A Unique Holland River Cruise on the Aurora

A personalized journey through Holland is truly a unique way to cruise! You might not think that a small ship or even a barge can have stylish suites with high quality linens, cuisine prepared by a top-rated chef, and provide amazing excursions...but they can. Take a peek inside the Aurora, an acclaimed 3-deck barge, featuring 4 spacious suites, each with a private bathroom and luxurious amenities, fine dining, and a wonderful itinerary throughout Holland. I'm already enamored by the sound of this exceptional service while cruising through a region I've always dreamed of seeing. And, yes! Cruise a full-boat charter and even your kids would love it. For passionate cruisers, an Aurora cruise looks like an extraordinary experience. And don't just take my word for it, Aurora has an impressive list of famous guests who have cruised on her. Re-live their glamorous experience through testimonials on their website at www.cruiseshipaurora.nl.

Visit the website at Aurora or email [email protected] to find out more or when you are ready to book. ​(Don't forget to mention that you want My Virtual Vacations to come along, too!) 

Photo Credit: Aurora

Explore an Aurora Cruise Through the Netherlands

The Suites

Relax and sleep in comfort during your Aurora cruise in one of the suites, perfectly decorated and attended. 

​From their website, here's why you'll sleep well when cruising through Holland:  ​

​We have four spacious cabins (together with en-suite bathroom each of them covers 27m2 of space) to offer with king sized beds (180cm width, 200cm length); beds in two cabins can be further converted into twin beds (2 x 90cm width, 200cm length).

Each cabin is equipped with the following: a console, 2 armchairs or chairs, chest of drawers and a large closet with slippers and a safe, Bose CD player/alarm, central heating as well as the air-conditioning with an individual climate control.

En-suite private bathroom in each cabin entails: an extra-large powerful shower stall, toilet, twin washbasins, toiletries, a hair-dryer, heated towel rack, vanity and magnifying mirror, a set of large and small towels as well as the bathrobes.

Photo Credit: Aurora

Photo Credit: Aurora

​Our spacious guests suites are designed for maximum comfort and equipped with:

• King size beds (in two cabins the beds can be converted into twin beds )
• Mattresses Merinos Slumberland Group R-Activ alveolar, high performance and resistance, hypoallergenic, fire resistant and antibacterial, made in France
• Yves Delorme Paris: cotton double fitted sheets, 100% cotton, 800 thread count linens
• Console, chairs, chest of drawers, and a large closet
• Bose wave radio / CD player music system, bluetooth to your phone.
• Air-Co with an individual climate control
• Ceiling height 7ft
• Attractive large bathroom with 2 washbasins, an extra-large shower stall, toilet, vanity, hairdryer, magnifying mirror, terry robes, heated towels racks and a generous storage.
• Fresh flowers, Fruit basket, Nuts & Chocolate, as well as bottled water in each Suite.

Photo Credit: Aurora

The Food

Indulge in having your own chef to prepare a choice of local and favorite specialties just the way you like them. It's not your standard cruise dining, but a surprising extravaganza of gourmet ingredients prepared fresh at every meal. 

​From their website, here's a mouthwatering taste, including sample menus, when dining on the Aurora cruise:

Photo Credit: Aurora

​​Your private Waterway Gourmet Chef aboard will propose an extensive list of his specialties to enable you to choose from.

​Passengers have the choice to eat their favorite food or experience new flavors based on our a la carte menus.
Our chef does his best to buy products that are local and organic, bought daily to ensure of their freshness. We also make our own jams, spreads or pates! Your talented Chef’s fine cuisine, based on seasonal products is authentic and creative, and appealing both to the eye as well as being delicious to the palate – it will procure emotion and pleasure.
Each meal is accompanied by a selection of finest wines from France and all over the world. Of course, we do not forget our ​vegetarian or vegan friends or those with other specific dietary needs who will be treated with the same attention.

Breakfast selections consist of freshly baked goods, along with fruit salad, cereals, yogurt, cheese, eggs on request, coffee, tea, and freshly squeezed orange juice. For lunches and dinners, your Waterway Gourmet Chef creates regionally and seasonally inspired fare. Lunch is typically served in a buffet style featuring hearty salads, soups and savory entrees, and your 3-course gourmet dinner is served all in a festive setting.

SAMPLE MENUS:

​These are samples (3 course meals) with an international flair menu. Each meal is an event carefully planned and prepared as an exquisite culinary experience. All fresh from the local markets along the way- the best of what Holland has to offer from her excellent bounty.

Sample Menu 1

• Brazed leeks topped with chopped eggs, parsley and a vinaigrette dressing
• Beef stroganoff with finely sliced mushrooms, peppers and onions on a spicy vodka sauce served with rice and garnished with a roasted tomato with a fine herbs and breadcrumbs topping
• Ricotta dumplings stuffed with fresh strawberries served with melted butter, roasted breadcrumbs and powder sugar

Sample ​Menu 2

• ​Shrimp cocktail served on a bed of crispy Roman lettuce, topped with a whisky sauce and garnished with caviar, a slice of lemon, cucumber, tomato and egg
• Grilled dorade/sea bream with a hot chili sauce garnished with a Brazilian style vegetable salsa and rice
• K’s double layer cheesecake made of full fat cream cheese, sour cream and Greek yoghurt topped with a red coulis (pureed sauce) of forest fruit

Sample ​Menu 3

• Warm wild mushroom salad with bacon and drizzled with sweet balsamic reduction
• Carre d’Agneau Persille/ Rack of Lamb with parsley and garlic crust, served with ratatouille Nicoise
• Fruit medley tiramisu with fresh red fruit filling, Marsala wine and velvety cream

Sample ​Menu 4

• Mouthwatering grilled goat cheese salad consisting of French bread croutons topped with warm goat cheese served on a bed of green salad (mesclun) with a dressing vinaigrette and walnuts
• Beef bourguignon – a sumptuous slow-cooked casserole of beef chunks, carrots, silver baby onions in a red wine sauce served with green beans tossed in sautéed bacon and sesame seeds and roasted flour potatoes
• Tarte Tatin – famous upside-down apple tart with an apple layer caramelized in sugar and butter served with vanilla ice-cream and French custard

Sample ​Menu 5

• Shrimp croquette with a variety of salads and sweet chillied mustard sauce
• Seafood spaghetti – a scrumptious seafood dish of prawns, mussels, squid and baby octopus simmered in a bisque sauce (creamy strained broth of crustaceans) sprinkled with parmesan shavings
• Poached pears in red wine sauce with cinnamon and anise seeds, served in a basket of spun sugar and crème anglaise

Sample ​Menu 6

• Veritable Bouillabaisse (Mediterranean fish soup) served with croutons and homemade rouille
• Magret de canard aux pistaches (duck breasts with pistachios) garnished with carrot puree, sweet potato and chestnut puree
• Puits d’Amour – pastry hearts with rich vanilla cream and fresh currants and gooseberries

The Itinerary

​It's all about the highlights of Holland from Schiedam to Amsterdam on an Aurora cruise. ​​Photos below provided by Aurora. 

Just imagine luxuriously cruising through the Netherlands.

A re-imagined traditional barge for an exclusive experience.

​From their website, here's a sample of the magical Netherlands ports you might experience:

​Day 1 - Sunday: Schiedam
​Day 2 - Monday: Rotterdam/Delft/Leiden
​​Day 3 - Tuesday: Haarlem
​​​Day 4 - Wednesday: Zaandam/Zaanse Schans
​Day 5 - Thursday: Amsterdam/Alphen aan den Rijn
​​Day 6 - Friday: Aalsmeer/Gouda
​Day 7 - Saturday: Back to Schiedam

Photo Credit: Aurora

The Experience

Bring the family (even the kids!) for a full-ship charter and sit back, relax, and tour Holland in the most glamorous and exciting way on an Aurora cruise. 

​From their website, take a look at this unbelievable list of amenities and everything that's included, down to the finest details on this unique 40 meter hotel barge experience:

Amenities:

• Stylish furniture
• Original artwork
• Fabrics and linen from the most exclusive French houses of Yves Delormes
• Finest china and porcelain from Niderviller and Gien
• Crystal glasses from Baccarat
• Silverware from Chambly house
• Marble, teak and handmade terracotta tiles
• Luxury brand toiletries
• Customized sunken jacuzzi with a deep sofa and armchairs
• Covered terrace with a majestic granite table for al fresco dining
• A semi-circular indoor-outdoor bar
• A full width lounge door or a large bay window, disappearing into the wall between the terrace and the salon, gives an incredible sense of space, offering privileged views over the river and leads to a terraced alfresco dining area
• A fireplace, a library, a music corner, Bluetooth iPhone dock and Wifi
• A professional Bose surround sound system
• Internet 24/7 (subject to reception)
• Mac desk top & mac Lap top available, if you travel light
• The main salon adjacent to the dining area gives an incredible sense of well-being, a perfect charming place, warm & cosy, in contemporary style
• The roof deck is the perfect place to ease your mind after cruising, enjoying the scenery and the sunshine or watching the stars at night, maybe with a good cigar!

​​What’s included:

• Transfers from your hotel or airport to Aurora.
• All accommodation
• Gourmet meals/wine/open bar
• Excursions: entry fees & excursion tips.

Safes

• Every cabin has an electronic, self-coded safe.

Jacuzzi

• On Front deck.

Fitness and bicycles

• 8 x 18 speed bicycles & helmets on board.
• Endless walking on the tow path, besides the Aurora….we cruise at walking speed. You can get on & off in any lock…so you choose your distance.
• Joggers: early morning in the country side, before we sail.

Internet

• 24/7 Wi-Fi throughout Aurora (subject to reception) Both, our Holland & Alsace Routes have very good reception.

TV

• Aurora has NO television on board. It is a vacation! But with internet and Laptop/iPad you can always stay connected and informed.

Special diets

• We can happily accommodate special diets for Diabetic: Food Combining: Low fat: Sugar free: Atkins: Vegetarian: Vegan: Paleo: Wahls Protocol: Okinawa Diet
• Tell us your special dietary needs or food allergies are & we will work with you.

Hairdryers

• A hairdryer is in every cabin, Along with Roger Gallet: Shampoo: Conditioner: Body lotion: Shower gel.

Laundry service

• Aurora is happy to do some laundry for you. We understand the pleasure in traveling LITE. It is also easier for us to do a load of “smalls” instead of hand rinsing & drying them in your en-suite.

Electricity

• 220v throughout the ship. (All laptops and phone chargers are 110 & 220v compatible) We have travel adapters if you need them.

Doctors

• We are near a doctor every day. Our bus is available 24/7 for emergencies as well as local ambulances and an incredibly efficient Hospital system.

Dress code

• Smart casual – entirely up to you on a full boat charter. Some guests dress for dinner but a lot do not.

Wheelchairs

• The gangplank for entering and exiting the ship restricts wheelchairs, requiring guests to be able to walk on and off the ship. There are wheel chair friendly barges….Email [email protected] & I will happily give you their names and contact details.

Children

• Yes: With Pleasure – on full boat charters.

​Smoking

• Smoking forbidden inside of the ship, but allowed on the upper sun deck.

Truly an all-inclusive and spectacular way to see the Netherlands, I've just added an Aurora river cruise to my bucket list! 

To find out more or if you are ready to book, visit their website at Aurora or email [email protected], or reach out to My Virtual Vacations for questions.