maas river cruise

River Cruises on the Meuse

River cruises on the meuse, river cruise on the meuse river in limburg.

When thinking of Limburg, one might not think of going on a river cruise. But did you know that the Maasplassen  area offers various mooring places for river cruise ships? There are landing stages in Roermond and Thorn.

Possibilities in Roermond

In Roermond in particular, the facilities for river cruise ships are optimal. The existing mooring places have been renovated and can accommodate two ships (each up to 135 metres) at the same time. Large coaches can also park in the immediate vicinity. The historic centre of Roermond and Designer Outlet Roermond are within walking distance of the Roermond cruise terminal.

Thorn can accommodate one cruise ship of up to 110 metres.

The Meuse and the ''Maasplassen'' (lakes)

The Maas is extremely suitable for river cruise ships and is an attractive addition to the existing Rhine and Waal routes. Feenstra , Cultural Cruises Europe  and  Boat Bike Tours have already discovered the charms of the Maasplassen. The many tourist attractions in Limburg, contribute to an unforgettable visit for your passengers.

Technical information

On this website you will find everything you need to know about the mooring facilities on the Maas and the Maasplassen area in Limburg. You will find all technical information of the present jetties around the Maasplassen.

Group activities

Ready-made group activities are offered by Limburg Groepsuitje. Shore excursions can be fully customised. For more information: Hart van Limburg - groepsuitjes , +31(0)475-330289 / [email protected]

View or download the brochure River cruises on the Meuse (Dutch) .

Discover Maastricht from the water

Discover Maastricht and its surroundings from the water. From 1-hour boat trips to a full day trip. Or take a nice city tour with our American school bus.

Groups from 30 people also have the option to charter a boat for a day, afternoon or evening program.

General info

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Maaspromenade 58 6211 HS Maastricht [email protected] Tel +31 (0)43 35 15 300

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Take the time to relax as you go along, e mbark on a cruise on the Meuse !

Dinant, daughter but above all Treasure of the Meuse, has a long tradition of cruises and nautical tourism. Don't miss this unique and secular view of the Meuse landscape, where surprising buildings, works of nature or mankind alternate.

The sightseeing cruises

Discover Dinant, Anseremme, Freÿr and Waulsort ... differently. If possible comfortably installed on the panoramic lounge, or on the terrace !

Theme cruises 

Combine relaxation and pleasure by opting for a cultural cruise, or a gourmet version.

Privatisation of boats 

Private receptions or business meetings, the boats adapt to all your events.

Yacht rental

Don't say roadtrip anymore but BOATtrip! Rent a pleasure boat without a license for a week or a weekend on the water !

Discover Dinant differently !

Did you know that? The Meuse is closely linked to the development of the town of Dinant, whose origins go back to the 6th century. This makes it the ideal vantage point to understand the rich history of the region, or simply to relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

From Dinant, the landscape skillfully blends monuments, urban spaces and steep hills.

Upstream, it is the wild side of the river. As soon as you pass the Anseremme lock, you discover the increasingly wild banks of the Meuse as far as the borders of France.

Downstream, as far as Namur and far beyond, the city banks and their superb villas follow one another in a superb parade of regional and modern architecture.

In both directions, atypical landscapes, delightful spaces, and the pleasant relaxation of a boat ride along the water.

A cruise for your seminar ?

Preparing a new project or celebrating your latest success? Everything is possible on board the Dinant Evasion boats !

Any other questions ?

Many answers are already at your disposal, have a look on

For timetables, organisation and booking conditions, please read here

Practical information

While personalised advice and requests for quotes can be found there

Discover all our Cruises activities

Refined, festive and unusual... Discover our surprising "Walking Dinner" formula

The Blind Sax !

Add another dimension to your event with a festive blind test evening!

Bioul Estate & Local produce Cruise

A day for the bon vivants!

Meal by the river Meuse

Enjoy the simplicity!

Pleasure boats for an hour or a day

A few hours or a day in the shoes of a real boater !

Barbecue cruise

Summer & Leisure !

Yacht Héloïse

An unusual stay along the Meuse!

Yacht Margaux

Don't say roadtrip anymore but BOAT-trip !

Yacht Lorraine

Unusual stay and sweet adventure

Dinant-Freyr + visit of the castle

Watching or visiting ? Do both!

Murder party

Paisible la vallée de la Meuse ?

Seminar cruise

Ready to enjoy the pleasure of sailing on water ?

The Love Boat

The festive incentive event par excellence !

Dinant-Anseremme cruise

A summary of the most beautiful views of the centre of Dinant !

Gourmet cruise

For the pleasure of the eyes and the taste buds!

Dinant-Freÿr cruise

The perfect trip to explore the many facets of the Meuse valley.

Cultural and gourmet cruise

A day to go up the river and History !

Cruise on the Meuse River aboard the boat Charlemagne

• Description
• Prices & Opening times
• Practical info

At the foot of the Tour Victoire in Givet, the Charlemagne awaits you for an exceptional river cruise along the Meuse. Aboard this attractive boat, discover a charming town steeped in history from every angle.

The audioguide offers a rich commentary on the town and its monuments during your cruise. Steeped in the Meuse valley, Givet combines authenticity with modernity. Located at the gateway to France, it boasts a rich architectural and monumental heritage. The city is dotted with many vestiges of its past and strategic position. Towers, fortified gates, churches and cultural centers form its urban landscape. On the left bank of the river, the Charlemont fort overlooks the city.

As you move away from the city, embrace the unspoilt nature of the greenway. You're sure to fall under the spell of the verdant landscape of forests and wild flowers. Enjoy the peace and quiet and the sounds of nature as you stroll through the heart of the bief de Givet.

• Average duration 2 hours
• Languages spoken French, English, Spanish
• Difficulty Suitable for all

From 01.04.2023 to 31.10.2023

Adult (+ 13 years): €16 Child (+ 3 years): €8 Family package (2 adults + 2 children): €45 Baby (under 3): free.

• Cruise tour
• Meals and drinks

Departure on reservation: 11am, 1:30pm or 4pm.

• Air conditioning
• Free parking
• Coach parking
• audio guide
• electric recharging point

Catering on board (optional and with vegetarian options), restaurants in the village

Application of government health restrictions

Bicycles accepted. PRM access. Dogs welcome. Train des Légendes special offer! With the SNCF and the Grand Est Region, discover the Ardennes by train this summer at the special rate of €10, and cruise the Meuse on board the Charlemagne boat at a special rate!

For more information, please go to the footer in the 'Legal information' section or go directly to the page: Rights and obligations

• Discover Givet in a way other than a simple stroll through the narrow streets
• Magnificent scenery on the walk
• Audio commentary available in several languages
• Lunch aboard the Charlemagne (optional)

Gift voucher for a duo cruise on the Meuse

Office de tourisme val d'ardenne.

With Val d'Ardenne tourism, prepare your stay to visit the Ardennes and spend an unforgettable moment. Let yourself be amazed by the beauty of the Ardennes forests and the meandering Meuse river

Unusual accomodation – Tipi bois ardennes

Unusual accommodation – Tiny house in the Ardennes

Presqu’île de Chooz

Apartment for 6 persons adapted for PMR

Apartment 4 persons with balcony

Apartment 4 persons with terrace

La Houblonnière, gîte de la Brasserie

La Malterie & La Houblonnière, gîtes de la Brasserie for 8 people

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This offering is fully in line with these values. By booking it, you contribute to supporting more sustainable and responsible tourism. What’s not to like?

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Unsure where to go? Share your preferences with our team and we'll tailor your custom cruise.

• Plus : Easy to maneuver
• 3 boat models available
• Crew : from 2 to 7 people
• Plus : Single-level layout
• Crew : from 2 to 12 people
• Plus : Generous outdoor spaces
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• Plus : Very spacious
• 5 boat models available
• Crew : from 2 to 8 people
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• Crew : from 2 to 6 people

Complete the filters and discover the ideal boat for your crew.

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Ardennes & River Meuse cruise

• Boating Holidays
• Alsace & Ardennes

Departing from our base in Pont à Bar, operated by our partner Ardennes Nautisme, turn northwards to cross the Belgian border or head towards the Meuse Canal to explore Verdun.

Boat hire to discover the Ardennes forest in a few words…

The Ardennes forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Roe and red deer, wild boar, and some very rare birds can be found alongside a range of flora that is just as surprising in its protected marshland. Here you can still find carnivorous plants and a superb orchid. As you follow the Meuse, you will encounter its delightfully crazy meanderings that will finally lead you to Charleville-Mézières, birthplace of the poet Arthur Rimbaud. The famous Place Ducale is a jewel of Renaissance architecture, whilst the Basilica of NotreDame swings between that same style and Flamboyant Gothic. Among the delights of the Basilica of Notre-Dame d’Espérance are the little back streets that surround it. Deeper into the Ardennes, there are delightful towns such as Fumay and Givet, known for their sausages. With its 650 km of cruising waterway, the Champagne Ardennes region offers tremendous diversity and variety.

The highlights of Pont à Bar

• Easy access by boat to the Ardennes forest, one of the ‘lungs of Europe’
• Very diverse flora and fauna

our routes departing from Pont à Bar

The routes shown are only suggestions; don’t forget that you can stop wherever you like on your cruise.

On the battlefields routes

Explore Europe’s most extensive fortress, the Château Haut, and the many religious buildings. Sedan is listed as a Town of Art and History.

Situated at the gateway to Lorraine, Belgium and Luxembourg, the Ardennes town of Mouzon takes its name from Mosomagos, which means "market on the Meuse" in Celtic. The must-see on your boat cruise: the abbey church, the former abbey and its gardens.

Verdun, sadly memorable for the great WWI battle, stands 40 km from the Belgian border. A stop on your cruise will allow you to learn some history and sample dragées (sugared almonds), the local speciality.

Like a Bohemian on the inland waterways

Charleville-Mezières, a magnificent town in the Ardennes, has several must-see attractions, including the Rimbaud Museum (Rimbaud was born here) and the basilica of Notre-Dame d'Espérance. And don’t forget to stroll through the Place Ducale

Sometimes called the “slate village” in memory of its past, Fumay sits in the loop of the Meuse. Tie up your license-free boat here for lovely forest walks and maybe sample the local speciality, white pudding.

Dinant is a Belgian town not far from the French border, on the banks of the Meuse and at the foot of steep cliffs. Don’t miss the fortified citadel, a place to take photos of the breathtaking landscape.

Namur is the capital of Belgium’s Walloon region. Here, you’ll find a citadel with amazing panoramic views and the Félicien Rops Museum, which exhibits erotic works dating from the 19th century.

Spectacular scenery and the Ducal Square

Rich is the history of the city, at the bend of its alleys, numerous in the Vieux Revin. Some lead to the Quai des Bateliers and its timber-framed houses, others to the Dominican church and its former convent.

With its attractive houses, a citadel and many religious buildings, Givet is a lovely place to moor your self-drive boat. Explore the Charlemont fort, built by Emperor Charles V in the 16th century and strengthened by Vauban in the 17th.

If you want to book this cruise Browse online the availabilities

Our boats available.

Departing from our Pont à Bar base, we can offer the range of canal boats shown below. To see the full range of cruises available, please see our self-drive boat pages or contact our team who can help you to choose.

Pénichettes Classique ®

The traditional Pénichette ® , very easy to pilot and perfect for couples and families. From 2 to 7 people.

Pénichettes Aft-Deck ®

A spacious and well-lit boat, characterised by its lovely protected terrace at the rear. From 2 to 12 people.

Pénichettes Flying Bridge ®

One of the latest range of Pénichettes ® , offering considerable comfort thanks to their double inside and outside helm positions. From 2 to 12 people.

Pénichette Evolution ®

Based on the strengths of the existing family of Penichettes ® , this new generation of boats offers a completely new cruising experience.

Choose one of the finest yachts with the Linssen Grand Sturdy 34.9 boat! Elegance, high-quality furnishings and comfortable sailing are the hallmarks of these renowned boats. From 2 to 6 people.

Cosy, elegant and designed as small yachts, the Europa boats offer decidedly modern comfort and aesthetics. From 2 to 6 people.

Treat yourself to a River Meuse cruise through the Ardenne and Grand Est

Follow the canal de la meuse in any direction.

The beautifully forested area of the Ardenne has captivated Europeans for centuries. After all, it is one of the last truly untouched patches of woodland in western Europe, punctuated only by the odd acre of farmland. The woodland that stands close to the Meuse is home to a variety of wildlife, including roe deer and wild boar, only adding to the magical woodland feel of this part of northern France.

To explore this picturesque region by boat is to immerse yourself entirely in the sights and smells of the Ardenne and its surrounding landscape. The best place to start a Meuse river cruise is from the small riverside commune town of Pont à Bar.

Pont à Bar gives holidaymakers the chance to explore north deeper into the Belgian forests of the Ardenne or south into France’s Grand Est and Lorraine regions. Locaboat’s base at Pont à Bar allows boaters to fly into Metz and Reims, not too far away, making it an excellent River Meuse port to begin from.

Both of these routes offer their own delights and interests, whether that be the simple joy of rare bird watching, deer spotting or the tranquillity of the woodland river routes in the Meuse valley . Alternatively, opt for a moving visit to some of France’s most infamous First World War battlegrounds around Verdun or simply soak up the many villages that stand along the Meuse; the choice is yours.

Navigate your Meuse river boat south from Pont à Bar

On leaving Pont à Bar, you can take your canal boat and begin your River Meuse cruise by heading southeast, towards the town of Sedan. Officially listed as a town of art and history, Sedan truly lives up to this reputation. Protected by this official status, building and modern development in Sedan are strictly controlled, allowing its idyllic and historic surroundings to be preserved for generations to come.

One of Sedan’s most famous historic monuments is its 15th-century medieval castle, a sight that dominates the town. Covering more than seven acres, Sedan castle is one the largest fortified chateaus in all of Europe and is a must-see when in the town.

Apart from the castle, the historical centre of Sedan has been preserved beautifully, and with a range of townhouses, cafes and restaurants, its centre is a fantastic place to stop for a bite to eat or drink, watching the world go by.

Following your canal boat hire through France , you will pass on from Sedan and back on the open waterways. The first commune town you will arrive at after Sedan is the town of Mouzon. Mouzon is an idyllic riverside town that looks as though it has fallen straight out of a postcard picture and its rich architecture and winding streets invite you in to explore on foot some more. Standing in the centre of town is the awe-inspiring 13th-century Gothic abbey church. With delicately carved facades and jaw-dropping interior, the church is truly a sight to behold.

Immerse yourself in French history and explore the battlefields of Verdun

Following the winding course of the River Meuse south, you will pass by small idyllic villages, rolling farmland and wooded copses on the river banks, eventually arriving in the small city of Verdun. It’s hard to imagine that this paradise of rivers and farmland was once the site of the longest battle of the First World War and one of the costliest in military history.

Throughout 1916, over one hundred years ago, the bastion town of Verdun and its surrounding area became a killing field of destruction as the armies of France and Germany battled it out, turning the land into a lunar landscape and costing the lives of over 300,000 men, with hundreds of thousands more wounded.

Now covered in rolling farmland forest of trees, it’s hard to believe the number of artillery shells, bullets and human remains that still litter the area around Verdun. As a visitor, you can walk the battlefields, visit the cemeteries and try to square the beautiful countryside you see before you with the horrors that took place here over one hundred years ago.

The Verdun memorial and the remains of Deumamont fort are some of the more interesting places to visit around Verdun, giving you an insight into the battle fort here. Apart from its place in French military history, Verdun is also a modern city with its own series of attractions. If military history isn’t quite your thing, Verdun offers a range of attractions, including the city’s numerous cafes, bistros and delicatessens selling the famous Verdun Braquier sugared almonds.

Sail your way north through the Meuse valley and Belgium’s countryside

Choosing to take the meuse river north.

Aside from travelling south along the Canal des Ardennes and Meuse River to the south, you can also trundle north through the Meuse River valley and cross over the French – Belgian border. Before you arrive at such an international point, there is plenty to pleasantly distract you along the French waterways. Leaving the Locaboat base at Pont à Bar you can take your boat a little further north until you enter the commune town of Charleville-Mézières. Entering such a beautiful town through its waterways is a whole different experience, and it’s this that makes boating holidays in France that extra bit special.

The small town of Charleville-Mézières is renowned for a few different things. First off, Charleville-Mézières is the headquarters for the International Puppetry Association and holds an International Puppet Festival here every three years.

Aside from its association with puppetry, Charleville-Mézières is also the birthplace of French poet Arthur Rimbaud. You’ll find a museum in town dedicated to the man himself which gives you a glimpse into his life and works – a must-see for any fan of literature and poetry.

Walking through town, you will also come across a beautifully constructed church, the Notre-Dame d’Espérance. A perfect example of Catholic architecture, the church is home to an array of stained glass and carved facades, making it a must-see when in the town. Step out the church and into the equally jaw-dropping Panorama of Place Ducale – a delectable square of buildings and cobbled courtyards, just what you want out of a Franco exploration.

Explore quaint riverside communes, just moments away from the Belgian border

Passing further north out of Charleville-Mézières, you will come to a bend in the Muse and arrive in the idyllic town of Revin. Revin is home to many likeable sights, making it an almost cliche of a picturesque riverside town, something that only endears visitors to the town. The one building that really personifies this old-world picturesque commune town is the building known as the Spanish House of Revin.

Constructed in the early 16th century, this house has stood for over five hundred years and has lived to tell the tale. From chunky crossbeams and Turdoresuqe facade, this building is really a time capsule of medieval Revlin and now houses the town’ museum.

After getting your fill of the charming riverside commune of Revin, you should follow the river north, edging ever closer to the border. Before you arrive on Belgian soil, or water, to be more precise, boaters should not bypass the village of Fumay. Known as a slate village, Fumay was a huge slate quarrying village; now it remains elegantly untouched by industry and is renowned for its local delicacy of white pudding.

Arriving at the final French stop of Givet, you might want to explore this last bit of La République Française before heading over the border. Givet is dominated by the fortress of Charlemont, a 16th-century castle of awe-inspiring proportions, similar to that of Carcassonne on the Canal du Midi . Aside from its heretical buildings, a quick delve into the town will reveal a plethora of attractions including the famous Onion Fair.

Crossing the border, from France and into Belgium

Flowing ever northwards on its way to the north sea, the Meuse River takes its cruisers over the French borders and into Belgium. The first of the Belgian towns worth stopping off in is the town of Dinant. When you take your Dinant boat through town, you’ll notice that this is a popular destination for fellow boaters. In fact, you can even hire a Dinant boat rental to explore the upper Meuse valley in all of its glory.

Surrounded by high cliffed banks, it is no surprise that an expansive cave system was discovered here in the early 20th century. Now known as the Grotte la Merveilleuse, these caves are worth exploring. The multi-coloured stalactites that hang from the grotto walls give the Grotte la Merveilleuse an otherworldly and magical feel.

Emerging from the dark, you may wish to do something a bit more freeing and illuminating; this is where the Parc de Furfooz comes in. This nature reserve is bled of meadows, nature walks, forests and Palaeolithic walkways – a real adventure for any nature lovers!

Your final Belgian destination on the upper Meuse valley is the city of Namur, the capital of the Wallonia region of Belgium. Namur boats and Namur boat rentals are also popular in the city, making it a great place to start and end your River Meuse Cruise. If you are not all castled- and cathedraled-out, Namur is most famous for its UNESCO St Aubin’s Cathedral and citadel and is well worth a visit when in the town.

Your departure base Pont à Bar

ARDENNES NAUTISME (our local partner) Ecluse de Pont à Bar 08160 – Dom-le-Mesnil FRANCE

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Rotterdam River Cruises

Rotterdam stretches across a maze of natural and artificial waterways. With its location at the mouth of the New Meuse River and easy link to the Rhine and Central Europe, it is Europe’s largest port, earning it the nickname “Gateway to Europe.” Much of it was destroyed during World War II, yet it stands today as one of the continent’s great cities of art, architecture and innovation, boasting a lively culture and many museums. With a pleasant river orientation, Rotterdam’s spacious new inner city is a pleasure to explore; its shop-lined Lijnbaan district was Europe’s first pedestrian shopping precinct.

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• Cruise on the Meuse

Discover the picturesque charms of the Meuse on a cruise aboard the Val Mosan, where the calm of the waters blends with the majesty of the landscapes. Let yourself be seduced by this enchanted interlude of history, culture and relaxation, while the attentive crew takes care of every detail.

Join the Val Mosan crew and let the Meuse guide you to new horizons, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Huy, seen from a different angle.

During a one-hour cruise, admire the majestic Collegiate Church, the fort or the Batta house and discover the specificities of both banks of the Meuse. On one side, natural landscapes with green hills and vineyards, and on the other, a rich industrial and commercial atmosphere. This experience transports you on a peaceful journey where the waters whisper stories and the banks reveal well-kept secrets.

After this memorable cruise, continue to discover the city on foot. Soak up its exceptional heritage as you explore its alleyways and let yourself be charmed by its historic sites, culinary delights and warm atmosphere.

• Book a boat tour

Theme cruise

With family, friends or colleagues, enjoy a moment of conviviality and relaxation. Your cruise will be complemented by a plate of regional sweets and a glass of local bubbles to enjoy without hesitation!

Spend an evening strolling along the water’s edge, with your partner, family or friends, enjoying a truly gourmet experience. On the menu: a starter, main course and dessert concocted by a local caterer.

Enjoy a front-row seat for the fairground fireworks from the Pont de l’Europe! Buffet on board + dessert / Drinks not included

Let’s discover the cities of Namur and Liège. Come aboard and enjoy a buffet breakfast, snack and/or dinner (depending on package). In Namur or Liège, stroll freely for two hours in the city center. The cruise ends at the end of the day, returning to Huy around 7pm.

A day cruise to discover Andenne. Embark, enjoy breakfast on board and disembark, after 2 hours of sailing, in the City of Bears. After 4 hours of free time, enjoy a snack on board the boat on the way back to Huy. Several suggestions for activities at www.visithuy.be

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• River Cruising

The river Meuse or Maas

By notamermaid , March 24, 2016 in River Cruising

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notamermaid

I have not found the river Meuse featured yet under the river cruise basics sticky, so, as Avalon will be sailing on the river from this season I have decided to write a little about this river in Western Europe.

Hostjazzbeau , might the cruisecritic editors have some time during the season to write a little for all cruisers?

The Meuse has a wikipedia site in English. Here goes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meuse

You might be surprised to learn that it is 925 km long, making it a major river in Europe.

The Meuse is navigable for small boats, but a section has been altered so that it can be used for industrial river transport.

Companies line the river especially around Lüttich, i.e. Liege.

Other areas are more picturesque, the town Namur is famous for its scenic setting.

The Meuse has - as you can probably imagine - played a major role in the two World Wars. The river played a prominent part in the Third Reich expansion plans.

The Ardennes mountain region that the Meuse flows through is most known for its role in the Battle of the Bulge.

The Meuse joins the Rhine (Waal) to form the river delta around Rotterdam.

It would be interesting to find out how much river cruisers like the new itinerary.

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What is the name of the Avalon itinerary for this river? I haven't seen it in the catalogue.

It is the "Enchanting Belgium" Amsterdam to Namur on the American website.

Cruise Critic Chris

Thanks for the information on Meuse! We have scheduled a writer to go to Namur in April to write about this new homeport for Avalon. While she is there, she will meet with Avalon's Patrick Clark about the new itinerary. She will also visit some of the places that are featured. So look for Meuse River Basics in a month or so.

Hello Chris,

Thank you for the info and the good news. Namur is on my bucket list for a land trip seeing that I have often passed it, so far I have only got as close as the motorway exit on the E42.

I would like to find out from Avalon where they enter the Meuse. Cannot quite make this out from their itinerary map.

Thank you for all the great writing by the CC people.

• 1 month later...

CC has been to Namur:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7012

Yes! Coming soon: A Meuse River Cruise Tips article.

• 2 weeks later...

And here it is: Meuse River Cruise Tips. http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2380

• 1 year later...

Thank you for updating the Meuse pages. It is a pity that CroisiEurope stopped sailing the Meuse (see article). I found out today that a Dutch river cruise line (I hardly ever look up the Dutch companies) sails the Meuse, Rhine and canals on a long itinerary and quite different it looks from all the other cruises we normally see: https://feenstrarhineline.com/cruises/southern-holland-belgium/

Has anyone sailed on the Avalon itinerary and would like to tell us about it?

• 5 months later...

Has anyone been on the Avalon itinerary?

I have mentioned before that European companies often have a wider choice of itineraries that often also include rivers that North-American cruise companies do not sail. Apart from Avalon this is the case with the Meuse still, but I found a German company - Plantours - that also has an itinerary on the Meuse. Just for your info - they do not operate really on the English-speaking markets - here is the page: http://www.plantours-partner.de/holland-und-belgien-kreuzfahrt-unbekannte-schoenheiten-in-holland-flandern.html?idTermin=4777&idevent=11110

Apparently, the national park this itinerary visits houses the museum that owns the second-largest collection of vincent van Gogh works in the world! This is it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kr%C3%B6ller-M%C3%BCller_Museum

However, to be fair, Scenic does have a itinerary that explores Maastricht, a Rhine and Moselle cruise, but from the description it is not clear if they sail into Maastricht, i.e. up the Meuse itself.

FuelScience

I think that Avalon has dropped the Enchanting Belgium trip for 2018 and 2019.

I was wondering that, FuelScience, as I could not find it on their website. But sometimes my computer settings mess things up, so I could not verify it without a long-distance phone call or an e-mail.

That would be a real pity, the area has got potential but perhaps feedback from cruisers was not good enough, or it did not sell well enough. Hmm...

I cannot find this itinerary on Avalon for 2018-2019. What am I doing wrong?

I thought it was my computer default settings (I get odd results sometimes seeing that google knows I am in Germany, see post above). But as Fuel Science has suggested, it might have actually been discontinued.

I like the area, Maastricht is supposed to be pretty and Lüttich (Liège) is an interesting place with lots of history and quite a bit of industry thrown in (which I do not mind at all): http://walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/3/where-to-go-in-wallonia-ij/gateway-towns/liege I do not like modern architecture that much but the new high speed railway station is definitely an attraction.

With a new season starting it is time for me to revisit the Meuse in the catalogues.

You can probably guess that not that much has changed. Plantours is still sailing on just a couple of dates.

If one wants to sail the Meuse one can best to this with one itinerary of Scenic that includes Maastricht or a few Spring itineraries along the Dutch and Belgian waterways. And Viking has got a new one that includes a section on the Meuse!

3 hours ago, notamermaid said: If one wants to sail the Meuse one can best to this with one itinerary of Scenic 

We're scheduled on that one in July-Aug (Amsterdam to Basel). One curious thing about the itinerary, though, is that it is Amsterdam -> Antwerp -> Veere -> Arnhem -> Maastricht …. Watching the ships on line last year, they have to do a very quick back-and-forth up and down the Maas. I wonder why they don't do Veere (or Antwerp) -> Maastricht -> Arnhem, using the Albert Canal to get to Maastricht and then simply down the Maas to the Waal/Rhine to get to Arnhem? It would seem to me to be more efficient. Anyone have any ideas as to why the Albert Canal might not be suitable?

Hello sbjornda,

I did not realize you are going on a more unusual Rhine cruise!

The Albert Canal, yes, I had a look at the route and I know what you mean. At the moment I can only say: "beats me".

I have had a look at the waterway and all info in English, German and French indicates that as regards size of river cruise ships there are no restrictions. All locks have been modernized to accommodate large vessels and Viking uses the Canal on one route as well. The last lock to be renovated has had a new chamber since 2015. Six locks does not sound much to navigate, so I cannot see a time disadvantage there either. I am missing some info or Scenic has got a different reason for doing it that way.

• 9 months later...

Let us revisit the Meuse.

No big news to be found as regards river cruising. Itineraries from German companies are still far and few between.

Coming back to the itinerary by Viking that I had previously mentioned, that one is still available. Here it is: https://www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk/cruise-destinations/europe/holland-and-belgium/2020-amsterdam-antwerp/index.html

The important thing to note for this year is that Viking will include the German town of Wesel as a stop. This is new and big news for the town as Viking has purchased the landing stage there.

I am pleased to see that the link I posted above still leads to the itinerary with Viking, now the 2021 sailings.

The Meuse is one of those rivers that are partly bypassed through a canal, so some beautiful meandering sections are not accessible. Instead you have to make do with somewhat unattractive or boring canal sections. Past Maastricht for example, ships go through the Juliana Canal but meet the river again and go through Venlo on the Meuse proper. Looking upstream, those are two of the usual stops on river cruises, further are Liège and Namur.

Let us have a look at two ships and their itineraries:

1. The MS Dutch Melody is part of the fleet of the Dutch Cruise Line, but is often (part) chartered by German operators, or sometimes only for a few sailings. Those are often "tulip cruise" sailings or combinations with the Rhine. This is the ship: https://www.dutchcruiseline.nl/en/rivercruiseship/ms-dutch-melody/10f0464f-1bfe-49fb-a060-9ec80ff9fb5a

2. The Rex Rheni is chartered exclusively by Saga UK: https://travel.saga.co.uk/cruises/river/our-ships/rex-rheni.aspx

She mainly does Rhine itineraries but a special itinerary in July this year will take her to the Meuse: https://travel.saga.co.uk/cruises/river/where-we-go/dutch-and-belgian-river-cruises/andre-rieu-and-maastricht.aspx?boardbasis=

Maastricht being probably the most popular port on the Meuse, we should have a look at the town in another post.

• 6 months later...

Maastricht is the capital of the Limburg region in the Netherlands. With its municipal boundaries it borders on Belgium and the Meuse upstream from Maastricht forms the border between the two countries for some kilometres. Maastricht has long been an important centre of trade and commerce and goes back to a Roman settlement. The wikipedia page is quite detailed, here it is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maastricht

While it is Dutch, its setting in the Meuse region at 49m above sea level close to the highest mountains in the Netherlands - Limburg is the hilliest region - gives it a different feel to the coastal areas of the country. This is the city website: https://www.visitmaastricht.com/

I have not been to Maastricht yet, would love to see the caves and the bookshop in the monastery. And something I had not expected exists in the hills in Masstricht: a proper traditional  very old vineyard!

https://www.visitmaastricht.com/locations/951696544/vineyard-apostelhoeve

21 minutes ago, notamermaid said:      

The Hotel Derlon's cellar in Maastricht contains Roman ruins and a café ("Museumkelder"). If you enjoy Roman ruins, this is not to be missed. 

@sbjornda Thank you for the tip. It looks amazing. Fascinating how much Roman stuff is beneath our feet, often still undetected.

And here is something for the language nerds: the name Meuse comes from Latin, i.e. the Romans, and Moselle does, too. Moselle basically means little Meuse.

For those who want to put the Meuse into the context of modern European waterways, here is the map: https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/main/sc3/European_inland_waterways_-_2012.pdf

Like so many other rivers in Europe, the Meuse (Maas in Dutch and German) is connected to nearby rivers with the help of canals. Often of no commercial importance in modern times, they can still be sailed. So you can do a round trip Cologne via the Moselle and Nancy, via the Meuse and the Rhine, or in another version as far upstream as Strasbourg and via another canal into the Meuse and then to Cologne. You will need to be on a small barge or peniche. You could spent months exploring the Benelux countries and France on such boats and smaller rivers and canals.

A new season has started and it is time to have a look at itineraries on the Meuse again. On this itinerary not a barge or peniche, but a smallish river cruise ship is sailing the Meuse. Saga UK is again using their trusted ship, the "Rex Rheni", on a more conventional itinerary that goes from Cologne on the Rhine to Maastricht on the Meuse: https://travel.saga.co.uk/cruises/river/where-we-go/dutch-and-belgian-river-cruises/maastricht-and-the-meuse-river.aspx?boardbasis=

And the special of this itinerary where they thrown in a visit to an Andre Rieu concert is also available again.

It sounds a pleasant way to spend a week in this part of Europe on an older but I am sure well maintained ship.

This is by the way an itinerary similar to the one which is a staple tour with Plantours Flussreisen. That German company sails from Düsseldorf to Namur. I have mentioned this before in post#10.

So, it seems that Namur is the end of proper river cruise sailing on the Meuse, the furthest upstream that companies go, right? No, not quite.

We will have a look at that in a next post.

On 3/20/2022 at 8:55 PM, notamermaid said: So, it seems that Namur is the end of proper river cruise sailing on the Meuse, the furthest upstream that companies go, right? No, not quite.

The river cruise itinerary that I had wanted to post is not available this year. But we still have the Excellence Pearl that could sail up the river to the town of Dinant - which I was alluding to. Before we get to that, here is the for me exciting news that the relatively new company Viva Cruises has decided to offer a cruise that spends a bit more time on the Meuse. Here is the itinerary on the Swiss Ruby. https://www.viva-*****/en/cruisedetail?id=414&adults=2&pref=2023-07-30

Notice the stop at Emmerich, a port rarely used by international cruise lines. On the German market the port is used sometimes by a couple of companies although not on that many itineraries.

A first as far as I know is Cuijk. I had never heard of this town before. It may be a short technical stop in the evening but a stay of two and a half hours warrants the question if the company offers anything in that port. If you have been to that town on a river cruise I would be pleased about a short post.

A new year and a quick look at Viva Cruises. Yes, the company is again offering an itinerary that focusses on the Netherlands and also sails quite a distance on the Meuse. No Amsterdam stop on this cruise! And no tulips either... https://www.viva-*****/en/reise/niederlande-highlights

Risk of low water negligible in these waters - Rhine downstream from Düsseldorf and Meuse. No real worries about low water levels on this type of cruise.

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Nemorino's travels

Aka operasandcycling.com.

The Maas/Meuse River in Maastricht

Posted on June 17, 2019 Author Nemorino 4 Comments

The Maas , as it is called in Dutch and German ( Meuse in French and English), is actually not a very busy river. I seem to have taken pictures of it mainly when something was going on, such as a barge passing through, but there were long periods when the river was just empty.

I assume it must have been much busier in the nineteenth century, when for several decades the Meuse Valley was the leading industrial region of continental Europe , especially further upstream in the Belgian (Wallonian) part of the valley.

A coal barge on the Maas/Meuse in Maastricht

The Meuse or Maas is one of those confusing rivers that flow more or less from south to north, so that upstream is at the bottom end of the map and downstream is at the top. This means that if you are in Maastricht and want to go to Liège, you don’t know whether to say you are going up to Liège because it’s upstream or down to Liège because it’s lower on the map.

This confusion of course has more to do with our map-making conventions than with the river, since the river was here before we were.

Another barge on the Maas/Meuse in Maastricht

Actually I prefer to think of it as the Meuse , rather than the Maas , because the word Maas always reminds me of the exaggerated borders of Germany in the original (no longer officially used) first verse of the German national anthem: Von der Maas bis an die Memel / Von der Etsch bis an den Belt. These lines were written in the 19 th century before there was any such thing as a united Germany, but they were later seized upon by the Nazis and other nationalists who wanted Germany to expand in all directions, west into France, Belgium and the Netherlands (through which the Maas flows), east to the Memel (= Neman) in Lithuania, south to the valley of the Etsch (= Adige) River in Italy and north to the Fehmarn Belt , which is the least controversial of the four because it actually does form part of the border between Germany and Denmark.

Maasvallei passenger ship

The Maasvallei (= Meuse Valley) is one of five passenger ships run by the Stiphout company for excursions in and around Maastricht.

For instance, they offer a 50-minute cruise on the Maas/Meuse several times a day for € 10.50 Euros for adults and € 5.95 Euros for children (prices as of 2019).

They also have longer trips (several hours) to Liège or Visé and back. And they offer various special excursions such as Brunch Cruise, a Pancake Cruise or a Saturday Night Cruise.

The same company has two “beautiful American school busses” which they use for city tours.

I haven’t tried any of these offers, just snapped a photo of the Maasvallei as it was going towards the St. Servaas-Brug (Saint Servatius Bridge).

MS River Navigator

One morning I was crossing the Maas/Meuse when a ship called the River Navigator came through and docked at one of the landings.

I later looked it up and found that the River Navigator is one of several cruise ships belonging to a company called Vantage Deluxe World Travel. This is an American company, based in Boston, which describes itself as “a leader in luxury river cruising for Americans”.

They say their ships are “designed with the American traveler in mind” and have a “US plug in every stateroom”. At mealtimes they offer “gourmet cuisine that reflects genuine local fare adapted for the American palate.“ (Uh-huh.)

The River Navigator is 360 feet long. Feet? Yes, this is for Americans, remember. 360 feet is about 110 meters. The ship carries 134 passengers and a crew of 36, which they point out is a passenger-to-staff ratio of better than 4 to 1.

My photos in this post are from 2012. I revised the text in 2019.

See also: The Netherlands’ Deep South .

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4 thoughts on “The Maas/Meuse River in Maastricht”

We had a lovely cruise on the Maas as part of our VT visit here from Aachen. It took us to some caves used as hiding places by locals during WW2 – very interesting

‘Local fare adapted for the American palate’…. I dread to imagine …

I’d like the brunch cruise, please! Gorgeous pics, as always!

Lovely photos

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Venlo (Netherlands Limburg)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Europe Rivers

Local Time 2024-07-01 17:42

Port Venlo cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Venlo, Netherlands Limburg. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Venlo is a Meuse River (Rur-Roer River) cruise port and city in southeastern Holland (Netherlands' Limburg Province) with population around 100,000. Meuse/Maas River originates in France and flows through Belgium and Holland, and (via Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta) drains into North Sea.

The settlement (as Sablones) was found by the Romans on a road linking Maastricht (Holland) with Xanten (Germany) . In the 9th century, Venlo was first mentioned (as a trading post) and soon developed into an important town. It received city rights in the mid-14th-century (1343) and joined the Hanseatic League (Deutsche Hanse/Hansa - commercial and defensive confederation of market towns) in 1375. In 1713, the city became part of the Netherlands.

Venlo is very close to the Holland-Germany border and is connected by two highways/Autobahns (A-40 and A-61) directly to Dusseldorf , Duisburg and Cologne . A railway provides regularly scheduled train connections to Eindhoven, Roermond and Nijmegen and also to Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia state) via Kaldenkirchen to Dusseldorf and Hamm.

As cruise port, Venlo is included in the schedule of Phoenix Reisen with the riverboat Rhein Prinzessin . Next table shows the ship's 7-day "The Rhine with Rhein Prinzessin" cruisetour itinerary roundtrip from Germany.

Prices start from ~EUR 800/ ~USD 980 per person with double occupancy.

Venlo - user reviews and comments