21st century cruise destination

Executive Summary

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DIVERSITY OF ATTRACTIONS AND TOURS

The port and the city are inextricably linked for cruise visitors and other tourists, too. Those who arrive or embark on cruise ships want to see the rest of the city either during their day ashore or, by adding days before or after the cruise, being able to stay in the city and explore it more fully. There are a variety of organised tours both to see the city sites and to experience the best of the rest of The Netherlands. But, equally, it is a city that has an impressively broad-based transportation system, and an everwelcoming population makes it easy to tour independently. FROM FISHING VILLAGE TO WORLD

CATCHMENT AREA OF 65 MILLION

A former European City of Culture,

PORT TO WORLD CITY IN 800 YEARS

POTENTIAL PASSENGERS

Rotterdam is rich in the arts and – in

Rotterdam will be exhibiting at the

Rotterdam remains ambitious for

particular – architecture within which

World Expo 2010 (held in its sister

growth, which it measures in more

there is a heady mixture of historic and

city Shanghai) to demonstrate how a

than simple economic value.

modern design. Equally intriguing is

world-class city and port can grow and

The port remains a major part of – and

the culinary mix, with the more than

prosper within an environmentally-

contributor to – that growth and those

100 cuisines represented among its

friendly development structure. This is

ambitions, with cruising playing a

cafes, bars and restaurants, reflecting

a measure of its growing international

part through its turnaround traffic for

the city’s cosmopolitan style and

status and the latest step on the 800-

which the growth potential remains

atmosphere – its multicultural, trendy

year journey this former fishing village

huge: as one of the most vibrant port

and energetic power base makes

has taken en route to becoming a

cities in the world surrounded by

visitors quickly feel at home.

World City. Some 400 years of trading

history and with modern attractions

has created a World Port – the largest

from shopping to wining and dining,

DOCK IN THE HEART OF THE CITY

in Europe.

Rotterdam is the perfect start, or

Mai Elmar, director of Cruise Port

end, for a European cruise. There

Rotterdam, is confident for the future.

Now a vibrant, contemporary centre,

is a catchment area of 65 million

She says: “Cruise ships are becoming

Rotterdam is at the heart of Europe

prospective passengers in the near

larger all the time but Rotterdam is able

with a skyline that reflects its present-

vicinity. Already many world-class

to welcome these vessels into its harbour

day outlook: young, dynamic,

ocean and river cruise ships choose

right in the city centre.

creative, exciting, open minded and

Rotterdam as their turnaround point.

international. Rotterdam has always

A new addition this year is Norwegian

“The quay has been reinforced and

been well connected internationally

Cruise Line – using Rotterdam as a

deepened and our maritime and nautical

due to its favourable geographical

homeport with two five-day Baltic

services are fully geared to handling the

location on the banks of the river

cruises scheduled.

largest ships. These floating palaces

Nieuwe Maas that connects directly to

can be mooring at our quay and newly-

the deep waters of the North Sea.

refurbished terminal within two hours of being out at sea.”

Rotterdam World City

COSMOPOLITAN CITY DYNAMIC CITY

city’s post-war development. The

It already looks and feels like the most

Rotterdam is not just the Gateway to

combination of historical and post-war

modern city in The Netherlands. This is

Europe but also to one of Europe’s

buildings makes for fascinating vistas

thanks in no small measure to the port,

most dynamic cities. A melting pot of

across the city.

which helps ensure a constant influx

rich cultural diversity, the city offers

of new people and new ideas. With

a unique blend of exciting, trend-

The most evocative modern examples

400 years of trading experience, it has

setting entertainments within an ever-

include the Euromast tower, Erasmus

become the largest port in Europe.

evolving cityscape.

Bridge, KPN Tower, New Luxor Theatre and the Cube Houses, all of which were

Throughout its history, Rotterdam has

ARCHITECTURAL CITY

celebrated as part of the Rotterdam

welcomed international visitors and, as

The city’s dramatic skyline has

2007 – City of Architecture event. And

a result, about half of the city’s 600,000

prompted impressive comparisons

the city is determined to remain at the

population has international roots. More

to be made. For what Cannes is

cutting edge, setting up the Design

than 170 nationalities and countries

to film and Milan is to fashion,

Platform Rotterdam in 2008 to bring

are represented in the city, including

Rotterdam surely is to architecture.

the various players from the industry

Suriname, Turkey and Morocco as well as

Great architects and great vision have

together, to raise awareness of the value

the USA, UK, Spain, Poland, Scandinavia

combined to create a rich heritage

of design and of Rotterdam’s leading

and China and this means that, although

of ground-breaking design in the

role in this sector.

Dutch is the official language, English and many other languages are spoken.

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Schiphol. By road, Schiphol is 45 minutes away, while Brussels International Airport

CRUISE CITY

Zaventem and Eindhoven Airport are each

The City’s development began in

only 90-minute drives.

the 13th Century when a dam was built to separate the rivers Rotte and

Alternatively, the European High Speed

Nieuwe Maas. Named Rotterdam as

Railway network is a comfortable and quick

a result, it had become a prosperous

way to reach major European cities including

trading town by the 17th Century,

Paris (two hours), Brussels and Frankfurt.

when it was part of the United East Indies Companies and homeport for

Rotterdam’s strategic location at the heart

Dutch sea heroes Maarent Tromp

of a European market with 500m potential

and Piet Heyn.

consumers has obvious benefits for the business community, which has only been

But its breakthrough into becoming

enhanced by the investment in high-speed

a genuine international centre of

telecommunications and the availability of

trade, transport and industry came

a multi-lingual and highly-skilled workforce.

with the 1872 construction of de Nieuwe Waterweg, which linked

BUSINESS CITY

it directly with the North Sea. The

This, though, is nothing new, as

following year, Plate, Reuchlin

Rotterdam’s history and growth

and Co. became the Netherlands

have been based on its strength in

American Steamship Company,

international shipping, trade and

later turned into Holland America

logistics. It is simply ensuring that it

Line. This – along with other major

adapts to a changing world by focusing

shipping companies – plied the

on emerging industries particularly in the

North Atlantic with increasingly

health care, energy and creative sectors.

lavish passenger liners during the first half of the 20th Century.

The city has built upon its cosmopolitan

GREEN CITY

heritage by becoming a full and active

Always a green city with its 2,000 hectares

Holland America Line

member of Eurocities – a network of

of public parks and gardens (including

headquartered on the site of the

major European cities, which encourages

Euromast Park, Trompenburg Arboretum,

present Hotel New York, and its

the constant exchange of cultural,

Zuiderpark, Vrosenepark and Kralingse

ships with recurring names like

educational, environmental and social

Bos) and network of cycle routes,

Rotterdam, Statendam and Nieuw

ideas, experiences and best practices.

Rotterdam is approaching the issue of

Amsterdam, carried hundreds of

Rotterdam also has close links with

climate-change with its usual dynamism.

thousands of passengers between

cities outside Europe, including Jakarta, Shanghai and Sao Paulo.

Rotterdam and New York. The city and port are part of the Rotterdam Climate Initiative tasked with dramatically

So, as well as international trade,

CONNECTED CITY

reducing Rotterdam’s CO2 emissions by

Rotterdam’s direct link with the

Rotterdam is a major travel hub for all

50% in the 35 years to 2025. The aim is for

North Sea now ensures that ocean

forms of transportation, with extensive

it to become the world capital of CO2-

and river cruise ships both visit and

road, rail and air links, too. Rotterdam

free energy. This will happen alongside

also homeport in the city. Their

Airport is the most important regional

the port’s own expansion plans. Currently

presence along the eye-catching

airport in The Netherlands. Well connected

handling more than 500 sailings a week to

waterfront skyline also attracts

to the major European hubs, it also has

more than 1,000 ports worldwide, it will be

many other visitors to the port and

business jet flights 24/7 and a high-speed

reclaiming almost 2,000 extra hectares of

to take harbour tours as well.

train link (just 19 minutes) to Amsterdam

land for industrial use.

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ROTTERDAM WORLD CITY

Rotterdam’s location and colourful, cosmopolitan history have ensured that many cultures and tastes are represented in the city’s world of food, shopping, entertainment, attractions, museums, festivals and other events. There is certainly no shortage of things to see and do for cruise visitors, whether they are there just for a few hours or for several days on pre- or post-cruise packages. However long they are there, there is also every chance that their visit will coincide with a festival, cultural or sporting event.

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Rotterdam is also home to world class international festivals like the

MUSEUM CITY

International Film Festival Rotterdam,

There are also must-see museums

the North Sea Jazz Festival, Bavaria

in Rotterdam covering a range

City Racing, World Harbour Days and

of subjects and themes. These

the Gergiev Festival. Sport is another

include the Boijmans Van

popular activity. Whether people like

Beuningen Museum, with its

to get involved or just watch, there are

magnificent collection of classical

plenty of opportunities to enjoy sport in

and contemporary art featuring

Rotterdam.

the works of artists ranging from Rembrandt, Monet and Van Gogh

It is the home town to three professional

to Dali and Picasso.

football (soccer) clubs: Feyenoord, Sparta and Excelsior and many other sporting

In the Het Schielandhuis history

clubs that compete at the highest

museum, the city’s past is brought

national level.

to life, from the 18th Century to the present day, through a series

Rotterdam is also a popular stage for

of rooms authentically designed

great sporting events such as the ABN

to reflect the different times and

AMRO (ATP) World Tennis Tournament,

fashions.

the Fortis Marathon Rotterdam, Rotterdam Concours Hippique

Other museums include The

International Officiel (CHIO), Rabobank

Netherlands Architecture Institute,

Six Days Track Racing and the World Port

Kunsthal Museum (Modern Art) and

Baseball Tournament.

the Maritime Museum Rotterdam, which tells the story of the World

The city has also hosted major

Port through exhibits like the 19th

international sporting events like the

Century man o’ war (De Buffel)

EURO 2000 football final (2000), UEFA

moored outside.

Cup final (2002), World Cup Baseball (2005), Volvo Ocean Race (2006) and the World Hockey Men’s Champions Trophy (2008). The European Union awarded Rotterdam the status of European capital of Culture in 2001 but – in addition to such special CULTURAL CITY

events – the city seeks to provide

Rotterdam has been recognized as the

permanent cultural stimulation for every

best festival city in The Netherlands

artistic taste and background.

three times in the past five years because it hosts such a variety, ranging

It has its own internationally-renowned

from small, neighbourhood street

orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic

parades to mega city festivals like the

Orchestra led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Ortell Summer Carnival and the Fit

It is also home to Codarts University

For Free Dance Parade, which attract

of the arts, the Willem de Kooning

hundreds of thousands of visitors every

academy and the World Music and

year.

Dance Centre.

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TOURIST CITY

The beauty of Rotterdam is that it is easy to get around via a wide-ranging public and private transportation network which includes light railway, subways, water taxis and ferries as well as buses and trams and bicycles for hire to use on designated cycle paths. From the top of the 185m Euromast, there is a breathtaking overview of the World Port, World City but, for an illuminating and enjoyable insight into the city’s world-class highlights, Spido

been transformed into a shopper’s

operates tours from Erasmus Bridge

paradise with antique stores and shops

around its famous waterfront and

selling glassware, fashion items and

harbours and through the city, searching

curios.

out surprises as well as the better-known attractions.

Also worth a visit are the Royal Rotterdam Zoo – now expanded into a spectacular

Among tours with a theme, there are

botanical gardens setting – and the 15th

Industrial Tourism’s bespoke trips by bus

Century Gothic church, Grote of Sint-

or boat that take in the Cube Houses

Laurenskerk, which is the oldest building

designed by Piet Blom as “trees within

in central Rotterdam and also boasts the

a forest”. The highlight is the museum

largest, fully-mechanical organ in Europe –

home – Kijkkubus in the Blaakse Bos.

one of three in the church.

There is more history in Delfshaven,

But, not only is it easy to reach and see

where the United East Indies Company

the many highlights of Rotterdam itself,

used to build its trading ships. It was

the World Port World City is also within

here that Dutch seafaring hero Piet Heyn

easy touring range of such attractive

drank his beer and the Pilgrim Fathers

destinations as Delft (home of the

also spent the night before embarking

famous porcelain), Gouda (cheese),

their America-bound ships.

Schiedam (Dutch gin), Dordrecht (oldest town in The Netherlands),

There are a couple of fascinating

Kinderdijk (UNESCO World Heritage-

museums, a corn mill, a historic church

listed windmills), and The Hague (Peace

and two theatres, but the area has also

Palace).

VIBRANT CITY

SHOPPING CITY

Rotterdam is also a vibrantly contemporary city always looking ahead as well

To cap it all, there are a huge

as celebrating its past. Throughout 2009, Rotterdam will be bustling more than

number of shopping opportunities

ever with activities organized for, by and with young people, ranging from

across the city, which are detailed

festivals, concerts and conferences to city projects. This is because Rotterdam

in the “Shopping in Rotterdam”

is the European Youth Capital 2009 to tie in with EU youth programmes and

brochure. This suggests eight on-

initiate the exchange of best practices concerning young people and their

foot shopping routes with different

attraction to cities in Europe.

themes.

World Port Cruise Port Rotterdam

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ONE-STOP SERVICE OFFICE

Cruise Port Rotterdam offers a one-stop office for all maritime and tourist services. Prior to each call, all relevant parties

DENMARK

(agent, travel agent, Harbour Master, Customs, Sea Port Police, Police and

UK

ROTTERDAM

Fire Brigade) are invited for a meeting

NETHERLANDS

to discuss all needs and requests. In

BELGIUM GERMANY

addition to the handling of general calls and turn-around visits of cruise ships, the

FRANCE

Cruise Port Rotterdam team can assist with matters such as the organization of special events, including press assistance. NAUTICAL FACTS AND FIGURES

World Port Rotterdam is a safe and cost-efficient port with top quality marine services. Cruise ships move swiftly from the North Sea to the World Port Cruise Terminal at Holland America quay in the city centre in approximately two hours. Cruise berth: Length: Quayside depth: Maximum air draught: Terminal: Maximum no. passengers: Gangways: Distance to city centre: Driving time to city centre: Travel time to airports:

Facilities in/around terminal:

Time from/to North Sea: Turning circles: Distances from Rotterdam:

Holland America Quay 698 metres 12 metres No restrictions Cruise Terminal Rotterdam Capacity to handle the very largest ships Covered boarding bridge from ship to terminal building 2km 5-10 minutes 20 minutes’ drive to Rotterdam Airport; 60 minutes by car or 40 minutes by train to Amsterdam Schiphol; 90 minutes by car or train to Zaventem Airport, Brussels Tourist information centre; currency exchange; telephones; bar/restaurant; toilets; taxi service desk; shuttle service; public transportation Approximately two hours 360m (at Waalhaven); 160m (Rijnhaven terminal) Amsterdam (37); Antwerp (121); Copenhagen (490); Hamburg (307); (nautical miles); Le Havre (245); Oslo (552); Southampton (256)

CRUISE PORT ROTTERDAM B.V.

Wilhelminakade 699, P.O. Box 51005, 3007 GA ROTTERDAM Tel: +31 – 10 – 486 07 24

Fax: +31 – 10 – 413 50 22

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.cruiseportrotterdam.com

Mrs. Mai Elmar, director

CRUISE PORT ROTTERDAM B.V. Wilhelminakade 699, P.O. Box 51005, 3007 GA ROTTERDAM Tel: +31 10 486 07 24 Fax: +31 10 413 50 22 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cruiseportrotterdam.com Mrs. Mai Elmar, director Published by ASHCROFT & ASSOCIATES PO Box 57940, London W4 5RD +44 (0) 20 8994 4123 www.ashcroftandassociates.com