Amadeus River Cruises Tulip Serenade Review ★★★★★

By Karen July 2026

Springtime river cruises are a perfect way to welcome brighter days and wave goodbye to winter! So, when I was invited to join Amadeus River Cruises for their “Tulip Serenade” in the Netherlands and Belgium this April, I jumped at the chance!

After a short hop from our local airport, Leeds Bradford, we arrived on a pleasantly sunny day in Amsterdam to meet 150 passenger Amadeus Brilliant, sat proudly amongst an array of river cruise ships all readying to set sail; the season is certainly underway! This 7-night cruise of the Dutch & Belgian Waterways is ideal for regional links from the UK as the ship also returns to Amsterdam, making travel arrangements very easy to organise.

The A'DAM Toren at night in Amsterdam

Amadeus Brilliant in port on a sunnyday

Amadeus Brilliant in port on a sunnyday

Binnenhaven in the historic city center of Middelburg

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Although we arrived slightly ahead of embarkation, staff welcomed us aboard to relax in the Panorama Bar until our cabin was ready. This bar and lounge area is certainly the heart of the ship with soft, neutral furnishings surrounded by panoramic windows for uninterrupted views of the passing scenery. A great place during the day to enjoy a good book and come evening time to socialise with fellow travellers over your favourite tipple! There is also a cosy nook at the back of the ship called Amadeus Club; a quiet area to unwind with complimentary hot drinks station.

Panorama Bar onboard Amadeus Brilliant

Sundeck outdoor seating

Lounge

Amadeus Brilliant Sun Deck

Panorama Bar

Panorama Lounge area

French Balcony stateroom

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Our accommodation for the week was a French Balcony Stateroom, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door. I would encourage anyone to book this type of stateroom; having our own panoramic views and open-air feel is well worth it! Cabins are well appointed with walk-in shower, premium “Rituals” bath products, very comfortable hotel-style beds, and seating in front of the French Balcony. Bottled water is also replenished daily. We were located on middle Strauss Deck, very convenient for the Restaurant, however staterooms are also located on upper Mozart Deck if you prefer a more elevated position.

One of my favourite parts of any cruise is most certainly food! And I have to say the Amadeus culinary experience did not disappoint! Evening meal is four courses, varied each day and paired with very free-flowing regional wines! There are a couple of “always available” options should the menu not suit and a vegetarian menu. It is worth mentioning that guests are assigned a specific table in the restaurant, for the duration of the cruise, but I found this a great way of getting to know some of the other guests better and to chat about our experiences during the daytime.

Lunch in the Restaurant follows a similar format to evening time, inclusive of the very free-flowing wine! A light lunch is also served in the Panorama Bar if you start to worry about your waistline! I preferred this and some very nice choices such as pasta, schnitzel, meatballs, grilled sandwiches, soup, salad, and a dessert. Breakfast time is very flexible with early and late risers served a continental breakfast in the Panorama Bar consisting of pastries, meats, and cheeses. The Restaurant offers cooked breakfast to set you up for the day or lighter options.

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Prior to sailing, I chose to purchase one of the optional shore excursion packages offered by Amadeus River Cruises. At a discounted rate, I found the trips to be interesting, informative and with local tour guides who are only too happy to bring their hometown or city alive. As there are a mixture of English and German speaking guests onboard, it was particularly useful to have two guides, opposed to commentary in both languages.

The vibrant tulip displays at the Keukenhof Gardens

Windmill and pond at the Keukenhof Gardens

John Frost Bridge over the Rhine in Arnhem

The Willemsbrug bridge in Rotterdam

The beautiful tulip displays at Keukenhof Gardens

Grand-Place in Brussels

Saint Michael's Church and Bridge

The historic guildhalls along the Graslei and Korenlei waterfronts in Ghent

Medieval Guild Houses along the Graslei and Korenlei quays in Ghent

The medieval castle of Gravensteen in Ghent

The historic guildhalls along the Graslei and Korenlei waterfronts in Ghent

Medieval Guild Houses along the Graslei and Korenlei quays in Ghent

The medieval castle of Gravensteen in Ghent

The medival Korenlei and Graslei docks in Gent

The historic 17th-century cobblestone alleyways of Middelburg

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Of the places visited, here are my top 3 highlights:

Keukenhof Flower Gardens, from Rotterdam - I could have spent many an hour meandering through these spectacular spring gardens with vast carpets of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, perfectly arranged in creative patterns. With not a cloud in the sky, the April sunshine really brought out the flowers’ vibrant colours.

Ghent, Belgium - with its medieval skyline, cobbled streets and romantic canals, Ghent feels like a city where history and everyday life exist side-by-side. Our excursion took us into the heart of the city with its towering Belfry, a visit to the elegant Saint Bavo’s Cathedral and the impressive, moated Gravensteen Castle. Rounded off with a delightful sampling of Belgian chocolate, a perfect end to our visit.

Antwerp, Belgium - a very pleasant stroll through the attractive old centre of the city and a visit of the Cathedral of Our Lady, the largest Gothic church in Belgium, housing works by Rubens dating back to the 15^th century. We also took a slight detour to see Antwerp Central, a stunning, monumental railway station and a must-see landmark.