Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most popular river cruise destinations, with ships docking at several berth locations along the IJ waterfront and beyond. All Amsterdam docks are within walking distance or a short tram ride from Amsterdam Central Station and the historic city centre.
Piet Heinkade, city centre · 20 min walk to Centraal
Right on the IJ waterfront in the city centre, a 10 minute walk or one tram stop from Central Station. LP is your berth number, and “via Muziekgebouw” or “via Vriesseveem” simply tells you which walkway leads to your gangway.
Behind Central Station, west side · 5 min walk to Centraal
Behind Amsterdam Central Station, on the west side, so you are inside the station within 5 minutes of stepping ashore. The Dam, the canal ring and the Jordaan are all within an easy and very pleasant walk.
Behind Central Station, east side · 8 min walk to Centraal
Just east of Central Station, 10 minutes on foot from the main station hall. NEMO Science Museum, the OBA library and the Maritime Museum are close by, around Oosterdok, and the old centre starts a 10 minute walk away.
Western IJ waterfront · 12 min walk to Centraal.
On the western IJ bank, a 12 minute walk from Central Station. The berth borders the Jordaan, which puts the Noordermarkt, the Nine Streets and the Anne Frank House all within a 20 minute stroll of your gangway.
Amsterdam-Noord · 4 min free ferry to Central Station
On the north bank of the IJ beside the Buiksloterweg ferry landing, with the EYE Film Museum and A’DAM Tower on your doorstep. The free ferry crosses to Central Station in 4 minutes and runs around the clock.
Western harbour · 15 min taxi or ship shuttle
A working harbour about 4 kilometres west of the centre, used when the central berths are full. Nothing lies in walking distance, so plan on a ship shuttle, a 15 minute taxi, or a private pickup right at the gangway.
Houthavens · 10-15 min taxi or bus to the centre
A passenger jetty in the redeveloped Houthavens docklands, about 3 kilometres west of Central Station. The area itself has few sights, so most guests take a taxi or bus into the centre in around 10 to 15 minutes.
Central Zaandam · 12 min train to Amsterdam
On the Zaan river in central Zaandam, a short walk from the station with trains to Amsterdam every few minutes. The stacked Inntel hotel and the Czaar Peterhuisje are nearby, and Zaanse Schans is 10 minutes by bus or taxi.
Central Zaandam · 12 min train to Amsterdam
Beside the Zaantheater in the centre of Zaandam, minutes from the shops and the station. Binnen and Buiten refer to the inner and outer berth positions, and the windmills of Zaanse Schans are a 10 minute ride away.
At the windmill village · 30 min to Amsterdam
A handful of ships dock right at the open-air windmill village. Berth 1 takes two 55 metre ships, berth 2 one of up to 115 metres, and you step off the gangway straight into the windmills, cheese farm and clog workshop.
Zaan river, Wormerveer · 35 min by car to Amsterdam
An occasional overflow quay further up the Zaan, used just a few times each season. Zaanse Schans is about 10 minutes away by taxi, central Amsterdam around 35 minutes, and a private pickup saves time trying to work out local transportation.
In 2026, 2027 and 2028 Amsterdam and Zaandam welcome river cruise calls from AmaWaterways, Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Scenic, Emerald Cruises, Tauck, Uniworld, Riviera Travel, Riverside, Celebrity, Saga River Cruises and APT. All calls appear in the live calendar above, with confirmed berth and dock details added 1-2 days before each ship arrives.
“Docking TBC” in the calendar means the berth has not been confirmed yet – assignments are final 1 to 2 days before each arrival.
Amsterdam Experiences specialises in private guided tours designed around your ship’s schedule. Whether you have a few hours or a full day in port, every tour is tailored to your exact arrival and departure times, with a guaranteed return to your ship on time.
From the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk and the Nine Streets shopping area are about 35 minutes on foot (3 km). Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are around 50 minutes on foot or 30 minutes by tram. From Zaandam, Zaanse Schans with its working windmills and cheese farm is just a short ride away. Our guides pick you up at the gangway and return you before all-aboard, no stress, no rushing.
Popular choices for river cruise guests include:
See all private tours and shore excursions →
Amsterdam and Zaandam are already appearing in 2027 cruise schedules. AmaWaterways, Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways and Emerald Cruises have all published 2027 itineraries through the Netherlands. Use the year selector in the calendar above to browse 2027 calls. Private tour bookings for 2027 are now open – reserve your guided day ashore early.
Amsterdam Experiences is a boutique guiding service run by Stephan van der Meer, a licensed Amsterdam city guide. We work exclusively with private groups, and offer a personal, flexible service to river cruise guests, travel advisors, and independent travellers. All tours are fully private and can be arranged around any ship schedule. We are a trusted partner for cruise lines, travel advisors, and concierge teams worldwide.
Times vary by ship and route. Most ships arrive in the morning between 07:00 and 09:00 and depart in the evening between 18:00 and 22:00. The calendar shows confirmed arrival and departure times for each call, usually finalised 1–2 days before arrival.
The calendar above shows the confirmed berth for each call as soon as it is published, typically 1–2 days before arrival. You can also check your ship’s daily schedule or ask your cruise director.
Most cruise lines offer ship excursions, but private tours with Amsterdam Experiences are typically more flexible, personal and better value. We pick you up at the gangway and return you before all-aboard, guaranteed.
Amsterdam calls dock in the heart of the city along the IJ waterfront, within walking distance of all major sights. Zaandam is a separate town about 15 minutes north of Amsterdam by train, with its own cruise terminal on the Zaan river. Both ports give easy access to Zaanse Schans. Always check which berth your ship is assigned to before planning your day.
The calendar above shows the confirmed berth for each call as soon as it is published, typically 1–2 days before arrival. You can also check your ship’s daily schedule or ask your cruise director.
More than 15 cruise lines call at Amsterdam, Zaandam and Zaanse Schans. The most active in 2026 and 2027 are Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Emerald Cruises, Scenic Cruises, Uniworld, Riviera Travel, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Saga River Cruises, APT, Tauck, CroisiEurope and Amadeus River Cruises. All calls appear in the calendar above.
The calendar is updated every morning from official port sources. Confirmed berth (dock) assignments are added 1–2 days before each ship arrives, so times and berths shown for calls more than 2 days ahead are indicative and may change.
No, the calendar is completely free. No registration or subscription is required. Simply use the filters to find your ship and date.
Every ship with scheduled calls in the calendar above, A to Z (212 ships), with the cruise line shown where it is not already part of the ship’s name. Search the calendar for your ship to see its dates, berths and times.