A rainbow of colors glide past you on a springtime tulip cruise — hues of red, blues, purples, lavenders, golds and yellows, a contrast to the dreary shades of winter gray back home. A tulip cruise on some of Europe's rivers and waterways is the perfect way to welcome spring. Enjoy a kaleidoscope of colorful flower beds and the tranquil atmosphere of small river towns and quaint villages that give these river cruises a magical feel.

Luxury river cruise ships ply the rivers and canals of the Netherlands and Belgium. Tulip time cruises present an amazing opportunity to explore this vibrant area. A tulip cruise in the spring offers ribbons of color, history, culture and landscapes ablaze with rainbows of flowers spanning the horizon.

In addition to the beautiful flowers, a Dutch waterway cruise also offers visitors the chance to see the incredible works of art by the Dutch masters, inspiring history and a unique perspective into the local culture and customs.

Tulip cruises, typically offered between late March and early May, sail through the inland waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium and usually range from 7 to 9 days. Back to back cruises can also be combined to create a unique experience and offer additional insights into the history, culture, culinary delights and sights.

Often sailing roundtrip from Amsterdam, these cruises take you in luxury to such historic places as Hoorn, Arnhem, Kinderdijk, Middleburg, Rotterdam and Veere. Explore history-rich medieval cities, including Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. All the while, you enjoy the luxury of being pampered onboard, as you glide from one glorious place to another. A variety of shore excursions allow you to explore the various towns and villages and many cruises offer complimentary excursion in each port.

A Must for Garden Enthusiasts

Spring in Holland welcomes an abundance of beautiful colors and textures that dot the countryside. The jewel of any visit is the world renowned Keukenhof Gardens. In the spring, Kuekenhof comes alive with over 7 million flowers and over 100 varieties of tulips covering more than 70 acres. Each bulb is carefully planted by hand and the end results are breathtaking.

In addition to the incredible array of flowers, Keukenhof also boasts a beautiful sculpture garden, featuring over 150 pieces of work from more than 50 artists, making it the largest sculpture park in the Netherlands. A visit to this unique and inspiring garden is not to be missed.

Charming Windmills & Canals

For hundreds of years, windmills have played a role in Holland's history, as the Dutch harnessed the power of the wind to help dry the land. Like wooden clogs and tulips, windmills are synonymous with Holland, and are another beautiful sight on these cruises. About 19 of these Dutch icons still exist, dating back to the 17th century. The historic windmills of Kinderdijk are now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Dutch canals are equally famous and Amsterdam offers a number of scenic glass-topped boat tours. Amsterdam is often referred to as "Venice of the North" due to its many canals that divide the city into 90 small islands linked by thousands of lovely curved bridges. Here you can spend a delightful afternoon winding through these enchanting waterways taking in the city's architecture, admiring the lovely bridges and enjoying the pastime of people watching.

These popular boat tours include the Prinsengracht or Prince's Canal, the fourth and longest of Amsterdam's main canals, named after the Prince of Orange. Interesting sights along here include Noorderkerk (Northern Church), Noordermarket, Amsterdam's tallest church called Westerkerk or Western Church and the Anne Frank House.

Dutch and Belgian Highlights

River cruises in Holland also give you the opportunity to visit the region's many museums showcasing diverse exhibits ranging from the early works of the grand masters to the Dutch Resistance Movement. Throughout your journey you can explore history-rich towns and quaint villages, many dating back to medieval times. The beautiful architecture, cobblestone streets and open markets give a glimpse into what daily life may have been like.

Some of Amsterdam's must see museums include the 350-year-old neoclassical Royal Palace on Dam Square, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmsmuseum, the Anne Frank House and the Jewish Historical Museum. The Dutch Resistance Museum takes you back to the 1940s when the Dutch fought back against the Nazi occupation, housing fascinating artifacts, such as false identity documents and spy paraphernalia.

If you are looking for the perfect gift to bring home then head to Amsterdam's Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) district. These streets connect the city's four main canals and are a shopper's paradise filled with a variety of restaurants and cafés, jewelry stores, craft shops, art galleries and boutiques.

The second largest city in Belgium, Antwerp, was the capital of the diamond industry for hundreds of years and you can still watch gems being cut and polished at Diamondland. You can get a feel for the past as you stroll through the centuries-old cobbled streets of the Medieval Old Town and view the magnificent Renaissance architecture flanking the market square. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts houses one of the largest collections of paintings by Rubens, who was born here. The Antwerp Zoo, one of the oldest in the world, is an ideal choice for animal lovers.

A walking tour through the medieval village of Gent, (Ghent), presents beautiful gothic buildings and a lovely historic center. A must see here is the famous painting "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by brothers Jan and Hubert Van Eyck, in St. Bavo Cathedral.

Romantic Bruges (Brugge) is considered to be one of Europe's most beautiful towns. It still maintains its medieval appearance and is truly Belgium's crown jewel. Here you can take a boat trip along the lovely canals and explore the Grote Markt. One of its most famous landmarks is the 13th-century belfry, with a carillon of 48 bells. Shops offer for the beautiful lace that Bruges is famous for.

Chocoholics should head to the Bruges' Choco-Story Museum, to learn about this delicious treat, and get to sample mouth watering creations. Bruges is a true chocolate-lover's haven. Its many confectionery stores, bakeries and pastry shops can satisfy even the most discerning chocolate aficionado with a wide variety of decadent sweets.

Another stop for many Dutch Waterways cruises is the lovely medieval town of Edam. World famous for its namesake cheese, it is still very much a charming village, filled with petite romantic bridges and lots of local character. You can get a real feel for this place by strolling the old streets past quiet canals and authentic 17th century architecture. Many of the well preserved monuments, bridges, town squares and gables date back as early as 1530.

Arnhem, the site of one of World War II's most famous battles, features the Airborne Museum and the National Liberation Museum. The past will come to life here, with the historical displays, original film footage, lectures and much more that will enable you to experience the liberation of the Netherlands and the rest of Europe first hand.

The 310-foot-tall Euromast in Rotterdam offers incredible views of the city. The Cube Houses are known worldwide for their innovative design. Each of the houses represents a tree and all together, a forest.

Founded in 1100, Delft is known worldwide for its traditional blue and white ceramic pottery and is also one of Holland's prettiest towns. Lovers and collectors of Delft Blue Porcelain flock to the Royal Delft Factory, which along with Delft Pottery, are the only two remaining factories producing original Delftware.

A tulip cruise on the Dutch waterways offers a wide variety of places to visit. From the area's beautiful flowers, enchanting canals, vibrant history and culture all come together to create a truly unforgettable and enjoyable vacation.

To book your amazing Tulip Cruise and other Dutch Waterways cruises, visit Cruise.com or contact one of our cruise experts at 888-776-0659.

Alaska – Grandeur and Glaciers

Alaska is one of America’s majestic frontiers offering breathtaking panoramas, spectacular wildlife, and a wide range of activities to enjoy and explore. From the Inside Passage to Alaska's national parks, an Alaska cruise offers an ideal opportunity to take in all that Alaska has to offer.

Alaska is nothing short of grand, Mother Nature at her very best! There is so much to see -- incredible mountains, age-old glaciers and historic gold rush towns, where the excitement of those who came here to strike it rich still fills the air; sky-blue lakes, waterfalls, saltwater fjords and endless evergreen forests. Those fortunate enough, will get to view the spectacular Northern Nights. Alaska is one of the most incredible places on earth, with incomparable sights, such as monumental glaciers calving icebergs into the sea. Glacier Bay is one of the most active and the magnificent twin Sawyer Glaciers form a massive wall which highlights the beauty of the legendary Tracy Arm.

Alaska's Incredible Wildlife

One of the best parts of this beautiful destination is its wildlife. Grizzly bears, caribou, Bald Eagles, Sitka Blacktail deer, moose, Dall sheep, lynx, marmots, fox, puffin, snowshoe hare and wolves call Alaska home. And there is something very special about seeing them, at a respectful distance, in their own environment.

An Alaska cruise is the perfect way to visit these unique ports and get an up-close look at wildlife while being taken in comfort from one breathtaking area to another. See the sights from a private veranda while gliding past snow-capped mountains, Humpback whales frolicking in the water and endless unspoiled wilderness. Cruise past natural wonders so close, it will feel like you can reach out and almost touch them.

Onboard, expert naturalists will offer information to enhance the cruise experience on such topics as geography, history of Alaska's rich culture and diverse local wildlife.

America's Last Frontier

Known as America's "last frontier," Alaska is awe-inspiring. It is no wonder that America’s “49^th state” has attracted adventure seekers for over a century, when gold was discovered here and why so many choose to cruise here now. Visit villages that recreate life as it used to be. Alaska is a perfect selection for cruisers of all ages who want to explore and great for families looking for exciting fun activities, while learning about history. What an adventure for all!

Whale Watching

Many choose an Alaska cruise to see the wildlife and hopefully, the whales. As whales begin their northbound migration to Alaska in February (the southbound trek begins in late October through December), with the cows and calves starting about April and continuing through May, if you visit Alaska between June and early September, there is a better chance of seeing these magnificent creatures.

There are Humpback and Minke whales, Orcas, Pacific White-Sided dolphin, Dall’s and Harbour Porpoises. June and July are the best times to possibly site bubble-netting Humpbacks. Popular whale watching tours take passengers on a small boat to look for whale pods. What an exciting experience! Lucky guests will spot the whales right from deck or their private balconies.

Exciting Excursions

Flight-see over ice blue glaciers, pan for gold, view majestic wildlife in their natural habitats, or visit the Alaska Raptor Center. Other Alaska excursions include kayaking, dog-sledding, mountain hiking, river rafting, salmon fishing, bird-watching, and many other incredible experiences. Alaska visitors can zipline through the treetops, soar over the horizon in a floatplane, see authentic totem poles, ride an enclosed tramway gondola for breathtaking views, tour an authentic gold mine, or partake in a genuine salmon bake. Alaska CruiseTours offer the opportunity to visit Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America. Experience one of the most beautiful regions in the world, right here in America -- Alaska!

Alaska Cruise Tours

To see more of Alaska and its incredible interior, Alaska CruiseTours are the perfect choice. Explore the vast Alaska wilderness from the comfort of an elegant domed railcar. Passengers may choose to extend their vacation by adding a land tour at the beginning or end of their Alaska cruise. These land tours offer the opportunity to experience Denali National Park, home of awe-inspiring Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America. Not only does an Alaska cruise present the opportunity to see nature at its best, with wildlife, glaciers, rainforests, mountains and fjords.

Alaska Port Highlights

Hubbard Glacier:A beautiful area to cruise in, Hubbard Glacier is one of Alaska’s largest tidewater glaciers in North America, moving about two to five feet per hour. Perfect for calving!

Juneau: Alaska's capital, Juneau is home to lush green mountains and the monumental Mendenhall Glacier. Visit Tongass National Forest and the Alaska State Museum for a sense of Eskimo life featuring artifacts including authentic hand-carved totem poles, ivory and kayaks. The Totem Heritage Center features the largest collection of original 19^th-century totem poles in the world. Another great experience is taking Mount Roberts Tramway for a bird’s eye view of the city.

Ketchikan: The ancestral home of the Tlingit people, who carved the largest collection of totem poles in the world. Totem Bight Historical Park, which boasts not only breathtaking water views, but the opportunity to see Native American Totem Poles, which were built to tell stories and commemorate life events, such as births, marriages, anniversaries. Misty Fjords National Monument is here and offers spectacular scenery with fjords soaring as high as 3,000 feet. With mountains shrouded in mists, waterfalls, lake and beautiful evergreen forests, this is truly a magical place.

Haines: Lying in the upper northern reaches of the Inside Passage, Haines is an important access point for the Yukon Territory and Interior Alaska, with breathtaking scenery.

Sitka: Across the water from snowcapped Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano, the charming port of Sitka is home to an onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral. Also located here is The Alaska Raptor Center is a Bald Eagle rescue to help injured birds, is located in Sitka and offers a great educational experience.

Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers): In the magnificent Tongass National Forest, Tracy Arm offers some of the most stunning views in North America, including the spectacular Twin Sawyer Glaciers. There are also waterfalls and tidewater glaciers along the way. Those fortunate enough, will catch glimpses of the majestic Bald Eagle, a bear, mountain goat or seals lounging on icebergs!

Experience the natural wonders of America’s largest state, Alaska, a pristine masterpiece and one of the most interesting and beautiful places in the world. Explore the rugged Inside Passage and magical Gulf of Alaska from the vantage from the luxurious comfort of a cruise ship. There is no better way to see this majestic land of adventure and natural beauty. Create memories on a cruise of awe-inspiring Alaska that will last a lifetime.

Typically, Alaska cruises are divided into two types, the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska. The Inside Passage itineraries sail roundtrip from Vancouver or Seattle and range from seven to twelve days. These exciting voyages may include such ports as Juneau, Skagway , Cruise Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm, College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier, Ketchikan and Victoria, B.C.,Canada. Gulf sailings are usually seven-night one-way itineraries, between Seattle or Vancouver, B.C. to Seward or Whittier, Anchorage's ports, however, there are some longer 10- and 12-night sailings also. These itineraries also include Inside Passage ports, such as Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.

To book your amazing Alaska Cruise visit Cruise.com or contact one of our cruise experts at 888-776-0659.