mini cruise hull

Hull to Amsterdam Mini Cruise

A mini cruise offers a wonderful opportunity to discover a new environment and enjoy a ferry journey. Amsterdam is a favored destination for such a mini cruise, especially the well-loved route from Hull to Amsterdam , departing from Kingston Upon Hull.

Your journey commences with an evening check-in at the Port of Hull . During the evening, you can relish the cozy ambiance on board, complete with entertainment. The next morning, you wake up to a stunning sea view, and then you are transferred by bus to Amsterdam to explore the city.

• If you want to explore Rotterdam, there’s also a Hull to Rotterdam Mini Cruise .

Hull Mini Cruise Amsterdam

A mini cruise offers an affordable and convenient way to travel. You wake up refreshed in Europoort (Rotterdam), almost unaware of the journey. From there, you’ll be transported by bus to Amsterdam.

• 12 hours of sailing time
• From £59,- pp

Schedule: How long does a mini cruise typically last?

The Hull to Amsterdam mini cruise spans three days. On the initial day, you board and check-in, enjoying evening entertainment and a range of dining options. You overnight in your cabin. The following day, you dock at the Rotterdam port (Europoort) and take a bus to the city center of Amsterdam for a day of exploration. The return voyage to Kingston Upon Hull commences at 9:00 PM

Timetable - Mini cruise Hull to Amsterdam

• 3:00 PM – Check-in at Passenger Terminal 1 (Port of Hull)
• 4:00 PM – Passengers board on foot
• 7:00 PM – Check-in closes
• 8:30 PM – Ship departs for overnight cruises to Europoort
• 8:30 AM – Arrival at Europoort (9:00 AM on Saturdays/Sundays). You are then transported by bus to the center of Amsterdam.
• 5:00 PM – Last bus departs from Amsterdam back to Europoort.
• 7:30 PM – Check-in closes (7:00 PM on Saturdays/Sundays)
• 9:00 PM – The ship departs back to Hull (8:30 PM on Saturdays/Sundays)
• 8:00 AM – Arrival in Hull (7:39 AM on Sunday and Monday)

What can you do on board?

The mini cruise from Hull to Amsterdam is operated by P&O Ferries, where you’ll stay on one of the ships, namely the Pride of Rotterdam and the Pride of Hull. These ships provide various amenities to make your time on board enjoyable, including live entertainment and dining options.

Entertainment

Once on board the Pride of Rotterdam or Pride of Hull, you can enjoy duty-free shopping at the World Duty Free Shop.

Accommodation - Various cabins and their prices

When booking a mini cruise, you’ll spend the night on one of the ferries. By default, a Standard cabin is assigned, but you have the option to upgrade for added comfort, which comes with an additional cost. Additionally, you can choose whether you prefer a cabin with single beds, bunk beds, or a double bed. In the table below, you’ll find the various cabin types and their respective supplementary charges.

* Please note that these are the starting prices, and there are additional options available, such as an upgrade to a double bed or a room with a sea view..

The distinctions among the cabins primarily revolve around the degree of luxury they offer. For instance, a Premier cabin provides a higher level of comfort compared to a Standard cabin and includes amenities like tea and coffee facilities. A Club cabin, on the other hand, offers an even more luxurious experience, with added space, a television, hot beverage facilities, a minibar, and premium toiletries.

Furthermore, there are dedicated pet-friendly cabins available , providing you the option to bring your pet with you. Additionally, there are cabins with connecting doors, allowing you to join two cabins and stay close to your family members. It’s worth noting that each cabin is equipped with a private bathroom , featuring a shower, toilet, towels, and bed linens.

Our money-saving tip!

Save 10% on your meals: You can reserve your meals in advance and check which restaurants are available."

Alternative Mini Cruises to Amsterdam and Rotterdam

Hull (Port of Hull) serves as a popular departure point for mini cruises. The beauty of this journey is that you board in the evening, allowing you to enjoy your night onboard with entertainment and more. When you wake up in the morning, you’ll find yourself in the port of Rotterdam (Europoort). This mode of travel has the advantage of a seamless transition, making it easy to embark on a city trip feeling refreshed, as if you never left the comfort of your home.

The Hull to Amsterdam mini cruise is the most popular choice , but there are also alternative options. You can embark on a mini cruise from Hull to Rotterdam or journey from Newcastle to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam). Additionally, there are special themed parties where the voyage revolves around a current theme, such as Halloween, Christmas, or an ’80s-themed celebration.

Hull ⇆ Rotterdam

From £59 per person

A visit to Rotterdam is worthwhile for its modern architecture, vibrant culture, and active port city vibe.

Newcastle ⇆ Amsterdam

From £79 per person

A trip to Amsterdam is a great choice for its picturesque canals, and cultural richness.

Themed Mini Cruises

From £89 per person

A mini cruise to Amsterdam or Rotterdam, where the entire journey is centered around a specific theme

Suggested Things to Do in Amsterdam

Although a mini cruise spans over three days, you’ll have only the second day to explore Amsterdam. Keep in mind that you’ll need to travel from Europoort to Amsterdam, and the return bus to the port in Rotterdam departs at 5:00 PM. It’s wise to plan your activities in advance.

We’ve visited Amsterdam many times, so we would recommend the following things to do:

• Rijksmuseum : If you’re interested in art, the Rijksmuseum is a great choice. It houses a vast collection of Dutch art, including the most famous and impressive work, Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch.”
• Canal Cruise: Amsterdam is renowned for its canals, making it highly recommended taking a canal cruise. This relaxed boat tour allows you to admire the beautiful canal houses of Amsterdam.
• Dam Square: Located near Amsterdam Centraal, Dam Square is a central hub with plenty to see and do. You can admire the Royal Palace of Amsterdam from the outside, visit Madame Tussaud’s, and explore various shops.
• Van Gogh Museum: Discover the life and artworks of Vincent van Gogh at this museum dedicated to the famous artist.
• Heineken Experience: Experience the history and brewing process of one of the world’s most iconic beer brands, Heineken, in this interactive brewery tour.

Parking at Hull Port

A mini cruise to Amsterdam is intended for foot passengers only; you cannot take this trip with your car. For that, you would need to book a regular ticket with a car reservation. However, you can park your car at the Port of Hull. You can navigate to the King George Dock & Ferries and Terminal 1 for parking. Please be aware that there is a charge of £10 per 24 hours.

Directions to the Port of Hull by car

For those traveling from the North and West, you can take either the M62 or A1079 to reach the A63 , leading to Hull City Centre. Follow the signage towards King George Dock and Ferries . If you’re approaching from the South, you can cross the Humber Bridge via the A15 and then head east along the A63 towards Hull City Centre. Follow the signs directing you to King George Dock and Ferries .

Do you come by public transport (bus or rail)?

If you’re coming to the Port of Hull by public transport, you have the option of using the bus or train:

• Train: The nearest train station to the Port of Hull is Hull Paragon railway station . From this station, you can catch a bus to the terminal at King George Dock.
• Bus: There is also the option of traveling by bus only. At The Interchange, next to St Stephen’s Shopping Centre , you can catch a bus heading towards King George Dock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can certainly travel as a foot passenger from Hull to Amsterdam. A mini cruise is a great option for this purpose, as it is not only more cost-effective than a regular ticket but also doesn’t incur additional charges for a vehicle. Additionally, with a mini cruise, you’ll be transported from the Rotterdam (Europoort) port to the city centre and back, providing added convenience.

The check-in opens at 15:00 and closes 90 minutes before departure. Foot passengers can board from 16:00, and check-in closes at 19:00, with the boat departing at 20:30.

The ferry journey from Hull to Rotterdam (Europoort) is generally smooth, but it can become rough in unfavorable weather conditions. If you are prone to seasickness or have concerns, it’s advisable to check the current sea conditions with the ferry operator before your trip.

Indeed, P&O Ferries still operates the route from Hull to Rotterdam. Unfortunately, the route to Zeebrugge has been discontinued. If you are considering alternative ferry operators, DFDS offers a route from Newcastle to IJmuiden (Amsterdam).

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How To Cruise | Tips For First-Time Cruisers

Tips For First-Time Cruisers

P&O Mini Cruise – Hull to Amsterdam – An Independent Customer Review

9th April 2019 By David at HowToCruise 1 Comment

In March 2019, we drove across the M62 to Hull to join the P&O mini cruise to Amsterdam.

It was a break my wife and I were looking forward to.

• See Amsterdam
• Get away from it all for a couple of days
• Enjoy the experience

So how did it go? Did the mini-cruise meet expectations? Was it cheap or expensive?

Here’s my independent cruise review of our experience…

Parking at the Hull P&O Terminal

So let’s be practical. What about parking? 

It’s a pay and display car park, right by the P&O terminal – which is very handy. The staff advised us to leave our car in the multi-storey car park. They told us that this particular car park is locked overnight, whereas the outside tarmac car park isn’t.

Time to pay for the parking. It’s £8 per day – so we came prepared with 16 pound-coins. But no worries if you turn up with no change – the machine will take cards too.

Check-in was pretty straight-forward, and soon we were heading up the ramp with the other passengers to embark the “Pride of Hull”.

An Inside Cabin on The Pride of Hull

So what’s the cabin like?

At check-in, they’d given us a paper/card type of e-key, so we went to take a look and drop off our luggage.

Our package included a basic inside cabin with 2 bunk beds. The top bunk swings down.

There’s no need to upgrade. This cabin had all the comforts. And a nice, clean bathroom with a shower.

Time to explore the rest of the ship…

Exploring The Pride of Hull Ship

The Pride of Hull contains all the usual things you’d expect on a cruise ship, such as a shop, restaurants, a wine bar and pub with entertainment.

Even a Starbucks coffee shop.

When we boarded, it was still very early, so we hadn’t set sail and most things were still closed.

On the top deck, the Skylounge Bar has the benefit of a nice view – and smart tables and chairs. This bar could almost be mistaken for a cruise ship.

In the evening, this Skylounge Bar hosts the more laid-back sort of entertainment. We discovered the price of a bottle of wine was rather more expensive than in the wine bar downstairs.

But for now… it was time to buy a cuppa before heading off to book a table in the restaurant.

The Restaurants on the Pride of Hull

For our evening meal, we chose the Brasserie.

The food was delicious and the service great.

But we could have chosen what they call “The Kitchen”, where, for a set price, you can eat as much as you want.

The Wine Bar

In the wine bar, it cost us £14 for a bottle of house wine.

As wine wine-bar prices go, that’s not bad – especially for a captive audience. Upstairs in the Skylounge bar, that would have cost us about £18.

Off to Amsterdam

The next day, at 0900 we disembarked, went through the customs checks and hopped onto one of the coaches waiting outside the terminal.

Our coach was clearly labelled “Amsterdam”.

With the heavy traffic, the ride into Amsterdam took around 90 minutes. And as we left the bus, the driver told us the times of the various buses going back.

It was easy to spot the buses with the “P&O” label on the front.

So what’s Amsterdam like?

What to do in Amsterdam

The rain put a bit of a dampener on it for us. But we couldn’t let that spoil our day.

So first things first, we sought out the herring seller and bought a rollmop. That was the first thing ticked off the to-do list.

Bikes and boats are everywhere. Not surprising as it’s flat and full of canals.

Want a museum?

Well, the cheese museum is great. Lots of samples of delicious Dutch cheeses to savour, too.

And then there’s the tulip museum.

And… a cow museum.

And a museum celebrating the cause of the strange smell you’ll discover as you walk Amsterdam’s streets. Yes, a cannabis museum.

If you want to visit Anne Frank’s house, you’d better book your ticket online, months in advance. We didn’t, so all we got was a picture at the front door – as did lots of other people.

There are many other things to see, such as the Westerkirk.

And quaint places to shop.

You can see all these on the video we made .

And finally, we took a last look at the canals, bikes and boats, before heading back to the coach for the journey back to the ship.

Going Back from Amsterdam

Back at the port, we got off the coach, through customs again, up the escalators, along the ramp, and got ready for another evening’s entertainment.

The wine bar was popular.

Near to the source of the entertainment, the volume of the music was quite loud. But there are a few corners where you can hold a conversation yet still hear the music.

There’s also a “quiet room” on board if music isn’t your thing.

Upstairs in the Skylounge Bar, there was more laid-back entertainment with a singer with an acoustic guitar. However, that was amplified loud, too, and there were no corners to sit and chat.

Eventually, we hit the sack and awoke in time for breakfast, before docking, disembarking, queuing through customs, and being reunited with our car.

Now, all we had to do was try to remember which storey we’d parked on.

Our Video Review of the P&O Mini Cruise to Amsterdam

We made a video of the whole of the mini-cruise – from beginning to end. 

A movie-star at last!

How Much is the Amsterdam Mini-Cruise?

Our P&O Hull to Amsterdam Mini-Cruise was great value for money.

It cost £80 for the two of us. Yes, you read that right – £40 each.

But in peak season, you can expect to pay much more.

Unlike a normal cruise, this is actually a ferry – albeit a very smart-looking ferry.

And, unlike a normal cruise, food isn’t included. So you need to budget for your food and drink.

Accommodation and entertainment were included in our £80 price tag.

So we thought it was excellent value.

If you want a day in Amsterdam and two nights of entertainment at sea, this could be the perfect bargain break.

How to Get The Bargain Price

• I’d recommend you aim to go early in the season (you know, the unpopular times when no one else wants to go and it’s cheaper). 
• Play around with various days – because prices can differ.  And then book it before the price changes. 
• Make sure to go through a Cashback website to get some cash back. Here’s how to do that .
• Remember to get yourselves some travel insurance.
• And then look forward to enjoying your mini-cruise.

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Reader Interactions

14th January 2023 at 1:28 pm

Sounds great. I must enquire further.

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P&O Ferries Amsterdam Mini Cruise From £65pp

Sail from Hull to Amsterdam from as little as £65 per person with P&O Ferries.

The renowned value of a bargain P&O Ferries Hull to Amsterdam mini cruise has returned!

It looks like the 'Mini Cruises Mini Prices' promotion has returned again this year with P&O Ferries. Amsterdam mini cruises start from £65 per person . Eagle-eyed readers will have spotted that this is up from last year's lead-in rate of 'from £55 per person' (and from £40pp pre-COVID). While it's lost some of it's appeal as a bargain short break, I still think it represents good value, although that value for money is being squeezed.

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

Sail dates are available from October 2024 to December 2024. It's very likely that dates will be extended up to March 2025.

Prices start from £65 per person based on Sunday to Wednesday sailings. Thursday sailings start from £71 per person. Friday sailings start from £100 per person. Saturday sailings start from £73 per person. This is for an entry-level cabin. If you want to travel in a larger cabin or a suite, those come with small supplements, depending on availability. Varying degrees of ticket flexibility is available for a surcharge, which is handy if you think your plans might change.

The fare includes return coach transfers as well as an EU-imposed tax (the European Union Environmental Trading Scheme Charge (EU ETS Charge)) that was introduced in January 2024.

The sailing itself is the same as a regular mini cruise. You'll set sail from Hull in the evening bound for Europoort near Rotterdam. Enjoy the great entertainment on-board your crossing and enjoy a comfortable night's sleep in an en-suite inside cabin.

The following morning you'll dock at Europoort and board a coach for a transfer into Amsterdam city centre. You'll have around 7 hours of free time in Amsterdam (depending on when you dock, and when you choose to catch the return coach back to the port). Explore the vibrant city, take in the sights and sounds and immerse yourself in the local culture. Check out my Amsterdam guide too !

Your return sailing departs in the early evening and sails overnight back to Hull, giving you another chance to enjoy yourself on-board. Sailings leave Hull daily so you should be able to get the dates of your choice, though the offer is subject to availability. Book early to avoid disappointment. You can also conveniently pre-book your meals (dinner and breakfast) for the outbound and return sailing at the time you book your mini cruise, so you don't have to worry about paying for it onboard. I do this as it's more convenient for me, but it's completely optional.

Want to spend more time in Amsterdam? For a supplement from as little as £12 per person (depending on dates) you can extend your holiday to a three night break. You'll need to book a hotel separately but that gives you the freedom to choose one to suite your budget and preferences. To book this, select the '3 night' mini cruise option which secures your outbound and return ferry accommodation. You'll then need to book land-based accommodation for the one night in-between these dates. It's up to you what you book, from a cheap and cheerful hostel right up to a luxury suite. I've done this for the last few times I've sailed as it allows me to spend a night on land in the city, and it makes the whole mini cruise experience more relaxing.

Fancy Rotterdam instead? The same great rates are available on Hull to Rotterdam mini cruises too. How to book If you'd prefer to book directly with P&O Ferries, you can check their website here ° to see the latest availability. Direct Ferries built this handy price search tool for my readers, which you might find easier to use. Pop in your dates and destination, and it'll show you the options, along with some alternative dates to consider.

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.

34 comments on “ P&O Ferries Amsterdam Mini Cruise From £65pp ”

Why can you not book on line for one passenger . On the Amsterdam mini cruise from Hull ?

The offer was changed a few years ago to allow odd-sized groups (1, 3, 5) rather than even numbered groups (2, 4) to take advantage of the same pricing. I can book a solo trip from Hull to Amsterdam online. Just choose one adult and it should show you available options.

How do you book the transfers to and from Amsterdam because there does not seem to an option when going through the booking process

The booking system should show them as included as part of the fare.

Where do I get a quote and find out available dates in July please?

Dates are normally released three months in advance, so July availability should be live in May.

Im wanting to book this for November 2020 time but the dates ive put in have said not available. Will this be because its sold out, or because the mini cruises dont run around those dates?

They become available around 3 months before the sail date. November will fall into the winter promotional period so should be available to book around August/September.

How much for 2 people 4th dec please

If you follow the link above, you'll be able to generate a live quote with accurate pricing.

Hello, We are planning to take mini cruise to Amsterdam on the 22nd September for 2nights. We will be driving from Gloucestershire and would like to park the car safe within the terminal - Is there any secured parking? Once you confirm, we can make the booking. Many Thanks, G

There's a multi-storey pay-and-display car park right next door to the terminal. I drive up from South Wales and use this whenever I go. Right now, it costs £8 per 24 hours.

Should you decide to travel to Bruges in the future, there's an open air pay-and-display car park right next door to that terminal too.

Hello are you able to recommend any hotels in Amsterdam as we are thinking about the 3 night mini cruise which gives us one night to book .

I don't have any recommendations other than somewhere central - or at least near a tram stop. The coach drops you off not far from the train station so if you can find somewhere close by, you won't need to drag your luggage around all over town. A site like Booking.com or Expedia will give you an idea of price for the night, from budget through to luxury. I highly recommend the 3-night version of the mini cruise having just done it that way on a trip to Bruges. It's way more relaxing as you aren't clock watching all day, and you get to see the city by night, which is the best bit really.

Tried to book for a Thursday for 2 adults and 2 kids. Price is £404. Thought it was £40 pp?

Prices start from £40pp depending on date and availability. Booking well in advance is the best bet. Now that P&O is promoting the offer, the best dates will fill up fast, forcing the starting price northwards on those sailings. That said, I've booked a £40pp rate and know plenty of others who have, so they definitely are out there.

Which date are you looking at? If you have scope to be flexible with your dates, it might be worthwhile searching a few days before and after your original date to see if you can make a significant saving.

Hi, I am checking out the P&O site, and the 2-4-1 offer no longer seems to be applicable, it is quoting £91 per person for the 3 day break to Amsterdam. Can you please advise

It's definitely still available. I just checked a random date for October and that comes up with the offer. Are you searching for a mini cruise date between October and December? You might want to try this search here to compare prices .

If you can travel on a Monday or Tuesday, that'll likely attract a cheaper starting rate. Make sure your sailing date doesn't clash with a themed mini cruise (unless you want it to, of course) as that'll add to the price. There's also a small premium for booking the three night mini cruise (with one night in a hotel booked separately) versus the two-night mini cruise which starts from £10 per person.

why cant i take my car like we used to be able to. Ive been to holland and belguim 3 times 2 for 1.and took my car for 70 pound.

This is a mini cruise offer (i.e. foot passenger only). You'll need to quote for a regular ferry crossing to take your car with you. You can do that here .

Hi when I’ve tried getting a two for one ticket to Amsterdam from Hull they have been sold out? When are they available?

That's strange. It's showing for me. Pop your details into the form here and you should get a quote. Make sure you choose dates between October and December as those are the one's currently on offer via Direct Ferries.

I'm looking at Thurs 30th Jan 2020. Staying over 1 night in Amsterdam.for 2 it's showing as £154 which I find much more expensive than previous years. In your experience, will the prices drop ?

The dates for January to March have only just come online, but they seem to start from £56.50 per person instead of from £40 per person, sailing on a cheap day. Thursday cruise and stay sail dates appear to start from £66.50 per person. I'll do some digging but it looks like this might be the new starting price for 2020 onwards. I'll be back shortly with an update...

Brilliant, thank you very much for your reply! Massive thumbs up the the review, big help !!

Hi David, I have just booked hull to Amsterdam. My confirmation isn't very detailed and it's my first time on the ferry, I wondered if you could answering a few questions for me. If we depart at 20.30, what time do we need to be at the port? (Earliest & latest check in) What documentation do we need? Luggage allowance? We have transfers included, are they easy to find at the other side? And will they tell us our pick up time & place? I haven't prebooked any meals, is there an option to do so on the ship if we change our mind? I'm really sorry to bombard you! Thank you for your help in advance

If you depart at 20.30, the latest check in at the terminal is usually 19.00. They usually start boarding at around 16.00 should you plan to get there a bit earlier.

You'll need to take your printed ticket and passport.

You can take as much luggage as you can carry, but I'd advise taking no more than a backpack - you might need to take your luggage with you when you get off the ship (you'll find out at check-in) so you don't want to lug around a massive suitcase all day. On the trips I've made before, they've let me leave my luggage in my room (denoted by a key symbol on the boarding pass) which really helps. Ask at check-in to be sure.

The transfer coaches are right outside the terminal and there's people to direct you to the right one. In Amsterdam, you'll get dropped off near to the main train station (great for hopping on a tram) and will be picked up in the same place.

You can buy meals onboard. The pre-book option saves a small amount of cash but it's not a terrific amount. Onboard, you can choose to eat in the buffet restaurant, an a la carte restaurant, or in the cafe, paying onboard.

In case it helps, I put together a detailed Amsterdam mini cruise review after my trip with P&O. If I can help with anything else, please just ask. Otherwise, I hope you haver a great time in Amsterdam. You'll be booking your next mini cruise before you know it!

Is their any themed cruises in may?

Keep an eye on this themed mini cruise page for details.

How much is it if you just want to go on your own?

I've had a quick look and prices for solo travel start from £60 per cabin. There looks to be a 50% single supplement on solo fares.

Hi how much is dinner on the ship

If pre-booked, breakfast currently costs £10.50 per person and dinner is £19 per person. Pre-book both at the time of booking for £26 per person. In this instance, both breakfast and dinner is a buffet option.

A la carte is available in the Brasserie. Based on the latest prices I can see, a Full English breakfast with a Starbucks coffee is £13.50 a head. A lighter continental breakfast of pastries and coffee is around £8 per person (dishes are individually priced). A three-course slap-up dinner is likely to cost in the region of £30 per person (again, dishes are individually priced). A two-course fixed menu costs £16 per person. A two-course dinner with a drink for kids is £8 each.

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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.

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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?

Read about my trip to the Caribbean on Harmony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean cruise – on board Harmony of the Seas

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

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Amsterdam mini cruise: what happens and is it worth it? our review

An Amsterdam mini cruise is a really popular way to see the European city from the UK and have a break from the norm without sacrificing too much holiday time from work.

Amsterdam is a wonderful city to spend some time in but are mini cruises a good way to explore? And what happens on a mini cruise? I’m aiming to answer all your questions here!

Before we sailed on a Newcastle to Amsterdam mini cruise we had no idea about what it would be like and we struggled to find any information or reviews about the trip.

We travelled with our kids, who were young teens at the time but many people do the trip with younger kids, as a couple or even solo!

This article probably contains affiliate links. This means that if you buy or book after clicking, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

Our Top Pick

Best mini cruise to Amsterdam – DFDS

This is the mini cruise that we went on and can recommend. It’s a really great way to see Amsterdam as a short day trip from the UK!

Who runs mini cruises to Amsterdam? There are currently two options if you fancy a mini cruise: DFDS – Sails from Newcastle to Amsterdam (this is the one we did) P&O Ferries – Sails from Hull to Rotterdam

What is a mini cruise?

• A mini cruise is basically a 2 night ‘cruise’ where you sail late on the first day, sleeping overnight on the boat and arriving at your destination in the morning.
• You then get transferred to the city in the morning (Amsterdam in this case) for a day trip before returning to the ship and having a night on the boat returning.
• You arrive back on the third day in the morning.

DFDS do a couple of different mini cruises – you can do one like we did from Newcastle to Amsterdam (and vice versa) or there’s also one that goes from Denmark to Norway (one to try at another date when we’re travelling around Europe again!). They also used to do one from the UK to Norway but I don’t think that one is currently running.

P&O Ferries also do a very similar crossing but it’s from Hull to Rotterdam . They still transfer you to Amsterdam and that’s the destination for the cruise.

How long is an Amsterdam mini cruise?

Typically the cruise lasts 3 days and 2 nights. You spend the first evening on board the ship, arrive at your destination in the morning to spend the day and then sail back on the 2nd evening.

Is a mini cruise expensive?

Cruising as a term tends to conjure up images and feelings of an expensive trip. So is the mini cruise to Amsterdam expensive?

Currently, in 2022, the headline fares are around £40 per person for P&O and £75 per person for DFDS. Your final price is going to depend on what cabin you choose.

There are often deals to be had when booking the mini cruise with DFDS (and I imagine P&O). We managed to find a 2 for 1 offer which made our whole trip with the most basic cabin come in at around £120 for 4 people.

This gave us a super basic cabin (more on that below) for two nights and coach transfers for us all to Amsterdam. You can upgrade to better cabins should you want and if you can I would definitely recommend it.

On board, as probably expected, it’s a little more expensive than your average restaurant or shop. As is also probably expected, we were way too tight to be spending our cash on board so I can’t unfortunately comment on the quality of the restaurants – we took food with us!

I did see that breakfast was around €15 per adult so if you want to eat on board and not bring food with you make sure to budget accordingly.

What’s it like on board?

As I said before, we didn’t eat in the restaurant and we also didn’t partake in any bar entertainment either. (Although I’d say this wasn’t the best idea – as I mention below, it’s a cruise, don’t hole yourself up in your cabin with rubbish food. Go enjoy yourself!)

There was a cinema on board which was about €8 each, so not too dissimilar to on land and we did consider that if the film we wanted was showing on the way back but unfortunately it wasn’t so we didn’t. So if you see a showing you like, watch it, it might not be on the return journey!

The cabin that we had was very basic but did have everything you needed with a small en suite shower and toilet. You also get towels too so no need to bring those either.

The cabins are a little bit small with four people in them, especially when the upper bunks are down, but it wasn’t too bad really. Of course our kids were nearly grown so it was like having 4 adults in there.

One issue that we had with the cabins were that they were incredibly hot. We did wonder at one point whether they maybe didn’t want you too comfy in the cabins and wanted you to be out spending in the bars! It was like that both ways and just spoiled what would have been a quite enjoyable time otherwise.

Tip – make sure you have plenty of drinks with you. It’ll make the hot cabins a bit better.

Can you leave your belongings on the ferry?

One thing we wondered about and were a little worried about was whether we could leave our belongings on the ship while on the day trip – if you’re also worried, don’t be.  

You keep the same cabin on the outward and inward legs so you can leave whatever you need to on board.

(This was correct when we did the trip – might be worth confirming with the ferry company if it’s a concern for you)

How long do you get in Amsterdam on the mini cruise?

Ok, this is quite a big and common question – how long do you get there? It might vary due to the company and any traffic but in general:

You get about 4 and a half hours in the city of Amsterdam on the mini cruise.

What to do in Amsterdam on a mini cruise?

Your time is going to be limited so bear that in mind when choosing what to do. Here are some ideas of places to go that can be done in the time you have. Unfortunately trips to tulip field and windmills like Kinderdijk will have to wait – you won’t have time.

I highly recommend getting tickets in advance if you can – Amsterdam can be busy!

• Canal cruise
• Van Gogh Museum
• Ann Frank Museum or walking tour
• Heineken Experience
• Rijksmuseum
• Madame Tussauds

What happens on the day trip?

You arrive in the Netherlands at about 9am at a place called IJmuiden which is around a 45 minute drive from the centre of Amsterdam.

After waiting for the car passengers to depart it’s the foot passengers turn to go through passport control. It was fine and fairly quick on the Amsterdam side but returning to Newcastle took forever so something to think about if you’re doing the opposite journey.

The coaches are waiting to take you in to the city and once full they head off, dropping you outside a hotel just opposite the train station so perfect for seeing the old town or getting on a canal cruise.

We probably arrived in Amsterdam at around 10.30am – 11am ish which gave us about 4 and a half hours before we got picked up.

It definitely didn’t seem enough to enjoy all there is in Amsterdam, but for us, as it was our first trip to the city it was nice enough to get a feel for it and wander round.

I really wanted to do some of the museums in Amsterdam and it’s really not enough time for doing that and exploring – but perhaps next time we’ll be able to stay longer!  There are some really great kids museums in the Netherlands so definitely one to return for!

We were lucky and had a dry day to wander around – it would have been a different story if it was raining, but if you’re worried about that make sure you have some activities planned to keep you dry.

Is a mini cruise worth it?

So the main question would be, is it worth it overall?

We all really enjoyed our time away and for what we paid I think it was definitely worth it.

My tips to make the most of the mini cruise to Europe

If I was to do the cruise again here would be my tips to make the most of the day:

• if possible, upgrade the cabin so you’re feeling fresh and so that the cruise section of the trip is part of the experience
• I’d enjoy the restaurants on board more and the entertainment – honestly we used to be on such a budget we’d scrimp everywhere which isn’t always advisable. I’d say that while you can do that, since the mini cruise is the bulk of your time try to enjoy it!
• I’d consider getting some skip the line tickets for the museums I was interested in.
• I’d probably book in advance a trip on the canals .
• I’d definitely get a guide book or check in advance what we should do and where we should eat – we weren’t really prepared and so just wandered round soaking up the city. We were lucky the day was dry!

Useful links: DFDS – for Newcastle to Amsterdam cruise P&O Ferries – for Hull to Rotterdam (and then on to Amsterdam) cruise Get Your Guide – book boat trips and skip the line tickets Lonely Planet Amsterdam guide book

Kirsty Bartholomew

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