The cruise ship Jewel of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean International, embarks on global voyages to popular tourist destinations. However, climate activists from the Dutch branch of Extinction Rebellion disrupted the start of one such journey.

As the ship approached the Port of Amsterdam, seven activists chained themselves to a roadway bridge and the Ijmuiden locks, preventing the vessel from boarding passengers.

"This action is a direct response to the outrageous pollution caused by the cruise industry," the protesters wrote in a statement on X, demanding an "immediate and total shutdown of this destructive sector."

Police arrived at the scene of the protest but chose not to remove the activists, as they posed no immediate harm. Consequently, the cruise ship had to dock at the Ijmuiden terminal, and passengers had to be transported from Amsterdam.

Extinction Rebellion activists returned to the port the following day, attempting to block the Seven Seas Mariner cruise ship. However, this time, the police took a firmer stance. After unsuccessful requests to end the demonstration, officers removed the protesters from the harbour. The incidents took place on 10 and 11 August.

Amsterdam is taking steps to curb mass tourism, with city authorities planning to ban cruise ships from entering the city centre dock. Currently, 190 cruise ships are permitted to enter the port annually, but this number will be reduced to 100 by 2026. By 2035, a total ban on cruise ships entering Amsterdam is expected to be in place.

Sources: The Maritime Executive/Euronews