
- NT$1,000,000 Emergency Rescue Coverage
(Applicable only when traveling on flights departing from Taiwan.)
- Travel Liability Insurance
- NT$5,000,000 Personal Accident Liability Insurance
- NT$200,000 Medical Insurance
(Applicable only when traveling on flights departing from Taiwan.)
- Mobile Internet/Data Plan
Trip Rules
- Price per person (based on double occupancy in Deluxe Stateroom) from TWD 162,000+
- As of September 9, 2026, the remaining dates available at Stateroom are April 15, 17, 22, and 24, 2027.
- The dates in 2028 are March 26, March 30, April 1, April 6, April 8, April 13, April 15, April 22, April 25, April 29, and May 2.
- Cruise fares are subject to change. Book early to secure the best available rates!
- Unlike most river cruises, gratuities are already included in the cruise fare.
- Not Included:
- International airfare
- Personal onboard expenses
- Optional activities or services not listed in the itinerary
Trip Map
Route: Amsterdam embarkation → Rotterdam (Keukenhof Gardens) → Antwerp → Ghent → Middelburg/Veere (Zeeland) → Willemstad → Amsterdam (canal cruise) → Amsterdam disembarkation. 8 days, 7 nights across the Netherlands and Belgium.
Detailed Itinerary
Why Choose Avalon Waterways?
- Exclusive "Beds with a View" Design Avalon features the industry's only Panorama Suites, where 11-foot-wide floor-to-ceiling windows slide open to create an Open-Air BalconySM. Most importantly, the Comfort Collection BedsSM face the window, allowing you to wake up to the moving river landscape every morning instead of a blank wall.
- Uncrowded, Intimate Space On ships of the same size, Avalon accommodates an average of only 150-162 guests, whereas competitors like Viking carry 190+. This means more breathing room in public areas and a superior 3:1 guest-to-crew ratio, ensuring highly personalized, five-star service.
- High Level of Independence Through Avalon Choice®, you can personalize your pace every day with three excursion styles—Classic (history), Discovery (culture), and Active (hiking/biking)—most of which are included in your fare. You are never forced to follow the "big group" if you prefer a different speed.
- A Culinary Journey of Local Flavors Dining onboard is a cultural immersion. Included wines change daily to reflect the specific grapes of the region you are sailing through. From authentic Wiener Schnitzel in Vienna to local sausages in Budapest, the menu travels with you.
Who Are the Main Competitors?
In the river cruise industry, Avalon is most frequently compared to Viking River Cruises.
While Viking is the largest operator, there are distinct differences between the two:
- Passenger Capacity: Viking packs 196 people on the same size ship that Avalon limits to 162 for better comfort.
- Stateroom Size: Avalon's standard Panorama Suites are 200 sq. ft., significantly larger than Viking’s standard cabins, which often range from 139 to 170 sq. ft..
- Bed Orientation: Viking beds typically face a side wall; Avalon beds always face the river view.
AVALON Dining & Culinary Offerings
Avalon FlexDining® with flexible dining times Freshly prepared multi-course meals created daily by the onboard chef All-day coffee and tea service, with pastries and light snacks Outdoor Sky Deck barbecue (weather permitting) Complimentary in-room dining, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner Panorama Bistro offering relaxed, tasting-style menus Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with all meals Daily Happy Hour featuring complimentary selected spirits, cocktails, and beverages
AVALON Stateroom Facilities & Comfort Features
Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi throughout the ship Floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows and Open-Air Balcony® staterooms Modern and elegant interior design, equipped with elevators; non-smoking throughout the ship English-speaking guided services, with a friendly captain and professional English-speaking crew Indoor panoramic lounge and an outdoor Sky Deck featuring a pool, sun loungers, and shaded areas
AVALON Stateroom Facilities
Panorama Suite: 200 sq ft / 18.6 sqm Deluxe E: 172 sq ft / 16 sqm Deluxe D: 180 sq ft / 16.7 sqm Exclusive Comfort Collection Beds® with adjustable mattress firmness Egyptian cotton linens, bathrobes, slippers, and premium L’Occitane® bath amenities Individual climate control (heating and air conditioning) and a spacious glass-enclosed shower Complimentary TV channels (including English movies), in-room safe, minibar, and ample storage space
Avalon Facilities
🚢 Cruise Highlights
- The "Glass Box" Experience: Featuring industry-exclusive Panorama SuitesSM with 11-foot-wide wall-to-wall windows that open into an Open-Air BalconySM.
- Beds with a View: Avalon’s Comfort Collection BedsSM face the window, allowing you to wake up to the ever-changing European landscape rather than a wall.
- Avalon Choice®: Personalize your trip every day with Classic, Discovery, or Active excursions—most of which are included in your fare.
- Refined Dining: Includes all onboard meals with complimentary regional wines, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner.
- Premium Amenities: Every suite is equipped with L'Occitane® bath products and a pillow menu.
🍽️ Dining & Venues
- Panorama Dining Room: Elegant four-course dinners prepared with fresh, local ingredients.
- Panorama Bistro: A casual venue for lighter meals and self-service buffets.
- Sky Grill: Weather permitting, enjoy al fresco lunches and grilled specialties on the Sky Deck.
- Beverage Benefits: Sparkling wine at breakfast, complimentary wine/beer/soda with lunch and dinner, and a daily Happy Hour.
🛎️ Included Features
- Suite Comforts: Flat-screen satellite TV with movies, L'Occitane toiletries, bathrobes, slippers, and an in-room safe.
- Leisure & Fitness: Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi throughout the ship, a well-equipped Fitness Center, and an Adventure Center for bikes and gear.
- Personalized Service: A 3:1 guest-to-crew ratio with a professional Cruise Director and Adventure Host onboard.
- Digital Companion: The AvalonGO app provides your daily schedule, offline maps, and local tips.
Note: Itinerary and activities may be subject to change based on weather and river water levels.
Avalon Panorama
Launched in 2011, the Avalon Panorama was the world's first river cruise ship to feature two full decks of Panorama Suites — a design that redefined what a river cruise cabin could be. Maximum 166 guests, 47 crew, 443 feet long across four decks. Cabin categories range from 172 sq ft Deluxe Staterooms to 200 sq ft Panorama Suites (with the open-air window) to a 300 sq ft Royal Suite with marble bathroom finishes. All cabins include L'Occitane amenities, Egyptian cotton bedding.
Avalon Expression
Built in 2013, the Avalon Expression carries forward the panoramic suite concept that Avalon pioneered and refines it. Cabin categories mirror those of the Panorama: 172 sq ft Deluxe Staterooms, 200 sq ft Panorama Suites with the open-air window, and a 300 sq ft Royal Suite. All staterooms include L'Occitane toiletries, Egyptian cotton bedding, and individual climate control. Sky Deck whirlpool, complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi, and all meals with wine are included throughout.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 | Amsterdam — Embarkation
Board from 3:30pm, welcomed by the crew at the gangway. Settle into your Suite Stateroom, slide open the panoramic window, and take in Amsterdam's skyline on the water. An evening welcome reception introduces you to fellow passengers over Dutch local snacks. After dinner, the ship quietly departs southward toward Rotterdam — city lights reflected on the river as the journey begins. Meals included: Dinner. Overnight onboard.
Day 2 | Rotterdam (Keukenhof Gardens or Gouda)
Today is one of the trip's visual centrepieces. Avalon Choice offers two options: Keukenhof Gardens (70 acres, 7 million flowering bulbs — tulips, hyacinths, daffodils in simultaneous bloom, the world's largest bulb-flower display) or a guided excursion to Gouda to taste the famous cheese, waffles, and clay pipe traditions. Rotterdam itself is worth exploring: Europe's busiest port, known for cutting-edge modern architecture and the industrial-chic harbour district. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight onboard.
Day 3 | Antwerp, Belgium (Grote Markt, Cathedral of Our Lady)
Today the cruise crosses into Belgium. Antwerp was one of medieval Europe's most important diamond and spice trading centres — its old city has survived in extraordinary condition. Avalon Choice offers a guided walking tour (the Gothic Stadhuis on the Grote Markt, the Cathedral of Our Lady housing three original Rubens paintings) or a cycling route. Optional upgrade: full-day Brussels excursion (European Parliament district, Atomium, Grand Place). Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight onboard.
Day 4 | Ghent, Belgium (St. Bavo's Cathedral, Medieval Canals)
Ghent is Belgium's best-preserved medieval city — and, unlike Bruges, largely undiscovered by mass tourism. Avalon Choice offers a guided walking tour (St. Bavo's Cathedral, home to the Van Eyck Ghent Altarpiece — described as the most-stolen artwork in history) or a cycling exploration of the old city's waterway network. Optional upgrade: full-day Bruges excursion. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight onboard.
Day 5 | Middelburg + Veere, Netherlands (Zeeland, Delta Works)
Today the cruise enters Zeeland, the Dutch province closest to the North Sea. Morning in Middelburg — Gothic Town Hall, the Abbey Tower, and a market square that recalls this city's days as a medieval spice hub. Afternoon at Veere, a tiny harbour town whose 15th–16th century Flemish merchant buildings are remarkably intact. Avalon Choice offers a Zeeland salt tasting experience or a Veere walking tour. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight onboard.
Day 6 | Willemstad, Netherlands (17th-Century Fortified Town)
Willemstad is one of the Netherlands' most perfectly preserved 17th–18th century fortified towns — a star-shaped defensive layout you can walk entirely in under an hour, yet feels like a living museum. Avalon Choice offers cycling or a walking tour (the Koepelkerk rounded church is the architectural highlight). Onboard: a cheese tasting session exploring regional Dutch varieties. The ship then begins its final cruise toward Amsterdam. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight onboard.
Day 7 | Amsterdam (Canal Cruise, Aalsmeer Flower Auction)
The final full day, and Amsterdam saves a few things for last. Avalon Choice offers: an included Amsterdam canal cruise through the Golden Age grachten, an excursion to Aalsmeer Flower Auction (the world's largest, trading over 20 million flowers daily), or an off-the-beaten-path walking tour. Afternoon is free — ideal for a cheese shop, a raw herring from a street stall, or simply sitting by a canal. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Final night onboard (moored in Amsterdam).
Day 8 | Amsterdam — Disembarkation
After breakfast, the cruise concludes. Collect luggage and disembark at leisure. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is approximately 20 minutes from the city centre by direct train or metro. If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, a final half-day in Amsterdam is yours to fill. Meals included: Breakfast.
Amsterdam
Laid-back canal living where locals cycle daily and relax at open-air waterside cafés. Must-See Highlights: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Dam Square.Transport: Trams are the best way to move around canals and sights; easily pay via OVpay contactless tap.
Rotterdam
Must-See Highlights: Cube Houses, Markthal. Transport: Efficient tram and metro routes connect all modern architectural sites with ease. A bold, post-war reconstructed hub rich in futuristic architecture and modern energy.
Antwerp
Fashion and diamond capital blending grand Gothic architecture with sleek, trendy style. Must-See Highlights: Antwerpen-Centraal Station, MAS Museum. Transport: Arrive via SNCB trains and take a quick 10-minute tram ride into the historic center.
Ghent
Well-preserved medieval canal town offering a cozy, authentic university-city charm. Must-See Highlights: Graslei & Korenlei, Gravensteen Castle. Transport: Trams bridge the train station and old town, while the historical core is completely walkable.
Royal FloraHolland Aalsmeer
Located in Aalsmeer, Netherlands, Royal FloraHolland is the world's largest flower auction, covering a massive 775,000 square meters—equivalent to 200 football fields. Tracing its origins back to 1910, the auction house now trades around 43 million flowers and 5 million plants on a typical weekday, handling over half of the global floral trade. The complex operates 35 auction clocks, over 51,000 square meters of cold storage, and an 18-kilometer internal transport line called the Aalsmeer Shuttle.
Accommodation Guide
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Panorama
Launched in 2011, the Avalon Panorama was the world's first river cruise ship to feature two full decks of Panorama Suites — a design that redefined what a river cruise cabin could be. Maximum 166 guests, 47 crew, 443 feet long across four decks. Cabin categories range from 172 sq ft Deluxe Staterooms to 200 sq ft Panorama Suites (with the open-air window) to a 300 sq ft Royal Suite with marble bathroom finishes. All cabins include L'Occitane amenities, Egyptian cotton bedding.
Avalon Expression
Built in 2013, the Avalon Expression carries forward the panoramic suite concept that Avalon pioneered and refines it. Cabin categories mirror those of the Panorama: 172 sq ft Deluxe Staterooms, 200 sq ft Panorama Suites with the open-air window, and a 300 sq ft Royal Suite. All staterooms include L'Occitane toiletries, Egyptian cotton bedding, and individual climate control. Sky Deck whirlpool, complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi, and all meals with wine are included throughout.
FAQs
When is the best time to depart? Is there a risk of missing the blooms?
Is Chinese-language service available? Is this a group tour or independent travel?
What is included in the price? Are all shore excursions covered?
Is this a large vessel? Will it feel crowded like an ocean cruise ship?
Can I travel solo? Is there a minimum age?
Pre-Departure Tips
[Gear Checklist]
- Mid-size rolling suitcase (24–26 inch) — luggage is self-managed boarding and disembarking; hard-shell rolling case recommended
- Lightweight waterproof jacket / windbreaker — Dutch spring weather is changeable and riverside wind is constant
- Comfortable flat walking shoes — daily shore excursions involve 2–5km on cobblestone streets
- Compact folding umbrella — April and May showers in the Netherlands are frequent
- Camera / mini phone tripod — Keukenhof is the photographic highlight of the trip; a small tripod helps
- 1–2 smart-casual outfits for dinner — onboard evening dining is Smart Casual; the welcome reception warrants a slightly elevated look
- Personal medications — motion sickness tablets and personal prescription medications
[Insurance & Documents]
- Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond return date; Taiwan passport holders enter Netherlands and Belgium (Schengen) visa-free for up to 90 days
- Travel insurance — included with this itinerary; review the policy before departure and confirm river cruise activities are covered
- Gratuities — confirm whether 2027 Avalon pricing includes onboard gratuities; shore excursion guides may appreciate EUR 2–5 per person
- Cash euros — carry EUR 100–200 for markets and optional local experiences
- Download Avalon App — complete pre-departure documents and download port maps before departure for offline use onboard
[Physical Preparation]
Physical demands on this cruise are minimal. Daily shore excursions involve flat city walking or cycling, typically 2–5km with no elevation. Travellers selecting Active cycling options should be comfortable riding for 1–1.5 hours continuously (the Netherlands is extremely flat — genuinely easy cycling). If you prefer a fully relaxed itinerary, spending time onboard watching the landscape from your panoramic stateroom is a perfectly valid choice.
[On-the-Ground Notes]
- Keukenhof admission — included in Avalon's excursion; no separate ticket or queuing required
- Optional upgrades — Brussels and Bruges full-day excursions must be pre-booked with onboard staff; confirm on Day 1 after boarding
- Cycling equipment — bikes for Active excursions are arranged by Avalon; no independent rental needed
- Amsterdam city tax — confirm whether Avalon handles this or guests pay directly at port
- Belgian beer — Ghent and Antwerp are world-class craft beer cities; lunch or dinner ashore is an excellent opportunity to try a local draught
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