Cruises from Amsterdam

Amsterdam has long been one of Northern Europe’s favorite embarkation cities, thanks to a terminal on the IJ waterfront within walking distance of the old center and one of Europe’s best-connected airports. Ocean departures typically run 7 to 14 nights north to the Norwegian fjords, east to the Baltic capitals, around the British Isles or across to Iceland, Greenland and even North America. Ships reach the city through the North Sea Canal, so arrivals and departures include a slow, scenic glide past Dutch countryside and the giant sea lock at IJmuiden.

Things are changing. The city council has limited the number of ocean cruise calls at the central terminal and plans to move cruise operations away from the city center within the next decade, so fewer big ships start here than in the past. Some lines now embark at IJmuiden, about 40 minutes away, or at Rotterdam, an hour south by train. Check the exact port on your booking.

River cruisers are a separate world: many Rhine sailings to Cologne, the Rhine Gorge and Basel begin or end here, along with spring tulip cruises through Holland and Belgium. Amsterdam suits travelers who like walkable cities, art and canals; it’s crowded and expensive in summer, and cyclists rule the streets.

Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) sits on the IJ waterfront east of Centraal Station, next to the Muziekgebouw concert hall, with a single long cruise berth. Taxis and transfers pull up at the terminal entrance, porters collect checked luggage, and check-in follows assigned arrival times. Tram 26 from Centraal Station stops just outside, and the walk from the station takes about 10 to 15 minutes along the water. Ships that don’t sail to PTA may use the Felison Cruise Terminal in IJmuiden at the mouth of the canal, which is a coach transfer from the city. River cruise ships use separate quays along the IJ near Centraal Station; your river line will name the berth.

The Canal Ring (Grachtengordel) and the Jordaan are the quintessential choices, with gabled canal houses, brown cafés and the main sights within walking distance. Hotels near Centraal Station and the Eastern Docklands put you closest to PTA and to river cruise berths. Museumplein suits art lovers, and De Pijp, south of the center, has lively restaurants and the Albert Cuyp market. If your ship sails from Rotterdam, consider staying there instead.

Ocean cruises run mainly from April to October: Norway and the British Isles from spring, the Baltic and Iceland at their best from June to August, and longer Iceland, Greenland and transatlantic voyages late in the summer. River cruises operate from about March to December, with tulip-time sailings in April and Christmas-market cruises in late November and December. Winter ocean departures are rare.