The big news next year is CroisiEurope’s hotel barge cruise along Belgium’s little-known waterways, taking in towns with a rich cultural heritage, as well as a wide range of architectural and culinary discoveries.
The six-night cruise, which launches in April 2025, operates between Ghent and Halle and visits Bruges, Oudenaarde, Péronnes-Lez-Antoing, Mons, Strépy-Thieu and Brussels. It is the first itinerary of its kind in Belgium.
Key highlights are the Strépy-Thieu boat lift, the second largest boat lift in the world with a 73.15 metre incline; and the Inclined Plane of Ronquières which carries barges along a 1432-metre ramp with a 68-metre rise.
Groups can expect guided tours of Bruges, Oudenaarde and Brussels which involves a visit to a Bruges brewery with a tasting; a visit to a distillery in Oudenaarde to discover the traditional distillation process for jenever, gin and whisky following by a tasting, as well as a culinary walk through Mons with a tasting of local specialities.
The cruise takes place on the MS Raymonde which features a restaurant, lounge bar, sun deck and relaxation area with Jacuzzi. Groups can book on to departures between May and October 2025.
Groups of 20 or more enjoy special rates on all CroisiEurope sailings. If sailing in November, December and March, groups of 70 to 120 people can hire the entire ship for a special occasion.
What else is new?
There is a new six-night cruise from the Belgian capital to the famous Windmills of Kinderdijk to discover the beauty of northern European cities, their architecture and local cuisine. The cruise is a round trip from Brussels with calls in Antwerp, Ghent, Middelburg, Veere and Dordrecht.
Key highlights include a visit to the Delta Works, the largest storm barriers in the world and a trip to see the magnificent preserved windmills in the historic village of Kinderdijk. The cruise takes place on board the 82-guest MS Lafayette with departures between April and September 2025.
Groups can also book on to a new seven-night cruise on board a paddlewheel ship to discover the cultural and historic places found along the Rhine, Neckar, Moselle and Saar rivers. This four-river cruise is round trip from Strasbourg with calls in Eberbach, Heidelberg, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cochem, Trier, Saarburg and Saarbrucken.
Cruisers will experience the Great Bend in the Saar, see the scenery of the romantic Rhine, with a castle on every hill, and the famous Lorelei Rock. Plus there is a guided tour of the magnificent Reichsburg Castle. Departures are between July and October 2025 on board the 81-guest MS Elbe Princesse II.
For more information about cruises with CrosiEurope for groups to www.croisieurope.co.uk.
