Secret Netherlands
Flights from London→Rotterdam → Gouda → Enkhuizen → Harlingen → Leeuwarden → Lemmer → Hoorn → Utrecht → Dordrecht → Kinderdijk → Rotterdam→Return to London
Organised by Noble Caledonia.
From
from £4495
per person
Overview
An exploration of the Netherlands aboard the MS River Crown with Guest Speaker Dr Sophie Oosterwijk
Join the MS Royal Crown in Rotterdam and discover the rural tranquillity of the Netherlands during this new and unique nine-night journey curated by Noble Caledonia. From celebrated cities to lesser-known havens along the Ijsselmeer and Wadden Sea, guests will learn of the rich culture and fascinating history of the region, visit picturesque and prosperous merchant towns, cruise through scenic landscapes, and encounter highlights of the region's glorious maritime past. This is true Holland as the native Dutch would describe it.
Travelling in comfort aboard the elegant, 100-passenger MS River Crown, guests will glide effortlessly through the waterways of the Netherlands, discovering somewhere new each day. Highlights of the Noble Caledonia journey include Gouda, the country's culinary capital, the picturesque town of Enkhuizen, beautiful Harlingen—one of the oldest seaports in the Netherlands—the unique communities of the Zuiderzee, including the island village of Marken, and the marvellous windmills of Kinderdijk. Guests will wander medieval streets lined with Renaissance facades, admire Gothic churches illuminated by centuries-old stained glass, and encounter remarkable feats of engineering that continue to protect and define the Dutch landscape. There will be much of the natural world to occupy travellers too, including a visit to a stud to see the famed Frisian Horses, an excursion to the De Weerribben-Wieden National Park, and the wonderfully colourful botanical gardens at Fort Hoofddijk in Utrecht. Guests will also experience local traditions and regional specialities, from world-famous cheeses and ceramics to the enduring legacy of maritime heritage and hydraulic mastery.
Highlights
- Enjoy a seamless experience starting with a warm welcome and dinner aboard the MS River Crown in Rotterdam.
- Experience a guided tour of Gouda featuring the 15th-century town hall, iconic Sint Janskirk, and tastings of local cheese and Stroopwafel.
- Discover the cultural heritage of the Zuiderzee region at the fascinating Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen.
- Explore the historic merchant houses of Harlingen and the National Ceramics Museum housed in the 18th-century Princesshof Palace in Leeuwarden.
- Choose between a visit to the world’s oldest working planetarium in Franeker or an exclusive look at the famed Frisian Horse stud farm.
- Witness the engineering marvel of the Woudagemaal Steam Pumping Station or enjoy a nature-filled boat excursion through De Weerribben-Wieden National Park.
- Visit the historic trading port of Hoorn, followed by a scenic tour of Edam and the unique stilted village of Marken.
- Explore the Medieval heart of Utrecht and admire thousands of global plant species at the renowned Botanical Gardens at Fort Hoofddijk.
- See the UNESCO-listed windmills of Kinderdijk both on foot and via a relaxing cruise through the Dutch waterways.
- Conclude your journey in historic Dordrecht with a farewell dinner before your return transfer to the airport.
Explore further
Itinerary
- 1
Day 1 London to Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Fly by scheduled flight to Amsterdam. On arrival transfer to the MS River Crown in Rotterdam and embark. Enjoy welcome drinks on dinner on board this evening.
- 2
Day 2 Gouda.
Explore charming Gouda, one of the culinary capitals of the Netherlands. The city has a long history and boasts many Medieval and Renaissance buildings in the historic centre. During our guided walking tour we will see the 15th century town hall, the marvellous Gothic architecture and stained-glass windows of Sint Janskirk and the Medieval market squares. Of course, no visit to Gouda is complete without a sample of its namesake cheese, or for those with a sweet tooth, the city is also credited with the invention of the Dutch Stroopwafel. Return to the MS River Crown for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure.
- 3
Day 3 Enkhuizen.
Overnight we will enter the Ijsselmeer, the largest freshwater lake in the Netherlands, separated from the North Sea by a man-made dyke. Moor in Enkhuizen this morning, with its well-preserved buildings dating from the 15th to 17th century, and one of the largest marinas in the Netherlands. After breakfast we will visit the fascinating Zuiderzee Museum which is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage and maritime history from the old Zuiderzee region. Here, lovingly preserved buildings display the traditional vocations and lifestyle of the inhabitants of the Zuiderzee. Learn the history of this interesting region, and its reliance on waterworks and shipping. After lunch on board, you can enjoy a leisurely afternoon to explore Enkhuizen independently.
- 4
Day 4 Harlingen & Leeuwarden.
This morning, we will explore beautiful Harlingen, one of the oldest seaports of the Netherlands, overlooking the Wadden Sea. During our walking tour we will discover this city full of merchant houses, inner harbours, bridges and canals and visit the Hannemahuis Museum, one of the oldest merchant houses in Harlingen which is now a museum dedicated to the history of the city. After lunch on board we will visit nearby Leeuwarden, the provincial capital of Friesland and home to a wealth of history and beauty. Stroll through the city streets exploring the merchant quarters and old city centre before visiting the National Ceramics Museum. Located in the 18th century Princesshof Palace, the museum contains an extensive collection of both Dutch and Global ceramics. Return to the MS River Crown for dinner and remain moored in Harlingen overnight.
- 5
Day 5 Harlingen.
Today, there will be a choice of tours. Take a short trip from Harlingen to the nearby town of Franeker to visit the Eise Eisinga Planetarium, the oldest working planetarium in the world. See exhibits on astronomy through the ages, and the marvellous original instruments used by Eise Eisinga to chart the movements of the cosmos. Following the visit we will take a walk through the charming town of Franeker before returning to the ship for lunch. Alternatively join a tour to a nearby stud farm to see the famed Frisian Horses. This majestic breed of horse is a joy to behold and has been highly valued since Roman times. During our visit we will learn about the history, breeding and culture of this distinctive purebred. Return to the ship in Harlingen and enjoy a relaxing evening sailing through the Wadden Sea and Ijsselmeer.
- 6
Day 6 Lemmer.
This morning, we set off for nearby Woudagemaal to see the Steam Pumping Station. It is exceptional as the largest and most powerful steam-driven installation for hydraulic purposes ever built and is a masterpiece of the work of Dutch hydraulic engineers and architects. Alternatively, for those who would prefer a tour with a focus on nature, there will be an excursion to the nearby De Weerribben-Wieden National Park. On arrival enjoy a guided boat trip of this beautiful wetland region. Shaped by peat extraction from the 15th century, today the area covers 6000 hectares of nature, including reed beds, meadows and dense swamp forests.
- 7
Day 7 Hoorn.
Arrive this morning in the attractive town of Hoorn, which flourished as a trading port through the 16th and 17th centuries as a base for the Dutch East India Company. See richly appointed merchants' houses, bustling market squares, and historic buildings including the weighing house. After lunch on board we will head down the coast to visit some of the unique communities of the Zuiderzee. Visit the town of Edam, known for its quaint houses and canals spanned by drawbridges. Admire the wonderful facades, before continuing to the island village of Marken which was separated from the mainland of the Netherlands following a storm in the 13th century and continued to flood throughout the subsequent centuries. As a result, the houses here are built on stilts and raised mounds and the village has a unique feel.
- 8
Day 8 Utrecht.
We will explore Utrecht today, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. The Medieval centre of this famous university town is ringed by tranquil canals and offers an enticing blend of shops, museums and a lively café culture. This morning, we will visit Utrecht's Botanical Gardens at Fort Hoofddijk, a unique natural treasure consisting of thousands of plant species. The colourful displays contain specimens from around the world in a variety of biomes. Return to the ship for lunch followed by an afternoon at leisure in this pretty town.
- 9
Day 9 Dordrecht & Kinderdijk.
We dock this morning in historic Dordrecht, the oldest city in the province of Holland. During our guided tour we will see the nearby marvellous Windmills of Kinderdijk, of which there are 19 in total, dating from 1740. We will then continue with a cruise around the waterways of Kinderdijk and see these quintessential symbols of the Netherlands from the water. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to explore Dordrecht with its old-world atmosphere, quaint shops, cottages and canals. Enjoy our farewell dinner on board, as we sail towards Rotterdam this evening.
- 10
Day 10 Rotterdam to London.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Amsterdam airport for your scheduled flight to London.
Meet your Experts
A distinguished team of guest lecturers, expedition leaders and specialist hosts will be travelling with you on selected departures — enriching your voyage with their insight, expertise and company.
Dr Sophie Oosterwijk
Sophie was born in Gouda (Netherlands) and studied English at Leiden and Medieval Studies at York; she has two doctorates in Art History (Leicester) and English Literature (Leiden). She is a recognised specialist in European art, especially of the medieval and baroque periods, and previously taught art history at the Universities of Leicester, Manchester and St Andrews.
The Ship
River Crown
We are delighted to have chartered the elegant 100-passenger MS River Crown, a spacious and well-designed vessel which was built in 2008 and underwent a comprehensive upgrade in 2026. The vessel offers the luxury of space and the public areas feature panoramic windows providing marvellous views of the passing landscapes. The atmosphere on board is friendly and informal and within days you will have made new friends in the open-seating restaurant, on the shore excursions or whilst relaxing in the comfortable public areas. You will find yourself amongst like-minded people in an English-speaking environment and for those who seek peace and quiet, there will always be the opportunity to find a secluded spot on the Sun Deck, in one of the relaxing public areas or to simply rest in your well-appointed cabin. The friendly onboard crew will provide you with excellent service and do much to contribute to your enjoyment. After a day exploring ashore, you will return to the comfort and peace of a well-run and exceedingly comfortable vessel.
Deck plan
Life aboard River Crown
The MS River Crown is an elegant, 100-passenger vessel offering a friendly, informal atmosphere with an English-speaking environment. With spacious public areas and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, it is perfectly designed for those who appreciate scenic river cruising in comfort.
Quick facts
Passengers
100
Year Built
2008
Refurbished
2026
Length
135 metres
Suites
Accommodations range from standard single cabins to spacious Queen Suites, all featuring en-suite bathrooms and individually controlled air-conditioning. Premium and Deluxe categories offer additional space, while higher-tier cabins benefit from French balconies or private seating areas.
- •Standard Single Cabins (12m²) on Main Deck feature single beds and non-opening portholes.
- •Premium Cabins (15.5m²) feature French balconies and beds configurable as twin or double.
- •Deluxe Cabins (22m²) include a fixed double bed, seating area, and marble bathroom.
- •Queen Suites (30m²) offer both French and private balconies, living area, and bathroom with bath and shower.
- •All cabins include TV, safe, hairdryer, mini-bar, and telephone.
Life on board
The vessel features an elegant lounge and bar, a library, and The Club for quiet relaxation. The expansive Sun Deck provides a putting green, giant chess board, and loungers for enjoying the passing landscape.
- •Wellness area includes a gym, sauna, Jacuzzi, and hairdresser.
- •Sun Deck may close during low bridge transit or evening hours.
- •A lift services the Upper and Middle decks.
- •Complimentary Wi-Fi is available, though service may be intermittent in rural areas.
- •24-hour tea and coffee available in the Atrium Lobby.
Dining
Dining is provided in an open-seating restaurant with floor-to-ceiling views. The culinary programme includes buffet-style breakfasts and lunches, followed by a served four-course dinner.
- •Complimentary house wine, beer, and soft drinks included at lunch and dinner.
- •Early riser tea, coffee, and pastries available from 06:30.
- •Afternoon tea with cakes and late-evening snacks served in the lounge.
- •Dietary requirements should be notified to Reservations; some requests may not be guaranteed.
Practical information
The ship operates a cash-free system, with all onboard accounts settled in Euros at the end of the cruise. Gratuities are included in the holiday price, and the atmosphere remains smart-casual throughout the voyage.
- •Smoking is strictly prohibited except in designated Sun Deck areas.
- •Dress code is comfortable and casual by day, smart-casual for evenings.
- •Voltage is 220V with European-style two-pin sockets.
- •Laundry service is available; dry cleaning is not provided.
- •Emergency alarms and safety procedures are detailed on cabin doors.
Ship information may be subject to operational change. Please contact us for the latest details before booking.
Departures & pricing
Prices per person based on double occupancy
| 30 May to 8 June 2027 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| Premium with French Balcony Middle Deck | £4995 | £4495 |
| Premium with French Balcony Upper Deck | £5295 | £4795 |
| Deluxe with French Balcony Middle Deck | £5795 | £5295 |
| Deluxe with French Balcony Upper Deck | £5995 | £5495 |
| Queen Suite with Balcony Upper Deck | £6795 | £6295 |
| Standard Single with porthole | £4995 | £4495 |
| Premium with French Balcony Middle Deck for sole use | £5795 | £5295 |
Tour Reference Code: RCRC300527
PRICE INCLUDES:
• Economy class scheduled air travel • Nine nights aboard the MS River Crown on a full board basis • House wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Gratuities • Transfers • Port & airport taxes
Not Included:
- Travel insurance.
Please note that availability and prices shown on our website are not updated in real time and may change. For the latest availability and pricing, please call 0800 678 3787