Today we head to Amsterdam to Board Our Cruise! Amsterdam is Approximately 3 hours away, and we will be making the trip by private bus. The country side is beautiful, and it should be a pleasant ride.

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To take advantage of our travel day, we plan to stop in Ghent. Ghent is one of our stops on the cruise, so we will focus on one of its most Iconic Landmarks, The Castle of the Counts.

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• The current castle dates from 1180 and was the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353. It was subsequently re-purposed as a court, prison, mint, and even as a cotton mill. It was restored over 1893–1903 and is now a museum and a major landmark in the city.

 

Our stop will include:

• Tour with Guide -  Stories about lords and their vassals, justice and righteousness, edification and destruction, and the past and present.

• Time to Explore on your own and visit the Gift Shop

• Time to have lunch and shop in the area around the Castle

  • Lunch Stop Suggestion: SOEPBAR SORDO - DEAF owned Soup Restaurant​

    • Address: Lange Steenstraat 2, Ghent 9000 Belgium (click here for Map)​

    • 3 minute walk from the Castle​​

    • Youtube Video of Owner and Restaurant - Click Here

 

Here is the plan for Wednesday April 8, 2026:

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Wednesday April 8, 2026:

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7:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Breakfast at the Hotel 

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8:30 AM - 8:45 AM - Meet in Lobby to be ready to Depart

• Luggage will be picked up by the Hotel Staff - Bags to be outside door by 7:00 AM​

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After Bus is Loaded - Depart for Ghent!  ​

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10:30 AM - Arrive to Castle of the Counts Parking Area

• 5 minute walk to the Castle as a Group to start our Group Tour 

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After the Tour (Approximately 12:00 PM) 

• Enjoy Free Time to Shop and have Lunch

• Meet Back in Front of the Castle at 1:30 PM to walk to bus

• OR Meet back at the Bus at 1:40 PM

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Once All Back On Bus - Depart for Amsterdam​

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4:30 PM - Approximate Arrival to the Ship

• Boarding and Check In Process as a Group

• Welcome Reception and Meet the Ship Staff (Time To Be Announced)

• Dinner on Board

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