Is This the Beginning of the End for Cruise Ships in Europe?

Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most loved cruise destinations, but the city is now openly questioning whether cruise ships should be part of its future at all.

In this episode, I (Jay) look at why Amsterdam has shelved plans to relocate its ocean cruise terminal and is instead exploring the possibility of ending ocean-going cruises altogether by 2035. A rejected €85 million terminal relocation, growing pressure on city infrastructure, and a shift in political priorities have changed the conversation around cruising in the Dutch capital.

We are advocates for cruising and understand the value cruise ships bring to ports and local economies. But we also take a hard, honest look at the impact large ocean-going cruise ships can have on popular destinations, and why cities like Amsterdam are increasingly putting residents first.

The episode also looks beyond Amsterdam, examining other iconic cruise destinations under strain, including Barcelona and Santorini. Using real-world experiences from busy summer cruise days, we explore what happens when passenger numbers overwhelm infrastructure, and why more ports may begin questioning how much cruise traffic they can realistically handle.

If cruise lines do not do more to manage scale, passenger numbers, and pressure on ports, we risk losing some of cruising’s most iconic destinations altogether, just as we already have with Venice.
Sail Away Magazine continues to cover the cruise industry independently, putting passengers first while holding the industry to account. Our On Watch series focuses on the stories that matter to cruisers, not PR spin or brochure promises.

▶️ What do you think?
Should cities like Amsterdam limit cruise ships further, or is a full ban a step too far? Share your views in the comments.

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