cheap mini cruise to amsterdam

Mini Cruises to Amsterdam

Mini cruises.

Mini Cruises To Amsterdam

Amsterdam has become synonymous with a short break. Close enough to the UK that you don't have to spend long hours on a flight, but far enough away to know that you'll be able to enough a different city and culture, and a mini cruise to Amsterdam is the perfect way to experience it.

Travel by foot or by car from the UK and enjoy a two night break to Amsterdam, spending both nights onboard the DFDS or P&O ferry and enjoying a few hours seeing the sights and sounds of Holland's biggest city.

Popular Cruise Companies To Amsterdam

DFDS Seaways

P&O Cruises

MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

Dorada Palace Zona de Llevant

H10 Salauris Palace Salou

Amsterdam mini cruise guide, from the uk.

• 3 or 4 Night Breaks
• 2 For 1 Breaks
• Things To Do

From Newcastle

Travelling from Newcastle the mini cruise by DFDS ferry to Amsterdam departs in the early evening from North Shields port, allowing you to enjoy the onboard facilities before retiring to your cabin for a good nights sleep in preparation for your time in Amsterdam.

The next morning, the coach transfer will take up to 40 minutes from the port into the city where you will have up to 5 hours to discover more about Amsterdam before heading back to the ship for the cruise back to Newcastle.

From Hull the P&O ferry departs in the evening, arriving into Rotterdam's Europoort the next morning. From here you can take the coach transfer into Amsterdam, exploring the museums and canals during the day, before the late afternoon coach transfer takes you back to the port for your cruise back home.

From Southampton

While the above are more overnight cruise ferry style services, you can also enjoy a longer, more typical cruise ship to Amsterdam from Southampton, with great dining options, lots to do and plenty of live entertainment onboard. You'll also have a choice of excursions that you can book on (at an extra cost), so that you can spend the day exploring, check out the local culture, or simply grab a bike an cycle along the many canals. They also provide coach transfers if you want to spend the day in this beautiful city at your own leisure.

3 or 4 Night Cruise Breaks To Amsterdam

Fancy a slightly longer cruise break? Why not take the overnight mini cruise to Amsterdam followed by one or two nights in a hotel so that you can spend more time in Amsterdam without needing to rush about, trying to cram everything in before the cruise home? Or perhaps a 3 or 4 night mini cruise to Amsterdam, spending all nights onboard the ship might be a better option (no need to unpack repack again, right?)

Alternatively, try out a full cruise with P&O from Southampton, taking in other European cities like Bruges? These cruises are well equipped for holidaymakers being a cruise ship rather than a ferry and can offer 3 night mini cruise breaks to Amsterdam.

To book a longer mini cruise break, simply visit DFDS and choose the dates you need, then book your hotel separately, adjusting the number of nights you want to stay in the city. Don't forget that the mini cruise will have overnight accommodation provided each way to Amsterdam. Check out our latest hotel offers in Amsterdam.

2 For 1 Cruise Deals to Amsterdam

Occasionally cruise and ferry companies like P&O and DFDS may have a 2 for 1 offer on selected Amsterdam mini cruises, meaning when two travel together, you only need to pay the price of one person, which starts at £85 per couple for a two night break. For more details check out our dedicated 241 mini cruise offers page.

Amsterdam Mini Cruise by Foot

The mini cruise is perfect for those on foot, without a car. Head to the check-in at Newcastle or Hull terminals and board the ferry by foot. Enjoy your overnight stay on the way to the Netherlands before taking the coach transfer from the port into Amsterdam city centre. It's easy to use and perfect for those who don't want to be restricted by a car.

If you are taking a cruise ship rather than the DFDS or P&O ferries, you will be able to check-in by foot at the passenger terminal in Southampton's cruise port with excursions by coach in each destination you visit.

Things To Do In Amsterdam

Amsterdam is full of loads of fantastic things to do from the weird to the wonderful. Here are a few of our favourites:

Van Gogh Museum

Even if you aren't a big art fan, the Van Gogh Museum is a stunning collection of artwork from the renowned painter. Located in Museum Square, you can easily spend the morning here before enjoying a lovely walk through Vondelpark.

River Boat Trip

Sightseeing by boat is a must, even if just for an hour. Seeing the city from the water is a relaxing and fun way to learn more, taking an organised boat trip or even hiring your own self-drive boat.

Anne Frank's House

The Anne Frank House, located on Prinsengracht is a fitting tribute to the teenage diarist, who documented her way of life during World War II. Book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment as it can get very busy, especially in the summer months.

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Amsterdam in a weekend – the mini cruise from hull to amsterdam.

Visiting Amsterdam in a weekend – is the mini cruise worth it?

Can you really squeeze a trip to Amsterdam into just a weekend? With a mini cruise, you might just find you can! When it comes to a last minute weekend break my main priorities are finding something cheap, something that doesn’t use up much (if any) annual leave time, and an exciting destination that’s easy to explore on foot.

I usually start by looking at the cheapest flights on SkyScanner , but I know a few people who have done the overnight ferry trip to Amsterdam from Hull. So, on their recommendation I thought I would give that a go instead!

Weekends and Away uses affiliate links to products. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, however there is no extra charge to you.

What is the Dutch Dash?

Informally referred to as the “Dutch Dash” by the folks over in Hull (aka ‘ull), this quick weekend trip over to Amsterdam is one of a few mini cruise options offered by P&O Ferries from the Hull ferry port.

So how does a weekend mini cruise trip to Amsterdam work?

Mini cruise trips are great if you don’t want to waste time waiting around at the airport, booking hotels , transfers and all the usual travel stresses. Instead you board the ship a couple of hours before departing on Friday evening and spend the night in your cabin. Of course, I would recommend venturing out and enjoying the on-board bars and facilities too.

The next morning the ship arrives at Europort in The Netherlands. This is where you disembark the ferry and get taken by coach to the centre of Amsterdam. The day is then yours to spend as you please. After a full day of sightseeing, eating, drinking and whatever else you may get up to in the Dutch capital, head back to the coach pick up point. There will be a designated time for you to come back here, so be sure to pin the pickup spot on Google maps and set an alarm!. The coach will then return to the ship, where you can unwind in your cabin and arrive back in Hull the next morning. Simple!

What’s the cabin like on a mini cruise?

I won’t sugarcoat it, the standard cabin on the Hull to Amsterdam mini cruise ( I travelled on the Pride of Hull ) is pretty basic! If you are looking for something a little more luxurious than bunk beds and a small shower room, you may want to consider an upgrade. For the sake of a couple of nights, however, I think your money could be better spent elsewhere! Aside from the cabin being a little cramped everything was clean and comfortable.

What you need to know before you go on a mini cruise

There are a few things worth noting before you travel on your mini cruise to avoid getting caught out like I was. Firstly, there was only one plug socket in our cabin and it was a European fitting. Make sure to pack a travel adapter and maybe an extension lead to avoid running out of battery before you even get to Amsterdam. I really like this USB travel adaptor , as most of my devised have USB charge and it nice and compact to pack. I don’t know about you but I can barely function without Google Maps, so this was a big deal for me!

Secondly, there isn’t a kettle in the cabin either (true British problems right there!). If you like a tea or coffee in the morning and don’t want to pay the on-board prices, pack a travel kettle .

Finally, you aren’t allowed to bring alcohol on board. Save yourself the heartbreak of having it taken away from you at the ferry terminal and leave it at home! There are a few bars on board anyway and the drinks are quite reasonably priced.

How to spend a weekend in Amsterdam

If you haven’t already been to Amsterdam, it’s likely you’ve at least heard about of seen the dreamy photos of this quirky, canal filled city. Home to history, culture, art, food and fashion, there is something here for everyone to enjoy besides the infamous cafes of course.

Planning your day in Amsterdam

As you only get to spend one day in the city on a mini cruise, it’s best to have an idea of what you want to see beforehand. You’ll especially want to have this figured out if this is your first visit.

Amsterdam is home to some world-class museums and art galleries including the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum as well as historically significant sights like the Anne Frank House . If you plan to visit any of these, book your tickets in advance online . These museums are very popular and it would be a waste spending a large chunk of your day in a queue.

If you are planning on a more relaxed day of strolling along the canals and trying out the local food (there is plenty to try), you can be much more flexible with your time.

Here are a few more activities you can enjoy in Amsterdam on your mini cruise getaway:

Outside the Amsterdam tourist hotspots

As I visited the museums the last time I was in Amsterdam a couple of years ago, I wanted to spend this trip exploring the city at a much more relaxed pace. Our trip started with food (obviously) before heading over to one of the markets. I really enjoyed fawning over at pretty pieces of art and hand crafted jewellery. The brightly coloured fruit, vegetables, flowers and produce are a photographers dream too.

Explore the Amsterdam waterways with a canal cruise

After a morning of strolling we decided to do one of the many canal boat tours of the city. Lovers offer 1 hour tours leaving several times a day, for €13 it’s a great way to get introduced to the city and some of its history as you cruise through the many bridges and waterways.

If you find yourself hungry after a few hours of walking, or if you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t pass up on an opportunity to visit The Pancake Bakery . This place has pancakes on a scale beyond your imagination, from boozy cherry toppings to pancakes themed on different nations, you will definitely leave happier and a few kilos heavier!

So, is a weekend mini cruise to Amsterdam worth it?

Whilst I had a great time on my mini weekend cruise to Amsterdam, there are definitely some pros and cons to consider before booking.

Pros of a mini cruise

The mini cruise is really good value, with travel, accommodation and transfers into Amsterdam for as little as £80 per person on selected dates.

You can ditch the cabin sized bag (although I do love my Aerolite) and pack as many clothes as you want, although I doubt you would need much for this short break!

Travel overnight in the comfort of a bed, instead of cramped on an economy flight.

Avoid expensive city centre accommodation prices.

This is a great way to try our cruising before booking a longer trip if you’re not sure if you’ll like it.

Cons of a mini cruise

You only get one day in Amsterdam, so your sightseeing time is limited. P&O Cruises do offer 3 or 4 day mini breaks too though that would give you more time to explore.

The entertainment on board the mini cruise probably won’t be to everyone’s taste, but there are other options such as the on-board cinema, if singing and dancing aren’t your thing.

Any delays on the outbound leg of your journey or during disembarkation could have a knock on effect, leaving you with even fewer precious hours to explore the city.

If you aren’t travelling from a reasonable distance from Hull you will need to factor in extra travel time to and from the terminal, as well as parking. In some cases your local airport may be the cheaper and less stressful option.

A weekend in Amsterdam by mini cruise - The verdict

For a cheap and cheerful getaway, I would definitely recommend a weekend in Amsterdam via mini cruise. Whilst it might not be the best option for visiting a new destination, it’s a great way to enjoy an old favourite and takes the hard work out of planning and travelling.

You can find out more about P&O mini cruises and book here.

Have you been on a weekend cruise break before? Did you enjoy it? Let me know in the comments!

Interested in longer cruise trips?

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Rather spend longer in amsterdam find accommodation here:, pin this post.

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P&O Ferries Amsterdam mini cruise from £99pp

Enjoy a short break to Amsterdam sailing with P&O Ferries from Hull.

Let your hair down on a two-night mini cruise break to Amsterdam with P&O Ferries. You'll get to spend the day exploring the wonderful city of Amsterdam in The Netherlands at your own leisure.

👍 Hear about the deals first - click here and follow my Mini Cruise Addict page on Facebook (opens in new window).

At 8.30pm your modern ferry will leave the Port of Hull and sail overnight to Europoort on the outskirts of Rotterdam. Enjoy the entertainment on-board, tuck into a delicious dinner, or enjoy a bit of shopping before heading to bed in your own en-suite cabin. At 8.15am (or 9am on weekends) you'll arrive in Rotterdam where a coach will be waiting to whisk you to Amsterdam. Depending on traffic you'll normally be there by around 11am to 11.30am.

Enjoy touring Amsterdam at your own leisure. Browse museums and galleries, get a taste of the local culture, or hit the shopping streets. Plan your trip carefully before you sail from Hull and you'll be able to cram an awful lot into your mini break. Alternatively relax and unwind in one of the many bars and cafés dotted around the city. At 5pm the last coach departs Amsterdam taking the last load of passengers back to the ferry terminal. At 8.30pm the ship sets sail bound for Hull the following morning.

The dull-but-necessary small print

All deals are subject to availability and can be withdrawn by the operator without prior notice. The lead-in prices (otherwise known as the 'from' prices) are, unless otherwise stated above, based on two adults sharing the cheapest available cabin on the cheapest available date. Typically the best prices are available at the start of any promotion period so the earlier you book the better choice of sailing dates and cabin availability you should have. Mid-week sail dates are likely to be cheaper than weekend sail dates.

6 comments on “ P&O Ferries Amsterdam mini cruise from £99pp ”

How do i book for just one person to go on the Amsterdam mini trip from Hull

Simply book one adult in the booking process. You'll be shown available cabins - generally 2 berth (bed) and 4 bed. You'll be in a room designed for two or four, but as a solo passenger.

Is there any buy one get one free available

Not at the moment, and it may be a while off before it comes back due to the pandemic. If borders open and restrictions ease later this year, the cheaper rates may resurface.

I am interested in this offer but would like info regarding meals i.e. cost and how to pre-book Thank you

Here's my Amsterdam mini cruise review from when I last sailed with P&O.

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Hi, I'm David and I'm a mini cruise addict. I love the ease and simplicity of exploring Europe from the comfort of a cruise ferry or cruise ship almost as much as I love finding great value deals, including the mother of all deals, the famous '2 for 1' deals.

Wonderful Amsterdam Mini Cruise

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• Coach travel throughout
• Overnight sailings on board P&O North Sea Ferries on a twin bunk en-suite cabin only basis
• Restaurant, bar, cinema & entertainment available on board
• Time to enjoy the delights of lovely Amsterdam.

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Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Caledonian Travel (Operations Suspended) .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Mini Cruise Breaks

Mini cruises & short hotel breaks

Enjoy a mini break to Europe by travelling on one of our two European cruise routes between Newcastle and Amsterdam and Copenhagen and Oslo . These short cruises are great ways to discover Europe and Scandinavia. A mini cruise is also a cost-effective alternative to a flight and expensive hotels.

You can enjoy your mini break on an overnight crossing and spend time exploring one of Europe’s most exciting cities. All our mini cruise options include coach transfers from the ferry port to your destination. With mid-week and weekend cruise deals available.

Onboard you can enjoy all the comforts of your own private cabin, a choice of great restaurants, bars, and entertainment. There are also play areas for the kids and shops for all your travel essentials, gifts, and souvenirs.

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This accolade wouldn’t have been possible without you, our loyal passengers. Thank you for recognising the hard work of our exceptional team members who are dedicated to ensuring each voyage is as exceptional as the next.

Your ongoing support is the anchor to our success.