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REAL DEALS

Netherlands & Belgium Cruise, From $2,395

Spend 10 nights aboard a river cruise ship, with tour stops to see several cute towns famous for their pubs, chocolate shops, and Gothic and Renaissance churches.
Monday, January 12, 2009 |

Brussels, Belgium
Brussels, Belgium (Goodshoot/Corbis) [enlarge photo]
The Real Deal Round-trip airfare on a major carrier, 10 nights' accommodations on a cruise ship, transfers, sightseeing tours, and all meals and beverages, from $2,395 per person—plus $430 in taxes and port charges.

When Mar. 15, 2009; add $100 for Mar. 25, Apr. 4, 5; $200 for Apr. 15; $400 for Apr. 25, 26; $700 for May 6; and $900 for Apr. 14, 16.

Buildings by a canal in Amsterdam (Tancredi J Bavosi/Getty) [enlarge photo]

Gateways New York City; add $100 for Boston; $200 for Baltimore, Chicago, D.C., Philadelphia; $300 for Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Tampa; $400 from Atlanta, Denver, L.A., San Francisco, Seattle.

The Fine Print The hefty additional costs are $145 in port charges and $285 in government taxes and fees. Based on double occupancy; single supplement from $958. Note that you can book the cruise without airfare from $1,545. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Book By Feb. 16, 2009.

Contact Grand Circle Travel, 800/959-0405, gct.com.

Why It's a Deal The trip costs breaks down to $283 per person per night, including all taxes. Consider that the price includes almost all your travel needs—meals and beverages, some sightseeing, accommodations, transfers, and airfare. Also know that you'll be getting award-winning service: Grand Circle Travel was recently named the World's Leading River Cruise Operator in the 2008 World Travel Awards.

Lodging You'll stay on one of five ships, depending on your cruise date. Ships hold 120 to 164 passengers, and all cabins have a picture window, a TV, a phone, and a private bath with a shower. Most decks include a balcony, too. Take a virtual tour of the ships here.

Itinerary After an overnight flight into Brussels, you'll be transferred to the ship in Antwerp, a 40-minute ride. There's an included tour of Antwerp before you depart to Terneuzen (where you'll get a tour of nearby Ghent). Your other ports of call are Veere, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Schoonhoven, Amsterdam, Hoorn, and Enkhuizen. There are usually tours at each port; see the detailed itinerary here.

More Add more sightseeing tours during the river cruise at rates that start at $60 per person. Add a pre-trip stay in Belgium or a post-trip stay in Amsterdam for $595 per person.

Before You Go U.S. citizens will need a valid passport for travel; a visa is not required. The spring weather in the area will be cool (an average of 48 degrees Fahrenheit) and a little wet.

Related Stories:

• River Cruising on the Danube

• 10 Questions: European River Cruises

• Chocolate in Belgium

• Amsterdam's Eastern Docklands

Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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