netherlands

If you’re embarking on an Amsterdam cruise in the Netherlands, likely a Baltic cruise, chances are good that you will sail from Cruise Port Ijmuiden. While many river and canal cruises originate from ports in Amsterdam proper, along with some ocean cruises, some of the major cruise lines that advertise “Amsterdam cruises” actually depart from Ijmuiden, which is a port town along the dynamic Dutch coast, a 15-mile drive from the bustling center of Amsterdam and about 19 miles from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. Related: Here’s my video overview of what to expect when sailing from IJumuiden. Cruise ships often opt for Ijmuiden rather than Amsterdam because it allows them to bypass the ship locks and lengthy North Sea Canal route to Amsterdam, saving approximately six hours of sailing time. Which Cruise Lines Sail from Ijmuiden? Holland America Line, Norwegian, and Princess are just some of the major cruise lines that sail from Ijmuiden for what they promote as Amsterdam cruises. Pronounced “eye-mow-dun”, this cruise port is the starting point of voyages to Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, Scandinavia, the Norwegian Fjords, British Isles, and some transatlantic crossings. I sailed from Ijmuiden aboard Holland’s Zuiderdam. Related: Check out my video review of Zuiderdam. Ijmuiden Cruise Terminals It’s very important for cruisers to note that there are two terminals in Ijmuiden, and to add to the confusion, they’re named the Felison Cruise Terminal and the Felison Terminal. Yes, they’re both called “Felison”! Unfortunately, it’s a lengthy 45-minute walk between the two, so you’ll want to be absolutely certain you’re dropped off at the correct terminal. Before getting out of your taxi or Uber, make sure you see your cruise ship’s funnel. If you’re an American traveler familiar with sailing from domestic US cruise ports like Port Miami and Port Canaveral, this is a very different experience. Sailings from Imjuiden will generally be smaller, and embarkation will be faster and easier, but the cruise terminal is very small and limited. Language and Currency in Amsterdam Ijmuiden and Amsterdam are easy locations for Americans to navigate. While the primary language spoken in the Netherlands is Dutch, English is widely spoken and understood, making it easy for visitors to communicate and navigate the city. The official currency is the Euro (€), and I’ve found that acceptance of US currency here is hit-and-miss. Credit cards are widely accepted, and in most European locations, tap-to-pay or contactless payment is becoming very common and quite convenient. A tap-to-pay credit card, also known as a contactless card, allows users to make payments quickly and securely by simply tapping the card against a contactless-enabled payment terminal, eliminating the need to swipe or insert the card and enter a PIN. How to Get to the Ijmuiden Cruise Port Most Americans sailing from Ijmuiden will likely fly into Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, or AMS (Note: it’s pronounced “Skip-hol Airport.” The “Schip” part sounds like “skip,” and the “hol” part rhymes with “dole.”). Schiphol Airport is about 30 minutes from the Ijmuiden cruise port, and it’s very unlikely to find any hotels in the area that provide a shuttle to the cruise port, so here are the best options: Things to do in Ijmuiden In my blog posts, I always try to feature things to do in popular port cities, highlighting free activities in particular. In full disclosure with this one, however, there just isn’t much to do in Ijmuiden. It’s located in Seaport Marina, which is home to primarily commercial marine activity, and isn’t the most scenic location, nor is there much to do. That’s the downside of sailing from this port. The upside is that the port is located just a 30—to 40-minute drive from Amsterdam, where there is more to do than I could adequately cover in one post. I will, however, give you some of the highlights of Amsterdam, geared toward cruisers who have a short time to visit the city. Before diving into that, though, I want to take a moment to remind cruisers that conventional wisdom says to fly into your cruise departure port at least one day before your sailing. While I sometimes risk flying same-day for domestic sailings, this is absolutely something I would not do for a cruise that requires international travel to get to the embarkation point. Many cruisers advise flying in two days before an international sailing. Things to Do in Amsterdam in One Day Cruisers who have just a day (or less) to explore Amsterdam will find an array of options, which can feel overwhelming. Narrowing down things to do in Amsterdam can prove difficult, as can choosing the right hotel, but below are my recommendations of things to do if you have limited time in the city and want to get a taste of what Amsterdam has to offer. Before exploring Amsterdam, though, I want to make two very important notes. One is that tourists need to be very mindful of their surroundings regarding the bicycles. People talk about the prevalence of biking in Amsterdam, but this is one thing you must see firsthand to fully “get.” Walking around the bustling parts of the city can be hazardous if you aren’t paying attention, with thousands of tourists on foot, cars, and bicyclists whizzing by. If you’re brave, you can even rent one and explore this way, but regardless of how you choose to wander, do it mindfully to avoid any unpleasant collisions. The other note is to wear comfortable shoes and clothes and prepare for cool or rainy weather. Part of Amsterdam’s charm is its cobblestone streets, and if you wear a shoe with any sort of heel, you will have regrets. Museums History buffs like me love Amsterdam because of its vibrant arts and museum scene. Two of Amsterdam’s most famous museums are the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, although both are huge and difficult to fully experience within just a short time. The benefit, however, is that these two popular attractions are located right by each other,