Why is my cruise docking in IJmuiden or Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam?
Because Amsterdam is limiting cruise tourism. The city's rules allowed up to 190 sea-cruise calls a year; from 2026 the maximum is 100, and the council wants the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam out of its city-center location on the Veemkade by 2035, with a move to Coenhaven being studied. Rotterdam expected to take over about 40 of those calls, and IJmuiden on the coast is the other common substitute. River cruises are being cut too: in April 2024 the council voted to halve the number of river-cruise ships calling.
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Prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, Amsterdam to the IJmuiden cruise terminal | €99 | fixed price per ride, the same in both directions · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, Amsterdam to the IJmuiden cruise terminal | €115 | fixed price per ride, the same in both directions · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, Amsterdam to the IJmuiden cruise terminal | €125 | fixed price per ride, the same in both directions · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
Rides outside Amsterdam are priced from the measured road distance (or a fixed route price where one applies) and shown as one fixed price before you book. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station 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.
What is included in the price
- A fixed price confirmed at booking, with VAT included: no meter and no surge
- The chauffeur’s name, car and phone number before pickup, plus e-mail reminders 24 hours and 2 hours ahead
- Water and phone chargers (iOS and Android) in the car
- Status updates to the person who booked, if that is not the passenger: confirmed, chauffeur en route, guest in the car, arrived
How far each port is from central Amsterdam
| Port | Where | By road |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger Terminal Amsterdam | Piet Heinkade, on the IJ | In the city |
| Felison Cruise Terminal, IJmuiden | North Sea end of the canal | About 30 km, 39 minutes |
| Cruise Terminal Rotterdam | Wilhelminakade, Kop van Zuid | About 81 km, 1 h 14 |
| Zeebrugge (Belgium) | Coast near Bruges | About 256 km, 3 h 16 |
What it changes for you
A port day in IJmuiden or Rotterdam needs transport into Amsterdam, or a closer plan: Haarlem from IJmuiden, Kinderdijk and Delft from Rotterdam. A turnaround in another port means a longer transfer from Schiphol, booked as one fixed price per car.
Related questions
Is the 2035 move final?
It's the city's goal; the province questioned the plan in February 2026, so watch for changes.
Do river cruises still stop in the center?
Yes, at berths along the IJ, though fewer of them and some in Zaandam.
Can I still sail from Amsterdam?
Some ships still do; your booking shows the port.
Sources
- The Maritime Executive: Amsterdam to start cruise ship limits in 2026 (June 2024) (checked October 31, 2026)
- NL Times: province questions Amsterdam's 2035 cruise ship ban (February 2026) (checked October 31, 2026)
- Cruise Hive (April 22, 2024), Amsterdam City Council confirms a maximum of 1,150 river cruise calls in 2028, down from 2,125 in 2023 (checked September 29, 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.