Avalon Luminary
Ship Facts
Ship's Registry: Germany
Passenger Capacity: 138
Crew Members: 39
Year Built: 2010
Length: 361 feet
Passenger Decks: 3
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Belgium to Netherlands
All-Lesbian River Cruise 2016
April 12 – 19, 2016
Avalon Waterways Avalon Luminary
We're visiting Belgium for the first time, and we're heading back to The Netherlands! Known for its incredible beers and mussels, Belgium will delight you with its stunning history, remarkable architecture and friendly citizens.
Belgium is a country of two distinct halves. The southern, French-speaking Wallonia, is more rural than its Flemish-speaking northern sister, Flanders; here you will find hundreds-year old caves, medieval castles and bucolic valleys. Namur, Huy and Liège all offer Gothic architectural styles in their old towns; quirky Liège also houses the Grand Curtius, a renovated 17th-century mansion with a wealth of museum collections.
Flanders, on the other hand, is interspersed with many historic cities. Enjoy the Grote Markt in Antwerp's old quarter and the Church of our Lady (featuring paintings by Flemish Baroque painter, Peter Paul Rubens). Antwerp is home of the Museum Plantin-Moretus, which was recently made a UNESCO World-Heritage site.
In Ghent, the "diamond" of Flanders, learn about the city's medieval wealth and its canal side architecture, or take an optional excursion to the fairy-tale medieval town of Bruges, with its picturesque cobblestone streets, crisscrossed canals and charming old patrician houses.
The southern Netherlands has many Belgian and German influences, and Maastricht displays this prominently with its fine beer and Limburger cheese. Dordrecht, the oldest Dutch city (c. 1220), was one of the most powerful Dutch regions until the late-16th century. And Amsterdam, with its beautiful canals, rich history, and LGBT-friendly attitude, shines on as the country's brightest star, just waiting to take your breath away.
Your Entertainment
Lisa Koch
Daft. Demented. #SNORT. Picture Tina Fey meets Bette Midler with Joan Jett guitar chops... and you've got Seattle's Lisa Koch. An irreverent singer/comedian, out lesbian and sober chick, Koch ("Coke") is a deliciously twisted mix of comedy, theater, and tunes. She has recorded four solo CDs, is one-half of quirky sketch comedy duo, Dos Fallopia, and has shared the stage with the likes of Janis Ian, Kate Clinton, The Indigo Girls, and Steve Martin. She composed the Off-Broadway musical "27, Rue de Fleurus", has been seen on LOGO and Olivia Cruises, and actually had one of her songs sampled by Jay-Z. Lisa brings to Olivia her guitar, her wacky songs, and her musings on being a woman… from middle age to mammograms to singing vulvas.
Roxanna Ward
 Roxanna is a beloved member of the Olivia family. Her debut with Olivia was on an Alaska cruise in 1992. Since then, she's joined us several times a year! Her brilliant comedy, writing, musicianship and singing endears her to audiences everywhere. A woman of many talents, Roxanna is a mother, high school teacher, producer, writer and director. Her past credits include work with Dolly Parton, Kirk Douglas and many others. The late Phyllis Hyman, and more recently, Suede, have both recorded Roxanna's song "Remember Who You Are." Whether you are seeing Roxanna for the first time or tenth time, she always makes you laugh and warms your heart.
Your Ship - Avalon Luminary
The Avalon Luminary, brand new in 2010, is one of the latest additions to the Avalon Waterways river cruising fleet. This beautifully-designed ship features elegant polished metal and glass throughout, panoramic picture windows for easy sightseeing, and carries a maximum of 138 passengers. Avalon Luminary staterooms and suites are spacious and well appointed, with floor-to-ceiling windows on two decks. They feature a minimum of 172 square feet of space and are the largest of the European rivers today. After a day of sightseeing, relax in the lounge, or enjoy the whirlpool on the Sky Deck. The ship also boasts a fitness center, library, hair salon, bar, Wi-Fi hotspots, and spacious decks for sitting and sunning.
Some of the features and amenities you'll enjoy onboard:
• Access & Wi-Fi hotspots
• Elegant polished metal & glass throughout
• Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music
• Panoramic picture windows for landscape viewing
• Hair salon
• Fitness center
• Spacious Sky Decks with shade system for sunning
• 6-person whirlpool
• Lounge & Bar
• Complimentary coffee & tea available throughout the day
• Fine dining
• Buffet breakfast items are conveniently color coded to indicate foods that are low calorie, low fat/low calorie, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy
• Complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks included with all onboard dinners
• Open seating throughout the dining room for all meals
• Internet Corner
• Fitness Center
• Hair salon (manicures available)
• Lounges and upscale bar serving premium spirits
• Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
• Onboard movie nights
• Avalon Choice cruising experience
• Behind-the-scenes ship tour
• Choice of Leisurely, Traditional or Independent sightseeing options
• Use of Nordic walking sticks
• Local Favorites onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans & experts
• English-speaking TV channels with over 100 free movie options
• Sky Deck game area
• Fresh fruit available throughout the day
• Well-stocked library
• Selection of Local Favorites to bring the customs, cultures, and tastes of your destination to life
Dining:
• Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
• Captain's reception with sparkling wine & canapés
• Welcome dinner
• Five-course farewell dinner
• Spacious, open-seating dining room
• Daily early-riser breakfast
• Daily late-riser breakfast
• Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine and made-to-order egg station
• Complimentary juices with breakfast
• Sky Bistro on the Sky Deck
• Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
• Lunch buffet with carving and pasta stations
• Breakfast buffets with foods that are low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy
• Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
• Social hour and drink specials in Panorama Lounge
• Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
• Chef-inspired regional & Western recipes
• Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
• Complimentary wines, beer, or soft drinks with dinner
• Complimentary soft drinks with lunches
• Night Fare served at 10:30 pm
• Room service for Continental breakfast & beverages (service fee applies)
• Upscale bar serving premium spirits
• Healthy meal options
• Tastings - sample the destination's famous delicacies
• Coffee or tea after dinner
• Alternative light lunch
Deluxe Staterooms & Suites Amenities:
• Flatscreen satellite TV & radio
• Comfortable, hotel-style beds
• Comfortable beds that can be configured as two twins or one queen
• European-style duvets
• Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
• Private bathroom with shower
• Large closets
• Minibar, hairdryer & safe
• Individual climate control
• Royal Deck passengers can order Continental breakfast to their staterooms
• All staterooms are outside and those on Royal and Sapphire Decks have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and French balconies
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors in most staterooms
• French balconies in most staterooms
What is included?
• Transfer from our host hotel in Brussels to the ship in Namur on embarkation day, April 12, 2016
• Transfer from the ship in Haarlem to the Amsterdam (AMS) airport on disembarkation day, April 19, 2016
• Accommodations for 8 days/7 nights on one of the finest riverboat cruises in Europe
• All meals while on board
• Cheeses from the regions each evening as a dessert option
• Local wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner and soft drinks during lunch
• Coffee, tea, juices during all meals
• Complimentary Wi-Fi and internet corner
• Bottled water replenished in cabin daily
• Included sightseeing tours in each port
• Gratuities to ship crew & Avalon Cruise Director
• Two Olivia entertainers and Olivia programming
• Olivia Staff assistance throughout
What's not included?
• Transfer from the airport to the host hotel on April 12, 2016
• Transfer from the ship in Amsterdam to the airport on April 19, 2016
• Optional tours
• Porterage at host hotel in Brussels before included transfer to the ship (when dropping off luggage)
• Alcoholic beverages, additional bottled water and soft drinks (except where indicated)
• Tips to local guides
• Phone/Fax/Internet (wireless is included on board)
• Salon Services
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Belgium to Netherlands River Cruise Itinerary
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Date |
Port |
Meals |
| 12 Apr |
Brussels - Namur, Belgium |
D |
| 13 Apr |
Namur - Huy - Liège, Belgium - Maastricht, Netherlands |
B, L, D |
| 14 Apr |
Maastricht, Netherlands |
B, L, D |
| 15 Apr |
Antwerp, Belgium |
B, L, D |
| 16 Apr |
Gavere, Belgium |
B, L, D |
| 17 Apr |
Ghent, Belgium (Bruges) |
B, L, D |
| 18 Apr |
Dordrecht, Netherlands |
B, L, D |
| 19 Apr |
Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
B |
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Arrive into Brussels prior to 2:00pm. Shuttle from the Brussels Host Hotel to the ship in Namur is included and will depart at approximately 3:00pm.
Flights can depart from the Amsterdam Airport (AMS) at any time on April 19 as the ship will overnight in Amsterdam on April 18.
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Brussels - Namur, Belgium
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
 Welcome to Belgium, seat of the European Union. Today, you'll arrive in Brussels, where you will meet at the Olivia host hotel for your included transfer to the ship in Namur at approximately 4:00pm. You'll be greeted by the Olivia staff and ship's crew at a welcome reception with dinner.
Namur - Huy - Liège, Belgium - Maastricht, Netherlands
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
 Namur is located on two rivers, the Meuse and the Sambre, and was an ideal location for the earliest Roman settlements. The streets of the town are where its charm and atmosphere lie and much of Namur has been dedicated to pedestrians, making it easy to get around. The symbol of the city is the snail, and visitors are encouraged to relax and enjoy the charming medieval squares and gracious streets lined with mansions, chic shops and cafés. See the striking Namur Fortress, one of Europe's largest. Join a local guide for a guided tour of this city.
Maastricht, Netherlands
Thursday, April 14, 2016
 This morning, wake up in the bustling cosmopolitan capital of the province of Limburg. A local guide will show you the sights of this vibrant university town—the lovely cathedrals, old houses and buildings, and the impressively cobblestoned town center. Later, take advantage of free time to explore on your own. Maybe wander through the hidden alleys or relax with a drink at a café in Vrijthof, the town's main square. Depart for Amsterdam and enjoy a leisurely afternoon of sailing.
Antwerp, Belgium
Friday, April 15, 2016
 Antwerp is Belgium's second-largest city and one of the world's most important ancient seaports. It merges the new with the old and offers the attractions and atmosphere you'd expect from a European city—friendly people, fabulous architecture, chic shops, interesting museums, vibrant cafés, charming galleries, and historic monuments. Included sightseeing with a local guide shows you its superb architecture; the central Grote Markt, lined with 16th-century houses; the beautiful city hall, completed in 1566; and the Church of Our Lady, started in 1352 and featuring paintings by Peter Paul Rubens. An optional excursion is available to nearby Brussels, Belgium's capital and home of the European Union.
Gavere, Belgium
Sarurday, April 16, 2016
 Excursion to Ypres and the Battlefields of Eastern Flanders. A moving day today as you travel by motorcoach for a full day to view the WWI battlefields of Ypres and Eastern Flanders. The war on the Western Front was fought in three phases, and lasted from 1914 until 1918, leaving behind a scarred landscape in Belgian Flanders and north eastern France. Today there are many thousands of war graves and commemorative memorials for the fallen of many nations along the line of the battlefields that formed The Western Front. The city of Ypres was fought over for almost all the four years of the Great War and practically destroyed, but rebuilt so that one would not guess that the buildings date from less than a century ago. It is close to here that John McCrae's famous poem "In Flanders fields the poppies blow…" is believed to have been written, and in many countries on every 11th November, poppies are worn in remembrance of Armistice Day
Ghent, Belgium (with optional excursion to Bruges)
Sunday, April 17, 2016
 In a unique way, Ghent, the "diamond" of Flanders, has managed to preserve its medieval charm and power while keeping up with the times. A local guide will proudly point out that the city center alone is a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success. Visit St. Baaf's Cathedral, which houses remarkable art treasures, including the most important work in Flemish art, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, created by the Van Eyck brothers around 1432. On your own, explore the traffic-free streets in the city center; see Gravensteen, the "castle of the counts," an imposing castle in the city that was built in 1180; or join an optional excursion to fascinating Bruges with its criss-crossed canals and charming old patrician houses.
Dordrecht, Netherlands
Monday, April 18, 2016
 Sitting between two branches of the Rhine, charming Dordrecht inspired many painters in the 17th and 18th centuries. There are picturesque harbors in Dordrecht, but no canals. The Great Church, "Grote Kerk" is the most well-known monument and a landmark, while the "Voorstraatshaven" forms the backbone of the old city. Your guided tour will show you the highlights of this attractive town and you may even catch sight of Noah's Ark. Explore this delightful town on your own this afternoon or join an optional excursion to nearby Keukenhof gardens.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Disembarkation)
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
 Welcome to Amsterdam! The capital of Holland is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. There is no better way to see the city than by canal boat, cruising through the elegant grachten-lined canals with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's "Golden Age."
Your trip ends with breakfast this morning. To make your trip longer, join us on our post-vacation stretcher in Amsterdam or extend another week on our Tulips in Amsterdam Riverboat.
Traveler Info
Being Gay in Belgium and Amsterdam
Since 2012, Belgium has an openly gay Prime Minister who has been working towards equal rights. The city of Antwerp hosted the OUT Games in 2013, and continues to embrace our community. The Netherlands, in particular, is very gay-friendly. The Netherlands was the first country to legalize marriage equality. You can feel very secure holding hands and being yourself while walking the streets. We often work with "Pink Point," the main kiosk near the Homo Monument in Amsterdam to let them know we are arriving, and you will see many store fronts with Olivia signs, welcoming you all to Amsterdam! We strongly encourage you to join us on our post-trip stretchers to enjoy everything this gay-friendly city has to offer.
Food
Traditional Belgian and Dutch cuisine includes mussels, raw herring, meat, potatoes and oliebol (fried dough with currants and powdered sugar). Cheese, along with butter and buttermilk, are in abundance because dairy farms saturate the countryside. Cheeses such as Gouda, Edam and Leyden (cumin-infused) can be found in many markets in Holland. Dutch colonization brought Indonesian immigration and cuisine to Holland and Turkish restaurants dot the city of Amsterdam. Along the "walking" route, there are several pastry shops, pizza and Chinese food restaurants. There are also many Indian and Thai food choices as well.
There are few women-owned restaurants to enjoy in Amsterdam; one we have visited for the past 4 years, Bistro Bij Ons, offers up local treats like stampot and boerenkool at affordable prices (we suggest you get a local to help you with pronunciation!). Run by Carla and Esther, this popular lesbian spot seems to have more people than tables, so make sure to call ahead for reservations.
Languages
Dutch, French and German are primarily spoken in Belgium. Dutch is the primary language of Holland. In both countries, most people speak English as a 2nd language.
Travel documentation and identification
You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. You DO NOT need to get a visa for travel to Belgium or The Netherlands. If you are not a U.S., or EU citizen, please check with both your country's consulate and the consulates of the countries we will be visiting to make sure that you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.
Where to fly into/out of
You will need to fly into Brussels International Airport (BRU) and out of Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport (AMS). We encourage all passengers to extend their trip with our pre- and post-trip stretchers to enjoy all Brussels and Amsterdam have to offer, as well as to avoid the stress of unexpected delays.
Suggested arrival/departure times
Pre-Trip Extension – We will be offering a 1- and 2-night pre-trip extension April 11-12 and April 10-12, 2016 in Brussels. Arrive into Brussels by 1:00pm, but note the rooms may not be available for check-in until 3:00pm. We will do everything possible to get you into your rooms when you arrive, but this is completely up to the hotel's occupancy/cleaning schedule.
Cruise embarkation April 12, 2016
Arrive into Brussels prior to 2:00pm. Shuttle from the Brussels Host Hotel - Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Brussels to the ship in Namur is included and will depart at approximately 3:00pm. The ship is approximately one hour from Brussels.
End of Cruise Departure out of Amsterdam, April 19, 2016
Flights can depart from the Amsterdam Airport (AMS) at any time on April 19 as the ship will overnight in Amsterdam on April 18. Guests can arrange for taxi transportation on board for approximately 50 Euros per taxi.
Post Trip Extension
We are offering a 2- and 3-night extension in Amsterdam after the cruise, April 19-21, 2016 and April 19-22, 2016. Those on our post-trip stretchers can depart at any time on their final day. Check Vacation Stretchers page for more information.
Luggage allowances
While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances. For travel in Europe, we recommend no more than one large piece and a smaller carry-on for ease of travel.
Transfers and Meeting up with Olivia
Getting to the ship
Please note that the docking locations for the ship vary and are not easy for taxi drivers to find. As well, Namur is quite a distance from Brussels. For this reason, we are offering a direct transfer to the ship from our host hotel - Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Brussels.
A taxi from the airport to the host hotel will run approximately €32-45, depending on traffic. If they do not have a meter, be sure this is negotiated beforehand.
Check-in
Check-in for the ship will begin at 4:00pm on April 12, 2016.
Dining
Fine dining on board offers European cuisine.
Electricity
The cabins have 220-volt electricity. Adapters for 220-volts should be European 2-round prongs.
Excursions
A walking and/or city tour is included in each of the ports visited. Optional tours are available to book on board that range from approximately €34 to €50.
Gratuities
Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. Gratuities are provided for your cabin steward, dining room steward, bus person, maître d', Avalon Cruise Director and other-behind-the-scenes crew members. Tipping is not included for the local guides.
Below is a suggested guideline:
Local Guide: ½ day - €2-€3 or full day €4-€5
Bus driver: €1
Internet / e-mail / fax
There is a complimentary Internet center on the ship. Guests may also bring their own phones/laptops and use the complimentary wireless Internet plan.
Laundry and dry cleaning
Laundry and pressing service is available. Check on board for pricing.
Medical services
The ship is minutes away from hospitals when we are docked or close to local towns along the river. The ship does not have an onboard doctor.
Smoking policy
The ship has entirely non-smoking interiors and balconies. A smoking area will be designated on the top deck, starboard side, only accessible by stairs.
Solo travelers
We will have a solos program on board led by a solos coordinator who will ensure you have a great time.
Money: Paying for things on board
The currency is €Euros. All purchases made on the ship will be charged to your onboard account, which you create when you first check in. Please check with the front office on the ship for further details.
After Your Trip
Transfers to the airport
Flights can depart from the Amsterdam Airport (AMS) at any time on April 19 as the ship will overnight in Amsterdam on April 18. Guests can arrange for taxi transportation on board for approximately 50 Euros per taxi.
Vacation Stretchers
We are offering a 2- and 3-night extension in Amsterdam after the cruise, April 19-21, 2016 and April 19-22, 2016. Those on our post-trip stretchers can depart at any time on their final day. Check Vacation Stretchers page for more information.
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