Cruise to Rotterdam, Netherlands

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Rotterdam Cruise Port Guide

Spanning the banks of the Nieuwe Maas, energetic, multicultural Rotterdam is a hub of artistic and culinary innovation, a perfect combination on any European cruise. The second-largest city in The Netherlands, Rotterdam buzzes with avant-garde design and gleaming high skyscrapers. Little wonder that it’s been dubbed “Manhattan on the Maas”.

Rotterdam cruises explore the best of northern Europe, from the serene fjords and towering mountains of Norway’s west coast to the elegant capitals of the Baltic, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki. Delve deep into Britain’s history and beautiful coastline, or sail north to Iceland to explore glaciers, volcanoes, and Viking heritage. Discover some of Europe’s most captivating destinations on a cruise from Rotterdam with Celebrity Cruises.

Top Destinations on Cruises from Rotterdam

Norwegian Fjords

On a cruise from Rotterdam to the serenely beautiful Norwegian fjords, breathe the pure air and gaze at tumbling waterfalls and wildflower-strewn meadows. Ride the vertiginous Flåm Railway through wild mountain landscapes, or kayak the still waters of the Geirangerfjord, where seals bask on the rocks. Admire the art nouveau architecture of pretty Alesund, and join a hike from Stavanger to the iconic Pulpit Rock, jutting out over the Lysefjord, 1,980 feet below.

Norwegian Fjords Destination Guide

Scandinavia

Discover some of Europe’s cosmopolitan capitals on a cruise to Scandinavia. Visit beautiful Stockholm, spread over 44 islands, with museums dedicated to everything from a 17th-century Vasa warship to ABBA. Admire Copenhagen’s cool design scene and sample craft beers, and lose yourself in the cobbled alleys of Tallinn’s medieval heart. Head for Berlin, Germany’s arty, edgy capital, where you can stand at Checkpoint Charlie, see the remnants of the famous wall, and gaze at spectacular street art.

Scandinavia Destination Guide

British Isles

A circumnavigation of the British Isles is a journey back through time. In Glasgow, immerse yourself in Scottish art, culture, and music, including the famous Scottish bagpipes. Kiss the Blarney Stone and enjoy a pint of Guinness in a cozy pub in Cork. See the superb Titanic Belfast exhibit in Northern Ireland’s buzzing capital, and follow the Beatles trail in Liverpool. From Inverness, take a trip to the still waters of Loch Ness, overlooked by craggy Urquhart Castle and hemmed in by dark, brooding mountains.

British Isles Destination Guide

Our Ships Sailing out of Rotterdam

Celebrity Apex®

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Celebrity Silhouette®

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Why Sail from Rotterdam with Celebrity Cruises

Explore Europe’s cultural highlights and diverse beauty in the elegant surroundings of Celebrity’s contemporary ships. Explore dramatic fjords in Norway, Scotland’s sweeping highlands, and bustling waterfront cities. Lose yourself in some of the world’s greatest art galleries, gaze at crenelated castles, and marvel at an otherworldly landscape shaped by fire and ice in Iceland.

On Celebrity’s award-winning ships, you’ll find fine dining, dazzling entertainment, and innovative outdoor spaces, from The Lawn Club on Solstice-Series ships to The Magic Carpet on Edge-Series ships. Unwind in The Spa or relax by the pool after an immersive day of sightseeing. Elevate your experience with The Retreat® and indulge in exclusive dining at Luminae At The Retreat and accommodation in a luxury suite.

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Rotterdam Cruise Port Facilities and Location

Ships dock in the heart of Rotterdam, at the Wilhemina Pier, in the Kop Van Zuid neighborhood. In the terminal, you’ll find tourist information and free Wi-Fi. To walk to the city center, cross over the famous Erasmus Bridge. The nearest metro station is Wilheminaplein, between the terminal and the bridge.

Top Sights & Attractions in Rotterdam

Erasmus Bridge

The graceful Erasmus Bridge, which spans the Niewe Maas, is known by locals as “The Swan” due to its single asymmetrical pylon from which 40 steel cables span out in an impressive feat of engineering. The bridge, built from pale blue steel, links the north and the south of the city, connecting futuristic Kop Van Zuid to historic Delfshaven, one of the few areas where you’ll still see authentic Dutch architecture.

Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen

The futuristic depot at this famed art museum has a twist; it’s the world’s first art storage facility open to the public. Most museums only ever exhibit a fraction of their collections, but here, some 152,000 pieces by artists from Rembrandt to Matisse and Dalí are housed in climate-controlled units inside what looks like a giant mirrored bowl. Wander through the facility with a guide or alone, and watch art restorers at work, renovating some of the world’s most legendary pieces.

Markthal

The Markthal is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. A shimmering, inverted U-shape housing glass-walled apartments and offices arches over a market, where over 100 stalls, 15 shops, and eight restaurants sell their wares. This is the place to come for cheese, plants and flowers, fresh bread, delicious deli food, coffee, and people-watching.

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Top Things to Do in Rotterdam

Marvel at Futuristic Buildings

Contemporary architects have been free to express themselves as part of Rotterdam’s regeneration. Check out the Montevideo Building, a futuristic skyscraper in Kop Van Zuid, and Rem Koolhaas’s towering De Rotterdam complex. Don’t miss the Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen), another symbol of the city, where locals live in banana-yellow cubes that tilt at more than 50 degrees. Go inside one at Kijk-Kubus, which serves as a museum.

Get Your Culture Fix in Museumpark

While the Depot Boijmans Van Beyningen is the best known of this cluster of futuristic buildings, there’s plenty more in Rotterdam’s Museumpark. Admire contemporary works at the Kunsthal, which has five different exhibition areas, and fashion and design at Het Nieuwe Instituut. Design buffs will love the 1930s villa, the Sonneveld House, a perfect example of Dutch Functionalist style. Inside, it’s a technicolor celebration of chrome, color-themed rooms, and a startling turquoise bathroom.

Explore Old-World Delfshaven

Cross the Erasmus Bridge from the cruise terminal and stroll to Delfshaven, which is like stepping into the past. Miraculously, this neighborhood survived the bombs of the Second World War. Today, it’s a tranquil spot crisscrossed with canals, old breweries, traditional brown cafés (more pub than actual café), and old houses festooned with flower-filled window boxes. Pay your respects at the Pelgrimskerk, where the founding fathers prayed before embarking on the ocean crossing to America.