Across Europe, cities from Nice on the French Riviera to Venice in Italy are implementing limits and restrictions on cruise ship traffic to ease overcrowding, protect historic city centres, and reduce environmental impact. Now, the city of Amsterdam has announced it wants to end sea cruises by 2035. The city council announced the news in January and said it had completed a feasibility study for relocating the sea cruise terminal from Veemkade to Westerhoofd in the Coenhaven by 2035.

However, the feasibility study showed that while relocating the terminal is feasible, it would come with ‘high investment costs’ and ‘financial uncertainties’ requiring an investment of €85 million (about £74 million). Amsterdam’s city council said it ‘considers this undesirable’ and revealed that the current municipal executive will further develop the remaining option of ending sea cruises in 2035 in the coming months.

Alderman Hester van Buren (Airport and Seaport): “Relocating the sea cruise terminal requires a substantial investment of 85 million euros and entails financial uncertainties.

“As a municipal executive, we consider this undesirable. Moreover, we prioritise sustainability and livability.

“All of this means that we will be better exploring the option of ending sea cruises in Amsterdam by 2035 in the coming months, so that the new municipal executive can make a decision.”

The potential ban is projected to cost the city approximately €46 million (£40 million) in lost revenue over 30 years, including seaport fees and tourist taxes.

However, officials said that the shortfall is expected to be offset by repurposing existing port infrastructure, such as the Veemkade and Coenhaven areas, for other economic or industrial uses.

If implemented, this would leave Amsterdam without a port for large ocean-going cruise ships, effectively shutting them out of the city entirely.

Amsterdam has already taken steps to reduce tourism pressure in recent years. The city has lowered the number of ocean cruise ships allowed to dock from 190 to 100 annually and limited river cruise activity.

The fate of ocean-going cruise ships in Amsterdam is officially in the hands of the newly elected municipal executive following the local elections held on March 18.

The newly formed coalition is expected to outline within the next few months whether they intend to proceed with the total ban or revive the relocation plan.

For now, cruise lines like Celebrity, Viking, and Virgin Voyages are still docking in Amsterdam, but they are operating under the new 100-call limit.