What is the story about?
Amsterdam has long been famous for its gorgeous canals and incredible views. But it is also reeling under the impact of overtourism, much like the rest
of Europe which has seen a slew of protests over the last few years. This is why this city is taking another major step to curb overtourism. City council officials have decided to delay voting on a proposal to move the cruise ship terminal away from the city centre. Instead, the focus has shifted to a bigger idea—ending sea cruise ships in Amsterdam entirely by 2035. The decision comes ahead of the local elections scheduled for March 18, with officials saying the final call will be left to the next city administration.
Why Amsterdam Is Rethinking Cruise Tourism
A recent feasibility study found that relocating the cruise terminal from its current location near Amsterdam Central Station to the western docks would cost around €85 million. City leaders have called this investment “undesirable,” especially as Amsterdam tries to prioritise sustainability and quality of life.According to port chief Hester van Buren, the city wants to focus on reducing pollution, easing crowd pressure, and protecting Amsterdam’s historic canals and neighbourhoods. Large ocean cruise ships bring thousands of visitors at once, adding to congestion, air pollution and strain on public infrastructure.
What The Amsterdam Cruise Ship Ban 2035 Means
Amsterdam has already started tightening rules. In 2024, the city council voted to:Reduce the number of cruise ships docking in the city from 190 to 100 by 2026
Remove the sea cruise terminal from Veemkade by 2035
As per reports, if sea cruises are fully discontinued, the city could lose around €46 million in port fees and tourist taxes over 30 years. However, officials believe the long-term benefits of a cleaner, more liveable city outweigh the financial cost.
Also Read: Too Many Tourists? Paris' Louvre Museum Joins Europe’s Fight Against Overtourism And Why It's A Big Deal
Will All Cruises Be Banned In Amsterdam?
The proposed ban mainly affects large ocean cruise ships. River cruises and smaller vessels are expected to continue operating, as they align better with Amsterdam’s canal infrastructure and sustainable tourism goals. Ocean cruise ships may instead dock at nearby ports such as Rotterdam or IJmuiden, from where travellers can reach Amsterdam by train or bus.Why Is Europe Restricting Cruise Ships?
Amsterdam is not alone in thinking about cracking down on cruise ships to combat overtourism. Cities across Europe are enacting similar bans and restrictions. After protests against overtourism took over multiple cities in Spain, France and Italy, Cannes too joined the bandwagon against overtourism. From January 2026, the city has banned all cruise ships carrying more than 1,000 passengers, setting strict limits on daily visitor numbers. One of Greece's most prominent summer travel destinations, Santorini Island, is another big example of port destinations struggling with the impact of overwhelming cruise tourism, which is tampering with its infrastructure and local life and the crisis extends way beyond parking and crowded attractions. And the story doesn’t end with Santorini. Here are a few other cities that have banned or limited cruise ships:Venice, Italy: In 2021, Venice banned large cruise ships from entering its historic lagoon, rerouting them to industrial ports after years of protests over environmental damage and throngs of day-trippers.
Barcelona, Spain: Also in 2023, Barcelona introduced stricter limits on cruise ship arrivals and capped the number of passengers allowed to disembark daily to ease congestion in its old city.
Nice, France: Starting July 1, 2025, Nice is limiting cruise ship arrivals to preserve its historic promenade and improve residents’ quality of life, echoing Cannes’ concerns about the massive influx of tourists.
Also Read: Locals vs Tourists: Protests Break Out In Spain, Italy & Portugal Over Overtourism
