Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium

The Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium is a 7-night Europe cruise aboard Avalon Artistry II, operated by Avalon Waterways. Departing Amsterdam on September 3, 2026, the voyage visits 6 ports. Fares start from $6,629 per person.

Length: 7 nights
Departs: Sep 3, 2026
Returns: Sep 10, 2026
Ports of call: 6

from $6,629

$947 / night per person, incl. taxes & fees

Book with CruiseDirect Book direct with Avalon Waterways

We may earn a commission

from $6,629 pp

via CruiseDirect

Book

Book direct with Avalon Waterways we may earn a commission

Itinerary

Day 1 Sep 3, 2026 Amsterdam Few can resist the grand beauty of Amsterdam’s famous canals, which thread through this place of evocative beauty and thrilling contrast. Open-minded and tolerant, Amsterdam is a place for history buffs and hedonists alike, and its diverse neighbourhoods have something for everyone - whether it’s the beachside relaxation of Bloemendaal, nocturnal thuds of Buiksloterham, or characterful charm of Jordaan. 160 serene canals serve as the arteries of this city, imbuing it with its unique essence. Cruise along concentric waterways, past cherry red and oak-wood cladded houseboats, as you learn of its Golden Age history. Culture is also deep in Amsterdam’s DNA, and the Van Gogh Museum – which pays tribute to the tortured genius of the Dutch post-impressionist artist - stands out among its leading museums and galleries. One of history’s greatest tragedies is also rendered in heart-breaking clarity at Anne Frank House. Visit the site where the precocious teenager hid from the Nazi regime for so long, and the room where she penned the most famous diary ever written. Compact and easily walkable, Amsterdam remains consistently postcard-perfect as you watch bright bicycles trundling over ornate bridges, and stumble across hidden, tulip-decorated courtyards. ‘Gezellig’ is the local word for Amsterdam’s unhurried outlook on life. No translation can quite do the concept justice, but you’ll recognise it instinctively as hours float by in a happy haze browsing De Negen Straatjes street’s independent shops, or as you sip coffee with gooey stroopwafel. Broodje haring - a raw herring sandwich - is Amsterdam’s must-try delicacy, but many visitors find tompouce, a delicious pastry topped with vivid pink icing, a little more to their taste. Amsterdam port guide Search cruises visiting Amsterdam

Amsterdam photo — Day 1 Sep 3, 2026 Amsterdam Few can resist the grand beauty of Amsterdam’s famous canals, which thread through this place of evocative beauty and thrilling contrast. Open-minded and tolerant, Amsterdam is a place for history buffs and hedonists alike, and its diverse neighbourhoods have something for everyone - whether it’s the beachside relaxation of Bloemendaal, nocturnal thuds of Buiksloterham, or characterful charm of Jordaan. 160 serene canals serve as the arteries of this city, imbuing it with its unique essence. Cruise along concentric waterways, past cherry red and oak-wood cladded houseboats, as you learn of its Golden Age history. Culture is also deep in Amsterdam’s DNA, and the Van Gogh Museum – which pays tribute to the tortured genius of the Dutch post-impressionist artist - stands out among its leading museums and galleries. One of history’s greatest tragedies is also rendered in heart-breaking clarity at Anne Frank House. Visit the site where the precocious teenager hid from the Nazi regime for so long, and the room where she penned the most famous diary ever written. Compact and easily walkable, Amsterdam remains consistently postcard-perfect as you watch bright bicycles trundling over ornate bridges, and stumble across hidden, tulip-decorated courtyards. ‘Gezellig’ is the local word for Amsterdam’s unhurried outlook on life. No translation can quite do the concept justice, but you’ll recognise it instinctively as hours float by in a happy haze browsing De Negen Straatjes street’s independent shops, or as you sip coffee with gooey stroopwafel. Broodje haring - a raw herring sandwich - is Amsterdam’s must-try delicacy, but many visitors find tompouce, a delicious pastry topped with vivid pink icing, a little more to their taste. Amsterdam port guide Search cruises visiting Amsterdam

Day 4 Sep 6, 2026 Brussels The Belgian capital offers its visitors a wealth of contrasts. That’s partly due to it having long been a city of immigrants – from other EU countries as well as from Morocco, Turkey and central Africa. Over the years, these newcomers have all brought their ideas and customs with them, creating a real melting pot of cultures. But the city itself is also full of contrasts: splendid historical buildings stand alongside new constructions, the traditional lower town differs from the elegant upper town, and great museums meet experimental crossover projects at abandoned factory premises. Cities don’t get much more exciting than this. Brussels port guide Search cruises visiting Brussels

Brussels photo — Day 4 Sep 6, 2026 Brussels The Belgian capital offers its visitors a wealth of contrasts. That’s partly due to it having long been a city of immigrants – from other EU countries as well as from Morocco, Turkey and central Africa. Over the years, these newcomers have all brought their ideas and customs with them, creating a real melting pot of cultures. But the city itself is also full of contrasts: splendid historical buildings stand alongside new constructions, the traditional lower town differs from the elegant upper town, and great museums meet experimental crossover projects at abandoned factory premises. Cities don’t get much more exciting than this. Brussels port guide Search cruises visiting Brussels

Day 5 Sep 7, 2026 Antwerp Antwerp is a stylish and sophisticated city filled with monumental reminders of its prosperous medieval and Renaissance past, currently reinventing itself as an exciting contemporary city. Long a major diamond center, it is now making a name as an important player on the world fashion scene. Belgium has the highest density of Michelin star restaurants in Europe, and Antwerp has become a hot spot for foodies. Numerous urban renewal projects are underway, especially in the arts, including MAS, a new museum of the city and a spectacular architectural achievement, and MoMu, a trendy fashion museum. Antwerp port guide Search cruises visiting Antwerp

Antwerp photo — Day 5 Sep 7, 2026 Antwerp Antwerp is a stylish and sophisticated city filled with monumental reminders of its prosperous medieval and Renaissance past, currently reinventing itself as an exciting contemporary city. Long a major diamond center, it is now making a name as an important player on the world fashion scene. Belgium has the highest density of Michelin star restaurants in Europe, and Antwerp has become a hot spot for foodies. Numerous urban renewal projects are underway, especially in the arts, including MAS, a new museum of the city and a spectacular architectural achievement, and MoMu, a trendy fashion museum. Antwerp port guide Search cruises visiting Antwerp

Day 6 Sep 8, 2026 Rotterdam Your MSC cruise will lay anchor in the largest port in the world, Rotterdam, is a no-nonsense working-class city lying at the heart of a maze of rivers and artificial waterways that together form the outlet of the rivers Rijn (Rhine) and Maas (Meuse). After devastating damage during World War II, Rotterdam has grown into a vibrant, forceful city dotted with first division cultural attractions. Your MSC cruise of Northern Europe will give you the opportunity to see that the immense land reclamation work hasn’t obliterated its earthy character though: its tough grittiness is part of its appeal, as are its boisterous bars and clubs. Amongst the most interesting attractions to enjoy during your vacation in Holland, is Rotterdam’s Kunsthal, the museum of contemporary art, and the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum, which has an outstanding art collection including representative works from almost all the most important Dutch painters: both are in the city’s designated culture zone, the Museumpark. Other interesting sites to visit on an MSC excursion are the Oude Haven, the city’s oldest harbour, ravaged during World War II but sympathetically redeveloped, and Delfs haven, an antique harbour that managed to survive the bombs pretty much intact. Rotterdam also boasts a string of first-rate festivals, including the much-lauded North Sea Jazz Festival and the colourful Summer Carnival. The postwar period saw the rapid reconstruction of the docks and, when huge container ships and oil tankers made the existing port facilities obsolete, Rotterdammers promptly built an entirely new deep-sea port, the Europoort, jutting out into the North Sea some 25 km to the west of the old town. Completed in 1968, the Europoort is able to welcome the largest ships in the world, amongst which also the MSC cruise ships. Rotterdam port guide Search cruises visiting Rotterdam

Rotterdam photo — Day 6 Sep 8, 2026 Rotterdam Your MSC cruise will lay anchor in the largest port in the world, Rotterdam, is a no-nonsense working-class city lying at the heart of a maze of rivers and artificial waterways that together form the outlet of the rivers Rijn (Rhine) and Maas (Meuse). After devastating damage during World War II, Rotterdam has grown into a vibrant, forceful city dotted with first division cultural attractions. Your MSC cruise of Northern Europe will give you the opportunity to see that the immense land reclamation work hasn’t obliterated its earthy character though: its tough grittiness is part of its appeal, as are its boisterous bars and clubs. Amongst the most interesting attractions to enjoy during your vacation in Holland, is Rotterdam’s Kunsthal, the museum of contemporary art, and the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum, which has an outstanding art collection including representative works from almost all the most important Dutch painters: both are in the city’s designated culture zone, the Museumpark. Other interesting sites to visit on an MSC excursion are the Oude Haven, the city’s oldest harbour, ravaged during World War II but sympathetically redeveloped, and Delfs haven, an antique harbour that managed to survive the bombs pretty much intact. Rotterdam also boasts a string of first-rate festivals, including the much-lauded North Sea Jazz Festival and the colourful Summer Carnival. The postwar period saw the rapid reconstruction of the docks and, when huge container ships and oil tankers made the existing port facilities obsolete, Rotterdammers promptly built an entirely new deep-sea port, the Europoort, jutting out into the North Sea some 25 km to the west of the old town. Completed in 1968, the Europoort is able to welcome the largest ships in the world, amongst which also the MSC cruise ships. Rotterdam port guide Search cruises visiting Rotterdam

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 64-day span: $6,629 · range $6,629–$6,729

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

Not available

Oceanview

Not available

Balcony

Not available

Suite

from $6,629

$947 / night

Fare rows

Panorama Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,629

$947 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Panorama Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,729

$961 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Panorama Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,779

$968 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 22, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Avalon Waterways and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Price history

7 days

○ = last available date (sold out, or no longer listed).

Cabin grades

Suite

Lowest Suite $6,629 A Panorama Suite $6,729 B Panorama Suite $6,629 P Panorama Suite $6,779

Lines step between recorded price changes. Plot up to 6 lines at once.

Show all 11 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Deluxe Stateroom	D	Oceanview
Deluxe Stateroom	DS	Oceanview
Deluxe Stateroom	E	Oceanview
Panorama Suite	A	Suite
Panorama Suite	B	Suite
Corner Suite	CS	Suite
Owner’s Suite	OS	Suite
Panorama Suite	P	Suite
Royal Suite	RS	Suite
Royal Suite	S	Suite
Upper Suite	US	Suite

Ship

Your ship Avalon Artistry II 5★ **2,022** GT **130** guests Built **2013** Part of Avalon's award-winning fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon Artistry II features two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that transform the living space into river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, affording you the incomparable opportunity to wake each morning to splendid passing scenery from your window-facing bed. Stretch out on your Comfort Collection bed and cruise with the world at your feet. Onboard amenities include an alternative light dining option in the Panorama Bistro, a Fitness Center, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, and light al fresco lunches at the Sky Bistro on the Sky Deck. A true work of art in relaxed luxury on board and amazing adventures on shore! Avalon Artistry II ship guide Search cruises on Avalon Artistry II

Similar cruises

Other sailing dates

Same itinerary, different dates. Prices per person · incl. taxes & fees.

View	From pp	Departs
	from $8,029 $1,147 / night	Jul 25, 2026Voyage WAD
	from $4,951 $707 / night	May 8, 2027Voyage WAD
	from $4,951 $707 / night	May 29, 2027Voyage WAD

Compare similar cruises

Best of Holland & Belgium

AmaStella · Europe · 7 nights

from $3,949

$564 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Jun 27, 2026

Waterways Of The North

VIVA RUBY · Europe · 7 nights

from $2,995

$427 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Jun 24, 2026

River Gems Of The Lower-Countries

VIVA RUBY · Europe · 7 nights

from $2,675

$382 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Jun 26, 2026

Northern Rhine Experience 2026

A-ROSA BRAVA · Europe · 7 nights

Call for price

per person · incl. taxes

Jun 28, 2026

Rhine Experience Amsterdam & Rotterdam 2026

A-ROSA SENA · Europe · 7 nights

Call for price

per person · incl. taxes

Jun 27, 2026

Romantic Rhine (northbound)

Avalon Artistry II · Europe · 7 nights

from $6,229

$889 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Jun 27, 2026

Browse all cruises in search →

from $6,629 pp

via CruiseDirect

Book

Book direct with Avalon Waterways we may earn a commission