War On Cruise Ships? Amsterdam Latest Port To Limit Or Ban Cruise Liners

Topline
Amsterdam’s city council will no longer allow cruise ships to dock in the city center in an effort to cut down on tourism-related problems and curb pollution — the latest tourist hot spot to battle the industry already struggling from staffing shortages, Covid-related financial struggles and a myriad of criticism from environmental activists.
Two ships at the cruise port in Amsterdam. Flickr Vision
Key Facts
The central cruise terminal near Amsterdam’s main train station will eventually close as a result of the decision, BBC reported, after politicians said allowing large vessels into the historic area did not align with goals for sustainability and are contributing to a tourism industry the city is trying to get under control. The city drew about 9 million tourists in 2021 and 20 million visitors last year, city data shows, and the cruise law is the latest step toward dissuading visitors including a ban on smoking marijuana in public in the red-light district, earlier closing times for restaurants and the end of in-store alcohol sales after 4 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday, the New York Times reported. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema complained last year that cruise ships brought nothing substantial to the city, BBC reported, only letting visitors hit the streets for a few hours of partying before they were called back on board. More than 3.8 million passengers have gone through the Cruise Port Amsterdam since 2000, its website says, and more than 2,100 ships have docked in that port. Environmental concerns also contributed to the decision—the European Federation for Transport and Environment said in June that 63 cruise ships owned by the Carnival Corporation emitted 43% more sulfur oxides than Europe’s 291 million cars in 2022. The region has another port about 18 miles east in IJmuiden that will not be impacted by the ban.
Key Quote
“Amsterdam sails better without the cruise,” said Ilana Rooderkerk of the liberal majority D66 party, per NYT.
Five Places That Have Regulated Cruise Ships
Barcelona—Barcelona’s regional government last year said it will limit cruise liners arriving at what was once Europe’s busiest cruise terminal. The city has struggled with over tourism since travel resumed post-Covid, Bloomberg reported, and short-term visitors from cruise ships aren’t seen as overly helpful to the local economy. Pollution was also a concern for the Spanish port—Barcelona was the European city most polluted by cruise ship emissions in 2019, per Bloomberg, and in 2017 there were 32.8 tons of sulfur oxides emitted at the port.
Demonstrators hold a banner reading “Stop cruises” during an anti-mass tourism demonstration in … [+] Barcelona on Sept. 26, 2019. Photo by Lluis Gene AFP via Getty Images
Venice—The Italian city banned cruise liners in 2021 to protect the environment and its heritage, Reuters first reported. Ships that weigh more than 25,000 tons are no longer allowed down the Giudecca Canal, which passes the Palazzo Giustinian Recanati, several famous churches and the Dogana da Mar art gallery. At the time, Venice was in danger of being classified as “world heritage in danger” by the United Nations, meaning overtourism was threatening the architecture and environment that put the historic center of Venice on the World Heritage List in 2001.
The MSC Orchestra cruise ship sails across the basin as it leaves Venice on June 05, 2021. Photo by … [+] Miguel Medina AFP via Getty Images
Dublin—Brexit was the reason cited for a limit to cruise liner traffic starting in 2019 at Dublin Port. At the time, 160 cruise ships’ calls were already booked for 2019, with 140 bookings set for 2020, the Irish Times reported, and in 2021 the number of allowed cruises was cut to 80. Officials said port capacity was needed for increased container traffic after the U.K. left the European Union.
A view of MS Royal Princess living Dublin Saturday, May 5 2018, in Dublin, Ireland. Photo by Artur … [+] Widak NurPhoto via Getty Images
Santorini—Santorini started limiting the number of cruise ship passengers allowed per day to 8,000 in 2019. Santorini also saw spikes in air pollution in 2018, according to The Independent, which the Hellenic Ornithological Society blamed on the cruise ship industry’s use of heavy fuel oil.
A cruise ship near Santorini island in Greece. VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
French Polynesia—It’s been 18 months since the government of French Polynesia banned cruise ships carrying more than 3,500 passengers at any of the country’s ports, including at popular destination Bora Bora. Tahiti now only welcomes ships with fewer than 2,500 passengers and those with more than 1,200 can’t dock at all in Bora Bora, according to Conde Nast Traveler.
The Aranui 5 freighter and cruise ship at sea before delivering Christmas goods on December 4, 2016 … [+] in the Marquesa Islands, French Polynesia. Photo by James D. Morgan Getty Images
Key Background
The cruise industry has been under intense scrutiny in recent years to clean up its act environmentally, at the same time it struggles to overcome debt from the Covid shutdown and faces staff shortages. Port cities in Florida, Maine, Alaska, and California are all fighting to further regulate the cruise industry, Business Insider reported, but there’s little they can do because most piers are owned by the federal government. The city council in Monterey, California, voted to stop offering city services to cruise ships in an effort to take “care of this little piece of the planet that we have,” Travel + Leisure reported, and Juneau, Alaska, voted to allow only five ships per day in its downtown port. Environmental activists have called for an end to cruises altogether, slamming them for poor labor practices, insensitive cultural impacts, environmental damage and other concerns.
Tangent
The world’s largest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas by Royal Caribbean, will set sail for the first time in January 2024. The ship includes 20 decks, seven pools and a waterpark, will carry almost 8,000 workers and passengers and tickets start at $1,851 per person.
Further Reading
Amsterdam bans cruise ships to limit visitors and curb pollution (BBC)
These US port cities are fighting to restrict cruise ships. It’s easier said than done. (Business Insider)
Norovirus Cruise Ship Outbreaks Already Reach 10-Year High In 2023 (Forbes)
The ‘Icon Of The Seas’ Will Soon Be The World’s Largest Cruise Ship — Here’s How Much It Costs To Get Aboard (Forbes)