• City breaks return on popular holiday route
• Ferry operator DFDS is now welcoming mini cruise passengers on its Newcastle-Amsterdam route
• Dutch government has eased restrictions for vaccinated travellers

Award-winning ferry operator DFDS has reinstated the popular overnight mini-cruise product on its Newcastle-Amsterdam route.

The company's two-night foot-passenger mini cruises include return overnight crossings from Newcastle, a private ensuite cabin onboard, and coach transfers to the city, with up to five hours to explore Amsterdam's vibrant centre. Prices start from £74 per person and DFDS' Travel Guarantee means that customers can rebook for free if they have to change their plans due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The first mini cruise sailing departed from Newcastle on 13 February. Bookings are open for travel throughout 2022.

The overnight ferry crossing features something for the whole family to enjoy with a range of bars, restaurants, and live music throughout the journey, plus a cinema, children's entertainment and play areas. From March to September, the company offers wildlife watching activities onboard, with the chance for the children to spot dolphins, sea birds and whales in a guided programme led by wildlife officers from conservation charity ORCA.

For extra savings, customers can enjoy up to 50 per cent off high street prices on a range of toys, fragrances, cosmetics, clothing, jewellery, and confectionary in the duty-free shop onboard. The company offers up to 20 per cent off LEGO® when purchased onboard, with a variety of products from the popular toy brand's Harry Potter, Disney and Ninjago ranges. More information about the bargains on offer in the duty-free shop and full details of current duty-free allowances can be found on DFDS's dedicated duty-free page.

UK fully vaccinated holidaymakers (two doses and a booster, or three doses) can now travel to Holland for a city break without quarantining. All travellers will need to show proof of their vaccination status, present a negative PCR or antigen test, and show a completed health declaration before boarding the ferry. For travel back to the UK, they will need to fill out a passenger locator form and show proof of their vaccination status before boarding.

Amsterdam offers lots for families to explore, from museum hopping, to picnics in the park, and canal cruises to visiting the wild animals at Amsterdam's Artis Zoo. DFDS' top five tips for a great family adventure in Amsterdam include:

Museum hopping

With 44 museums across the city, there are lots of places to take in the latest exciting exhibitions, whether you are into art, science, or history. You can marvel at the interactive scientific exhibitions at the NEMO Science Museum, or visit the hiding place of wartime diarist Anne Frank.

Canal cruises

Amsterdam has more than 160 canals winding through it, with a range of themed cruises available from various locations across the city. It's a great way to see all the sights and sounds that the city has on offer, as well as keeping the children entertained if you hop into the pedal boats dotted around the city.

Spotting wildlife

Head to Artis Zoo to capture the little ones' imaginations in the aquarium, planetarium, and butterfly pavilion. Complete with botanical gardens, the Zoo has been keeping the Dutch capital wild since 1838 and offers the chance to stroll among shady trees, travel to the stars and experience nature right in the heart of the city.

Picnicking in the park

Enjoy a family picnic in Vondelpark – the largest park in Amsterdam. Children can play and enjoy some outdoor fun in one of the park's five children's playgrounds. Older children have the option to hire roller skates, cycle or walk the length of the park and enjoy its sights and sounds.

Discover the city's dark history

The Amsterdam Dungeon offers a tour of the dark history of the city, providing a thrilling attraction that whisks you back to the Netherlands' perilous past. The attraction offers a choice of ten interactive shows with real-life characters to guide you through a spooky experience that the whole family can enjoy.

For more information, or to book, visit www.dfds.com.

-Ends-

For further press information, please contact:

Michelle Ulyatt / Sandy Fleming / Karen Bayfield

Roch PR

T: +44 (0) 1304 807744

E: dfdsteam@rochpr.com 

www.rochpr.com

About DFDS:

DFDS provides ferry and transport services in and around Europe, generating annual revenues of DKK 17bn.

DFDS delivers high reliability to more than 10,000 freight customers through ferry and port terminal services and transport and logistics solutions.

For five million passengers, it provides safe overnight and short sea ferry services.

DFDS' 8,000 employees are located on ferries, terminals and in offices across 20 countries. DFDS was founded in 1866, is headquartered in Copenhagen, and listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.

In the UK, DFDS operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.

DFDS has been named 'Europe's Leading Ferry Operator' for ten years running (2012-2021), as well as the 'World's Leading Ferry Operator' for the last eleven years (2011-2021).

DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and Calais and Dunkirk.