Members of Extinction Rebellion, an environmental group, carried out protests against the docking of cruise ships in the Netherlands, in an incident involving confrontation and arrests.

In 2024, the group staged many protests, blocking one of the port’s locks, but this year they took small boats and canoes in front of the ship and delayed the Celebrity Eclipse from berthing.

Around 30 people came between canoes, boats and inflatables between the cruise ship and the dock, and pictures show small boats around the ship’s bow as well.

In a statement on social media, the group posted that this should not be allowed in Dutch waters. They added that the protests will continue until the tourist industry is banned from Amsterdam and the Netherlands.

They have cited the environmental impact of the cruise industry on human beings, nature and the climate.

The 121,878 gross ton cruise ship was on an 11-day trip and was docking at the passenger terminal when the incident occurred. There were 2850 guests and 1200 crew onboard the vessel.

The protest started at 4:30 a.m. local time before the cruise ship even reached the terminal, and police sent launches to clear the waterway.

The protestors alleged that police ran over their inflatable boats, and the incident lasted about 2 hours on July 26, 2025.

5 people were arrested for assault as they blocked the cruise ship and refused to show their identity cards. Two were quickly released, per reports.

A spokesperson for the port authority said that small boats should not have reached near the 315 m cruise ship.

They said that it was dangerous as the ship’s propellers or bow thrusters could have created risky conditions for the protestors.

In 2024, the group’s actions led to many cruise ships rescheduling their port stops, docking outside the heart of the city and officials putting a limit on the number of ships that can come to the port.

The long-term plan now is to move the passenger terminal outside the centre of the city.

Source: www.marineinsight.com