Wednesday, April 4, 2018 - 11:35 by ce-press
This year 26 calls are scheduled in IJmuiden, 15 from AIDA Cruises. The season begins on April 5 when Phoenix Reisen’s Albatros calls and closes on December 1 with a visit from Saga Pearl II.
AIDAsol will sail between Hamburg, IJmuiden and Dover on a short cruise called a ‘schnuppern’ cruise which is specifically for passengers who want to get familiar with cruising.
In addition AIDAmar and the AIDAluna will return to the Felison Cruise Terminal this year. ‘Maiden’ calls from Pullmantur’s Zenith, Seabourn Ovation and Marella Discovery are also scheduled.
One of the major attractions is UNESCO island fortress, Forteiland IJmuiden. Constructed in the 1880s it helped defend the surrounding area and restrict shipping traffic heading towards Amsterdam. This iconic post is actually half underground and is the largest building in the Defence Line of Amsterdam.
During World War II, the fort island was used by the German soldiers as part of the 2,685km Atlantic Wall, which is when its additional military bunkers were constructed. The wall was a defensive system built during World War II by the Germans along Europe’s Atlantic coast to prevent an Allied invasion.
In 2012, the attraction was awarded the Golden Green Key, becoming the first UNESCO World Heritage location to obtain a golden environmental label.
