Amsterdam Plans to Phase Out Cruise Ships by 2035

Amsterdam is taking a bold stand for its residents by considering a complete phase-out of cruise ships within the next decade.

City officials announced they're exploring ending all sea cruises by 2035, prioritizing what they call "sustainability and liveability" over the estimated €46 million in port and tourist taxes the decision would cost over 30 years. The move comes after officials determined that relocating the current cruise terminal would require an undesirable €85 million investment.

The city has already been reducing cruise traffic, cutting annual ship visits from 190 to just 100 by next year. Now they're asking whether those remaining 100 should eventually become zero.

Council port chief Hester van Buren explained the shift clearly: "We want to prioritize sustainability and liveability." The next city administration, elected in March, will make the final call on the complete phase-out.

Amsterdam's cruise terminal currently sits east of the main railway station, but the city decided back in 2024 that it needed to move by 2035. Rather than spend tens of millions relocating it, officials are now studying whether to simply close it instead.

The Ripple Effect

Amsterdam's consideration reflects a growing movement across Europe's most popular destinations. Cities from Venice to Barcelona have been grappling with overtourism, as massive cruise ships dump thousands of day-trippers into historic neighborhoods already struggling with housing shortages and rising living costs.

By putting residents first, Amsterdam is showing other cities that tourism revenue doesn't have to come at the expense of local quality of life. The decision signals that governments can choose long-term community health over short-term economic gains.

This isn't about closing doors to visitors entirely. Amsterdam still welcomes millions of tourists annually who stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, and contribute more meaningfully to the local economy than cruise passengers who spend just a few hours in port.

The feasibility study happening over the coming months will give the next administration concrete data to make an informed choice, one that could reshape how popular European cities balance tourism with resident needs for years to come.