4-star Dutch Bulbfields & Amsterdam Waterways Cruise

Overview

Join us on this exclusive, fun and friendly cruise on board the 4 star MS Carmen with a visit to Keukenhof Gardens, entertainment every night – featuring two nights with renowned Tom Jones tribute and New Amen Corner lead singer Glen Leon – PLUS free drinks.

Plus the opportunity to visit the FLORIADE EXPO 2022

Holland in springtime is a mesmerising feast for the senses with gardens and fields bursting with tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and more. There is time to explore Amsterdam, an excursion to Keukenhof Gardens, plus visits to Enkhuizen, Volendam and Hoorn.

Multi-talented Glen Leon played the guitar from the age of nine and became a professional musician and singer at the age of 16. In a career spanning 30 years he has appeared on TV, radio and in theatres. Currently with bands The Soul Survivors and New Amen Corner, Glen also performs solo as ‘The Voice of Tom Jones’, an uncanny and evocative tribute where it’s ‘not unusual’ for certain garments to be thrown on stage.

		Highlights	
			Free Drinks

Live Entertainment every evening

Exclusive Charter

Full board

Excursions included

Included

Escorted return rail travel from London St Pancras to Amsterdam or return flights with luggage – see flight information
4-nights full board plus cruise on the MS Carmen in a single lower deck cabin or sharing a front mid-deck double/twin-bed cabin – upgrades available for twin/double cabins
Beer, wine & soft drinks served with lunch & dinner and from 6pm to 11pm at the bar
Afternoon coffee/tea and pastries
Buffet breakfasts
Lunches – 4 courses
Dinners served at your table – 4 courses
Late night snacks
Captain’s dinner – 5 courses
Entertainment
Transfers abroad
Services of our Cruise Director and Host on Board

Accommodation Options:
Pre/post departure overnight hotel near London St Pancras – 2 to 4-star options – call for availability and prices.

Departures

By RAIL or AIR
Dates – Prices from – Tour Code
25/04/22 – From £1099pp – AM4

Deposit:
£75pp if travelling by rail
£200pp if travelling by air
Balance payment 12 weeks before departure.

Travel

By Rail – Need to Know read more
By Air – See ‘Flights’ section
Help us to help you read more

Flights

Flights are currently from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Stansted, Bristol, Liverpool, Edinburgh airports, subject to availability at time of booking the flights, and a supplement may apply. Alternative UK departure airports may become available, we will look at all options when you book.
• Flights include 1 checked in bag (usually no more than 20kgs) and 1 carry on bag per person – weight/size subject to airline rules.
• Flight duration around 1 hours.
• Transfer time to ship around 40 mins.

Please call us on 01895 83 33 33 to discuss your flight requirements.

Would You Like To Find Out More About This Holiday?

CALL US ON: 01895 83 33 33
9am to 5.30pm Mon-Fri • 9.30am to 12.30pm Sat

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5 days by Rail or Air, 25 April 2022 – from £1099 per person

Itinerary

Day 1: UK to Amsterdam
Mid-morning, escorted departure from St Pancras on the direct train to Amsterdam arriving mid-afternoon*. Or depart from your chosen airport to Amsterdam. On arrival transfer to the MS Carmen. Dinner, free drinks and entertainment on board. Overnight in Amsterdam.

Day 2: OPTION ONE – Amsterdam to Enkhuizen
Morning at leisure in Amsterdam, or choose an optional guided walking tour or canal cruise. Amsterdam continues to enthral visitors with its maze of canals and waterways, distinctive architecture and cafe culture. With the world’s highest museum density the city is home to the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Hermitage Amsterdam and the Rijksmuseum with Rembrandt’s world- famous Nightwatch. Midday sailing with lunch to Enkhuizen, arriving mid afternoon. In Enkhuizen see the traditions of the Dutch fishing lifestyle from days gone by and perhaps visit the Zuiderzee folklore culture museum.

Day 2: OPTION TWO – Floriade EXPO
After breakfast we travel by coach to the Floriade Expo in Almere, a 30 minute drive from Amsterdam. The International Horticultural Expo happens once every 10 years, and is a celebration of green and sustainable technology with the theme for 2022 ‘Growing Green Cities’. The Floriade park includes presentations from 40 different countries, a spectacular greenhouse complex, a cable car over the park, pavilions, innovations and much more. Lunch is not included on this excursion. Mid afternoon we depart and return to the ship in Enkhuizen (approx 1 hour) to join the ship. Excursion price will be advised following confirmation of Floriade entry price expected mid 2021. Dinner, free drinks and entertainment on board. Overnight in Enkhuizen.

Day 3: Enkhuizen to Hoorn
Short sailing to Hoorn, arriving mid-morning. This historic city has a unique waterside location with an atmospheric and diverse shopping centre. Lunch on board. Optional (included) afternoon coach excursion to the quaint port of Volendam where the harbour is still busy with working boats. Overnight in Hoorn. Dinner, free drinks and entertainment on board. Overnight in Hoorn.

Day 4: Keukenhof & Amsterdam
After breakfast we join the coach for the included excursion to Keukenhof – departing from Hoorn and returning to Amsterdam. Lunch is not included on this excursion. These world famous gardens are where more than 7 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths fill over 32 hectares with colour and fragrance. You can even cruise through the bulbfields in electric powered ‘whisper boats’ (not included). We rejoin the ship in Amsterdam. Those who do not want to visit Keukenhof can cruise from Hoorn to Amsterdam on MS Carmen. Dinner, free drinks and entertainment on board. Overnight in Amsterdam.

Day 5: Amsterdam to UK
After breakfast we disembark the ship and transfer to Amsterdam Central station to take the direct train to London St Pancras*. Alternatively, transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

*Train note: The direct train from St Pancras to Amsterdam is offered subject to Eurostar 2022 schedule confirmation – if the direct train is unavailable travel will be via Brussels.

Order of itinerary subject to change depending on local conditions.

Optional Excursions
• Amsterdam canal cruise £20pp
• OR Amsterdam guided walking tour £20pp
• OR Full day excursion to Floriade EXPO £ to be advised

Accommodation

MS Carmen

GN Holidays & Voyages is chartering the elegant four-star sister ships, MS Carmen and Ms Verdi for some exclusive cruises in 2021. Both ships – identical in everything but name – were fully renovated to a high standard in 2016. They accommodate 136 guests in spacious and comfortable cabins, all freshly renovated with double and twin hotel style beds.

The impressive Reception on Upper deck includes a hotel style lift which goes from the upper deck to the lower deck. At the front of the ship you will enjoy the magnificent lounge with bar, spacious dance floor and easy chairs. There is also a Sun deck with sun loungers, chairs and covered areas with wind protection so suitable for all weathers.

Restaurant – The restaurant on the Upper Deck features large picture windows and is light and airy with elegant decor and furnishings engendering a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Diners can enjoy generous breakfasts, plus four course lunches and dinners.

Leisure facilities – In the centre of the ship there is a stylish library and seating area. Under the large awning on the Sun Deck there are plenty of chairs and deck chairs for guests’ comfort.

Decks & Cabins

Cabins all have window, TV, safe, hair dryer, individually, controlled heating and cooling system, shower and WC. They have double/twin hotel style beds, except the singles which have a single bed and sofa. Cabins are situated over three decks with a choice of A-grade French Balcony, B&C grade 1/2 French Balcony, D-grade Fixed window or E-grade singles with small window.

Please note: When docking ships can be moored side by side so views from the cabin may be obscured.

UPPER DECK WITH FRENCH BALCONY – The upper deck is split-level with all A-grade *French Balcony cabins situated in the highest part of the ship. The restaurant, at the rear of the ship, is accessed directly from here down 3 small steps. The reception, bar and lounge at the front of the ship are also accessed directly from here down 8 steps or via elevator.
*French Balconies look and act like a regular balcony, with the only exception being that there is a railing placed directly behind the glass, meaning you cannot step out onto a separate space. The glass is almost full cabin width and height like a sliding patio door.

MIDDLE DECK ½ FRENCH BALCONY cabins situated between the restaurant and reception are accessed directly from here up 12 steps, or you can take the elevator from reception and enter via the upper deck. The reception, bar and lounge at the front of the ship are also accessed directly from here up 7 steps or via elevator.
** 1/2 French Balconies have a cabin width sliding window from waist height up with an external guard rail at chest height.

MIDDLE DECK STANDARD D-grade cabins with fixed picture window (does not open) are at the front of the ship below the bar/lounge with access from the reception via 15 steps or elevator.

LOWER DECK SINGLE – The lower deck has 10 E-grade single cabins (no supplement) situated mid-ship below the reception with access via 15 steps or elevator.

Ship’s stats
Length: 114 metres • Breadth: 11.40 metres • Passenger Capacity: 136 • Passengers decks: 4

What Our Customers Say

Just to say how much we all enjoyed the Danube Fortunes Cruise. Our first holiday with you and our first river cruise, won't be the last. We've recommended your company to friends. Read more “‘Fortunes’ River Cruise”

Mr & Mrs.Greenwood, Mr & Mrs.Ellis & Mr & Mrs.Bamford.

Swiss Pearl is the best GN cruise we've been on - would certainly book a holiday on her again. Excellent crew, amazing food quality. Drinks inclusive was great - helps towards planning a more relaxed holiday. Read more “Swiss Pearl”

J Waller

We have had a wonderful 4 day stay onboard the "Swiss Pearl". Everything has been great, with Sheena and Gareth looking after us. the ship's crew and GN Voyages staff have been marvellous in providing all we need for a very enjoyable holiday. Read more “Swiss Pearl”

G Williams

The presentation of all concerned, a good attitude by all staff and crew. GN hosts were excellent. the pace of the tour was just right and very relaxing. Having never heard of GN Holidays before seeing the ad, we were very sceptical on what to expect, but we are very happy with our experience, and would book and recommend them to anybody. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”

The holiday had a relaxed atmosphere with freedom to do as much or as little as you liked at each location. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”

J Robertson

The friendliness on board and good all round entertainment was fine, not to mention the good food and wine. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”

F Bellamy

I, like so many other,s are only ready to make a complaint, BUT, not this time. I would like to say a big thank you and well done on the river cruise. We had never heard of GN Holidays until we saw the advertisement in the Daily Mail, we liked the itinerary, but were sceptical, and thought we would give it a go not knowing what to expect. We were very pleasantly surprised, the ship and crew of the Carmen were excellent, as was the pace of the tour, the GN tour manager Sheena, the host Gareth and the singer Chris Baker all deserve special praise. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”

R Frear

We enjoyed the ports of call which lived up to expectation. The Prinses Christina, although smaller than some cruisers, has a nice, comfortable atmosphere and the crew are very hard working and pleasant. Read more “Bulbfields Waterways Cruise”

M Dockree

Friendliness of crew who all worked hard to keep us comfortable. Atmosphere on the ship always cheerful making a very pleasant holiday. Read more “Rhine & Moselle”

M Boulton

Beautiful and interesting route. Friendly and efficient staff aboard ship. Read more “Rhine & Moselle”

J Lord

All ship crew very friendly. Great atmosphere on board. Read more “Rhine New Year”

C Frost

Staff so friendly, passengers mixed well and joined in, entertainment excellent and a spectacular fireworks show. Just great fun! Read more “Rhine New Year”

A Robinson