Water great way to see the sights

of the city from the observation deck of the A’DAM Tower where we watched boats and ferries transporting passengers to all parts of the bustling city.

If you visit, a trip on the picturesque canal ring is a must – and if you can combine it with a meal onboard then that’s the icing on the cake. We hopped off at the Hermitage museum and took a look at the latest exhibition of Dutch Masters.

The next city we woke up in was Antwerp, the ship arriving almost in the main square (Grote Markt), where the statue of Brabo told us the story of how Antwerp was named. A visit, by tram, to the De Koninck brewery, and naturally a few tasters, was ideal before we enjoyed an appetising Antwerp stew. There was so much to see that one trip is certainly not enough

Our one and only sea day followed, but there was so plenty to do on board. We enjoyed a quiz presented by none other than They Think It’s All Over host Nick Hancock, with guests including David Gower, Chris Cowdrey and Don Topley – with humour, stories and entertainment for all.

Other passengers were involved in craft sessions, history seminars, visits to the spa and gym, but after lunch most took to the viewing decks to see what is probably the selling point of this cruise: a sail down the River Seine.

I have to say, we felt like royalty. People living on the river banks were in their gardens or on their balconies, waving as we meandered past. The weather was kind, the sky blue and the sail to Rouen spectacular.

We arrived in Rouen early evening