With DFDS MiniCruises to Newcastle in Northern England you can experience a lot in just a few days. If you are looking for a short break, this is perfect! We will tell you what makes our MiniCruises so popular and why they are the ideal short break for unforgettable memories!
But what exactly is a MiniCruise?
A comfortable cabin, good food, a choice of bars and fantastic entertainment are all ingredients for a relaxing trip. With our ferry from IJmuiden to Newcastle, your holiday starts on board. With a MiniCruise, you book a return trip, a cabin and the bus tickets for the transfer from the port to the city centre in Newcastle and back.
Your MiniCruise
Day 1 – Your journey begins with check-in from 14:00 until 16:45 at the Felison Terminal in IJmuiden. From there, you will board our cruise ferry. After checking in, you can store your luggage in your cabin. Now it’s time to explore our onboard facilities – you can choose from a variety of bars, restaurants and live entertainment. For a special evening, we recommend our à la carte restaurant. For a wide variety of dishes, choose our buffet restaurant Explorers Kitchen. And don’t forget to visit our Duty Free shop, where you can buy a wide range of duty free products from well-known brands. Enjoy the afternoon and evening on board before arriving in Newcastle.
Day 2 – Your morning starts. The ferry is already in British waters and you see the coastal landscape with its typical English houses. You arrive at the port around 09.15 where the bus transfer to the center is already waiting for you.
In fifteen minutes you can reach the center of Newcastle at the train station. From there you can easily go to the city center. Grey’s Monument is located in the center of the city and is a good meeting place if you are traveling with several people. To explore the area on foot, we recommend the Quayside. The Quayside is a lively river area on the River Tyne, where the famous Gateshead Millennium Bridge is also located. Below in the text we have some tips and ideas for spending your afternoon. After your city exploration and an interesting day in Newcastle, you can return to the cruise ferry at the DFDS stop around 14:45 and 15:45.
Day 3 – After a successful trip, the last hours on the ferry begin. Enjoy the last moments on board and treat yourself to an extensive breakfast in Explorer’s Kitchen. After this, it is time to disembark again. The ferry arrives at the port of IJmuiden around 10:00.
Plan your MiniCruise to Newcastle now! Especially popular departure days are Friday and Saturday. If you want to travel cheaply, choose a departure day between Sunday and Wednesday to get the best price.
About our facilities on board
Cabins on board
You can choose from different types of cabins, depending on your preference. Whether you are looking for luxury in a spacious suite with a double bed, want to bring your four-legged friend on board, or are looking for a budget option, there is a cabin waiting for you. Find out more about our cabins here.
Restaurants and Bars on Board
During your mini cruise, you can enjoy all the amenities and facilities on board. From an award-winning gourmet restaurant, North Sea Bistro, to a Sky Bar on the upper deck with live entertainment and a cinema, there’s plenty on board to get your holiday started. There’s even a Kid’s Club to keep your little ones entertained as you set sail.
Here's an overview:
North Sea Bistro
Explorers Kitchen
Coffee Crew Café
Navigators Pub + Live-entertainment
Columbus Club + Live-entertainment
Compass Bar
Sky Bar
Entertainment and shopping on board
Entertainment is also provided during the crossing, so that you can start your holiday in the best possible way. Did you forget the right clothes or cosmetics? You will certainly find what you are looking for in the duty-free shop. Visit our cinema with the latest films or pass the time with air hockey. If you are travelling with children, there are play areas and entertainment for the little ones to play and have fun.
Here's an overview:
100m² Duty Free Store
ORCA Wildlife Watch (only on KING Seaways)
Cinema + Snacks & Popcorn
Jack’s Treasure Hunt for Kids
Kids Club
Games Room with Air Hockey, Racing Games and more
Massage Chairs
