Imagine gliding through Europe’s scenic waterways, sipping a cocktail on deck as you pass historic cities, charming villages, and grassy landscapes — all while spending time with like-minded gay travelers. Gay tour operator Detours Travel is hosting their first River Cruise from Rotterdam via Amsterdam to Brussels. The highlight of this trip will undoubtedly be Pride Amsterdam, with three days of everything queer that the LGBTQ+ community of the Dutch capital has to offer. And as Amsterdam based travel bloggers, we are certain that you will have the time of your life in our hometown! This gay river cruise is a great way to explore two countries in one trip. All while connecting to likeminded travelers and celebrating Pride Amsterdam, one of the most spectacular LGBTQ+ events in the world!
– in paid partnership with Detours Travel –
What is Detours Travel?
Since 2012, gay owned and operated Detours Travel have been taking travelers around the world with small-group trips to Japan, Costa Rica, Italy, Peru, and many other fabulous destinations. Although we haven’t traveled with them yet, we have bumped into them at several trips and heard great stories from other gay travelers.
Detours team loves traveling in a relaxed and unhurried fashion, allowing for plenty of spontaneity and opportunities to meet new people and take part in new adventures. As travel bloggers who have been on tight scheduled press trips, we also prefer to take our time and rather experience things better than to hurry from place to place.
With Detours Travel, there’s no rigid daily schedule, just a set plan for when and where the group travels next. The rest is totally up to you. Hike, zipline, explore ancient ruins, or soak up the sun on a white sand beach—it’s all about personal choice, and there’s probably someone in the group who shares your interest and joins in on the fun. So, be more than a tourist, become a traveler like us!
Detours welcomes everyone, but most of the trips are fully booked by gay men between their 40’s and 60’s. Detours Guide Brandon also told us that many of the guys who do one trip, will book again since they like the concept and made great travel buddies.
We fully understand, because although we love to explore the world with just the two of us, we also appreciate the comradery on a group trip. We still have contact with guys we met during trips and are always looking forward to seeing them again.
Why do a Gay River Cruise with Detours Travel?
Curated by gay travelers, for gay travelers – Ensuring a welcoming and fun atmosphere with onboard entertainment, including local drag stars and a resident DJ.
Luxury & Comfort – Enjoy a brand-new boutique river cruise experience, featuring spacious cabins, gourmet dining curated by celebrity chef Todd Winner, and top-tier service.
All-Inclusive Experience – No hidden costs! Your package includes all meals, drinks, entertainment, transfers, and activities.
Social & Relaxing – Enjoy onboard cocktail hours, lounge areas, and activities, making it easy to meet new people while also having space to unwind.
Unique Destinations – Explore the beauty of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Dordrecht, Ghent, Bruges, and Brussels, with guided tours and exclusive LGBTQ+ experiences.
Pride Amsterdam Extravaganza – Arrive early to experience one of the world’s best Pride celebrations, including the iconic Canal Parade.
Advertisement
Best KLM Flight Offers
We have found attractive offers for flights worldwide and in Europe via Amsterdam with the gay-friendly KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. These include direct connections with KLM or its partner airlines Air France and Delta Air Lines in Economy, Premium Comfort and Business Class. *subject to availability / last check: Spring 2024
The Ship
Welcome aboard The Gentleman, A brand new River Cruiser for 172 passengers that started its cruising in 2024. An ultra-modern ship with a sporty look that asks for you to embark on an adventure. The Gentleman is a river cruiser with a sporty, yacht-like appearance that was designed from the inside out. Gay tour operator Detours Travel also ensures us a gay and gay-friendly staff which makes us feel confident that this will be an absolute dream of a trip!
Your Itinerary: Gay River Cruise from Amsterdam to Brussels
Day 1: Rotterdam – Modern Architecture Marvels
Your adventure begins in Rotterdam, a city that blends striking modern architecture with deep maritime history. Rotterdam’s buzzing waterfront, innovative design, and creative and LGBTQ+-friendly vibe make it the perfect destination to start this trip. Don’t forget to snap a photo of the iconic Erasmus Bridge!
Days 2, 3 & 4: Amsterdam – Pride, Canals & Culture
Next stop: Amsterdam! And not just any time of the year—Pride Amsterdam Weekend! The Dutch capital is known for its charming canals, world-class museums, and legendary LGBTQ+ nightlife, but during Pride, the city transforms into a giant celebration of love and inclusivity. Experience the famous Pride Amsterdam Canal Parade, and check out the street parties at Reguliersdwarsstraat, Dam Square, Zeedijk or the Homomonument at Westerkerk.
More? Dance the night away at parties like Bear Necessity and Fun House, or risk the long queues at Club Church or NZ Sauna if you want to keep going. During this party weekend our luxurious river cruise ship remains a peaceful retreat, with the rooftop loungers and restaurant in full operation! Feel free to ask us (Daan & Karl) if there is anything you would like to know or do in our lovely hometown.
Day 5: Kinderdijk & Dordrecht – Windmills & Dutch Heritage
Sail overnight to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is home to 19 perfectly preserved windmills. Daan is ashamed to say that he’s never been to Kinderdijk but doing it as a relaxed after-Pride-weekend activity with our 60 newest friends sounds quite wonderful. Detours will take us on a walk along these picturesque structures and we’ll learn how they’ve protected the Dutch countryside from flooding for centuries. Thank you Windmills! Afterward, we cruise to Dordrecht, one of the Netherlands’ oldest cities. Expect cobblestone streets, charming canals, and medieval landmarks like the Grote Kerk. Soak in the rich history before returning to the ship for another fantastic evening onboard.
Day 6: Ghent & Bruges – Fairytale Belgium
Crossing into Belgium, we arrive in Ghent, a city with a youthful energy and stunning medieval architecture. Visit the Gravensteen Castle, take a canal boat tour, or explore the lively squares filled with cafés and bars. From here, we take a short trip to Bruges. Marvel at the famous Belfry Tower, and, of course, indulge in Belgium’s best chocolates, waffles, and beer. After a day of adventure, we head back to the ship for an evening of entertainment and fine dining as we cruise toward our final destination.
Days 7 & 8: Brussels – A grand finale to a beautiful trip
We arrive in Brussels, the heart of the European Union and a city that offers a perfect mix of history, culture, and LGBTQ+ nightlife. Visit the Grand Place (one of Europe’s most beautiful squares), check out the Atomium, and go for Brussel’s famous mussels with fries. For nightlife, explore the LGBTQ+ nightlife, where you can raise a final toast to an unforgettable journey. The cruise officially ends here, but for those staying longer, Brussels has plenty more to offer!
Advertisement
Order our book now!
The perfect present to inspire (German-speaking) LGBTQ+ travelers and their allies to travel the world open-minded, respectfully, and with a happy heart.
Order our book online or purchase it in bookstores in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
So, who is this Gay River Cruise for?
This river cruise is perfect for gay solo travelers, couples, and friends looking for an all-inclusive adventure packed with culture, celebration, and community themed around Amsterdam Pride. With a guest mix of 60% solo travelers and 40% couples/friends, you’ll definitely find your people.
Explore the world with gay tour operator Detours Travel
Did we get you excited about joining the Gay River Cruise from Amsterdam to Brussels? Or do you rather experience something else? Well, even if The Netherlands and Belgium are not on your bucket list, Detours has so many other trips to fabulous destinations. Some of which we, as Couple of Men, have visited as well! Here are some of our favorite destinations where Detours also travels to. So, if you rather not travel alone or can’t wait to mix and mingle while your loved one is reading his book, have a look at these trips!
Couple of Men journals:
Travel with Detours:
Time to plan your Gay River Cruise Amsterdam – Brussels!
Join us on a gay river cruise from Rotterdam to Brussels incl. three days Pride Amsterdam, organized by gay tour operator Detours Travel.
We can’t wait for Pride Amsterdam to start so we can show off our beautiful hometown. Living with the water is part of Dutch DNA so we can’t think of a better way to explore The Netherlands and Belgium.
Karl & Daan.
Would you like to learn more about us gay travel bloggers and experience our queer adventures together with us? Then stay tuned and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Threads, Pinterest, and Instagram! See you soon again in Amsterdam, on board the gay river cruise ship, or on one of our next LGBTQ+ Pride trips worldwide!