Dfds Mini Cruise Casino
Basically a mini cruise with DFDS from Newcastle to Amsterdam is a return ferry trip. You catch a Friday overnight ‘cruise ferry’, spend all Saturday in Amsterdam and return overnight to arrive back in Newcastle on Sunday morning.
DFDS offers 2-night mini-cruise ferry deals (from both Newcastle and Amsterdam) with different packages inclusive of stateroom, onboard dining, and entertainment, bus transfers (from homeport). As package extensions can be added hotel stay and travel to local sights and attractions. DFDS offers 2-night mini-cruise ferry deals (from both Newcastle and Amsterdam) with different packages inclusive of stateroom, onboard dining, and entertainment, bus transfers (from homeport). As package extensions can be added hotel stay and travel to local sights and attractions.
At first glance, a 3 hour drive (from Scotland), followed by a 14 hour ferry trip, a 40 minute passport queue and 1 hour coach trip to visit Amsterdam Zoo for just one afternoon before heading home may seem a poor example of time management. But as our family always enjoys the ferry leg of our holiday anyway, we thought this ‘mini-cruise’ might be really good fun and make for an unusual weekend away… we have now been twice.
Accommodation
Cruise to the Baltics on one of our three routes and explore a variety of different locations, including Lithuania, Estonia and more. Say hello to Duty Free From 1 January 2021, Duty Free is back on our routes between the UK and Europe. Compass Casino Dfds, poweredge t710 memory slots, turning stone casino billiards, casinoorg sunday $50 freeroll $50 added.
We arrived at the terminal around 4, checked-in straightaway and boarded the ship King Seaways within an hour. Fortunately, DFDS have someone on hand to point you in the direction of your cabin – which means you don’t get dozens of people clambering up and down stairs with their luggage when they realize they’re on the wrong side of the ship. (As you do on some other ferries…)
We dropped off our overnight bags in the cabin which can best be described as bijou. The top beds fold down to sleep 4 and there is a toilet/shower room and errr… that’s it.
There are also more expensive Commodore and Commodore De Luxe cabins available which are apparently much more spacious and include TVs, complimentary breakfast, and room service.
On-Board Facilities
Our kids love exploring ships: the long passageways, winding staircases and gangways all eventually end up somewhere fun like an amusement arcade, a shop, a Kidz Zone or a restaurant. King Seaways also has a cinema, a sports bar, a disco, a casino plus another five or six restaurants and cafes with varying prices for food. There’s a nature area with talks and displays on the whales you might spot, Minke are common apparently, though we didn’t see any. The overall atmosphere of the ship was really buzzing too, with crowds of school children, teens, stag and hen nights in full holiday swing in the various areas of the ship.
Most times, we hung out near the children’s zone at the stern which had a bar and snacks and a magical surround view of the North Sea. Enjoying an ice cold Grolsch or two while the sun sets below the waves, keeping half an eye on the kids partying in the ball pit beside you is a fine way to spend any weekend. At fixed times, a children’s entertainer is on hand to create balloon animals and guide the littlies round the ship on a treasure hunt. Oddly, our kids won both the age group prizes so our eldest (8), unprompted, offered his prize to another family to make it fair. He then wanted to head up to the amusement area on his own with the older kids, but he’s still a bit young to go exploring by himself. Next year maybe…
After dinner we went to the cinema to watch Life of Pi. Which, bizarrely was about a ship wreck. (Airlines don’t show movies with plane crashes so I’m not not sure why a ferry firm would show this one but whatever, it’s a great film and the kids didn’t seem to remember where they were).
If you have older kids or are happy to leave them asleep in your cabin you could head off to the Columbus Club, a disco with live band or the Compass Bar which is a lounge serving cocktails and wine tasting sessions or head up to the on-deck, open air Sky Bar and gaze up at the stars above a glistening sea.
Food & Drink
The most popular restaurant by far is the Seven Seas Restaurant with an All You Can Eat Buffet for 38 Euros. (Excluding drinks). There are two sittings and although they insist you turn up when you’ve booked, it definitely pays to wait half an hour and avoid the scrums. There are 80 dishes to choose from and you can return as often as you want. The quality is superb, particularly the starters and the puddings, with small delicate portions so you can try as many as you want. (Strangely, there were adults queuing for the kids buffet, piling their plates to the brim with chicken nuggets and chips which must have made for the world’s most expensive chips).
The Blue Riband is the smart casual A la Carte restaurant and although romantic they will provide high chairs and kids menu. The Explorers Steakhouse serves top quality beef (which I guess it should be at 30 euros per steak).
Out and about in Amsterdam
We thoroughly enjoyed our day trip to Amsterdam’s historic Artis Zoo. This old fashioned Zoo is like a fabulous private tulip garden packed with exotic animals located in the middle of Amsterdam. After seeing Lions, Pumas, Elephants etc. we enjoyed a quiet sandwich beside the canal watching the kids in a giant climbing frame which was delightful as Amsterdam is such an attractive city. The kids had an absolute ball too.
There is only time for one excursion per mini-cruise but you have a choice of Amsterdam Sight Seeing Bus or a Canal Trip. Or you can just hang out by yourselves for the day and the shopping, cafes and bars are great and Amsterdam really is one of the friendliest, most beautiful cities in the world. The newly refurbished Rijksmuseum has just re-opened and of course there is the Anne Frank Museum.
Dfds Mini Cruise Casino Hotel
Minor niggles
The mini-cruises are obviously extremely popular with hen and stag nights with hundreds of locals on board and coached-in parties from Scotland. The atmosphere was fun and lively but there was no segregation on the tour buses so this meant we enjoyed a constant stream of rather fruity language. Also my 3 year old daughter spotted one of their large pink balloons and requested one too, however, this particular pink balloon was most certainly not suitable for children! In the summer, there will be more families on board so things like this should be so obvious.
Getting There
Drive: Newcastle (North Shields Ferry Terminal) is pretty easy: straight down the M74/M6 turn left at Junction 44 towards Hexham / Newcastle and pick up signs to the terminal once you get to Newcastle. On the way back though, if you’re not in a hurry, it’s maybe worth a little bit of a detour through Northumberland as the picturesque drive is fantastic.
Coach: Scotland to North Shields International Ferry Terminal
There are pick ups and drop offs from: Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, Hamilton, East Kilbride and Paisley.
DFDS Seaways Ferries, Mini Cruises and Holidays 2021 / 2022
DFDS Seaways Ferries
DFDS Seaways is one of Europe’s leading ferry operators, offering 4 passenger routes from the UK to Europe, as well as incredible mini cruises and holidays. DFDS Seaways lets you take your car with you so you can explore the best of what Europe has to offer at your one pace. DFDS Seaways offers ferry routes –
For the latest offers and deals on ferries with DFDS Seaways – click here.
DFDS Seaways Cruise Mini Breaks
If you’re looking for a quick break DFDS Seaway’s mini cruises are for you with mini cruises to Amsterdam, as well and seasonal and themed cruises. See marine wildlife or enjoy great music while sailing on the North Sea – all with DFDS Seaways themed and seasonal mini cruises. DFDS Seaways also offers mini cruise and hotel stay options.
Amsterdam Mini Cruise
This popular 2-night mini cruise lets you explore Amsterdam – one of Europe’s most interesting cities – for an incredible price. And while on board there’s plenty of facilities to help people of all ages and tastes relax and enjoy themselves. With 2 restaurants, a number of bars, live music, a casino, a cinema, as well as a kids club with ball pit and free children’s entertainer. There are also great offer for group bookings. Click here to find out more.
Perfect for families, this 2-night cruise includes coach transfer to and from as well as entrance to Artis Zoo. This zoo has around 900 species of animals, as well as a geological museum. While on board there’s plenty for children to do, as well as food options for children in the Explorer’s Kitchen restaurant. Click here to read more.
Mini Cruise with Hotel Break
If you fancy spending longer in Amsterdam then a cruise and stay break is the prefect way to explore the city. These 3+ night mini cruise and stay breaks give you flexibility in how many nights in a hotel as well as which hotel you stay in. Click here to find out more.
Mini Cruise with Hotel Break Early Bird Offer – If you book 60 days or more in advance you can save 30% on your regular hotel break price with this offer! Click hereto find out more about this offer.
Seasonal and Themed Mini Cruises
DFDS Seaways offers a range of themed and seasonal mini cruises:
Learn about marine wild life from one of the UK’s leading conservation charities, where you have the opportunity to see dolphins, whales, porpoises and more on this 4 hour ferry crossing. This ferry crossing to France is the perfect way to start off your family holiday, with activities and games for all ages. Sails from Newhaven to Dieppe, running 1st October to 30th April. Find out more.
Dfds Mini Cruise Casino Slots
DFDS Seaways Holidays
Dfds Mini Cruise Casinos
DFDS Seaways also offers plenty of holiday inspirations, including a wide range of destinations for families as well as great pet travel offers – meaning your dog can go on holiday too! Here are just some of the holiday inspirations and special offers from DFDS Seaways.