tmcmullan Posted July 9 #1 Share Posted July 9 We have just had confirmation from Crystal that our port stop in Amsterdam on 31st July and 1st August has been cancelled due to “new technical restrictions imposed by the Local Authority”. Crystal also stated - “We have coordinated an alternative port that is nearby and accessible to all this destination has to offer.” The alternative port is Ijmuiden – which appears to be about 40minutes by road from Amsterdam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA Oceanfront Posted July 9 #2 Share Posted July 9 https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/news/cruise-ships-ban-in-amsterdam-from-2035-to-fight-overtourism/ 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topo Gigio and Me Posted July 9 #3 Share Posted July 9 Ijmuiden is a nothing burger, but it is only half an hour or so to Amsterdam. But also consider Haarlem, which is half the distance, and charming in its own right. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rafinmd Posted July 11 #4 Share Posted July 11 It would sure be nice if Crystal provided a shuttle to Amsterdam, and perhaps Haarlem. Roy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Tillie Posted July 11 #5 Share Posted July 11 51 minutes ago, rafinmd said: It would sure be nice if Crystal provided a shuttle to Amsterdam, and perhaps Haarlem. Roy For the Diver to Dover in Sept. they are offering a transfer to Amsterdam, but for $$$. Patty 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWIVince Posted July 11 #6 Share Posted July 11 21 minutes ago, Texas Tillie said: For the Diver to Dover in Sept. they are offering a transfer to Amsterdam, but for $$$. Patty I would expect to pay a fee for a transfer like that. It would be nice if local authorities provided the transportation, since it was a unilateral decision impacting previously contracted business, but there is little Crystal can do to force them to provide it, especially since that's a market that they're exiting... Crystal has even less pull than usual. Vince 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted July 11 #7 Share Posted July 11 I can't speak to the July 31 stop but I can for the September one. From the moment I looked at the September cruise over one year ago it listed Ijmuiden as the port serving Amsterdam.Same is true for another cruise in August of 2025. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctjon Posted July 11 #8 Share Posted July 11 We're going to face more and more similar issues with ports limiting or eliminating cruise stops. Here in Maine there are several ports discussing limiting ships, size of ships, days of week, and then requiring them to have electric hook ups while in port. Then the cities will figure our how much money this will costs. But those times are coming. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HUNKY Posted July 11 #9 Share Posted July 11 My visit on Viking to Ijmuiden was cut short. So, 10 to 15 buses toured the countryside for three hours. Has Amsterdam considered the pollution created by the large number of buses, taxis and Uber/Lyft that will be used for cruise tourists? Versus a ship docking in town and tourists walking or using existing public transport to see the sites? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krb1000 Posted July 11 #10 Share Posted July 11 We received this today…Crystal will provide a shuttle 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TER777 Posted July 11 #11 Share Posted July 11 1 hour ago, krb1000 said: We received this today…Crystal will provide a shuttle That’s great news! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rafinmd Posted July 12 #12 Share Posted July 12 Well done Crystal! Roy 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rafinmd Posted July 12 #13 Share Posted July 12 I did a B2B on MS Prinsendam in 2015 starting, turning around, and ending in Ijmuiden. While it is anything but a cruise destination, I see that Symphony is there almost 2 days and I thought I would share what I encountered there FWIW. I would think people's plans would depend on how much time they would want to spend in Amsterdam but I did find a few things perhaps worth a short walk. and give a bit of the lay of the land. It's a small terminal outside the dike system with road access through a tunnel. There's also a stairway to the top of the dike with a path that goes to a small commercial area along the top of the dike. On the land side of the dike there's a street, and actually a city bus that stops at the dike access point. I was primarily thinking of access for embarkation (which would be difficult). I started with a view looking from the bus stop near the terminal looking at the steps to the top of the dike. and back down to the terminal: I expect most people will want to explore Amsterdam at least the first day but perhaps on the second there could be a little stroll and perhaps lunch and/or shopping to the little commercial area. It's a walk of 900 meters at the most distant point: There are a couple of restaurants at the left end of the picture and a couple of Japanese restaurants and a casino somewhere in the middle. Just a few possibilities for an overnight stay. Roy 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simigirl Posted July 14 #14 Share Posted July 14 I will be on the Dover cruise on September 18th. TER777 and krb1000 how did you receive the information about the shuttle? I have not received the information. It’s great news, but I’m confused on why they are still offering an Amsterdam On Your Own excursion for $169. Thanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TER777 Posted July 14 #15 Share Posted July 14 1 hour ago, simigirl said: I will be on the Dover cruise on September 18th. TER777 and krb1000 how did you receive the information about the shuttle? I have not received the information. It’s great news, but I’m confused on why they are still offering an Amsterdam On Your Own excursion for $169. Thanks! Email update from Crystal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krb1000 Posted July 14 #16 Share Posted July 14 4 hours ago, simigirl said: I will be on the Dover cruise on September 18th. TER777 and krb1000 how did you receive the information about the shuttle? I have not received the information. It’s great news, but I’m confused on why they are still offering an Amsterdam On Your Own excursion for $169. Thanks! Received emails from both my travel agent and Crystal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAV Posted July 14 #17 Share Posted July 14 On 7/11/2024 at 9:27 AM, ctjon said: We're going to face more and more similar issues with ports limiting or eliminating cruise stops. Here in Maine there are several ports discussing limiting ships, size of ships, days of week, and then requiring them to have electric hook ups while in port. Then the cities will figure our how much money this will costs. But those times are coming. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted July 14 #18 Share Posted July 14 Brian, what you say makes a lot of sense. Charleston residents made it a big issue several years ago. We love Alaska but I remember Alaska in the 1990's when you had one or two ships in port. And you didn't have the jewelry stores that you see in the Caribbean. Those days are gone. It's a tough one for everyone given how cruising has exploded thanks in a lot of ways to Carnival and to Princess via The Love Boat TV series. One of my most favorites times visiting was on the 2012 WC. We arrived in April a few weeks before the season started. We had the ports to ourselves. That was nice and the weather cooperated too. Keith 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinn Posted July 14 #19 Share Posted July 14 Simigirl---I am on your cruise and I have received no notification about the shuttle. Julia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krb1000 Posted July 15 #20 Share Posted July 15 19 hours ago, krb1000 said: Received emails from both my travel agent and Crystal Just to clarify…Tracy and I are on an earlier cruise, that had a scheduled port stop in Amsterdam…an overnight actually, when Crystal was forced to cancel Amsterdam…Crystal offered the shuttle. I believe your cruise was advertised with the alternate port…you were never scheduled for Amsterdam…thus no need to notify you. Hope this helps 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted July 15 #21 Share Posted July 15 On 7/13/2024 at 8:02 PM, simigirl said: I will be on the Dover cruise on September 18th. TER777 and krb1000 how did you receive the information about the shuttle? I have not received the information. It’s great news, but I’m confused on why they are still offering an Amsterdam On Your Own excursion for $169. Thanks! Let me try to explain why there is an excursion on the September 18h cruise. There is a difference between the two itineraries. Evidently the cruise that TER777 and krb10000 are on had Amsterdam as the port stop but recently the itinerary was revised to show Ijmiden. In response to this late itinerary change Crystal stepped up to make accommodations for the guests by offering a complimentary shuttle. In the case of the September 18 cruise the itinerary never showed Amsterdam as the actual stop as it showed Ijmuiden. Keith 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simigirl Posted July 15 #22 Share Posted July 15 Thank you both for the clarification. Now I’ll go back to finding other transportation to Amsterdam. The excursion is less than four hours in the city and we want to spend more time there especially since it is an overnight stop. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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