Amsterdam mini cruise from Hull: is the Dutch Dash worth it?

Can you really squeeze a trip to Amsterdam into just a weekend? With an Amsterdam mini cruise, you might find you can. For a last-minute weekend break, I want something cheap and easy to explore on foot that uses little or no annual leave. I usually start by checking flights on Skyscanner, but friends recommended the overnight ferry from Hull, so I gave it a go.

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This post covers how the Hull to Amsterdam mini cruise worked when I travelled in 2020, what the cabins are like, what to pack, how I spent my day and the honest pros and cons. Routes, prices and coach arrangements can change, so check with the operator, along with passport and entry rules, before you book.

What is the Dutch Dash?

Known informally as the “Dutch Dash” by the folks in Hull (aka ‘Ull), this quick weekend trip is one of the mini cruise options from P&O Ferries at Hull ferry port.

How does a mini cruise to Amsterdam work?

Mini cruises are great if you don’t want the usual stress of airports, booking hotels and arranging transfers. Here’s how my trip worked:

1. Friday evening: board a couple of hours before departure and spend the night on board. I’d recommend trying the bars and facilities too.
2. Saturday morning: arrive at Europoort in the Netherlands and take a coach to central Amsterdam.
3. Saturday: the day is yours for sightseeing, eating and drinking.
4. Saturday evening: return to the coach pick-up point at the designated time and head back to the ship.
5. Sunday morning: arrive back in Hull.

Tip: pin the coach pick-up spot on Google Maps and set an alarm so you don’t miss it.

What’s the cabin like?

I won’t sugarcoat it: the standard cabin on the Pride of Hull is pretty basic, with bunk beds and a small shower room. You could upgrade, but for a couple of nights I think your money is better spent elsewhere. Ours was a little cramped, but clean and comfortable.

What to know before you go

Pack a travel adaptor

There was only one plug socket in our cabin, and it was a European fitting. Pack a travel adaptor and maybe an extension lead. I really like a compact USB adaptor, because I can barely function without Google Maps. For more tips, see my guide to packing light.

Bring a travel kettle

There’s no kettle in the cabin (true British problems). If you want a morning cuppa without paying on-board prices, pack a travel kettle.

Leave the alcohol at home

You can’t bring alcohol on board, so save yourself the heartbreak at the terminal. There are a few bars, and the drinks were quite reasonably priced.

How to spend a day in Amsterdam

With history, culture, art, food and fashion, this quirky, canal-filled city has something for everyone, besides the infamous cafés of course.

Plan ahead

You only get one day, so have an idea of what you want to see, especially on a first visit. Amsterdam has world-class museums including the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, as well as the Anne Frank House. Book tickets online in advance, as it would be a waste to spend your day in a queue.

Explore beyond the tourist hotspots

I’d done the museums on an earlier trip, so this time we took it slowly, starting with food (obviously) and then a market. I loved fawning over the art and handcrafted jewellery, and the brightly coloured produce and flowers are a photographer’s dream.

Take a canal cruise

Next we took a one-hour boat tour with Lovers, which cost €13 when I went. It’s a great introduction to the city and its history as you cruise under the bridges.

Eat at The Pancake Bakery

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t pass up The Pancake Bakery. The pancakes are on a scale beyond your imagination, from boozy cherry toppings to themes based on different nations.

Is a mini cruise to Amsterdam worth it?

I had a great time, but there are pros and cons to weigh up.

Pros

• It was really good value. In 2020, travel, accommodation and transfers cost as little as £80 per person on selected dates.
• You can ditch the cabin-sized bag and pack as much as you like.
• You travel overnight in a bed instead of being cramped on an economy flight.
• You avoid expensive city centre hotels.
• It’s a great way to try cruising before booking a longer trip.

Cons

• You only get one day in the city. P&O Cruises offered 3 or 4 day mini breaks when I looked, which would give you longer.
• The on-board entertainment won’t be to everyone’s taste, though there’s also a cinema.
• Delays can leave you even fewer precious hours in Amsterdam.
• If you don’t live near Hull, you’ll need to factor in extra travel and parking. Your local airport may be cheaper and less stressful.

The verdict

For a cheap and cheerful getaway, I’d definitely recommend it. It might not be the best choice for a brand new destination, but it’s a great way to enjoy an old favourite, and it takes the hard work out of planning. You can find out more and book on the P&O website.

Interested in longer cruises? Read about my week on Harmony of the Seas. Or for another European city break, try two days in Lisbon.

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