From Amsterdam to Amsterdam aboard the Amadeus Star
August 12 - 19, 2025
8 Days, 7 Nights
The kosher river cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium offers a unique 8-day experience, during which you will enjoy full-board accommodation on the luxurious Amadeus Star riverboat. The journey begins and ends in Amsterdam, featuring visits to historic cities, picturesque canals, fascinating museums, and scenic landscapes. Highlights include a visit to Bruges, known as the "Venice of the North," and the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to one of the world's finest Van Gogh collections.
A river cruise through the diverse waterways of the Low Countries—Belgium and the Netherlands—is an experience of unparalleled beauty. The ship glides smoothly over tranquil rivers, weaving through canals, dams, and bridges—both fixed and those that rise to let vessels pass. Vast green meadows, like endless velvet carpets, stretch to the horizon, while white swans and ducks drift gracefully on the water. Towering windmills turn their mighty blades, standing like silent guardians of the landscape.
A river cruise offers a comfortable and scenic way to explore the pastoral countryside, charming villages, and picturesque towns—all from the comfort of a "floating hotel" that perfectly blends travel and relaxation.
The trip includes direct flights, a kosher kitchen with an Israeli chef, guided excursions at each port of call, and regular prayer services with a Torah scroll on board. This is the perfect opportunity to combine a cultural journey with a relaxing vacation while maintaining a kosher lifestyle.
The Ship: Amadeus Star
The riverboat Amadeus Star of the company Lüftner Cruises was launched in the spring of 2019. During the cruise, you can enjoy a panoramic restaurant and bar, a café, a gym, a heated swimming pool on the upper deck, and spacious rooms.
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Tuesday) Amsterdam – Boarding the River Cruise
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands and one of the world's top tourist destinations. The city's charming streets, fascinating contrast between old and new, and vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere make it a thriving metropolis with a distinctly Dutch character.
Check-in will be at 15:00.
Overnight stay on the riverboat.
Day 2 (Wednesday) – Arnhem Open-Air Museum – Kröller-Müller Museum
In the morning, the ship will arrive in Rhenen, from where we will head to the Arnhem Open-Air Museum, beautifully located on the outskirts of the city. We will explore over 80 historic houses, farms, and windmills from across the Netherlands and learn about village and town life in the 18th and 19th centuries. We will return to the ship for lunch and then depart for the Kröller-Müller Museum, located within a unique nature reserve. The museum contains one of the world’s finest collections of works by Vincent van Gogh, along with masterpieces by modern artists such as Claude Monet, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso, and Piet Mondrian. The sculpture garden features works by Aristide Maillol, Jean Dubuffet, Marta Pan, and others. Its forest setting and blend of art and nature make the Kröller-Müller Museum a relaxing and inspiring destination. After our visit, we will return to the ship for dinner and continue sailing toward Ghent. Overnight stay on the riverboat.
Day 3 (Thursday) – Ghent – Bruges
In the morning, we will gather for a group meeting and a lecture by our tour guide. Around noon, we will dock in Ghent, the historical capital of Flanders, located at the confluence of the Scheldt and Lys rivers. In medieval times, Ghent was one of the largest and most important cities in Europe. After lunch, we will travel to Bruges, one of Belgium's most beautiful cities, known as the "Venice of the North". We will stroll through picturesque streets, cross charming bridges over canals, and visit the market square, surrounded by ornately gabled guild houses. We will continue to Burg Square to see Belgium’s oldest town hall with its sculpted facade. We will walk along Minnewater (the "Lake of Love") and explore the serene Beguinage courtyard. The cobblestone alleys are lined with inviting chocolate shops and cafés. After our tour, we will return to the ship for dinner and continue our voyage toward Middelburg. Overnight stay on the riverboat.
Day 4 (Friday) – Middelburg – Delta Expo – Shabbat Songs and Celebrations
Early in the morning, the ship will dock in Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland province. This historic city was heavily damaged during World War II but has since been restored. Its center features a 55-meter-high bell tower that once belonged to the medieval town hall.
We will visit one of the most remarkable engineering projects in the world—the Delta project, built after the devastating 1953 North Sea flood that claimed hundreds of lives in the Netherlands. These massive flood defenses, consisting of dams, storm surge barriers, and dikes, were recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. We will tour the Delta Expo visitor center and see the impressive 3.2 km-long storm surge barrier. Upon returning to the ship, we will prepare for Shabbat. Later, we will gather in the Panorama Bar for a traditional Kabbalat Shabbat service with songs and prayers, followed by a festive Shabbat dinner in the ship's restaurant.
Overnight stay on the riverboat.
Day 5 (Saturday) – Middelburg – Shabbat Prayers and Walking Tour
After Shacharit prayers, we will enjoy breakfast in the ship’s restaurant. A traditional Torah lecture will be given at a scheduled time during the day. We will take a leisurely walking tour to soak in Middelburg’s medieval atmosphere, admire the historic weighing house, and see the impressive town hall and beautifully preserved merchant houses. After our tour, we will return to the ship for a relaxing Shabbat afternoon.
Overnight stay on the riverboat.
Day 6: (Sunday) – Rotterdam – The Hague – Panorama Mesdag
In the morning, the ship will dock in Rotterdam, from where we will depart for a tour of The Hague, the administrative capital of the Netherlands. The city is home to the royal palace, the Dutch parliament, numerous embassies, and the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice. We will visit the unique Panorama Mesdag museum, which features a massive panoramic painting of Scheveningen Beach as it appeared in the 19th century, created using a special artistic technique. We will also stop for a viewpoint and briefing about the Peace Palace. After returning to the ship for lunch, we will continue our tour of Zeeland province, visiting the visitor center of the massive storm surge barrier in the Keringhuis near Hoek van Holland. Overnight stay on the riverboat.
Day 7 (Monday) – Amsterdam – Portuguese Synagogue – Jewish History Museum
In the morning, we will dock in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands and a top global tourist destination. The city’s historic buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, its many bicycles, scenic canals, and lush parks all contribute to its unique charm.
Jewish history in Amsterdam dates back to the 15th century, when Jews fleeing persecution in Spain and Portugal found refuge here. Later, in the 17th and 18th centuries, Ashkenazi Jews arrived from Eastern Europe, attracted by the country’s religious tolerance.
We will visit the Portuguese Synagogue, built in 1675. This synagogue was the site of the ceremony lifting the excommunication of philosopher Uriel da Costa after he recanted his criticisms of Orthodox rabbinic authority. We will also visit the Jewish History Museum, housed within four former synagogues that were damaged during World War II. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the life, traditions, and artistic heritage of Amsterdam’s Jewish community. Overnight stay on the riverboat.
Day 8 (Tuesday) – Amsterdam – Direct Flight to Tel Aviv
After breakfast, we will disembark from the river cruise and transfer to Amsterdam’s airport for our return flight to Tel Aviv.
The price of the trip includes:
- Strictly kosher cuisine with certification under the supervision of Rabbi Oren Duvdevani, head of the kashrut organization.
- Full-board dining throughout the cruise, including unlimited water with meals and a glass of wine at dinner.
- Fresh meals cooked onboard under the supervision of a dedicated kosher supervisor.
- Israeli chef.
- Onboard kosher supervisor and a religious logistics staff member.
- Daily prayers, Sefer Torah on the ship, and electronic Shabbat candles.
- Buffet breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee and tea, dinner.
- Shore excursions at all ports of call (some on foot and some by bus).
- Daily music performances by the onboard musicians.
- 24/7 coffee, tea, and water station for guests.
- Welcome dinner, captain’s gala dinner, and a special crew performance.
- Tips for various service providers (except on the ship, where a payment of €60 per person is required for the entire cruise).
- Air-conditioned tourist buses for transfers to the ship and for excursions.
- Experienced Israeli guide from the "Bishvil Hazahav" team.
- Personal audio system for each traveler during shore excursions.
The price of the trip does not include:
- Tip for the kosher supervisor provided by us, amounting to € 20 per person for the entire cruise
- Tip for the guide, amounting to €5 per person per day.
Rates & Details
ROOMS
C-1 Cabin with panoramic window
A room with an upper panoramic window that cannot be opened. Wardrobe, double bed or twin beds of your choice, TV, air conditioning, bathroom with shower and toilet, hairdryer, telephone, and safe. Room size: approximately 16 sqm. Image for illustration purposes only.
The price per person in a double room on the lower deck, Hayden Deck C 1, with a size of 16 square meters, is 3,350 €
Additional charge for a single occupancy in the room: 1,697 €
Total price for a couple: 6,700 €
Total price for a single room: 5,047 €
B-4 Cabin with drop-down panoramic window (the stern of the ship)
The room has a large panoramic window (opening downwards) and includes either a double bed or twin beds of your choice, a mini-bar, a wardrobe, a television, air conditioning, a bathroom with a shower and toilet, a hairdryer, a telephone, and a safe. The approximate room size is about 17.5 square meters.
The price per person in a double room on the middle deck, Strauss Deck B 4- (located in the aft section of the river cruise ship).
with a large panoramic window (opening downwards) and a size of 17.5 square meters, is 3,900 €
Additional charge for a single occupancy in the room: 2,247 €
Total price for a couple: 7,800 €
Total price for a single room: 6,147 €
CABIN B-1 with drop-down panoramic window, Strauss Deck (middle deck)
The room has a large panoramic window (opening downwards) and includes either a double bed or twin beds of your choice, a mini-bar, a wardrobe, a television, air conditioning, a bathroom with a shower and toilet, a hairdryer, a telephone, and a safe. The approximate room size is about 17.5 square meters.
The price per person in a double room on the middle deck, Strauss Deck B1- with a large panoramic window (opening downwards) and a size of 17.5 square meters, is 4,040 €
Additional charge for a single occupancy in the room: 2,387 €
Total price for a couple: 8,080 €
Total price for a single room: 6,427 €
CABIN A-1, Mozart Deck (upper deck) with drop-down panoramic window
The room has a large panoramic window (opening downwards) and includes either a double bed or twin beds of your choice, a mini-bar, a wardrobe, a television, air conditioning, a bathroom with a shower and toilet, a hairdryer, a telephone, and a safe. The approximate room size is about 17.5 square meters.
The price per person in a double room on the upper deck, Mozart Deck, with a large panoramic window A1- (opening downwards) and a size of 17.5 square meters, is 4,230 €
Additional charge for a single occupancy in the room: 2,577 €
Total price for a couple: 8,460 €
Total price for a single room: 6,807 €
AMADEUS Suite, Mozart Deck (upper deck) with walk-out exterior balcony
A suite with a balcony you can step out onto, a sofa, a mini bar, a wardrobe, a choice of either a double bed or twin beds, a television, air conditioning, a bathroom with a shower and toilet, a bathrobe, a hairdryer, a telephone, and a safe.
Room size: 26.4 square meters.
The price per person in a double suite on the upper floor Mozart Deck with a balcony of 26.4 square meters is 5,300 €
Additional cost for a single occupancy in the room is 3,647 €
Therefore, the total price for a couple is 10,600 €
And the total price for a single room is 8,397 €
Deck Plan
Important to know:
- The tour price does not include tips for the tour guide (€5 per person per day) and tips for the kosher supervisor (€20 per person for the entire trip).
- The cruise company and "Bishvil Hazahav" reserve the right to modify the itinerary in cases of malfunctions in the river cruise ship, changes in river water levels, disruptions or blockages at river locks, or weather conditions preventing the scheduled itinerary. In such cases, deviations from the published route may occur, including overnight stays in hotels instead of on the ship or alternative means of transportation such as a replacement ship or buses instead of river cruising. If the cruise is only part of the trip, itinerary changes may also impact the rest of the tour, including the route, hotels, and transportation arrangements.
- Room assignment, location, and number will be determined by the cruise company based on the booked category. Specific room selection is not possible in advance. We will do our best to accommodate special requests regarding room location but cannot guarantee them.
During certain dockings, multiple river ships may be moored alongside each other. In such cases, your cabin's view may be temporarily obstructed by the adjacent ship. If the ship is docked next to another, exiting the ship may require passing through the neighboring vessel, which could involve climbing stairs.
The tour itinerary is suitable for travelers who can walk at least 30 minutes continuously. In historic cities where buses are not permitted, walking tours will be conducted. Those with mobility difficulties may wait at a café and rejoin the group later. Since many tours take place in old cities with cobblestone streets and occasional staircases, wheelchairs and walkers cannot be accommodated.
Category B-4 cabins are located on the middle deck at the rear of the ship. In these rooms, vibrations and/or noise may occur when the ship accelerates, docks, or maneuvers.