Planning around a specific ship? See exactly which vessels call at each port, and when, in our Netherlands sea cruise calendar covering Amsterdam, IJmuiden and Rotterdam.
Where Do Cruise Ships Dock in Amsterdam?
You’ve booked your river or ocean cruise and it’s set to dock in Amsterdam. However, did you know that Amsterdam has more than one cruise dock, and some are not as close to the city as their names might suggest? The map below shows the locations of the different docks.
Before you start planning your shore leave, it’s a good idea to triple-check exactly which quay your ship will be using. Dock assignments can change sometimes at very short notice, and occasionally you may find yourself on the opposite side of the city from where you expected to be.
To help you prepare, here’s a run-down of the main cruise docks serving Amsterdam, from city-centre terminals to those a little further afield. All of these docks can be labelled ‘Port of Amsterdam’.
Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA)
Docking at the PTA? See our private shore excursions from Amsterdam Passenger Terminal, built around your ship’s hours in port.
The Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, commonly referred to as PTA, is the main terminal for large ocean-going cruise ships. The PTA sits directly on the River IJ just east of Amsterdam Central Station, it offers easy access to the city centre by foot, tram or taxi. The Movenpick Hotel is located beside the PTA.
Quay Address: Piet Heinkade 27, 1019 BR Amsterdam
Distance from Central Station: Approx. 1.5 km (about 15 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by tram). The Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) is the primary cruise terminal for large ocean-going vessels such as Celebrity, Holland America Line, P&O etc.
You can check departure and arrival dates at Cruise Port Amsterdam (PTA) via the Sea Cruise Calendar
River Cruise Terminal
Amsterdam is also a major hub for river cruises, especially those travelling along the Rhine and Danube. River cruise vessels do not use a single terminal, but instead dock along designated quays or mooring points along the riverbanks, mainly along De Ruyterkade and Oosterdokskade. Most of these quays are within walking distance of the city’s main sights.
You can check departure and arrival dates for river cruises in Amsterdam (PTA) via the River Cruise Calendar. For a complete 2026 and 2027 schedule including Zaandam berth assignments, updated daily, see our River Cruise Calendar for the Netherlands.
River Cruise Quays
Common Quay Names: De Ruyterkade and Oosterdokskade, also known as De Ruyterkade Oost (east of central station), De Ruyterkade West (west of central station), Westersdokdijk and Westerhoofd.
Addresses:
Ruyterkade Oost: De Ruyterkade 53, 1011AC
Ruyterkade West: De Ruyterkade West opposite Havengebouw, 1011AC Amsterdam
Westersdokdijk, 1013 CG
Westerhoofd 5, 1013 BS
Distance from Central Station: 0.3–1.5 km (3–20 minutes on foot)
Cruise lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways, Riverside and Avalon typically dock here.
Zaandam Cruise Port
The Port of Zaandam occasionally hosts smaller cruise vessels and occasionally receives cruise ships. It is a quiet and pleasant location about 30 minutes north-west of Amsterdam that still provides excellent access to the capital.
Quay Name: Haven Zaandam, Havenstraat 1, 1506 PR Zaandam
Distance from Amsterdam Central Station: Approx. 17 km (20-30 minutes by car)
Wondering which river cruise ships are in Amsterdam on a specific date? Our River Cruise Calendar Amsterdam 2026 shows the full day-by-day schedule across all PTA berths, Zaandam and Zaanse Schans, updated daily from Cruise Port Amsterdam.
IJmuiden Cruise Terminal
Docking at IJmuiden? See our private shore excursions from IJmuiden (Felison Terminal), with pickup right at the terminal.
Located around 40 kilometres west of Amsterdam on the North Sea coast, IJmuiden is a deep-water port used primarily by larger ocean liners that cannot sail directly into the city.
Quay Name: Felison Cruise Terminal, Sluisplein 55, 1975 AG IJmuiden
Distance from Amsterdam Central Station: Approx. 40 km (45–60 minutes by shuttle, car or coach)
You can check departure and arrival dates on the Felison Cruise Terminal Calendar
Note: Some ferries and smaller ships may use the nearby Felison Terminal, so always check your cruise documentation.
Travel Tips
- Confirm your docking location in advance, as cruise ships use different terminals depending on size and itinerary
- Arrange transport ahead of time, especially if arriving in IJmuiden or Zaandam
- The Anne Frank House is one of Amsterdam’s most visited attractions – tickets sell out weeks in advance, so book before you board
Summary of Terminals and Distances
| Terminal | Quay Name(s) | Distance from City Centre | Type of Cruise |
| Passenger Terminal Amsterdam | Piet Heinkade 27 | 1.8 km | Ocean cruises |
| River Cruise Quays | De Ruyterkade, Oosterdokskade, Ruyterkade West, Havengebouw, Westersdokdijk, Westerhoofd 5 | 0.3–6 km | River cruises |
| Zaandam | Havenstraat 1 | 17 km | Smaller ocean/River cruises |
| IJmuiden | Sluisplein 55 (Felison Terminal) | 40 km | Ocean cruises |
This map shows the main locations of the docks.
Amsterdam Experiences specialises in private shore excursions for cruise guests — collected directly from the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam and tailored to make every hour count. Whether you have three hours or a full day in port, we design the experience entirely around what matters most to you.
Sailing into Rotterdam instead? See our private shore excursions from Rotterdam Cruise Terminal. For all of our cruise port tours, visit the shore excursions hub.
