Dec
2019
P&O Ferries Amsterdam Mini Cruise
Visit Amsterdam on a short and sweet mini cruise with P&O Ferries. Better still, it is a great value trip.
Sail overnight from Hull and spend the day ashore, doing as you please in Amsterdam, before sailing overnight back to Blighty.
Oh no, the ship has sailed on this cruise
Sorry, the ship has sailed on this mini cruise and I'm sure it was a blast! Never mind though, there are plenty more mini cruises to choose from.
About this cruise
Hull is very easy to get to, with excellent road and rail connections to surrounding areas. It's less than 2½ hours drive from Manchester, Newcastle, and Birmingham. It's also just 3 hours from central London by train.
However you get there, make a beeline for the port to the east of the city. Follow the signs for Terminal One and check in. You'll sail overnight so your adventure begins the moment you board.
You may remember ferry journeys from your childhood but this is a modern cruise ferry. It's got bars, restaurants, a café, shops, an entertainment lounge, and compact but comfortable cabins. Grab a bit to eat and watch the live entertainment as you sail into the night.
The next morning you'll dock at the ferry terminal in Europoort, Rotterdam. Here, coaches will be waiting outside ready to ferry you onwards to Amsterdam.
Coach transfers between the port of Rotterdam and Amsterdam take between 45 minutes and 1½ hours. The last coach normally leaves Amsterdam at 5pm. That means you'll normally have around seven hours in Amsterdam, similar to a port of call on a cruise ship. Delays caused by weather and traffic can eat into this time on shore.
It's up to you what you do in Amsterdam. Hit the museums and art galleries. Splash the cash in the shops, or dine in one of the many fantastic restaurants the city boasts. Amsterdam is a tourist magnet so there are plenty of organised excursions available to privately book if you'd prefer a guided tour around the city. There's also the excellent sightseeing option of hop-on hop-off buses and canal boats - a great way to get around and see the sights, all in one.
The buses usually start ferrying passengers back at around 4pm, staggered through to around 5pm. Once back at the port, check-in and head on-board. Again, you'll sail overnight so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the onboard facilities before disembarking in Hull the following morning.
This mini cruise is an excellent, economical way to tour Amsterdam on a no-fly break from the North of England. Friday and Saturday night departures usually are more expensive than mid-week getaways as many people like the ability to cram a European break into a weekend.
Want to spend a night in Amsterdam?
Trying to cram Amsterdam sightseeing into a few hours can hard work, not to mention that you also miss out on experiencing Amsterdam's legendary nightlife. Opt for a 3-night mini cruise instead of the 2-night mini cruise above and choose to take an evening canal cruise or see Amsterdam's world-famous Red Light District come to life. You'll need to book a night in a hotel separately, but that gives you the flexibility to book a budget B&B or a plush luxury pad to suit your budget. Just choose the 3 night option when you book your mini cruise° (there's a small supplement that starts from £10 per person to book this extended stay) and then book your one-night Amsterdam hotel stay separately. Top tip: Use a site like Booking.com or Trivago to compare hotel prices, and make sure you quote up booking with the hotel directly as you might get some extra perks like a free breakfast or free WiFi Internet access.
The Route
The itinerary for this mini cruise is:
| Day | Date | Port | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuesday 31st December 2019 | Hull | Depart 8.30pm |
| 2 | Wednesday 1st January 2020 | Rotterdam (with coach transfer to Amsterdam) | 8.15am to 9pm (Mon-Fri) OR 9am-8.30pm (Sat-Sun) |
| 3 | Thursday 2nd January 2020 | Hull | Arrive 8.15am (Mon-Fri) OR 9am (Sat-Sun) |
Why choose this taster cruise?
- 2 night short trip with P&O Ferries
- Regular departures throughout the year
- Sail from Hull to Rotterdam and back again
- Coach transfers to Amsterdam included
- Add an optional extra night in a hotel in Amsterdam (accommodation must be booked separately)
So you know, the map above shows point-to-point lines which may cross land. Don't worry, your ferry will not sprout legs and run across dry land. Instead it's water all the way! Mapping is approximate, and the scheduled times are estimates. Your trip is subject to change as, occasionally, operators have to alter itineraries due to bad weather or unforeseen events.
The Price
Oh no, the ship has sailed on this cruise
Sorry, the ship has sailed on this mini cruise and I'm sure it was a blast! Never mind though, there are plenty more mini cruises to choose from.
More choices
Not quite right? Here are some other suggestions that may suit better.
Are there any mini cruise trips to Keukenhof Gardens from Hull in 2021 please?
It’s a bit too early to know just yet. P&O Ferries don’t normally run Keukenhof Gardens mini cruises but you can head there on your own on a regular Amsterdam mini cruise. You might want to look at the cruise-and-stay option to give you more time to explore Keukenhof without having to clock-watch.