Cruise lines are cancelling planned stops to Amsterdam because of a new tourist tax

Amsterdam has always been a popular cruise destination, especially for shorter Southampton departures as it isn’t too far away. There is plenty to see and do in Amsterdam and it also lends itself well to overnight docking.

Unfortunately it seems that there are for the foreseeable future there are going to be a lot less stops to Amsterdam as it has been announced that there will be a new 8 euro per person tourist tax for cruise passengers staying overnight in Amsterdam. The problem isn’t the 8 euro in itself as I am sure myself and many others would just pay it. The problem is that at least a couple of cruise lines who had planned to sail there with over night stops in 2019 have now cancelled their stops and have changed them to Rotterdam instead.

The cruise lines who have made these changes so far are Cruise & Maritime and MSC Cruises. These cruise lines will now be stopping in Rotterdam instead. I have seen a letter sent to clients already booked on MSC to inform them of the change and they have said that they will be running a free shuttle bus to Amsterdam, although I should imagine it would take an hour and a half or so. At least it is something though.

The taxes have been introduced because of heavy demands on the city and public spaces, due to a high demand from tourists.

Cruise lines that embark or disembark in Amsterdam will avoid the fee so this shouldn’t effect the many river cruises that depart from Amsterdam.

I don’t think this news is the end of the world but it is a shame really as I think Amsterdam is definitely an interesting port of call. It would be good if they all came to some sort of mutual agreement.

In the meantime I am sure Rotterdam will enjoy the extra tourism.