If your ship calls at Rotterdam, our private shore excursions are the relaxed, personal way to explore. The Rotterdam Cruise Terminal sits on the Wilhelminakade in the Kop van Zuid, right in the heart of this bold, modern city and within walking distance of its most striking sights. We meet you at the terminal with a friendly local guide and private transport, build the day around your ship’s schedule and guarantee a return to the port in good time. It is the easiest way for cruise passengers to see the real Rotterdam, and cruise ship visitors can even combine the city with Delft or the Kinderdijk windmills in a single day ashore.
Rotterdam is a port of contrasts, a city rebuilt with daring architecture, yet surrounded by some of the most traditional corners of Holland. From the cruise terminal you can admire the Erasmus Bridge, the Cube Houses and the Markthal, or drive out to the UNESCO windmills of Kinderdijk, the painterly streets of Delft and the palaces of The Hague. Whatever you choose, the tour is private to your group and shaped entirely around you. Why not browse some of the most popular locations in the Netherlands for tour ideas and inspiration?
If you have any questions about our Rotterdam shore excursions, please just contact us for the answers you need.
Add the UNESCO windmills of Kinderdijk to your Rotterdam shore excursion – nineteen historic mills and classic Dutch waterland, a short drive from the cruise terminal.
The Rotterdam Cruise Terminal sits on the Wilhelminakade, on the Wilhelminapier beside the River Maas, right among the city’s striking modern architecture. The landmark Hotel New York is on your doorstep, and it is a flat 20 minute walk across the Erasmus Bridge into the centre, or a single stop on the metro. Unlike IJmuiden, you are in the heart of the city the moment you step ashore.
Rotterdam is the gateway to some of Holland’s finest day trips. The signature excursion is Kinderdijk, with its 19 UNESCO World Heritage windmills, often combined with the canal city of Delft, home of Royal Delft pottery and Vermeer, or The Hague, where the Mauritshuis holds Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Closer to the ship you can explore Rotterdam itself: the Cube Houses, the spectacular Markthal, the Erasmus Bridge and the historic harbour of Delfshaven.
Every tour is private to your group and built around what you want to see, your pace and your interests. Your guide is more of a friend for the day, sharing the stories and corners of South Holland that the big coach tours simply miss.
Whether you stay in Rotterdam or venture out to Kinderdijk, Delft or The Hague, we plan the whole day around your sailing time, with a comfortable margin, so you are always back on the Wilhelminakade in good time.
– A friendly local guide who meets you right at the terminal
– Walking tours from the door, or private transport further afield
– A flexible, private itinerary just for your group
– Kinderdijk windmills, Delft, The Hague or Rotterdam architecture
– A guaranteed return to your ship with time to spare
See our 2026 & 2027 Ocean Cruise Calendar for every scheduled ship call at Amsterdam, IJmuiden and Rotterdam.
Sailing into a different port? We run private shore excursions right across the Netherlands. Take a look at our other cruise port pages:
Cruise ships dock at the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal on the Wilhelminakade, in the Kop van Zuid district right in the city centre. It is within walking distance of Rotterdam’s main sights, and we meet you directly at the terminal.
A great deal. Popular options include modern Rotterdam with its Erasmus Bridge and Cube Houses, the UNESCO windmills of Kinderdijk, the historic city of Delft, The Hague with the Mauritshuis, and the cheese city of Gouda. We tailor the day to your interests and your ship’s timetable.
The Kinderdijk windmills are only a short drive (20 minutes) from the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal, which makes them one of the most popular shore excursions from the port. You can combine them with Rotterdam itself or with a nearby historic town.
Yes, if your ship is in port for a full day. Amsterdam is about an hour from Rotterdam by road, so a full-day private shore excursion to the capital is possible. For shorter calls we usually recommend Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Delft, Gouda or The Hague, which are closer.
Always. We plan every Rotterdam shore excursion around your departure with a generous time buffer and keep track of the time throughout, so you return to the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal comfortably before the ship sails.
Yes. Every shore excursion from the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal is private to your group and fully customisable. You choose the destinations and the pace, and your guide shapes the day around what you most want to see.
In 2026 the following cruise lines docked at the Cruise Terminal Rotterdam (CTR): AIDA Cruises, Ambassador Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises and TUI Cruises.
See our Ocean Cruise Calendar for every scheduled ship call at Rotterdam, Amsterdam and IJmuiden. Interested in river cruises into Amsterdam or Zaandam? See our River Cruise Calendar. For more on Dutch cruise ports, read our article on Amsterdam’s cruise terminals.
