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.
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.
This post first appeared at Prevue’s sister site, recommend.com.
