DFDS

DFDS is the only ferry company on the Amsterdam - Newcastle route. The Danish ferry company runs two cruise ferries, the King Seaways and the Princess Seaways, which shuttle overnight every day between IJmuiden near Amsterdam and North Shields near Newcastle. In local time the crossing takes 16 h 45 min towards England and 15 h 45 min on the way back, because the UK is one hour behind the Netherlands.

The ships at a glance

Both ships are 163 metres long and 28 metres wide, sail at 21 knots and were fully refurbished in 2006, 2017 and most recently in 2024.

The King Seaways has more cabins and is the only one of the two with the Commodore de Luxe category and its own lounge. The Princess Seaways has more space on the vehicle decks. Otherwise the two ships hardly differ on board: the same restaurants, the same cabin layout, the same routine. The timetable shows which ship sails on your date.

Departures

DFDS sails once a day in each direction, all year round. The ferry leaves IJmuiden at 17:30 and arrives in North Shields at 09:15 UK time; from North Shields it leaves at 17:00 and arrives in IJmuiden at 09:45. In stormy weather on the North Sea, individual sailings may be delayed, and DFDS points out that timetables can change because of the weather.

Cabins

Because the crossing takes a night, you book a cabin with it. Every cabin has its own bathroom. The range goes from the Economy cabin with one to four beds to the double-bed cabin, inside or with a sea view, sea-view cabins for up to five people and the Commodore cabins. For travellers with a dog there are dedicated pet cabins, and for wheelchair users there are accessible cabins with single beds, tiled floors and a shower with a seat. The Cabins page describes what each category offers.

On board

You can eat at the Explorer's Kitchen buffet restaurant or à la carte at the North Sea Bistro; for a coffee in between there is Coffee Crew. There are also bars, two cinemas on each ship, a duty-free shop and activities for children. In the morning the breakfast buffet opens at 07:00 and stays open until the ship docks. There is no limit on luggage, and you take what you need for the night to your cabin.

Vehicles, motorhomes and motorcycles

Cars, motorhomes, vehicles towing a caravan or trailer, motorcycles and bicycles travel on the vehicle decks. Give the exact dimensions when you book, including trailer, roof box and bike rack. Vehicles with low ground clearance check in earlier. The vehicle deck is closed during the crossing and usually opens shortly before the ship docks in the morning. Tips for motorhome drivers are on the Motorhomes & caravans page.

Dogs on board

On this route DFDS does not allow dogs to stay in the vehicle: they travel with you in a pet cabin or in a kennel on board. The pet cabins have four beds and a sea view, are limited in number and have access to the dog deck. Only cats and other animals may stay in the vehicle, not dogs. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the public areas. The documents the UK requires are listed on the Dogs & pets page.

Check-in and terminals

Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure: at 16:45 in IJmuiden and at 16:15 in North Shields. Every traveller needs a valid passport, and visitors to the UK also need an ETA. In IJmuiden the terminal is at Sluisplein 33, with a car park right at the terminal; in England it is at Albert Edward Dock in North Shields. Both terminals are described on the IJmuiden ferry terminal and Newcastle ferry terminal pages, and the process on the Check-in page.

Customer service

For questions about bookings, changes and travel documents, contact DFDS customer service; the Contact page tells you how. Whether and how you can change a booking depends on the fare you booked.