In 2003 Amsterdam welcomed 86 cruise ships, compared to 90 this year. The year 2004 saw a total of 95,500 cruise passengers visit the capital. No less than 62 cruise ships have already confirmed visits for next year.

This year the city welcomed over 700 river cruise vessels; about 50 more than the previous year. Passenger numbers reached 132,000. This data was included in the report presented by Amsterdam Cruise Port on 11 November. According to Hans Zwarts, Chairman of Amsterdam's Chamber of Commerce, cruise ships could provide even greater profits if their arrivals were combined with cultural events. "In the past people used to come all the way from America just to visit the Stedelijk Museum; but it has in the meantime declined in popularity."