Amsterdam, Netherlands

Spend about four hours north of Amsterdam to visit the authentic old village of Zaanse Schans, a working open-air museum and a local dairy. Leaving the port, a scenic drive through picturesque pastures dotted with farms and grazing animals is your first encounter with the Dutch countryside. Once in Zaanse Schans, you have an hour and a half for a guided tour followed by free time in this picturesque Dutch windmill village completely recreated to resemble an 18th century Zaan community. As you stroll through the streets observing craftsmen practising the trades of the past, you will get an insight into what Dutch life was once like. Although there were once more than 600 windmills in the Zaanstreek, only a few of them still exist today. You can watch the ancient Dutch art of clog making or simply relax in an open-air café. A half-hour coach drive takes you to a local dairy farm for an interesting 45-minute visit to learn about the age-old process of cheese making before returning to the port.

Please note: The tour is for guests in transit in the port of Amsterdam and includes about 1.5 hours of total walking at a leisurely pace with some cobbled paths. During the scenic coach ride, some parts of the road are below sea level and the view may be limited. This tour may have multiple departures throughout the ship s time in port. You will receive all information about your specific departure the day before the excursion. Guides available only in English, German and French.<-p>

Combine a short cruise on the canals, one of the symbols of Amsterdam, with some free time to discover the city at a more relaxed pace on this approximately four-hour excursion. A one-hour sightseeing coach tour of the city will help you focus on places you can visit on your own during your free time. You will pass some sights such as the Heineken Brewery, Museum Square, the Central Station and Java Island. Afterwards, you will have an hour and a quarter of free time to discover the city of gabled houses and a thousand canals at a more relaxed pace. And no self-respecting visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a scenic cruise along the city s canals. At the appointed time, you will meet your guide who, in a 15-minute walk, will take you to the pier where a glass-roofed motorboat awaits you. Climb aboard and glide gently along the historic canals past elegant merchants palaces, churches and warehouses dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The cruise will end directly at the pier where you will meet your ship again.

Please note: This tour is available only for guests in transit in the port of Amsterdam. The duration of the walking tours depends on the participants interest in the places to visit during their free time. It will be necessary to ascend or descend 5 steps to access the boat. This tour may have multiple departures throughout the ship s time in port. You will receive all information about your specific departure the day before the excursion. Guides available only in English, German and French. The tour could include the canal tour first and then the coach part. In that case, the return to the port will be by bus.<-p>

For centuries, Amsterdam has had a strong connection to water. Built on 70 islands, this cosmopolitan city boasts 60 miles - 96 km of canals and 1000 bridges and it is no coincidence that it is sometimes referred to as the "Venice of the North". This short but interesting excursion aims to let you discover the city from the comfort of a boat. A short walk will take you from the pier to a glass-roofed boat to begin your exploration of the city. The itinerary along Amsterdam s canals will allow you to admire its main monuments such as the Maritime Museum and the City Hall. Get out your camera, take a seat, relax, and enjoy the city as it passes before your eyes with narrow gabled houses lining the canals. The short walk to the ship will conclude your discovery of Amsterdam from the sea.

Please note: This tour is available only for guests in transit in the port of Amsterdam. It will be necessary to ascend or descend 5 steps to access the boat. Guides available only in English, German and French.<-p>

This 4-hour excursion will catapult you into another time, into the rural history of the Netherlands, as you discover the two villages of Marken and Volendam. A coach trip of about 45 minutes through the characteristic Dutch countryside will take you to the village of Marken. Located on an island, once you arrive at the village you will feel as if you are living in one of the many Nordics fairytales. Enjoy a guided walk through this picturesque fishing village on the banks of the former Zuider Zee, an area that dates back to the 13th century, when monks built dikes to protect themselves from the sea. Marken s characteristic green and white plank houses have remained unchanged for centuries. It is not uncommon to meet some of the residents still wearing the colourful traditional clothes that contribute to the special atmosphere of this beautiful place. Afterwards, you will move on to nearby Volendam to discover some of the town s treasures, some dating back to the 14th century. You will have an hour to spend with your guide in Volendam strolling along its waterfront, admiring its narrow canals and picturesque drawbridges as well as its charming harbour. The town is also famous for its cheese and typical Dutch clog shops. A journey into the past that will end with a return to Amsterdam harbour.

Please note: This tour is available only for guests in transit in the port of Amsterdam. The tour includes approximately 2 hours of walking, sometimes on flat, uneven cobblestone surfaces, as well as additional walking at guests discretion during free time. This tour is unsuitable for guests with mobility problems. We recommend that you wear clothing according to the weather on the day of the stopover and include an umbrella, light mackintosh, cap, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes. Guides available only in English, German and French.<-p>

An experience at the Heineken factory located about an hour and a half from the port adds an extra touch to your visit to Amsterdam. The tour starts with a scenic drive through Amsterdam passing some of its sights such as Museum Square, Central Station and Java Island. Leaving the city and heading towards the Heineken factory, you will also make a brief stop near a windmill, a unique opportunity to add a postcard photo to your collection of memories. Once at the factory, you will be welcomed by specialised staff and enter the world, history, and beer culture of one of the world s best-known brands. You will discover a little of the history of the Heineken family, see the production departments and the tools used, from the oldest to the most modern. The two-hour tour inside the plant is a sensory journey on four levels and through 18 different attractions culminating with a tasting of two beers to appreciate their distinctive flavour. Before returning to the port, you will have some time to browse in the museum shop, a chance to buy something to remind you of your visit. Beer lovers get ready to discover the Heineken Experience.

Please note: This tour is available only for guests in transit in the port of Amsterdam. Minimum age to participate: 18 years old. This tour is unsuitable for guests with mobility problems. Guides available only in English, German and French.<-p>

This four-hour excursion combines a short sightseeing tour of Amsterdam with a dive into art, culture, and beauty. Leaving the port, the tour begins with a scenic drive through the streets of Amsterdam to Museumplein, the Museum Square. Once you arrive at this large square, you will be captivated by the beauty of the surroundings. Besides the fountains, sculptures and greenery surrounding this square, three museums overlook it. You will visit one of the most beautiful and interesting museums in the world, the Rijksmuseum, a building that resembles a Gothic cathedral and is itself a work of art. Founded in 1800, the museum was first closed in 2003 to undergo a radical transformation of both the building and the presentation of its collection. Reopened in 2013 after 10 years of restoration, with over 80 galleries, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Johannes Vermeer, the Rijksmuseum is a paradise for all lovers of art, culture and beauty combined with the modernity of its interactive exhibitions. Take your audio guide and spend two hours exploring it independently and according to your own interest and taste. And before returning to the port, you will have half an hour free time to browse in the museum s gift shop for a souvenir.

Please note: This tour is available only for guests in transit in the port of Amsterdam. This tour is unsuitable for guests with mobility problems. The visit to the museum is unguided. Guides available only in English, German and French.<-p>

Exclusively crafted for MSC Yacht Club Guests, this experience combines luxury, premium service, and exclusive access to make every moment ashore memorable. Immerse yourself in Dutch tradition on this 3.5-hour journey from Amsterdam, discovering Edam¿s cultural gems and cheese-making heritage.

Excursion details<-strong><-p>

Begin your exploration with a 30-minute drive north of Amsterdam to the historic town of Edam. Known globally for its iconic cheese, Edam¿s significance stretches back to the 14th century, when its cheese became a staple for sailors during the Age of Exploration due to its longevity and resilience.<-p>

Your first stop is a 45-minute visit to the welcoming home of a local family. Enjoy authentic Dutch hospitality with coffee and a sweet treat, while engaging in enlightening conversations about traditional life and customs in the region. Continue with a 45-minute guided stroll through Edam¿s charming streets. Admire the town¿s distinctive drawbridges, quaint cobblestone lanes, and centuries-old architecture. Discover interesting facts, such as Edam¿s market square, which has been central to the town¿s cheese trade since the 16th century, hosting bustling markets and fairs that shaped local culture.<-p>

A 15-minute drive then brings you to a local cheese farm, where you will spend 45 minutes delving into the production process of Edam cheese. Observe the craftsmanship and dedication behind each wheel of cheese and take the chance to sample and purchase some cheese to enjoy later or to share with loved ones. The visit also offers insights into the evolution of Dutch dairy farming and the importance of cheese in regional identity. Your experience concludes with a 30-minute return to Amsterdam, leaving you enriched with culinary knowledge, cultural insights, and unique memories.<-p>

Important Information:<-strong>this excursion is available for MSC Yacht Club Guests only and in transit in Amsterdam. The tour involves approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) of walking, sometimes on uneven cobblestone streets. This tour is unsuitable for guests using a wheelchair. You are advised to wear comfortable shoes, suitable clothing for changing weather, a cap, and sunglasses. Guests with any type of food intolerance are required to communicate it to the Shore Excursions Office at least two days before the call.<-p>