In short
Easter 2027 is on 28 March, and the Dutch May holiday runs from 24 April to 2 May. At Easter, the Canary Islands are still warm while the Mediterranean is just opening its season and still cool. By May, the Mediterranean is warm and the first fjord sailings leave Rotterdam. Holiday weeks fill first, so book early.
Holidays and school breaks in 2027
Easter moves every year, and the school holidays move with it. This is how spring 2027 looks for the Netherlands and Belgium:
| Holiday or break | Dates 2027 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) | 26 March | In the Netherlands a day off for some, depending on the employer; a normal working day in Belgium |
| Easter Sunday | 28 March | Easter Monday, 29 March, is a public holiday in both countries |
| Easter holiday in Flanders | 29 March – 11 April | Two weeks straight after Easter for Dutch-speaking schools in Belgium |
| King's Day (Koningsdag) | 27 April, Tuesday | Falls inside the May holiday |
| May holiday in the Netherlands (meivakantie) | 24 April – 2 May | Recommended dates, the same for all regions; some schools add a second week, up to 9 May |
| Spring holiday in French-speaking Belgium | 26 April – 7 May | Schools in Brussels and Wallonia (FWB) |
| Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) | 6 May, Thursday | A public holiday in both countries — handy for a short trip |
School holiday dates are recommendations; schools can shift them. Check the exact days with your school.
Where to sail in spring
Spring is when cruise ships move from their winter routes to their summer ones. That is why the choice at the end of March looks quite different from the choice in early May.
The Mediterranean opens its season
Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Genoa and Marseille have departures all spring, and more each month. Late March brings daytime highs of around 15–18 °C and a cold sea: perfect for cities and excursions, not for the beach.
From Barcelona in April →The Canaries: the last of the winter warmth
At Easter, week-long island cruises from Tenerife and Gran Canaria are still running, with around 21–23 °C in the day. In April the season winds down to a few sailings, mostly one way to the Mediterranean.
From Tenerife in March →No flight: from Rotterdam and Hamburg
March has only a handful of sailings, mostly around a week along Britain and Western Europe. There are more from April, and in May the fjord season begins. Short two-to-five-night trips are rare in spring.
From Rotterdam in May →Spring crossings of the Atlantic
Ships head back to Europe from Florida, the Caribbean and South America. It is a one-way cruise of two to three weeks: you fly out and sail home.
From Miami in April →Port guides: Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Genoa, Marseille, Tenerife, Rotterdam. More on crossings: transatlantic cruises and one-way cruises.
Easter or the May holiday?
Easter weekend, 26–29 March
If you want warmth, go for the Canaries, where the winter season is still running. If cities, museums and walking without the heat matter more, the western Mediterranean works well: Barcelona, Rome via Civitavecchia, Genoa, Marseille. Venice is only just waking up in late March, with very few departures from Marghera and Fusina so far. Pack a jacket: evenings on deck are fresh.
From Civitavecchia in March → · Cruise calendar: March →
May holiday, 24 April – 9 May
By early May the Mediterranean is in full swing: around 20–24 °C in the day, plenty of departures from Barcelona, Civitavecchia and Venice, and Greece and Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean. From Rotterdam, the first ships head for the Norwegian fjords — no flight needed, but expect cool weather. The May holiday is the busiest week of the spring, especially for family cabins.
One thing to know: Greek Orthodox Easter falls on 2 May in 2027, and it is the biggest holiday of the year in Greece. If your ship calls at a Greek port that weekend, some museums and shops may be closed.
From Venice in May → · Venice port guide → · April · May
Spring on the river
A river cruise is another spring option without flying. In April, AmaWaterways runs "Tulip Time" round trips from Amsterdam through the rivers and canals of the Netherlands and Belgium, with a visit to the Keukenhof gardens. River cruises are new in the club, so check the club's search to see which sailings you can book.
Easter on board
Many ships mark the holiday with a special menu and seasonal decorations, and family sailings sometimes add activities for children. But the programme depends on the ship and the route, so do not count on particular traditions. If attending a church service matters to you, look for a port day in a city that weekend, or celebrate at home and sail before or after.
When to book
- Easter 2027 is not far off. It is less than six months away, and the choice of dates and cabins is narrowing. If you are planning for this spring, do not wait too long.
- Families: start with the school dates. Ships have only a limited number of family and connecting cabins, and for the May holiday they go first.
- Book the flight with the cruise. Holiday flights to Barcelona or Rome fill quickly. Arrive the day before departure, and book your return flight for the afternoon at the earliest.
- Flexible dates are calmer. Mid-April or the week after the May holiday is usually quieter than the holiday weeks themselves.
When to book a summer cruise → · Cruising as a family →
Where the club comes in
In the club there are three ways to pay for a cruise, and you choose one per booking — they do not add up:
- Member price (INsider Pricing) — roughly 17% below the listed price, paid in cash.
- Points plus payment — accumulated points cover up to half of the cruise price. You can book this way 30 days or more before departure.
- Entirely in points — possible when you have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
To be straight about the timing: Easter 2027 is now less than 270 days away, so for this spring the options are the member price or points plus payment. Easter 2028, on 16 April, is a different story — that year Western and Orthodox Easter fall on the same day. The 270-day mark for it comes in the second half of July 2027, so paying entirely in points is possible then, as long as you have accumulated enough points by the time you book.
Common questions
When is Easter in 2027?
Easter Sunday is on 28 March 2027, with Good Friday on 26 March and Easter Monday on 29 March. Orthodox Easter is on 2 May 2027.
When is the May holiday in the Netherlands in 2027?
The recommended dates are 24 April to 2 May 2027 for all regions, with King's Day on 27 April. Some schools add a second week, up to 9 May, so check with your school.
Is the Mediterranean warm enough at Easter?
For sightseeing, yes; for the beach, not yet. In late March expect around 15–18 °C in the day and a cold sea. For more warmth at Easter, choose the Canary Islands.
Can I pay for an Easter 2027 cruise entirely in points?
No: Easter 2027 is already less than 270 days away. The member price or points plus payment still work, as long as departure is 30 days or more away. Paying entirely in points is possible when you have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure, for example for Easter 2028.
Do cruise ships celebrate Easter?
Many ships mark the holiday with a special menu, but the programme depends on the ship and the route. If traditions or a church service matter to you, ask the cruise line before you book.
Holiday and school holiday dates for 2027 come from the Dutch and Belgian governments; schools may shift the recommended dates. Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change. Temperatures are indicative. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.