The canals of Amsterdam have been off-limits to cruise travelers in recent weeks as protests at the city’s port have led some cruise lines to cancel port calls to the Dutch city.
Disney Cruise Line informed guests scheduled to visit Amsterdam aboard the Disney Dream that the ship would skip Amsterdam on Sept. 6 in favor of a second day at the port of Zeebrugge in Bruges, Belgium, where the ship had originally been scheduled to arrive
on Sept. 7.
Protests Disrupt Cruise Itineraries
The environmental group Extinction Rebellion has been protesting against the pollution caused by cruise ships, including blocking ships from entering Amsterdam.
“Due to issues outside of our control at the port in Amsterdam, there is a significant possibility that the ship will not be able to dock, resulting in a missed port day,” Disney Cruise Line said in a message to Disney Dream passengers. “Because of this, we have made the decision to modify your sailing and spend the additional day in Zeebrugge.”
Passengers affected by the schedule disruption were given a $250 onboard credit to use.
On Aug. 9, protestors chained themselves to one of the locks at the port city of IJmuiden, which controls access to the North Sea Canal leading to Amsterdam. The protest led to Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas being stuck in the canal lock; passengers were eventually transported by bus to Amsterdam and the Schiphol airport, Dutch media reported.
On Aug. 11, protesters again blocked the lock, delaying the arrival of the Seven Seas Mariner in Amsterdam by about three hours.
“This action is a direct protest against the scandalous pollution caused by cruise shipping,” according to a statement by Extinction Rebellion after the Aug. 9 protest. “In the midst of the devastating climate and ecological crisis, Extinction Rebellion demands an immediate and total stop to the destructive cruise industry.”
The climate activists also prevented the Virgin Voyages cruise ship Resilient Lady from entering the IJmuiden locks on Aug. 24. Other cruise ships currently scheduled to arrive at IJmuiden in the coming weeks include the Crystal Symphony on Sept. 19, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Navigator on Sept. 20, MS Amadea on Sept. 24, MSC Poesia on Sept. 25 and Norwegian Star on Oct. 7.
Recommend reached out to CLIA, which provided this statement: “The cruise industry is pursuing net zero emissions by 2050 and the future of sustainable cruise travel is being built into today’s ships. We are investing in development of sustainable marine fuels, each year the fleet becomes more efficient, and we are equipping cruise ships to connect to shoreside electricity to reduce emissions.
“While we respect the right of people to hold and express different views, we take exception when the expression of those views creates safety and security concerns.
“We welcome responsible, productive engagement on achieving mutual objectives for sustainability—and believe the most effective path is a collaborative approach rather than sensationalized tactics that impede on the rights or safety of holiday-goers.
“CLIA and its member companies will continue to work closely with ports and destinations around the world to ensure we continue to grow and develop in ways that benefit the communities we visit.”
