Rotterdam, in the Dutch province of South Holland, is Europe's largest seaport and a showcase of bold modern architecture, rebuilt after its centre was destroyed by bombing in May 1940. More about Rotterdam →
October 2026 · from today · all times local (Central European Time)
Showing 4 of 4 calls in October
Today and the next 7 days · all times local (Central European Time)
34% quieter than a typical day in Rotterdam. Busiest 00:00 – 00:00, when 1 ship is alongside.
Thousands of people in port, guests plus crew. Crowd level compared with a typical Rotterdam day.
The crowd calendar shows every ship and how busy the port is, hour by hour, plus the quietest and busiest days for the next 90 days.
Ships dock at Cruise Terminal Rotterdam, Wilhelminakade 699, on the Wilhelminapier in Kop van Zuid, on the south bank of the Nieuwe Maas facing the city centre across the Erasmus Bridge. The terminal is a listed 1949 shed with a covered boarding bridge, a 3,000 m2 passenger hall, tourist information, free Wi-Fi and a taxi rank.
Hotel New York and the water-taxi stop are about a 5-minute walk away, and Wilhelminaplein metro station is nearby; Rotterdam Centraal is about 10 minutes by metro or 15 by taxi. Cruise Port Rotterdam also lists the Merwehaven, about 7 km west in the Merwe-Vierhavens area, as an occasional venue, so check the berth in your cruise documents.
Merwehaven has no map position yet.
63 km · ~55 min by car
The main international gateway. Direct trains run from Schiphol to Rotterdam Centraal, then a metro or taxi to the terminal; by road the A4/A13 takes about an hour.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Dutch street taxis may charge at most EUR 4.31 start, EUR 3.17/km and EUR 0.52/min in 2026 (cars up to 4; vans EUR 8.77/4.00/0.59); the tariff card must be shown in the taxi. RET public transport covers metro, tram and bus in Rotterdam. Merwehaven calls: about 5 km/15 min by road to Rotterdam Centraal; transfer arrangements are set by the cruise line.
2 terminals
Cruise Port Rotterdam's terminal at Wilhelminakade 699, in the last of five 1946–49 Holland America Line sheds on the Wilhelminapier, used for cruise calls since 2000 and a national monument since 2011. It has a ~3,000 m2 passenger and crew hall, covered boarding bridge, free Wi-Fi, tourist information, taxi and coach parking; the main berth for Holland America Line, AIDA and other lines.
Harbour basin in the Merwe-Vierhavens area about 7 km west of the Wilhelminapier, listed by Cruise Port Rotterdam as a venue.
Daily rate · per vehicle · confirm before travel
Cruise Port Rotterdam runs long-stay cruise parking on the quay in front of the ss Rotterdam in Katendrecht, across the Rijnhaven, with a free shuttle for boarding passengers. It costs EUR 19 per 24 hours, paid on return at the ss Rotterdam reception; reservations aren't possible and the boarding pass and entry ticket are needed.
The terminal has a covered boarding bridge.
Pick the area first. Typical nightly prices, approximate.
Walking to the terminal
Typical hotel
Waterfront towers around the terminal, including Hotel New York and nhow.
Trains, shopping, Markthal
Typical hotel
City-centre hotels near Rotterdam Centraal, with direct trains to Schiphol.
By the cruise car park
Typical hotel
Dining peninsula next to the ss Rotterdam and the cruise car park.
Early flights home
Typical hotel
Airport hotels for late arrivals or early flights.
Port times are measured by car to the terminal.
Prices are approximate.
Food hall with stalls and restaurants in the centre.
Waterfront restaurants next to the terminal.
Restaurant square by the ss Rotterdam.
Old harbour terraces by the Cube Houses.
Rotterdam, in the Dutch province of South Holland, is Europe's largest seaport and a showcase of bold modern architecture, rebuilt after its centre was destroyed by bombing in May 1940. Cruise ships berth on the Wilhelminapier in the Kop van Zuid district, beside the Erasmus Bridge and the former Holland America Line headquarters, now Hotel New York; the line was founded here in 1873 and still uses the city as a home port.
Within walking distance or a short metro ride are the horseshoe-shaped Markthal food hall, Piet Blom's tilted Cube Houses, the Old Harbour and the 185-metre Euromast. Harbour boat tours leave from the opposite quay, and the UNESCO-listed windmills of Kinderdijk are about 30 minutes away by road or a scenic river trip.
Walk across the Erasmus Bridge (about 35 minutes) or ride the metro to Blaak for the Markthal, a horseshoe-shaped food hall with a huge painted ceiling (Mon–Thu and Sat 10:00–20:00, Fri to 21:00, Sun 12:00–18:00). Next door, Piet Blom's tilted yellow Cube Houses include the Kijk-Kubus show home, open daily 10:00–18:00 (EUR 3.50 adults).
See the UNESCO-listed 18th-century windmills of Kinderdijk, about 30 minutes by road from the terminal. The WaterShuttle sails from the Erasmusbrug/Willemskade stop, daily until 25 Oct 2026 and Fri–Sun after. It costs EUR 9.75 single or EUR 19.50 return, or EUR 32.50 including Kinderdijk entry (adult entry alone EUR 21, with museum mills and a boat tour).
Ride up the Euromast observation tower beside Het Park for panoramic views over the port, the Nieuwe Maas and the skyline. Adult tickets start at EUR 13.50 (seniors from EUR 12, children 4–11 from EUR 10), with prices varying by date and time slot; book ahead on busy days.
Take a 75-minute Spido harbour cruise from the Willemsplein quay, just across the Erasmus Bridge from the terminal, past shipyards, docks and the modern skyline of Europe's largest port. Tickets are EUR 18.75 for adults and EUR 10.55 for children aged 4–11, with an audio guide.