Mini cruise from Hull
Two nights on the P&O overnight ferry from Hull, with a day in Amsterdam or Rotterdam in between and the coach from Europoort into the city. This is how the three days run.
- Two nights in an en suite cabin
- Return coach to Amsterdam or Rotterdam
- Nothing to apply for before you go
The mini cruise to Amsterdam and Rotterdam
Table of Contents
How the mini cruise works
The mini cruise uses the regular overnight ferry in both directions. You spend two nights on board and the day in between in the Netherlands. From Hull, P&O Ferries offers two destinations: Amsterdam, around 90 minutes by coach from the port at Europoort, and Rotterdam, around 45 minutes away. All times on this page are local, and the Netherlands is one hour ahead of the UK. Weekend sailings run to slightly different times from weekday ones, so the exact times for your date come with your booking.
Day 1: check-in in Hull
Check-in at Passenger Terminal 1 on King George Dock opens at 15:00, and boarding starts at 16:00. Check-in closes in the early evening, and the ship sails later that evening. The rest of the evening is for dinner, a drink in one of the bars and the live entertainment included in the package. Directions and parking at the port are on the Hull ferry terminal page.
Day 2: a day in Amsterdam or Rotterdam
The ship docks at Europoort shortly before 09:00, a little later at weekends. You leave the ship about 15 minutes after docking, and everyone has to go ashore, mini cruise passengers included. On your first trip the EU's Entry/Exit System registers you at passport control in Europoort. Then the coach from the package takes you into the city.
Amsterdam: the coach takes around 90 minutes and stops at De Ruijterkade, beside Amsterdam Centraal on the IJ side of the station.
Rotterdam: the coach takes around 45 minutes to the "Bus stop International" on Conradstraat, next to Rotterdam Centraal. The transfer is run by Betuwe Coach Company.
On both routes the last coach back to the port leaves at 17:00. Check-in at Europoort for the return sailing closes in the evening, and the ship sails a little later. The port itself is described on the Rotterdam ferry terminal page.
Day 3: back in Hull
After the second night the ship docks in Hull at around 07:00, or 07:30 at weekends. There is time for breakfast on board before arrival. From King George Dock a taxi takes about 15 minutes to Hull Paragon Interchange, the city's rail and bus station.
What the package includes
The mini cruise covers:
- the return sailing Hull - Europoort - Hull
- two nights in a Standard en suite cabin
- the return coach between Europoort and Amsterdam or Rotterdam
- live entertainment on both evenings
The price is per person, based on two people sharing a cabin. Sunday to Wednesday departures are the base price; Thursday to Saturday and peak dates carry a supplement. Themed mini cruises such as Pub Quiz, Christmas Party or Vintage are priced separately. You can upgrade to a Premier, Club or State Room cabin (see cabins), but the Sleep Lounge is not available on a mini cruise. Starting prices are on the prices page.
On the Amsterdam mini cruise, Mini Cruise Plus adds a night in the city: you stay ashore overnight and sail home a day later. Accommodation ashore is not part of it, so you book your own.
Pets cannot travel on the coach transfers, and motorhomes, minibuses and commercial vehicles cannot be taken on a mini cruise.
P&O Ferries sells the mini cruise directly. The booking button on this site books the regular crossing, not the package with the coach, so for a day in Amsterdam or Rotterdam book the mini cruise with P&O Ferries.
Food on board
The package covers the cabin, not the meals. Dinner is a buffet in The Kitchen or à la carte in The Brasserie, and breakfast is served before the ship docks. Meals can be booked in advance for both evenings and both mornings. The food on board page describes the restaurants and bars.
Passport and border
A day in Amsterdam or Rotterdam still means entering the Schengen area. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and stay valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area. On arrival at Europoort you are registered in the Entry/Exit System (EES) with a face photo, a passport scan and, from the age of 12, fingerprints. There is nothing to do in advance, and ETIAS is not yet required. The routine at both terminals is on the check-in page.
FAQ
Common questions about the mini cruise from Hull
How long do I get in Amsterdam or Rotterdam? +
The ship docks at Europoort at around 09:00 and you go ashore about 15 minutes later. After passport control the coach takes around 90 minutes to Amsterdam or around 45 minutes to Rotterdam. The last coach back to the port leaves at 17:00, so the hours in between are yours.
Amsterdam or Rotterdam, which is the better day out? +
Rotterdam is the shorter transfer, so you get more time in the city. Amsterdam means about three hours on the coach there and back, so the day in the city is shorter. On both routes the last coach back leaves at 17:00.
How much does the mini cruise cost? +
Prices are per person for two people sharing a cabin and depend on the day you sail, with Sunday to Wednesday the cheapest. Starting prices are on the prices page.
Can I use the Sleep Lounge on a mini cruise? +
No, the Sleep Lounge cannot be booked on a mini cruise. You sleep in a cabin on both nights; the categories are described on the cabins page.
Two nights at sea, a day in the Netherlands
The sailings from Hull for your date are in the timetable.