The short answer: in 2026–2027 cruises from Amsterdam are mainly Holland America and Celebrity, from spring to autumn, to Norway, Iceland, Scandinavia and the British Isles. In winter almost nothing starts here — for that, look at Rotterdam.
What has changed in Amsterdam
- About 100 ocean cruise calls a year. From 2026 the city has roughly halved the number of large cruise ships that may call at the terminal.
- One berth per day. Only one ocean ship at a time is planned at Passenger Terminal Amsterdam.
- The terminal will move. The city wants the terminal out of the centre by 2035; a new location has not been fixed yet.
- What that means for you. Fewer sailings and less flexibility with dates. If your preferred week is missing, the same routes often leave from Rotterdam.
What sails from Amsterdam
Schedules change every year. For 2027 the cruise lines have announced roughly this picture:
| Route | Typical length | Who sails it | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwegian fjords | 7 or 14 nights | Holland America (Zuiderdam), Celebrity (Eclipse) | The most frequent route in summer, with calls such as Bergen, Ålesund, Olden or Eidfjord |
| Iceland and Scotland | About 14 nights | Holland America | Also the Faroe Islands; longer trips with more sea days, sometimes combined with Norway into three weeks |
| Scandinavia and the Baltic | About 12 nights | Celebrity | Capitals such as Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Tallinn and Helsinki |
| Western Europe | 9 to 13 nights | Celebrity | British Isles, France, Spain and Portugal — mostly in spring and early autumn |
Based on cruise line announcements for 2027. Ships, ports and dates change; always check the specific sailing. Many river cruises on the Rhine also start in Amsterdam — a different kind of trip on much smaller ships.
Amsterdam or Rotterdam?
| Amsterdam | Rotterdam | |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Spring to autumn | Spring to autumn, and short MSC cruises in winter |
| Choice of sailings | Limited by the cap on calls | More stable, several ships based here |
| From the station | About 15 minutes on foot from Amsterdam Centraal | Metro from Rotterdam Centraal, then a five-minute walk |
| Before or after the cruise | The city itself is the attraction | Quieter, modern architecture, easy hotels |
In short: if you find the right date from Amsterdam, it is a beautiful start. If not, Rotterdam is only about 40 minutes away by train. Cruises from Rotterdam →
Getting to the terminal
Passenger Terminal Amsterdam is at Piet Heinkade 27, on the IJ waterfront, about a kilometre east of Amsterdam Centraal.
- From Amsterdam Centraal. About 15 minutes on foot along the water, or tram 26 to the Muziekgebouw stop, right next to the terminal.
- From Schiphol. A direct train to Amsterdam Centraal takes about a quarter of an hour; a taxi takes around half an hour, depending on traffic.
- By car. Parking options are listed on the website of Cruise Port Amsterdam. In summer, book ahead.
Practical tips
- Check your boarding time. Cruise lines give each guest a time slot; arriving much earlier usually means waiting.
- Luggage. According to Holland America, the terminal has lockers. For a whole day in the city, a hotel near Centraal is the easier option.
- Book a hotel early. Amsterdam is busy and expensive in summer. A night in Amsterdam before the cruise is lovely — but book well in advance.
- The first sea day. On fjord routes the first day is usually spent crossing the North Sea — it can be choppy, so keep something for seasickness handy.
- ID for everyone. Norway, Iceland and the United Kingdom have their own entry rules; check what you need for your passport and route.
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Amsterdam?
Mainly Norwegian fjord cruises of 7 or 14 nights, longer trips to Iceland and the British Isles, and Scandinavia cruises of about 12 nights, from spring to autumn. In 2027 the main lines are Holland America and Celebrity.
Is Amsterdam banning cruise ships?
No. From 2026 the city allows about 100 ocean cruise calls a year with one berth per day, and it wants to move the terminal out of the centre by 2035. Cruises still start in Amsterdam, just fewer of them.
How do I get from Amsterdam Centraal to the cruise terminal?
It is about 15 minutes on foot along the IJ, or take tram 26 to the Muziekgebouw stop next to the terminal. From Schiphol a direct train to Amsterdam Centraal takes about a quarter of an hour.
Are there cruises from Amsterdam in winter?
Hardly any. In winter, look at Rotterdam: MSC sails short Northern Europe cruises from there between October and April.
Do cruises also leave from IJmuiden?
Some ships berth at the Felison Cruise Terminal in IJmuiden, 45 to 60 minutes by road from Amsterdam. Your boarding documents always say which terminal you sail from.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Amsterdam work on the same club terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
How booking with points works →
Ships, routes and dates are based on cruise line announcements for 2027, and the rules on cruise calls on announcements by the City of Amsterdam; both may change. Check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.