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River Cruise: Amsterdam to Brussels

JULY 31, 2025 to AUGUST 7, 2025

Jump onboard an unforgettable journey through some of Europe's most picturesque and vibrant cities on Detours' second European river cruise. Starting with a full weekend at the iconic Amsterdam Pride (yes, the one with the boat parade!), our journey will take us through the bustling port of Rotterdam, then we'll explore the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk, the historical charm of Dordrecht, and the medieval beauty of Bruges before concluding our adventure in the heart of Belgium, Brussels. Each stop promises a unique blend of culture, history, and fun, making this voyage a perfect mix of relaxation and exploration.

Our ship is brand spanking new, her very first guest welcomed onboard in 2024.  Our cuisine is to die for, curated and prepared by celebrity chef Chef Todd (winner of Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay).  Our entertainment is unforgettable, with nightly performances which include local drag stars and a resident DJ.  And with 40 staff members on board, including activity staff, a cruise director, several Detours trip leaders, and more, we are certainly well taken care of.

This is an all-inclusive trip, which means all meals, drinks, transfers, activities, and on-board entertainment are all included in your package.  Make sure to check out the ship details under the "accommodations" tab, as well as the inclusions under the "what's included" tab to learn all about the fabulous adventure that awaits.

Day 1 - ROTTERDAM - JUL 31

Our adventure begins in Rotterdam, a city that masterfully blends modern innovation with rich maritime history. Known for its cutting-edge architecture and vibrant art scene, Rotterdam offers an exciting start to our journey. Whether you’re strolling through the bustling Markthal, taking in the views from the iconic Erasmus Bridge, or exploring the vibrant street art, Rotterdam’s energy is sure to captivate you. 

It's here that our jouney together will begin.  Officially, we'll kick things off in style at 4:00pm, but you're welcome to board your home away from home any time after noon on this day.  Coming in from Amsterdam?  Great idea.  Not only is it a fabulous city, it's also only 45 minutes away, and we'll have transportation options available to get you from there to the ship on this day.

Our first evening together will set the tone in style on board our gorgeous and modern ship that just set sail on her maiden voyage in May 2024 making her one of the newest ships on the whole continent.  You'll meet your ship mates, all your Detours trip leaders, and dozens of on-board staff, all sure to be part of the amazing adventure in store for you.

Days 2, 3, and 4 - AMSTERDAM - AUG 1, 2, 3

Amsterdam, with its charming canals and vibrant neighborhoods, is a city like no other. We’ll spend three unforgettable days here during Pride weekend, when the city is alive with color, celebration, and joy. From exploring the historic Anne Frank House to cruising along the iconic waterways, there’s something for everyone. And, of course, we certainly won't miss the chance to join in the Pride festivities, where the streets and even the canals come alive with parades, parties, and an atmosphere of pure inclusivity and love. 

Even if you've been to Amsterdam before, you've surely not done it like this!  While there's an endless number of things to keep busy within the city especially on pride weekend, we've also got our gorgeous home base docked in the city center with our rooftop loungers, our own restaurant in full operation, and activity staff keeping the onboard entertainemnt options going.  Think of it as your own oasis in the heart of the city, always open for you to retreat back to after enjoying the city and the pride celebrations.

We're here for the weekend, from Friday morning until Sunday evening, to make sure we soak in the best time to be in Amsterdam, before setting off to our next stop on the itinerary - Kinderdijk.

Day 5 - KINDERDIJK and DORDRECHT - AUG 4

We'll journey to Kinderdijk overnight before waking up in this UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases the Netherlands’ iconic windmills. With 19 beautifully preserved windmills set against a backdrop of tranquil waterways, Kinderdijk offers a serene and picturesque stop on our itinerary. You’ll have the opportunity to step back in time and discover how these engineering marvels have kept the land dry for centuries. It’s a perfect spot for photography, leisurely walks, and soaking in the peaceful Dutch countryside.  A nice followup to our busy weekend in Amsterdam, that's for sure.

After checking out this area through the morning, we'll gently cruise down the river to nearby Dordrecht, where history seems to come alive on every street corner. Wander through the well-preserved medieval streets and discover hidden gems like the Grote Kerk and the picturesque harbor. Dordrecht’s rich history and charming architecture provide a perfect setting for an afternoon of exploration. We certainly won't forget to indulge in some local delicacies as we stroll through the vibrant markets and cozy cafes.

Day 6 - BRUGES and GHENT - AUG 5

Crossing into Belgium today, we arrive in Ghent, a lively and historic city that seamlessly blends the old with the new. Known for its vibrant student population and stunning medieval architecture, Ghent offers a unique and energetic atmosphere. Visit the impressive Gravensteen castle, stroll along the Graslei and Korenlei, and soak in the city’s artistic vibe. Ghent’s eclectic mix of history, culture, and modernity makes it a must-see stop on our journey through Belgium.  Our ship is docked right in the center of town which makes exploring the town incredibly easy.

But that's not all.  Just a short 1-hour land transfer from our dock in Ghent is Bruges, often referred to as the “Venice of the North.” With its cobbled streets, medieval buildings, and winding canals, Bruges feels like stepping into a fairy tale. We'll travel there together and explore the city’s rich history, including a visit to the stunning Belfry tower.. Be sure to indulge in some of Belgium’s finest chocolates and waffles - after all, what’s a visit to Bruges without a sweet treat?

We'll head back to Ghent for the afternoon before we continue our cruise towards Brussels while enjoying the onboard entertainment and fabulous food and drinks that we've enjoyed through our voyage.

Days 7 and 8 - BRUSSELS - AUG 6 and 7

Good morning, Brussels!  We've arrived in the vibrant capital of Belgium and the capital of the EU, which offers a delightful blend of unique history, great little shops and restaurants, and even a great gay scene too. There's plenty to see and experience here, including the iconic Grand Place, a stunning square surrounded by ornate guild houses and the impressive Town Hall. Stroll through the nearby Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert for upscale shopping and charming cafes. Don’t miss Manneken Pis, the quirky statue embodying the city’s playful spirit. For a taste of local cuisine, you absolutely must try some waffles, chocolates, and mussels with fries. Explore the European Parliament area if you're interested in politics, or wander through the beautiful Parc du Cinquantenaire. End your visit with a drink in the lively Ixelles or Saint-Géry neighborhoods, soaking in Brussels' unique atmosphere.

Brussels offers the perfect finale to our unforgettable river cruise and it's here that our journey concludes on the morning of our 8th day.  Are you staying longer here in Brussels?  Great idea!  There's plenty to explore.  But if you're departing from Brussels airport today your airport transfer from the ship is included.  We'll be saying our goodbyes together and disembarking the ship by 10:00am on this day, full of memories of a fabulous time together.

ALL STATEROOMS FEATURE:

Queen-Sized Bed (can be made into 2 twins) • Stocked (and replenished daily) Mini Refrigerator • Room Service • 40 Inch Flat Screen Television • Luxury Bath Amenities • Daily Housekeeping & Turndown Service • Unlimited WiFi •


SUITE

DECK 2 and 3 - 8 AVAILABLE

 

● 226 sq. ft. (21 sq. m.)  ● Double vanity in bath  ● Spa-like shower  ● Spacious sitting area  ● Large closet with safe ●  Infinity Balcony ● Make-up Counter

Click the links for more images > Suite - Living area * Suite - Bathroom


STATEROOM - CATEGORY "A"

DECKS 2 & 3 - 39 AVAILABLE

 

● Larger Stateroom ● 172 sq. ft. (16 sq. m.) ● Single vanity in bath ● River-facing queen bed (convertible to 2 twin beds) ● Some with connecting staterooms

Click the links for more images > Cat. A Stateroom * Cat. A Bathroom


STATEROOM - CATEGORY "B"

DECKS 2 AND 3 - 21 AVAILABLE

 

● 151 sq. ft. (14 sq. m.) ● Accommodates up to 2 guests ● Single vanity in bath ● Wardrobe with mini-safe ● Queen bed convertible to 2 twin beds

STATEROOM - CATEGORY "C"

DECK 1 - 9 AVAILABLE

 

● 140 sq. ft. (13 sq. m.) ● Accommodates up to 2 guests ● Single vanity in bath ● Wardrobe with mini-safe ● Queen bed convertible to 2 twin beds

 

THE CLIMATE

It's the middle of summer in Europe!  Historically, this means the highest chance of warmth and sunshine.  There's no better time to enjoy the spacious rooftop deck and all the outdoor exploring we'll be doing through the trip.  This region tends to reach highs in the low-70s F (low 20's C) during the day, then drops down into the mid-50s F (mid-teens C) at night.  While it also tends to be a region that doesn't rain much in the summer, Mother Nature can be unpredictable so we always suggest packing a "just in case" layer or rain jacket.  We also suggest checking the weather forecasts online as we approach the trip to get a better idea of what you can expect during the trip.

LGBTQ FRIENDLINESS

ON SHORE

There really isn't a more LGBTQ-friendly region of the world than this.  And to be here for Amsterdam Pride as well?  Well, we expect such an outpouring of love and pride and support that you'll feel as free and welcomed as you've ever been anywhere.  This doesn't just go for Amsterdam though.  All the stops through the itinerary are known for their inclusivity and LGBTQ support.

ONBOARD

Transcend is proud to hire gay and gay-friendly staff, and we've handpicked quite the extraordinary team to host our trip! You'll be in good hands, and made to feel extremely welcome from everyone on board including Chef Todd, the delightful and personable housekeeping staff, and the charismatic reception and serving staff! There's up to 50 staff members on board to ensure every part of your onboard experience is exceptional.

WHAT TO BRING

Life on a brand new ship comes with many fabulous perks, but some cabins are tighter than others, so we suggest packing your bags accordingly.  Even if you've chosen the smallest cabin, storage design has been well thought out, so there are nooks and crannies to tuck away your belongings, but we still encourage light packing. One of the wonderful things about this itinerary is that you only need to unpack once!

The ship is quite high-end but we also want to ensure everyone is comfortable so don't worry about dressing up too fancy.  Comfortable casual wear is most appropriate during the day, especially for excursions off ship, then a pants and a collared shirt (maybe a polo or button-up) will be great for the evenings.

We'll plan a few optional but encouraged themed nights onboard and we'd encourage you to pack for those.  Expect more details in your 90-day update email.

YOUR GROUP

Overall, we've found that approximately 60% of the travelers on trips join solo, while the other 40% or so join with their partner or a friend, and 90% of our travelers are in their 40's, 50's, and 60's. Whatever the age of the guys on our trips everyone's already got something in common, an exciting new experience in a new part of the world to share together!  Each group is led by one or more Detours trip leaders who are there to ensure everything goes off without a hitch, allowing you to focus on having the time of your life! We welcome both men and women onto our trips although it’s important to know that almost all groups are 100% gay men.

Due to the size of this ship (86 staterooms) it's important to note that while there will of course be plenty of opportunities to explore at your own pace and find some serenity on board, there will also be the opportunity to meet plenty of other people to share the adventure (and evening cocktails and entertainment) with! 

MONEY

Credit cards are commonly used in this part of the world, and Visa & Mastercard are accepted everyehere, (AMEX less so but still can be used at many places). 

The official currency in the Netherlands and Belgium is the Euro (EUR). 

If possible, it's always a good idea to travel internationally with a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.  The savings will add up over the course of your trip and may end up being worth the work of getting a new card prior to your trip. 

Once you're overseas, if presented with the option to pay in the local currency or your home currency, we suggest always choosing the local currency to further avoid fees.

SOLO TRAVELERS

Want to join solo? No problem! Lots of our travelers come solo and our trip will provide plenty of chances to meet great people both inside and outside of our group, including other solo travelers. As far as your accommodations go, you’ve got two choices. We can either pair you up with another solo group member in a two-bed stateroom for no extra charge, or you can have your own room for a reasonable surcharge as noted under the pricing on the main trip page.  Note that, on this particular trip, discounted single-occupancy cabins are only available in the "B-category" and "C-category" cabins.

TIPPING

Gratuities for all of the roughly 60 staff on board is included in your trip price ($15 USD per day per person). Some travelers like to leave 'a bit extra' for any of the staff on board that may have gone above & beyond but it's not expected.

STAYING CONNECTED

Of course, we're big advocates of 'disconnect to reconnect' in this fast-paced modern world we live in, but it's also nice to stay connected to the group with live updates, share in your adventure, and so to do this - your cell phone provider likely has several roaming options available.  We suggest reaching out to them prior to the trip to find out which package is right for you as it will depend on how much you intend to use your phone while traveling.  Keep in mind that there's free WiFi available onboard, so it would mostly just be for the time spent off the ship exploring the towns and cities as we go. There are also great eSIMs that are available for the newer model cellphones, and these are very affordable data-only options for traveling abroad. 

ALARM CLOCKS

We've got NO scheduled early mornings on this trip, which will be music to the ears of the night owls!  A world without alarm clocks is one we want to be part of, and your “rise and shine” while in Europe should come from the sound of church bells in the distance or the smell of your breakfast ready and waiting! 

You'll be able to have breakfast at leisure, and begin any of the day outings at reasonable times but if you're an early riser there is an espresso machine in your room (with great coffee!) or plenty of options at the 24-hour self-serve station by reception. 

ELECTRICAL OUTLETS

The European plug, known as a "type C" and "type F" plug, is what you'll find everywhere on this trip. The voltage is 230V with 50 Hz frequency. These days, the majority of items that are plugged into an outlet are built to handle varying voltage and frequency levels, but just to be sure, we suggest checking your item for its acceptable range.

There's also a USB port on your stateroom's bedside table/headboard for convenient charging too! 

What's included? • Full board, with custom menu curated by Chef Todd Erickson • Free-flow beverages (Coffee, tea, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and house-brand spirits) • Welcome & farewell cocktail receptions • At least 3 Detours trip leaders plus up to 50 ship crew members • Unlimited Wi-Fi • Complimentary use of ship's e-bikes • Shipboard staff gratuities ($15 per person, per night) • Onboard entertainment - Pianist/vocalist, pre-dinner, and afternoon sailings/DJ (nightly, post-dinner)/Regional drag performer (1 show) • Morning stretching and yoga sessions daily • Multiple shore excursions including transport and 3 guided tours • Daily housekeeping and turndown service • Roundtrip airport transfers (arrival Amsterdam, departure Brussels) • Snacks and coffee served throughout the day at The Bistro including late-night snacks until 1:00am • Fitness and wellness center • 

What isn't included? • Port charges of 299 USD per person • Optional massage treatments onboard • Onboard laundry and pressing service • International airfare to/from start/end of trip • Activities outside of the those listed above 

Additional spending budget?  During our excursions ashore, you might want to bring some spending money for shopping, food & beverages, depending how much you like to sample local cuisine, or how much you enjoy your souvenirs.

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Trip Reviews

Barry L. - USA

April 16, 2024

I just got back from two weeks in Portugal and Morocco with Detours Travel. It was my second Detours trip (the first was Spain). This is such a great tour company and the trip leaders are great. This time around the trip leader was Ollie. He was patient, incredibly organized, super helpful and took us every night to experience the nightlife. I'm already looking forward to going with Detours next summer to Scandinavia. They make travel so much better!

JJ H. - USA

July 3, 2024

What can I say? After about half a dozen trips with Detours, we are ready to book the next, again. They have amazing tour guides, amazing help both pre and post booking and an amazing concept that just works. I have booked as a singe split traveler and then as a couple and loved every single trip I have done. I have zero hesitation highly recommending them, just do it.

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