Monday, April 1, 2024

Amsterdam city council votes to ban cruise ships; no immediate closure

amsterdam cruise ships

In addition to providing the most unique itineraries throughout the region, you’ll travel through Europe on a premium cruise experience aboard Celebrity Apex®, Celebrity Eclipse® or Celebrity Silhouette®. The discussions between the local government, Amsterdam port, and cruise industry are ongoing, and the next steps for the proposed ban have yet to be released. The Amsterdam cruise port is just outside of the city center and the entire area is very safe with plenty of things to do. Our information is from first-hand experiences, even better, we lived near the Amsterdam cruise port & Passenger Cruise Terminal for quite some time, so we are familiar with nearly every aspect of the area. Amsterdam is set to receive a total of 73 cruise ship visits through the end of 2023. Holland America Line’s ms Rotterdam is scheduled to make nine visits, making a total of 15 visits for Holland America Line.

A political party cited pollution and crowding as reasons for relocating a cruise terminal away from the city

As a result, the central cruise terminal on the River IJ behind  Amsterdam’s main train station will close. In 2021, Italy’s government said large cruise ships would no longer be allowed to sail directly into Venice. Dubrovnik, in Croatia, took steps several years ago to limit the number of cruise passengers visiting at once. And residents of Key West voted to ban giant ships in late 2020 — though that vote was overturned the following year. Amsterdam’s cruise passengers will find a bustling yet smooth and efficient port. Ships embarking on cruises from Amsterdam are docked in the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA), where a 10-minute walk will take you to a popular transportation station.

Passenger Terminal Amsterdam to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam Bans Cruise Ships to Combat Pollution and Overtourism - Smithsonian Magazine

Amsterdam Bans Cruise Ships to Combat Pollution and Overtourism.

Posted: Thu, 27 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

For example, it was often very difficult to find pool chairs at either the main or the aft pools and waiting in line for meals or popular events was very much the norm. If peace and quiet is what you're seeking, the key is to find spaces of solitude wherever you can. Holland America's clientele skews more toward older adults, and this ship fits that profile, with retirees accounting for a large number of the population. Though there weren't many younger cruisers or families during our trip, a friendly atmosphere and ample opportunities for getting to know fellow passengers over meals or on shore excursions led us to meet many interesting people along the way. “Although sustainable marine fuels and technologies are not yet available at scale, cruise lines are addressing these challenges with significant investments and innovative approaches,” the statement said.

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The canals form five circles around Dam Square, and several other squares will help you get your bearings as you study the city map. Lively Leidseplein and Rembrantsplein are lined with sidewalk cafes that are ideal places to rest and watch the passing scene. Jordaan is one of Amsterdam’s most popular districts, a neighborhood of boutiques and antiques, shops and cafes, set against the beautiful backdrop of Dutch-colonial architecture. Live like a local as you explore markets like Westerstraat and laid-back cafes like De Vergulde Gaper, where you can people-watch over a morning coffee. On Celebrity Eclipse, you’ll unwind in stylish accommodations, including Concierge Class and our spa-inspired AquaClass® with exclusive dining at Blu. Enjoy globally-inspired cuisine in distinctive restaurants with menus crafted by our Michelin-starred chef.

Amsterdam Plans to Remove Cruise Ships From City Center - The Maritime Executive

Amsterdam Plans to Remove Cruise Ships From City Center.

Posted: Fri, 21 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Amsterdam's council has banned cruise ships from the city centre as the Dutch capital tries to limit visitor numbers and curb pollution. The cruise industry has been under intense scrutiny in recent years to clean up its act environmentally, at the same time it struggles to overcome debt from the Covid shutdown and faces staff shortages. Port cities in Florida, Maine, Alaska, and California are all fighting to further regulate the cruise industry, Business Insider reported, but there's little they can do because most piers are owned by the federal government. Environmental activists have called for an end to cruises altogether, slamming them for poor labor practices, insensitive cultural impacts, environmental damage and other concerns.

War On Cruise Ships? Amsterdam Latest Port To Limit Or Ban Cruise Liners

The party also said the passage of cruise ships was not compatible with plans for a new bridge between the city’s historic southern district and the Noord district, the focus of recent development projects. Last year, the city drew about 20 million visitors and in 2021, close to nine million tourists came either for a day trip or overnight, according to city data. Depending on where you are staying or how you arrive, getting to the cruise terminal by foot is simple. It’s about a 15-minute walk from Centraal Station and less than 20 minutes from the city center. If you’re carrying a lot of luggage and staying in Amsterdam before or after a cruise, it’s probably best to get a cab. It’s worth noting that the tram system is extensive in Amsterdam and trams are available close to where passengers leave the ship and will get you into the city center in minutes.

Is the Amsterdam Cruise Port CLOSED?

The Red Light District can get a bit rowdy at night, with the mobs coming out to pay their respect for various reasons. Amsterdam visitors should also be aware that the term "coffee shop" has a different meaning here; these are places where no hard liquor is sold, but the sale of marijuana is officially tolerated. With so much to see and do, Amsterdam makes for a rewarding stay before or after cruising. Greetje will teach you a little bit about traditional Dutch cuisine keeping in line with the family tradition of its owners. Or you can go à la carte and choose from dishes like roast lamb with potatoes and gravy or slow-cooked veal.

amsterdam cruise ships

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Anouk Panman, a spokesperson for deputy mayor Hester van Buren, confirmed in an email Friday the city council had adopted the motion. “The municipality of Amsterdam is going to investigate how this proposal can be implemented,” she wrote. These expansive staterooms include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads, a host of amenities and an ocean view. Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities are featured in these comfortable staterooms. Praised by Condé Nast Traveler for cuisine “that rivals the top restaurants on land,” Tamarind is the perfect place to explore the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan. The menu, which honors the elements of water, wood, fire and earth, features such exotic fare as wok-seared lobster, barramundi (Asian sea bass) in banana leaf and sushi, accompanied by chilled or heated sake.

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Mayor Femke Halsema, a former GroenLinks party leader, has been a strong proponent of reducing "party tourism" in the city. "We do not want to become Venice or Dubrovnik, where your historical center has become a closed theme park," Halsema told Bloomberg in 2022. For the ban to be enacted, it will have to go through other levels of approval.

The Cruise Lines International Association said in a statement that while the industry group was aware of reports about the future of cruising in Amsterdam, there was no ban in effect. The statement said the port and passenger terminal had already pledged to invest millions in infrastructure and shore-based electricity for future use. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these spacious suites are flooded with light. They feature a large sitting area and two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses. The bathroom comes with a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, plus additional shower stall. Amenities include use of the exclusive Neptune Lounge, a private concierge and an array of complimentary services.

amsterdam cruise ships

However, the council believes banning cruise ships will send out a message that it is serious about limiting tourism. While cruise ships were welcomed with open arms before, the current city government has even called cruise ship passengers ‘locusts’ and wishes to ban cruise ships entirely from the city limits. The policy aligns with other initiatives in Amsterdam to discourage tourists from visiting the Dutch capital. The current cruise terminal was built in 2000 and cost around 40 million euros to build, according to Cruise Port Amsterdam.

Further bolstering its sustainability efforts, the Dutch government also plans a 12% reduction in air traffic to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) by 2024. The plan will see the airport's current annual cap of 500,000 flight movements cut to 440,000. Cruise ships have become a symbol of the problem, with more than 100 mooring in the capital every year. Politicians said the vessels were not in line with the city's sustainable ambitions. CLIA also addressed the pollution concerns, noting that operators are working to reduce emissions at sea and in port. The move comes amid a years-long effort to address the impact of overtourism in Amsterdam and follows a broader outcry over crowding from popular cruise destinations in Europe and elsewhere.

Top off your meal with creme brulee or a selection of Dutch cheeses for dessert. One of Amsterdam’s best-known sights, the Anne Frank House is a harrowing memorial of the Holocaust. Young Anne Frank lived in hiding for two years in Amsterdam, and today millions flock to the museum every year to pay their respects and learn about the horrific persecution of Jews during World War II.

Amsterdam’s cruise terminal is located only 25km (13.5 nautical miles) from the North Sea. Nieuw Amsterdam attracts a large percentage of Americans from the Upper Midwest, East Coast and Canada. The majority of the passengers are couples and retirees, and daily activities and entertainment options seem to be designed for an older clientele. You'll find few families with young children onboard, but those who are cruising tend to receive special attention and enjoy a low child-to-crew member ratio in the onboard programs and activities. Our flagship dining experience is a welcoming and sophisticated setting for an exquisite breakfast, lunch or superb multicourse dinner. World Stage features innovative cruise ship shows and a two-story LED screen that creates a vivid wraparound display.

Get up close to the majestic fjords, lush forests, and breathtaking mountains of Norway. Or, travel to the gorgeous emerald landscape and castles of Dublin and Cork, then on to Iceland’s otherworldly Reykjavik and Akureyri. Discover some of Europe’s most captivating destinations on an Amsterdam cruise with Celebrity Cruises. Such efforts would likely be actioned through multiple phases over the next few years.

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