Antwerp became a port of commercial importance in the 15th century and during the early 16th century when the diamond industry was expanded. The city was also an active cultural and intellectual centre: the painter Anthony van Dyck was born there in 1599. Antwerp rapidly declined as a result of religious troubles after 1576 and under the provisions of the 1648 treaty known as the Peace of Westphalia, which closed the Schelde River to navigation; it was reopened by the French in 1795. The development of the modern city started in 1863 when the Belgians redeemed their navigation rights by making a cash payment to the Netherlands. Antwerp was occupied by the Germans during both world wars, until September 1944, when it became an Allied supply base and was heavily bombed.

The following 27 cruises call at Antwerp. Discover more by clicking the cruise name or ship or click the Enquire button if you want to check availability and pricing.