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.
The Autumn 2026 Cruise Season
Autumn is one of the busiest stretches of the Dutch cruise calendar. Ships finishing their Baltic and Norwegian fjord itineraries call through September and October before repositioning south for the winter, and ocean calls then thin out through November. Berths are also tighter than they used to be. Since January 2026 the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam works to an annual cap of 100 sea cruise calls, with a single berth available per day, so more large ships are routed to the Felison Cruise Terminal in IJmuiden. River cruises carry on well past the ocean season, with Rhine Christmas market sailings running into December. Check which quay your ship is using in our Ocean Cruise Calendar before you plan your day ashore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the cruise ship terminals in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam has several cruise terminals: the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) near Central Station, the river cruise quays along De Ruyterkade and Oosterdokskade, Zaandam Cruise Port, and the Felison Cruise Terminal in IJmuiden, about 40 km from the city and roughly an hour away by road.
How do I get from Amsterdam cruise terminal to the city centre?
From the PTA you can walk to Central Station in about fifteen minutes, or take a tram. From IJmuiden you will need a taxi, a private transfer or a bus, and should allow around an hour each way. Amsterdam Experiences offers private transfers from all terminals.
How far is Amsterdam cruise terminal from the main sights?
The PTA is about 1.5 km from Central Station and a short walk or tram ride from the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House. The Felison Cruise Terminal in IJmuiden is approximately 40 km from the city centre, about an hour by road.
How much time do cruise passengers need to explore Amsterdam?
A full day of eight to ten hours allows you to see the main highlights. Half-day shore excursions of four to five hours can cover the key sights with an experienced private guide.
What can cruise passengers do with half a day in Amsterdam?
Quite a lot, if you dock centrally. From the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam you are about fifteen minutes on foot from Central Station and inside the canal ring shortly after. A realistic half day is one museum plus one neighbourhood: the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum, followed by a canal cruise or a walk through the Jordaan. If you are berthed at IJmuiden, allow a full hour each way and keep the plan to a single highlight. Book museum and Anne Frank House tickets before you sail, as same-day entry is rarely available, and always leave an hour of buffer before all aboard.
Do Amsterdam cruise terminals have luggage storage?
Luggage storage is available at Amsterdam Central Station (Stationsplein), a short distance from the PTA. It is worth booking in advance during peak season.
Is Amsterdam accessible for cruise passengers with mobility needs?
Amsterdam is generally well set up for mobility needs. The PTA has level access, and Amsterdam Experiences can arrange private accessible tours and transfers on request.
