A-ROSA River Cruises - Rhine Discovery Amsterdam and Rotterdam 2023

Introduction DESIGNED TO CHANGE RIVER CRUISING FOR GOOD...

Join our brand new flagship vessel A-ROSA SENA for a voyage on the Rhine, Dutch, and Belgian waterways.

Featuring a host of never-before-seen firsts, A-ROSA SENA is the most climate-friendly ship on Europe’s rivers with a roll-call of eco-credentials including a hybrid-powered engine allowing her to sail in and out of port emissionfree and almost silently.

You can also expect a whole extra deck of fantastic public spaces, incredible cabins and a collection of superb dining, entertainment and wellness options. Discover the ultimate way to explore the vibrant and wonderful Northern Rhine.

PLEASE NOTE

There is no seating or dress code; flexible table times ensure a relaxed atmosphere among guests.

What's included

Return UK flights or rail

Return overseas transfers

7-night cruise on the brand new A-ROSA SENA on Premium

All-Inclusive basis:

Extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner: choose waiter-style service or take your pick from our gourmet buffet with live show cooking

Special welcome and farewell dinners

Savour regional specialties, afternoon tea and snacks

Sun deck BBQs and cooking demonstrations

Raise a glass with premium and local-branded drinks served around the clock: including specialty teas and coffees, soft drinks, beers, spirits, and a selection of wines, cocktails and mocktails

Highlight tour and dining experience

Discover like a local with tips from unique A-ROSA

Destination Scouts

Two cultural performances during your cruise

Nightly entertainment

Use of all on-board facilities including extra-large SPA-ROSA, sauna, swimming pool, relaxation room and gym plus a 15% discount on spa treatments

Services of an on-board cruise director

Little extras like FREE room service, Wi-Fi and luxury cabin amenities

bathrobes and slippers

Taste the destination

We’ll complement our delicious international dining with the very best authentic regional cuisine. Here’s a sample of what to expect...

THE MAIN EVENT

Krokante specklapjes en rookworst - pork belly with fried cabbage, a real warming Dutch speciality.

TRADITIONAL FLAVOURS

Dutch seafood chowder –perfectly poached fish and seafood in a rich sauce mopped up with fresh bread

SOMETHING SWEET

Crisp, golden waffles served with soured cream and deliciously tart cherry sauce

appetit!

Itinerary Day 1

TRAVEL TO COLOGNE AND EMBARK A-ROSA SENA DEPART 16.00

Fly to Cologne or travel by rail with Eurostar via Brussels and transfer to the A-ROSA SENA for your 7-night cruise.

The best views of Cologne are from the river. Your ship moors close to the old town with its narrow streets filled with traditional old houses, breweries, beer halls, cafes and shops. Explore ancient walls and medieval churches, a fantastic selection of quality museums and, the calling card of the city, its famous Gothic cathedral, dominating the skyline.

Day 2

AMSTERDAM ARRIVE 13.00

Enjoy a lie-in and a leisurely breakfast this morning before reaching Amsterdam just after lunch. From our central mooring point footsteps from the city’s main train station, you’ll find the charms of the ‘Venice of the North’ at your feet. Veer off from the main artery of the city, Damrak and find yourself in photogenic canal-lined neighbourhoods criss-crossed by beautiful bridges and bursting with charm.

Head over to the city’s Museum Quarter for a culture fix, take a wander through the infamous Red Light District or soak in the sights from a canal cruise – they’re particularly lovely in the evening when twinkling lights illuminate your route.

TOP TIP

Look out for our port times, when you're not discovering a new destination, you'll be soaking up the glorious views as you meander down the river.

UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE

As a special highlight of your cruise, we’ll treat you to an insightful tour followed by a fantastic local dinner on board – now there’s something to look forward to!

3

DEPART 23.00

Good morning, Amsterdam! You’ll have another full day to enjoy the city. One of the main joys of Amsterdam is finding yourself lost in its Canal Ring, the maze of streets which loop outwards from the city centre. Look up and enjoy the fancy facades of the Golden Age houses, many of them characterfully crooked.

You could choose to hire a bike today and explore the city as the Dutch do, or else take a stroll through the tulip-filled Flower Market, pick up a bargain at one of the many flea markets or spot animals from across the globe at the fantastic zoo. If this is your first visit, we strongly recommend a trip to the moving Anne Frank Huis, the house museum dedicated to the extraordinary story of Anne and her famous diary.

Day 4

ROTTERDAM ARRIVE 09.00

As the A-ROSA SENA switches to silent battery power, you will glide elegantly into Rotterdam with its impressive skyline and the striking Erasmusbrug bridge before you. Rotterdam is the centre of contemporary architecture, home to the famous cube houses and the Witte Huis, the first skyscraper in Europe.

It is easy to explore Rotterdam from the ship’s central mooring this afternoon and evening. Soak up the atmosphere in the vibrant waterfront area at the Old Harbour, the perfect place to enjoy a late afternoon or evening drink soaking up the laidback Dutch lifestyle.

Day 5

DORDRECHT

ARRIVE 09.00, DEPART 20.00

Sail this morning to historic Dordrecht, where you spend the day exploring the oldest city in Holland. Visit Grote Kerk church dating back to the 11th century, the fine art museum, and stroll through centuries-old packing houses and historic trading canals. You can choose to join us on an optional excursion to picture-perfect Willemstad from here. With a beautiful old harbour presided over by a stately windmill, the town sits in spectacular star-shaped fortifications making it one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands.

Day

ANTWERP, BELGIUM

ARRIVE 08.00, DEPART 17.00

A wonderful day ahead exploring Antwerp’s treasure trove of delights, from its medieval centre, Grote Markt, with cobbled lanes, to its treat-filled cafes, gift shops, and boutiques. Visit the riverside fortress Het Steen dating back to the 13th century and the magnificent baroque Cathedral of our Lady. Art lovers will enjoy time at Rubens House, or head to the diamond district to see what gives the city its famous sparkle.

We recommend a trip to the architecturally spectacular MAS Museum which offers panoramic views across the city from its perch on the city’s harbour. Ten floors of engaging exhibitions showcase the fascinating history of Antwerp from Golden Age to modern day – finish by raising a glass at the tenth floor bar with stunning 360-degree vistas.

Day 7

CRUISING ON THE STUNNING A-ROSA SENA

After a busy week of exploring, today is dedicated to more leisurely pursuits. You’ll have the opportunity to relax and enjoy A-ROSA SENA’s incredible line-up of facilities on this full day on the river.

Maybe start with an interactive fitness class in the gym, followed by a soak in the whirlpool. Or choose a few laps of the heated sun deck pool surrounded by ever-changing river scenery.

Find your favourite nook to enjoy a good book, laze on a lounger with a cocktail on hand or check what’s happening around the ship: there’ll be a programme of light activities and entertainment designed to complement your day.

One thing’s for sure, you’ll want to allocate plenty of time to dining – but will it be the cooked-before-your-eyes produce of A-ROSA MARKET or the mouth-watering steak and sushi dishes of SENA GRILL? Decisions, decisions…

Day 8COLOGNE, GERMANY

ARRIVE 06.00

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport or train station for your journey home. If you have a later flight or train (or want to include extra nights in Cologne), there is much to explore, including the chocolate museum, impressive botanical gardens and Cologne Cathedral.

INCLUDED IN YOUR CRUISE

Exclusive destination tour followed by a highlight dinner and drinks. During the cruise, you will also enjoy two on-board cultural experiences like live music performances or traditional dancing.

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS AND EXPERIENCES

Once you have booked, you can pre-register for the following optional excursions: (All pre-registered excursions are payable on board, subject to availability. Prices below are the current guide prices per person which may change depending on the exchange rate.)

DAY 2

COACH TOUR OF AMSTERDAM £49

Get to know all of Amsterdam’s quirky charms on a coach tour. Afterwards, wander the city centre and world-famous Flower Market at leisure.

AMSTERDAM ROYAL ZOO £39

Visit the Artis, Amsterdam's nearly 200-year-old zoo. This enchanting place is home to animals from across the globe.

EVENING CANAL TOUR £42 Glide through Amsterdam’s historic canals as the beautiful lights of the city reflect on the water.

DAY 3

ENCHANTING HAARLEM £55

Explore historic Haarlem – a town dating back to the 10th century.

DAY 4

ROTTERDAM – ARCHITECTURE AND INNOVATION £29

Discover the exciting blend of modern and historic architecture in Rotterdam.

DAY 5

CITY WALK THROUGH DORDRECHT £20

Get to know the oldest city in Holland and enjoy countless monuments, centuries-old packing houses and historic trading canals.

HISTORIC WILLEMSTAD £39

Visit this famous fortress town and learn about its strategic history.

DAY 6

TOUR OF ANTWERP £55

Get to know the oldest city in Holland and enjoy countless monuments, centuries-old packing houses and historic trading canals.

ANTWERP ZOO £59

Adventure awaits at one of the world’s oldest and most famous zoos.

Why choose A-ROSA River Cruises?

With over 20 years’ experience sailing Europe’s most beautiful waterways, A-ROSA River Cruises have crafted the art of uniquely relaxed and flexible journeys to spectacular cities, charming towns and awe-inspiring natural gems.

Expect the perfect balance of scenic sailing and longer days and overnight stays in port allowing you to immerse yourself in each of the expertly hand-picked destinations. On board your spacious and modern A-ROSA ship, the atmosphere is warm and cosmopolitan with an attentive crew and leisurely atmosphere which you’ll see in touches like the expansive gourmet buffet dining served without set times and table sizes.

There’s a great value Premium All-Inclusive package included on every cruise with an extensive drinks menu serving up everything from freshly-mixed cocktails to specialty coffees.

A-ROSA SENA

Launched in June 2022, A-ROSA SENA is the first of A-ROSA’s next generation river ships showcasing a spectacular design, host of fantastic dining and wellness options and a clutch of never-before-seen firsts on Europe’s rivers.

Designed with a part-battery power engine, you’ll join ‘the most climatefriendly ship on Europe’s rivers’ as you sail in and out of port emission-free and almost silently.

Take your pick from a choice of spacious cabins and suites all* complete with a private balcony, stylish interiors, en suite bathrooms, air conditioning and complimentary WiFi.

Taste your way around a collection of restaurants*, from the fresh flavours of buffetstyle A-ROSA MARKET and elegant surrounds of PAVILION to prime cuts and sushi bowls at SENA GRILL and spectacular views and live cooking at RIVERSIDE. The drinks scene is no less impressive: expect a chic main lounge surrounded by panoramic riverscapes, a dedicated winery, the UP & DOWN BAR on sun deck and wraparound vistas at al fresco CAPTAIN’S VIEW.

A-ROSA SENA’s spa is the largest of the fleet too. Here, you’ll find an indoor whirlpool, spacious sauna, ice grotto, heated benches and professional treatment rooms offering an indulgent selection of pampering. The gym features on-demand fitness tech and classes plus live sessions including yoga and Pilates. And, up on sun deck, finish your work out with a dip in one of two pools.

*All cabins feature a private balcony except Family Cabins. Additional charge for SENA GRILL.

If you plan to travel in springtime, a trip to Keukenhof ‘the most beautiful spring garden in the world’ is a must! Every year, more than seven million bulbs are planted in autumn to flower in spring with 800 varieties creating a spectacular rainbow of colours and smells. It’s open daily from the end of March to mid-May and you can visit easily by rail from Amsterdam.

Make it yours

Choose to add extra time in Cologne and make your holiday completely unique. We can tailor-make your entire experience with a fantastic choice of hotel stays before or after your cruise so you can enjoy our favourite destinations for a little longer.

PACKING TIPS

One of the most exciting things about a river cruise is the variety of destinations you’ll visit.

On board your ship, the dress code is relaxed which means you can enjoy the public areas and restaurants in the clothing you feel most comfortable in.

On shore, we recommend packing for a variety of weathers depending on the time of year you plan to travel.

Ensure you bring your favourite pair of walking shoes, trainers or sandals for discovering new cities, plus layers for cooler days and a rain jacket or coat too.

One thing you won’t want to forget – your camera.

Useful information

The on board currency is Euros. Tips are entirely discretionary. We're an international line, so expect a cosmopolitan feeling on board and announcements in both English and German.

We no longer require proof of vaccination or testing to join our ships. Our friendly team can help to advise on any local requirements or up-to-date Foreign Office advice.