Is This the Beginning of the End for Cruise Ships in Europe?

Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most loved cruise destinations, but the city is now openly questioning whether cruise ships should be part of its future at all. In this episode, I (Jay) look at why Amsterdam has shelved plans to relocate its ocean cruise terminal and is instead exploring the possibility of ending ocean-going cruises altogether by 2035. A rejected €85 million terminal relocation, growing pressure on city infrastructure, and a shift in political priorities have changed the conversation around cruising in the Dutch capital. We are advocates for cruising and understand the value cruise ships bring to ports and local economies. But we also take a hard, honest look at the impact large ocean-going cruise ships can have on popular destinations, and why cities like Amsterdam are increasingly putting residents first. The episode also looks beyond Amsterdam, examining other iconic cruise destinations under strain, including Barcelona and Santorini. Using real-world experiences from busy summer cruise days, we explore what happens when passenger numbers overwhelm infrastructure, and why more ports may begin questioning how much cruise traffic they can realistically handle. If cruise lines do not do more to manage scale, passenger numbers, and pressure on ports, we risk losing some of cruising’s most iconic destinations altogether, just as we already have with Venice. Sail Away Magazine continues to cover the cruise industry independently, putting passengers first while holding the industry to account. Our On Watch series focuses on the stories that matter to cruisers, not PR spin or brochure promises. ▶️ What do you think? Should cities like Amsterdam limit cruise ships further, or is a full ban a step too far? Share your views in the comments. 📌 Subscribe to Sail Away Magazine for independent cruise news, investigations, and long-form storytelling across print, YouTube, and podcast. https://sailawaymagazine.com/cruise-magazine/ YouTube: @sailawaymag Instagram: @sailawaymag Facebook: @sailawaymagazine TikTok: @sailawaymag Twitter: @sailawaymag Website: https://sailawaymagazine.com/ Contact us: info@sailawaymagazine.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ✔✔ You Can Check Out Our Other Videos Here : 👀 Why We’re Boycotting US Cruises (And What Trump's ESTA Changes Mean for You) Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi7UGZYY9g4&t=360s 👀 I Didn’t Think This Cruise Line Would Last 5 Minutes! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aNpdYmdtnM&t=1s 👀 Gary Bembridge: Are Older Cruisers Being Discriminated Against By Cruise Lines? Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QmZfsmVTys&t=112s 👀 Queen Mary 2: The Last Great Ocean Liner | Full Documentary [2025] Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECRSZz3dVYk&t=2734s 👀 The Sinking of Oceanos: The Cruise Ship Without a Captain Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhexxj6fnaw 👀 Travel Blog Jamie: YouTube Scandals & Pet Peeves with Cruising Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXnryZEMNa4&t=1390s 👀 What's a SWINGERS CRUISE Really Like? Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzqUkD0bl3E&t=166s 👀 JANE BOULTON Spills Airline SECRETS You Never Saw on TV! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swIFbEEOuk&t=7s 👀 Virgin Voyages: Sex, Parties, and X-Rated Cruising! Link: https://youtu.be/eYQopfu_0tg?si=kkLmckV0ez-QVJlR 👀 Cruise Ship Officer Reveals What It's REALLY Like Working at Sea Link: https://youtu.be/bXbDyHy-KL8?si=LQm4PjCY0CtlncbM 👀 P&O Cruises vs. Maleth Aero: Who Owes Passengers £500K? Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cWi8fp1Tqc&t=266s