Arrive at the airport for your flight to Amsterdam or take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Brussels, where you change trains and continue to Amsterdam. On arrival, transfer by coach to your five-star cruise ship. The friendly crew welcomes you to your spacious and superbly furnished accommodation – you’ll feel immediately at home on your first-class floating hotel. The ship remains here overnight, so watch dusk descend over Amsterdam as you enjoy your first dinner on board.
2022 Departures - This morning awake to the colourful canalside of Amsterdam as you enjoy a delicious breakfast on board. Today you can choose to visit the fabulous Floriade Expo in Almere for the morning only or spend the full day there. The Floriade Expo, the World Fair of horticultural shows, is the largest public event in the Netherlands. This magnificent exhibition, which takes place only once every 10 years, from April to October is described as ‘the greenest day out’, and truly a feast for the senses. Wander the park enjoying the scent and colour of a whole spectrum of stunning flowers, fascinating plants, fruit and vegetables from around the globe. With forty inspirational presentations, a spectacular greenhouse complex, a cable car over the park, pavilions with sustainable innovations and a vibrant arts and culture programme, there’s something for everyone to enjoy – no matter how green-fingered you are! For those opting to return to Amsterdam for the afternoon you might opt for a relaxing cruise or if art is your passion, then no visit would be complete without experiencing the vast collection of masterpieces housed in the extraordinary Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum. Alternatively, head to the vibrant Jordaan district, crammed with independent galleries, quirky shops and fashionable cafés from where you can linger over a refreshing locally-brewed beer and watch the Amsterdammers skilfully dodging each other on their high-handlebarred cycles. Step back in time with a thought-provoking visit to Anne Frank’s house or enjoy bargain-hunting in the bustling Waterlooplein flea market, the largest in Europe. Feeling peckish? If raw herring, a Dutch delicacy often accompanied by gherkins and diced onions, from a traditional haringhandel (herring stand) doesn’t appeal, perhaps opt for a plate of mouth-watering poffertjes, mini pancakes dusted with sugar. 2023 departures - We embark on a charming glass-topped canal cruiser to begin exploring this beautiful city. With a network of 165 17th-century canals radiating from the city centre, taking to the water really is the best way to immerse yourself in Amsterdam’s history and culture. As you drift between the cobbled streets, fringed with tall, narrow merchants’ houses, past characterful houseboats and interesting bridges, your guide imparts a wealth of knowledge about life, past and present in this unique city, once home to the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt and the legendary Anne Frank, who wrote her diaries whilst in hiding during the Nazi occupation. This afternoon our ship remains moored, so you can wander the cobbled canal paths at your leisure.
The five-star MS George Eliot – named after one of the leading English novelists of the 19th century – is 110 metres of fine Swiss engineering and craftsmanship. As with all Riviera Travel cruise ships, MS George Eliot was built to the highest specifications and strict safety regulations by Scylla AG, world-renowned builders of the most modern cruisers in Europe.
Guests are welcomed in the elegant lobby with its gleaming marble floor, well-lit by sophisticated lighting. Thoughtful design is on tasteful display throughout the ship – sustainable hardwood furniture, intricate wrought-iron work, and polished copper and brass are beautifully complemented by soft leather and sumptuous Italian fabrics.
MS George Eliot offers the convivial ambience and personal service of a luxury boutique hotel. With 36 staff serving just 132 guests, the experience is far more intimate and enjoyable.
There are 70 luxuriously appointed suites and cabins, which all feature an en-suite bathroom with shower, individually controlled air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, hairdryer, safe, minibar, telephone and facilities for making tea and coffee. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship.
For information about life on board our European river cruise ships, click here.