Eight out of ten to the ferry from North Shields (Newcastle) to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam). The crossing is 16 hours, overnight, leaving at 5.30 pm and arriving at around 9 am. This long journey is comfortable and there is a range of cabins to suit different budgets. The boat has a choice of eating places but there is no budget option for eating. Prices start at around €7,00 for a sandwich and top out at around €20 for the all-you-can-eat-buffet option. Notices around the Danish-owned boat strictly tell you that eating your own food in public places may result in your food being confiscated. Catering aside the journey was really comfortable. Having a cabin to slope off to when you get on board is a real treat. Bunk beds, fresh linen, towels, soap and an en suite shower room with toilet. I want to have cabins like this on trains too. You can shut out the world and read or play games. And the children loved having boarding cards that double as cabin keys. We had a window in our cabin on the way home and could watch the waves down below. No such luxury on outbound leg. Force 6 winds buffeted the ship all night and we just lay down for 16 hours and slept fitfully. Mini-cruise passengers who return to Newcastle after 5 hours in Amsterdam may safely leave luggage in their cabins whilst enjoying the pleasures of the Dutch capital. Make sure you book the bus from Ijmuiden to Amsterdam when buying your tickets. It is included in the ticket price (ie. not extra) if reserved in advance. If you decide later to get the bus it will cost €10,00 a head.
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