Is the cruise line’s transfer worth it, or should I book a private car?
The line’s transfer is worth it when you fly in on the day and want the ship to know about you: Holland America, for example, has an airport representative who monitors arrivals and takes guests to the pier by coach. A private car is worth it when you arrive a day early and sleep in a hotel of your own choosing, when several of you travel together (€125 per van for up to 7, Schiphol to the Amsterdam terminal), or when you want your own schedule.
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Priced per car: Schiphol → Passenger Terminal Amsterdam
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, Schiphol → Passenger Terminal Amsterdam | €90 | E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, Schiphol → Passenger Terminal Amsterdam | €125 | V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, Schiphol → Passenger Terminal Amsterdam | €140 | S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Mercedes-Maybach (Ultra), Schiphol → Passenger Terminal Amsterdam | €250 | Maybach S-Class · up to 2 passengers, 2 bags · confirmed by dispatch, not instant |
Van Class carries up to 7 people and 7 cases. IJmuiden and Rotterdam are priced per kilometer. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At Schiphol the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
The two, side by side
| Cruise line transfer (Holland America as the example) | Private car (AmstelCab) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting point | A line representative at the airport who monitors arrivals | Your chauffeur inside the arrivals hall with your name |
| Vehicle | Motor coach, shared with other guests | Your own car or van |
| From a hotel you chose | Guests in independent hotels make their own way to the ship | Door to door from any address |
| Price basis | Set by the line; ask whether it is per person | Per car, fixed at booking |
| Booking | Through the line, with flight details at least 14 days before | Online or on WhatsApp, up to shortly before pickup |
Holland America details from the line’s own blog post and its replies there in June 2024. Other lines may work differently.
Which to choose
When the cruise line’s transfer makes sense
- You land on embarkation day and want the line to know where you are.
- You are one or two travelers and the line’s price per person is low.
When a private car makes sense
- You arrive early and stay at a hotel the line doesn’t serve.
- You are a family or group: one van is one price.
- You disembark and want to go to your own hotel, Rotterdam or Belgium rather than the airport.
Related questions
Will the ship wait if my private car is delayed?
Plan as if it won’t. The line’s own transfer drivers are in touch with its staff at the terminal; an independent arrival should simply reach check-in with a margin, which is easy after a night in Amsterdam.
Can I combine the two?
Yes. You can take the line’s transfer to the ship and a private car after the cruise, or the other way round; Holland America also sells post-cruise transfers on board.
How do I compare the prices?
Multiply the line’s per-person price by the number of travelers and compare it with one car: €90 for up to 3 in Business Class, €125 for up to 7 in Van Class, Schiphol to the Amsterdam terminal.
Sources
- Holland America Line blog — plane-to-cruise transfers (published July 9, 2015; replies from the line in June 2024) (checked September 24, 2026)
- Cruise Port Amsterdam — check-in procedure (checked September 24, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.