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Celebrating 30 years of the Newcastle-Amsterdam route: 30 fascinating facts

For 30 amazing years, the Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry route has been connecting travellers across the North Sea. To celebrate this milestone, we’ve gathered 30 incredible facts about this iconic route, showcasing its rich history, impressive achievements, and unique quirks.  

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1. A historic start  

The route began with just one ship, the Winston Churchill, pioneering the way for decades of adventure.  

Winston Churchill

2. Humble beginnings  

In 1995, 69,000 passengers travelled with us on the Newcastle-Amsterdam route.  

3. A monumental milestone  

Over 30 years, we’ve carried 13 million passengers. That’s enough to fill Wembley Stadium 144 times!  

4. Almost a country’s worth  

The passengers we've carried are almost double the population of Scotland and equivalent to the population of Bavaria, Germany.  

5. A seafaring journey  

Our ships have covered approximately 5.5 million nautical miles - that’s 10.2 million kilometres, or 254 times around the world!  

6. Travelling by car  

We've transported 2.6 million cars over the past three decades.  

Travelling by car

7. Rocked to sleep  

Approximately 195,000 children have been lulled to sleep by the gentle waves during crossings.  

Rocked to sleep

8. A diverse community  

Over 133 nationalities have travelled with us, with the top three being Dutch, British, and German passengers.  

9. A flourishing community  

Other frequent travellers include Belgians, Poles, French, Swiss, Irish, and Danes, highlighting the widespread love for this iconic route.  

10. King of the sea 

King Seaways was built in 1987 and has a capacity of 1325 passengers.  

11. Modern icon 

Princess Seaways was built one year earlier than her sister, in 1986, and has a capacity of 1,250 passengers. 

12. Fleet legacy  

A total of 9 ships have sailed this route over the years: Winston Churchill, King of Scandinavia, Admiral of Scandinavia, Prince of Scandinavia, Queen of Scandinavia, Duke of Scandinavia, Princess of Scandinavia, King Seaways, Princess Seaways. 

Fleet legacy

13. Timeless comforts  

Both ships have been renovated three times to maintain modern comforts - in 2006, 2017, and the latest in 2024.  

14. Duty free favourites  

The most purchased products in the Duty-Free shop? Heineken (0.5l cans) and Tic Tac Mix!  

15. A taste of freshness  

Every year, 18,000 to 20,000 kilos of flour is used on board to bake fresh bread.  

16. Feeding adventures 

Our kitchen serves an incredible  216,000 eggs  every year. 

Feeding adventures

17. A milky marvel 

We use  38,000 litres of milk  annually in our kitchens. 

18.  Fruity facts  

On average, 15,000 kilos of watermelon and 14,000 kilos of oranges find their way into our traveller’s diets every year.  

19. Bite-sized goodness  

Each year, 27,000 mini burgers are enjoyed on board by hungry passengers.  

20. Welcoming pets  

Between 2015 and 2025, the number of pets travelling with us rose from 5,600 to 14,750!  

Welcoming pets

21. A motorbike haven  

We’ve transported approximately 154,000 motorbikes in 30 years, catering to adventurous riders.  

22. Cinematic crossings  

Nearly 700 films have been shown in our on board cinemas since they were introduced 25 years ago.  

23. On board community  

Our youngest crew member is just 20 years old, while the oldest is 66, showcasing the diversity in our team.  

24. A unique love story  

A crew wedding was celebrated on board in 2010 – adding some romance to the open seas!  

25. A world of culture  

Passengers aren’t the only diverse aspect of our route; our current crew hails from 12 different nationalities.  

26. Early adventures  

When the route launched in 1995, it operated only between May and early October. 

Early adventures

27. A busy start 

In its first year, the route saw  118 crossings. 

28. Rapid growth  

Passenger numbers skyrocketed from 69,000 in 1995 to 548,000 by 2024.  

Rapid growth

29. Captains of the sea  

Over the years, 15 captains have helmed the Newcastle-Amsterdam route.  

30. Famous faces  

We’ve had the pleasure of hosting notable guests like Juan Mata, members of Geordie Shore, and even H.P. Baxxter from Scooter.  

There’s no better time to sail with us and experience the wonders of the Newcastle-Amsterdam route firsthand. Whether it’s the culinary delights, the incredible views, or the relaxation on board, this has been an unforgettable 30-year voyage.  

Discover what we have in store for the future and be part of our next chapter. Book your ferry ticket today and create your own story on one of our crossings!