Cruise ships in Rotterdam
In summer, large passenger cruise ships moor in Rotterdam on a weekly basis. Rotterdam is home of Holland America Line's MS Rotterdam. Also other cruise ships have regular turnarounds in Rotterdam. In 2010, one of the largest cruise ship in the world visited Rotterdam: the Norwegian Epic. The Norwegian Epic has a length of 330 meters and a capacity of 4100 passengers. Also the cruise ship Queen Mary II with a length of 345 m. and Oasis of the Seas (360m) and Harmony of the Seas (362m) have moored in Rotterdam. Rotterdam also has cruise ship that is permanently based here: the historical ss Rotterdam museum cruiser.
Cruise Terminal Rotterdam
The cruise ships moor at the Holland America Quay on Wilhelmina pier. The mix of old and modern architecture on Wilhelmina pier is a big contrast: at the end of the pier you'll see the historic Hotel New York, whereas at the beginning of the pier the largest building in the Netherlands is under construction: de Rotterdam. Foreign passengers marvel at the striking skyscrapers of Rotterdam, while spectators marvel at those huge floating giants...
Turnaround in Rotterdam
The cruise ships arrive at Wilhelminapier and depart from Rotterdam on the same day, after catering and fueling. The passengers on board have a day off in Rotterdam during this turnaround. That is why Rotterdam city is often flooded with Americans in Summer...
Farewell Rotterdam!
It has become a tradition in Rotterdam that upon departure the cruise ship is being waved goodbye by hundreds of spectators. On their turn, the passengers greet the inhabitants of Rotterdam from the ship's deck. The cruise ships make a turn on the Maas river just in front of the Erasmus Bridge and the captain salutes by sounding the ship's horn, which can be heard in the heart of Rotterdam. A great location for taking pictures...
The best view on the cruise ships
During the cruise ship turnaround, the Holland-America Quay itself is closed for security reasons. You have the best view from Wilhelminakade just in front of Hotel New York. When larger cruise ships are moored, Wilhelminakade will be full thought. In that case, from Willemskade (Spido harbour tours and the World Arts Museum) you have an excellent view as well. Check out the calendar on our home page for the exact arrival dates of all cruise ships.