Amsterdam is considering a complete ban on ocean-going cruise ships by 2035, marking a significant escalation in its efforts to curb pollution and overtourism in the Dutch capital.
Just over six months after announcing plans to halve cruise ship visits from 2026 and relocate the city’s passenger terminal away from the historic centre, the city’s coalition government is now backing a far tougher approach.
Rather than moving the terminal east of the city by 2035, officials are proposing to phase out all seagoing cruise vessels entirely.
If approved, Amsterdam would become the first major city in Europe to prohibit ocean cruise ships outright, instead of introducing stricter limits on ship size, passenger numbers, or docking locations.
River cruise ships would still be allowed to visit, but under tighter controls. The proposal caps river vessel calls at 1,150 per year, roughly half the number recorded in recent years.
Environmental and Overtourism Concerns Drive Proposal
City leaders argue that removing ocean cruise ships would deliver the most meaningful environmental benefits for Amsterdam.
Phasing out these vessels would most efficiently deliver the desired “clear sustainability and environmental gains” for the city, Alderman Hester van Buren stated.
Political support within the coalition has been vocal. “We are finally going to free Amsterdam from these floating apartment blocks. They pollute our air, are bad for the climate, bring hordes of tourists into our city, and block a bridge over the IJ,” Party Leader Rob Hofland said.
Air quality concerns have been a long-running issue in the port area, with debates intensifying as early as 2023. Cruise tourism has also become a focal point in wider discussions around overtourism in the city centre.
Amsterdam would join a growing list of European destinations tightening restrictions on cruise ships, including cities in Spain, France and Greece. However, while ports such as Barcelona, Nice and Santorini have imposed limitations or caps, Amsterdam’s plan goes further by targeting a full ban on seagoing vessels.
Cost Of Relocation Plays Key Role
Financial considerations appear to be a major factor behind the shift in strategy.
According to van Buren, relocating the existing cruise terminal would cost more than €85 million, an investment she is not convinced the city would recover over time. By contrast, banning cruise ships altogether is projected to cost Amsterdam’s economy around €46 million across the next 30 years.
To offset those losses, the alderman has outlined plans to redevelop areas currently linked to cruise operations.
This includes further development of the Veemkade, a waterfront district already known for dining, events and housing, as well as repurposing parts of the Coenhaven in the western harbour area of the Port of Amsterdam.
Decision Still Years Away
Despite the strong language, the proposal is far from final.
Details will be refined over the coming months before being passed to the next coalition government, which will take office following local elections in March 2026. The newly elected administration will then decide whether to move the plan forward to the City Council.
There is currently no timeline for a final decision, and the proposal could still be amended significantly or abandoned altogether.
For cruise passengers, any impact would be long-term rather than immediate. With 2035 still almost a decade away, current itineraries are unlikely to change. Cruise lines typically finalise schedules several years in advance, and future planning would simply avoid Amsterdam if a ban is confirmed.
Instead, cruise operators could turn to nearby ports such as Rotterdam, located around 45 miles away and already recognised as Europe’s largest seaport. Its proximity would allow many popular shore excursions traditionally linked to Amsterdam to remain viable for guests sailing into the region.
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