Protesters Clash with Authorities as They Attempt to Block Cruise Ship from Docking in Rotterdam

A group of 15 Extinction Rebellion activists attempted to block P&O Cruises’ Ventura from docking in Rotterdam on August 24, 2025. The environmental protesters used boats and canoes to obstruct the berth near Hotel New York. Their actions delayed the ship’s docking by about half an hour before the police intervened and arrested two of the activists.

The group took to social media stating, "We blocked the Maas so that the cruise ship could not dock,” and expressed their frustration over the lack of governmental action to ban cruise ships. They labeled the Ventura a "floating environmental disaster," emphasizing their belief that such vessels should be prohibited in the Netherlands.

This protest followed Ventura’s journey from Southampton on August 23, during which she was set to make an overnight stay in Rotterdam, as part of a short cruise itinerary that also included a day at sea in the North Sea and the English Channel.

This incident marks the second attempt by Extinction Rebellion to disrupt cruise operations in the Netherlands within just a few weeks; earlier, they had also tried to prevent the docking of the Celebrity Eclipse at the Amsterdam Cruise Terminal. The group has previously targeted various cruise lines and ports, continuously advocating for actions against the environmental impact of such maritime tourism.

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