Luxury Cruising Editorial

Amsterdam is a city known for its winding canals and historic buildings. It is a dream destination on any cruise itinerary. When traveling with your family, you’ll want to avoid the typical tourist traps and visit areas that will pique the attention of both kids and adults.

The great news is that Amsterdam is so family-friendly, and there are numerous major Amsterdam attractions within close distance of the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA).

Planning is necessary when time is limited on shore. The five best family-friendly attractions in Amsterdam are listed here, ensuring you have the perfect mix of fun, education, and the Dutch experience during your cruise vacation.

Amsterdam is listed here and will guarantee you have the best mix of fun, education, and the Dutch experience of your cruise vacation.

NEMO Science Museum 

When your cruise ship arrives in the port that is close to the city center, one of the first things you can see is sure to be the NEMO Science Museum, with its futuristic ship-like structure high above the harbor. This building has five stories of interactive displays, which will make both kids and adults curious.

Children may explore science by having a good, practical time-out; building bridges, blowing enormous soap bubbles; or performing small-scale chemistry experiments. In the meantime, parents will love the way that it is educational and at the same time adds fun.

According to its own reports, NEMO receives approximately 650,000 visitors per year, making it one of the largest science centers in the Netherlands by attendance.

You should not overlook the rooftop terrace, which has panoramic views of the Amsterdam skyline and a small water playground ideal on sunny days. It is a fun and simple family adventure that families can enjoy.

ARTIS Royal Zoo 

ARTIS Royal Zoo is situated directly in the center of the city and is one of the oldest zoos in Europe, making it a real family haven close to the city. ARTIS hosts wildlife of the world; whether it is lions and elephants or traditional butterflies and exotic birds, they are all here close by in well-maintained enclosures.

Another attraction is the Micropia, the global museum of microbes, which is quite an interesting place to visit as an addition, especially when you add your own children, who find science captivating. To have a less stressful time, walk the zoo’s leafy gardens or have a snack by the pond as the young ones enjoy the playground.

ARTIS is a full-day adventure located within a short distance of the cruise port tram station, and it appears to be an entirely separate world from the busy city streets.

Canal Cruise 

A visit to Amsterdam is never complete without a stop in the well-known canals. Taking a cruise along the city’s canals is a relaxing and calm way for the family to admire the historic beauty of the city without having to work out tired legs.

There are numerous cruise companies, such as Blue Boat Company or Lovers Canal Cruises, which offer special family cruises or children’s cruises, including entertaining commentary, scavenger hunts, and even audio tours voiced by cartoon characters.

You will pass under dainty bridges, colorful houses, and 17th-century houses, and the entire family will have an idea why Amsterdam is referred to as the Venice of the North. 

It is among the most picturesque and also one of the easiest ways to see the city’s sights, particularly when one is short on time between cruise visits.

Vondelpark 

Vondelpark is an ideal spot to spend time with your family when you need relaxation after sightseeing. The largest park in Amsterdam features an open area with shade trees and winding paths, making it perfect for picnics, bike riding, or simply playing with kids.

It is possible to rent bicycles right before the park and be with the locals who spend their sunny afternoons here. The number of playgrounds is also high, and a small open-air theater offers free performances in the summer.

Within the park, one of the cafes offers ice cream or pancakes, such as t’ Blauwe Theehuis, which has a large outdoor seating area. It is a relaxing respite that leaves anyone in a state of contentment, be it a toddler or an adolescent.

Rijksmuseum 

Although an art museum is not an item on the wishlist of all children, the Rijksmuseum has perfected the art of ensuring that young people are not bored. Its treasure hunts, interactive tours, and family-friendly tours make the exploration of Dutch masterpieces enjoyable and, at the same time, educational.

In 2023, 2.7 million people visited the museum, including 473,000 minors. Parents like the paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer, while children can see knights, dragons, and golden ships.

Children have an opportunity to see knights, dragons, and golden ships in the pictures, and parents enjoy Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings. The museum also has a beautifully designed outdoor garden, which is also a nice place to relax, more so in the spring when everything is in full bloom.

The Rijksmuseum is a surprisingly cheap, yet fun, family outing with a free entrance for children under 18.

Technology might make travel smoother than ever, but new research reveals that nothing beats the warmth of a real human connection. New research from Talker and Virgin, based on a survey of 2,000 people in the US and UK who have taken a trip in the past two years, reveals that 93% of travelers recall a positive experience first when thinking about memorable interactions with travel staff. On average, 76% of the quality of their best trips is shaped by the people they meet, with one in four saying most or all of their experience depends on these interactions. 

Personal Interactions Still Matter Most

While technology continues to transform travel, the latest research shows that personal interactions remain irreplaceable. 

• 54% say their trips would be less enjoyable if all staff were replaced by AI. 
• 53% believe the people they encounter make just as much impact as the product itself. 
• Two-thirds would pay extra for travel that guarantees a great human-first experience. 
• Gen Z travelers, despite being the most tech-savvy, are the most likely to value human connection – 59% say it will become even more important to travel experiences over the next decade. 
• Nearly six times the number of respondents surveyed would rather be served by a flight attendant with personality and warmth above one who’s purely efficient (53% vs. 9%). 

Virgin brings these insights to life with its latest campaign – a follow-up to the award-winning Secret Sauce film from 2024. 

Featuring employees from across the Virgin companies, the new film takes viewers on a whimsical adventure across the Virgin universe — flying across the pond with Virgin Atlantic, checking in at Virgin Hotels New York, and sailing on Virgin Voyages’ newest ship, Brilliant Lady.  

Throughout the journey, a message is passed between Virgin team members at each company in a lighthearted challenge to get a message from the London HQ all the way to Miami, culminating with Sir Richard Branson revealing the final line onboard Brilliant Lady in New York Harbor: “The secret sauce is you.”

Watch the campaign:  

At its core, the campaign spotlights the people who make every trip with Virgin extraordinary – from Virgin Atlantic cabin crew to Virgin Hotels concierge teams to the Virgin Voyages’ Happenings Cast. 

Putting People at the Heart of Innovation

For more than 50 years, Virgin has shaken up industries by combining bold innovation with people-first leadership. Virgin Atlantic was the first airline to introduce seatback entertainment on planes, pioneered mood lighting and onboard social spaces, and is now leading the way as the first UK airline to roll out Starlink Wi-Fi fleetwide. On the seas, Virgin Voyages redefined cruising with kid-free voyages and introduced the Virgin Voyages App, empowering guests to personalize their experience from their smartphones. Virgin Hotels also puts control in guests’ hands with its mobile app, Lucy, which lets users check in, adjust room settings, order services, and even chat with staff – all from their phone. 

Today, Virgin uses AI across its brands to free people to do what only humans can: connect, care, and create. From Virgin Media O2’s Daisy AI to Virgin Voyages’ ViVi digital assistant – and Virgin Atlantic’s new OpenAI-powered concierge – technology enables employees to focus on meaningful interactions that enhance the customer experience.  

“This new data reinforces what we’ve always known at Virgin: great travel experiences start with great people,” said Sam Kelly, Chief Experience Officer at Virgin Group. “Even as technology transforms the way we travel, it’s our people who turn moments into memories. From the cabin crew who make you feel at home at 35,000 feet to the concierge who knows just what you need after a long flight, that’s the magic you can’t automate.” 

“For more than 50 years, Virgin has been on an incredible adventure – constantly shaking things up, embracing technology, and redefining how the world travels. But while our innovations keep us moving forward, it’s our people who make our customers’ journeys truly extraordinary. They don’t just make the Virgin adventure happen – they experience it, drive it, and bring it to life in everything they do,” added Nikki Humphrey, Chief People Officer at Virgin Group.

The Virgin Way

The campaign reinforces Virgin’s core promise: whether traveling by air, land, or sea, travelers can expect the same extraordinary level of customer service from every Virgin company. At Virgin, innovation may drive the journey, but people will always define it. 

Watch the original Secret Sauce campaign: