AmaWaterways
Tulip Time
Dutch & Belgian waterways
A spring itinerary built around the Netherlands and Belgium, with local touring and garden-season scenery.
The same personal service. A different season.
River cruises beyond Christmas.
Spring gardens. Summer castles. Autumn wine. A New Year's toast. Explore another side of Europe's rivers with the Vacation Planning Company team.
Explore the seasonsStart with the experience
Which season feels like your trip?
These published itinerary ideas give you something concrete to compare. We check the departure, cabin, full cost and current offers before recommending a booking.
Spring departures
Spring & tulip season
Trade the Christmas lights for Dutch canals, Belgian towns and spring gardens. Holland and Belgium are a natural place to start when flowers are part of the dream.
Consider it for: Gardens, canals and a fresh view of the Netherlands and Belgium.
Read the planning guide Help me compare spring sailingsItinerary ideas to explore
Avalon
Tulip Time Cruise for Garden & Nature Lovers
Amsterdam round trip · Netherlands & Belgium
A published 2027 itinerary with garden-focused programming and a Keukenhof visit. Compare the actual departure and cabin before choosing.
Before choosing: Choose the departure around the garden visits you care about. Bloom timing and garden opening dates vary; a spring cruise is not a guarantee of peak tulips.
Summer departures
Summer on Europe's rivers
Choose castles and wine towns on the Rhine, or put French food and riverside towns at the center of the trip. Start with the places you want to see, then compare the ship and time ashore.
Consider it for: A classic first river cruise, a longer Europe trip or time exploring outdoors.
Read the planning guide Help me compare summer sailingsItinerary ideas to explore
Viking
Rhine Getaway
Amsterdam–Basel or reverse
Viking's published 2027 route connects Dutch waterways, Cologne, the Middle Rhine and Alsace. A useful starting point for a first Rhine trip.
AmaWaterways
Colors of Provence
Lyon–Arles or reverse · Rhône
A French alternative to the Rhine: compare the Rhône's towns, regional food and itinerary with the Germany-and-Alsace route.
Before choosing: Ask about walking conditions, heat, air conditioning and the sailing schedule. Water levels can change an itinerary in any season.
Autumn departures; wine themes also run in other seasons
Autumn & wine cruises
Make the wine region part of the decision. A themed sailing can add a wine host, tastings and discussions to the river itinerary; the program depends on the departure.
Consider it for: Wine lovers, regional food and a trip built around a particular interest.
Read the planning guide Help me compare autumn sailingsItinerary ideas to explore
Avalon
Romantic Rhine for Wine Lovers
The Rhine through the Netherlands, Germany, France & Switzerland
Avalon's wine-focused Rhine program pairs the route with expert-led wine programming. Selected packages add time in Switzerland.
AmaWaterways
Colors of Provence · wine-themed departures
Lyon–Arles or reverse · Rhône
Selected departures are labeled Celebration of Wine. Ask us to compare one of those sailings with the regular itinerary and other wine regions.
Before choosing: A vineyard itinerary is not automatically a hosted wine cruise. Check the theme, host, included tastings and actual departure dates; harvest timing varies.
Late December into the New Year
Christmas week & New Year
Stay with the festive season, but make the onboard celebration the focus. A New Year's sailing is a different choice from a cruise built around open Christmas markets.
Consider it for: A holiday dinner, a midnight toast and celebrating away from home.
Read the planning guide Help me compare holiday sailingsItinerary ideas to explore
AmaWaterways
Holiday Season & New Year's Celebration cruises
Selected European itineraries
Ama publishes distinct Christmas Day and New Year's celebration programs. Choose the actual departure that includes the celebration you want.
Before choosing: Many Christmas markets close before or on Christmas Eve. Check each city's calendar if open stalls matter to you, and confirm the ship's holiday program.
Published itinerary references checked October 26, 2026. A listing here is an idea to explore, not confirmation of current cabin availability.
Choose the line as well as the season.
Compare included tours, drinks, gratuities and the ship before comparing the headline fare.
Ama, Viking, Avalon & Scenic: the detailsStill dreaming of Christmas markets?
That remains our specialty. Start with the Rhine and Danube guides, or compare the Christmas choices.