Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ new 156-guest river ship, Brabant, has commenced its inaugural cruise season from Amsterdam, on a five-night Springtime Dutch Discovery itinerary.

The journey will be calling at Amsterdam, Hoorn, Kampen, Deventer, Arnhem and Nijmegen in the Netherlands, before ending in Dűsseldorf, Germany.

Peter Deer, commercial director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “Today, our new river vessel, Brabant, sets sails from Amsterdam for the first time under a Fred. Olsen flag.

“These are exciting times, as Brabant will be visiting the wonderful rivers of Europe – the Rhine, Danube, Moselle and Main – as well as pretty towns and ‘big name’ cities, such as Vienna and Strasbourg, for shopping, music and culture.

“Guests can rest assured that Fred. Olsen’s new river cruises will be underpinned by all the usual high standards, award-winning customer service and understated elegance that they have come to expect of our ocean-going offer.

“Brabant may be small, but we are proud to have developed a great product for our first year, helping to create new memories for our guests across the spectacular waterways of Europe.”

Fred. Olsen is operating its inaugural European river cruising programme between April and November 3rd.

Guests can choose from a total of 30 departures on Brabant in 2018, on durations ranging from five to 25 nights, complemented by a selection of high-quality chargeable shore excursions, designed to enhance guests’ experience of the destination.

Fred. Olsen guests – who are predominantly British – will also feel at home on board Brabant, with English spoken throughout and all transactions conducted in sterling.

The British taste will also be reflected in the cuisine, customer service and shore tours on offer.

Built in 2006, 110-metre-long Brabant is a stylish and comfortable river cruise boat and has everything that guests will need to make their holiday a memorable one: from bright and spacious public areas, to well-equipped bedrooms and ample deck space, from which to enjoy the superb views.

Fred. Olsen will be building upon the success of Brabant’s first river cruise season with an expanded programme of 33 departures in 2019, from April to November, with durations between five and 25 nights.

Once again, guests can discover the attractions of the Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers with Fred. Olsen’s warm, welcoming style of cruising, taking in charming cities, small towns and sumptuous landscapes.