Amsterdam's PTA is one of my favorite cruise terminals to depart/arrive from for two simple…read morereasons:
1. It's location/easy use of public transportation to get. It is within walking, though I wouldn't recommend it especially depending upon how much luggage you have, or a short one stop ride on the GVB tram ride.
2. No thrills, short walk from entrance, through security, and then your right on the boat.
Tips/highlights:
+ They have a sitting section of plastic chairs if you arrive prior to arrival or you want to sit and wait.
+ Other than a pop-up type stand that has wine, soda, water, sunscreen, and other random popular cruise items, there is really nothing in the terminal, so I wouldn't recommend coming extremely early, just enjoy your time in Amsterdam a little bit longer.
+Customs has somewhat changed in the past year, at least during my departures, where you had to stop at the customs booth and get your passport stamped on the way out. Customs on the way back in is relatively painless as the cruise ships have it down to a science by managing when they release the passengers and there is usually a high number of customs officials to move the lines along.