Built in Rotterdam, sailed from Rotterdam and now back in Rotterdam. Welcome on board of the legendary Holland America Line flagship De Rotterdam where a tour through time awaits you. Besides the ability to drink and eat on deck visitors of De Rotterdam can take a grand tour to discover the ship’s true nature, may this be the engine rooms of deck D and F, the captain’s control unit or the first class guest areas.

Photo courtesy of Ama Dorsman, Rotterdam, Netherlands

History

With it’s long history the Holland America Line flagship De Rotterdam (748 ft. tall, 91 ft. wide and 134 ft. in height) adds high cultural value to sightseeing in the city of Rotterdam. It all started on September 13th 1958 when ten thousand of citizens had gathered to see Queen Juliana officially name the ship after it’s city of birth “Rotterdam”. The builders had very specific demands on the ship’s design for functionality, machinery for speed and interior design for guests. It was one year later September 3th 1959 when the first journey to New York across the Atlantic Ocean meant “a new world” to adventurists.

For a long period no transport type could compete with de Rotterdam, it was not until 1971 when the first commercial airline started boarding planes to New York which meant the immediate end of many successful years. But also during these harsh years de Rotterdam maintained it’s position. After a short period of maintenance it started to offer 5 star Caribbean cruises and journeys around the world.

After 38 years (1997) of loyal duty De Rotterdam gets sold to Premier Cruises which after it’s name changed after one of the world’s greatest artist: Rembrandt. For the next three years De Rembrandt is doing short cruises in and around Europe as well South America. When in 2000 the economy is running slow and interests rate are raising rapidly Premier Cruises are going through stormy weather, financial debt is growing fast. During this year De Rembrandt gets stuck in the Freeport harbor on the Bahamas.

In 2005 local Rotterdam activist society “Behoud Stoomschip Rotterdam” represent trust and pride in De Rotterdam’s cultural and historical value and therefore demands the ship to come back to it’s home city Rotterdam. City hall acknowledged the society’s ideas and decided to give De Rotterdam a permanent spot in the Maashaven, nearby kop van Katendrecht. After several renovations it opened for public, besides historical and cultural value it also holds commercial, creative and social functions for society.

General information

Everyone is welcome aboard of de Rotterdam without purchasing an entrance ticket. You will be allowed inside the restaurant, bar and terrace on deck. If you wish to view the inside of the ship an tour package must be purchased, there’s three type of tour package available which are the Seabreeze Deluxe, The way down below and a combination tour.

Entrance & tours prices for adults
No charge to access the restaurants, bar and terrace on deck.
Tour Seabreeze Deluxe (Outdoors with audio guide) €12,50 ($16.60) approximately one hour.
Tour The way down below (Engines and control panel with audio guide) €10,00 ($13.28) approximately 45 minutes.
Tour All inclusive tour (Both tours with audio guide) €16,00 ($21.25) approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Entrance & tours prices for children
No charge to access the restaurants, bar and terrace on board.
Tour Seabreeze Deluxe (Outdoors with audio guide) (4-11) €7.50 ($9.96) (0-3) Free approximately one hour.
Tour The way down below (Engines and control panel with audio guide) (4-11) €6.00 ($7.96) (0-3) Free approximately 45 minutes.
Tour All inclusive tour (Both tours with audio guide) (4-11) €9.50 ($12.61) (0-3) Free approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

De Rotterdam facilities
Smoking is prohibited inside De Rotterdam.
De Rotterdam has wheelchair accessible areas: Restaurants Lido and Club Room, Ocean Bar and the expedition area.
No pets are allowed inside De Rotterdam (with exception of guide dogs).
De Rotterdam offers local and international cuisine.
De Rotterdam does not offer free wifi.

De Rotterdam pictures

De Rotterdam is a unique and one of a kind sightseeing attraction. It has a permanent spot in one of the European’s biggest harbors in the heart of the city. With a historical and cultural value this is a not to miss sightseeing for both foreign and local visitors. Have a look at a great select of unique De Rotterdam pictures on a clear and sunny day. These pictures have been taken by Ama Dorsman, a local citizen which made a contribution to Globenavigation.com.

These pictures date July 2010 De Rotterdam, Maashaven.

How to reach

By car
Once you enter the center of Rotterdam city, follow the signs to “Erasmusbrug“.
Once you arrived at the Erasmusbrug, follow the signs “ss Rotterdam”.

By car navigation
Use the address: Street: 3e Katendrechtse hoofd 25 ZIP: 3072 AM City: Rotterdam

By public transport
Use metro line D “Slinge or Spijkenise” – Exit on the Rijnhaven stop, use bus 77 “Katendrecht” and exit on stop “SS Rotterdam”.

By water taxi
Nearby De Rotterdam is the “2e Katendrechtse Haven” dock where the water taxi can drop you. There’s multiple entrance points to enter the water taxi in Rotterdam, for exact locations visit www.watertaxirotterdam.nl or call +31(10) – 4030303

Contact & opening hours

Tour hours
Opening Hours April till October (Mon – Sun) 9 am – 19.30 pm (Ticket window is opened till 19 pm, tour route closes at 19.30 pm)
Opening Hours November till March (Mon – Sun) 10 am – 16 pm (Ticket window is opened till 15 pm, tour route closes at 16 pm)

Restaurant hours
Lido
(Mon – Fri) 6:30 am – 24 pm
(Sat – Sun) 7 am – 24 pm
Club Room
(Mon – Fri) 6 pm – 22 pm (Dinner)
(Saturday) 11 am – 16 pm (High tea) 6 pm – 22 pm (Dinner)
(Sunday) 12 am – 15 pm (Brunch) 6 pm – 22 pm (Dinner)

Guest hours
De Rotterdam is opened 24 hours per day for hotel guests.

3e Katendrechtse hoofd 25
3072 AM Rotterdam
0900-337 68 83
www.opderotterdam.nl

The Euromast Sky Tower is the height pride of Rotterdam and is visible from almost anywhere within the city. Besides the many tourist visitors, locals are also delighted to visit this 50 year old Dutch national monument. Who doesn’t want to eat at a height of 328 ft. (100 meters) with a spectacular 360 degree view on one of Europe‘s largest harbors, the city of Rotterdam and the maas river bridges including Willemsbrug and Erasmusbrug. Besides food facilities the Euromast also offers fun for thrill seekers such as abseiling, the Euroscoop at 606 ft. height (185 meters) and Speedboat Adventure tours across Harbor and maas river. For those who can’t get over the fun, two luxury Euromast hotel rooms await to spend a night in your own Space Tower inclusive of champagne and private balcony.

History

The Euromast Sky Tower is a 606 feet tall “Space Tower” in the city of Rotterdam, designed and built by Hugh Maaskant between 1958 and 1960 in the honor of the 1960 Floriade. The Euromast is a concrete building with an internal diameter of 30 ft. (9 meters) and wall thickness of 1 ft. (30 centimeters) for stability reasons it has been built on a concrete block worth 4,2 million LB (1.9 million kilograms) of established underground. The original height of the Euromast upon completion in 1960 was 331 ft. (100 meters), when in the 1970′s the Euromast lost its position as the tallest tower of Rotterdam the government decided to add an additional 279 ft. (85 meters). The Euromast is member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

General information

Everyone is welcome at the Euromast although an entrance ticket is required. The ticket can be purchased at the service desk upon entrance of the Euromast. This ticket will give access to the 360 degree Brasserie restaurant, the two level balcony and the Euroscoop a rotating elevator that reaches the top of the Euromast at 606 ft (185 meters).

Ticket prices
€8,90 ($10,66) Adults
€5,70 ($6.83) Children 4 till 11 (0-3 free)
€7,70 ($9.22) Seniors (65+)

Euromast facilities
Smoking is prohibited inside the Euromast.
The Euromast is wheelchair accessible.
No pets are allowed inside the Euromast.
The Euromast offers local and international cuisine.
The Euromast offers FREE WIFI.

Euromast pictures

The Euromast isn’t just another sightseeing attraction in the city of Rotterdam, it’s an absolute landmark with over 50 years of history. Have a look at a great selection of unique pictures of the Euromast on a clear sunny day without clouds. These pictures have been taken by Dave from Globenavigation.com

These pictures date Saturday 5th of June 2010 Euromast, Rotterdam.

Fine dining

The Euromast offers a unique dining experience on 314 ft. (96 meters) height with a panoramic 360 degree view of Rotterdam. The view from table or private booth add character to the already fancy designed restaurant named “Brasserie”. The bar is located in the inner circle from where the staff operates. The staff who seemed friendly, cooperative and maintained English skills are plenty available. Visitors can join for lunch, dinner or select a drink and snack from the menu.

In between a food or drink order you can take the stairs to a 360 degree 2 level balcony without additional charge. Although the balconies are 360 degree 1/4th of the total space is being used for thrill factor abseiling. Spread out over the balcony there’s “Super Zoom” machines where you can Zoom-in on Rotterdam City to your hearts content. The restaurant Brasserie serves both local and international food, the kitchen closes 45 minutes before the Euromast closing time (23 pm).

Thrill seekers

The Euromast offers several thrills for adrenaline junkies, using height and surrounding landmarks in their advantage.

Euroscoop [NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE]

The Euroscoop is built only for those who aren’t afraid of heights, the rotating elevator spins until the very top of the Euromast at 606 ft. (185 meter) height. When the sky is clear you can see as far as the Belgium city Antwerp. The Euroscoop is opened during Euromast business hours if the weather and technical conditions allow you to enjoy. The Euroscoop is included in the Euromast ticket price and is therefore without additional charge.

Abseiling [€45.00 INCL. ENTRANCE TICKET]

Cross your personal limit and step over the edge of the Euromast in order to head straight down while enjoying the remarkable skyline of Rotterdam. How is this unique? For one it’s the highest abseiling course in Europe as well that you’re heading straight down instead of jumping the wall on the way down. Abseiling is present every weekend from May till September 2010. Reservation is not required but advisable. Minimum required age is 16 years.

Speedboat Adventure [€47.50 INCL. ENTRANCE TICKET & LUNCH]

The speedboat adventure tour is the newest thrill of the Euromast which allows you to discover Rotterdam from both sea and air. Before or after your luxury and private lunch in the Brasserie restaurant you’ll fly for 20 minutes over the waves of the maas river across landmarks in a Joker Coast 650 up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) speed. Speedboat Adventure can be booked every weekend from June till October 2010 between 11 am and 2 pm. Reservation is required.

Spido [€16.60 INCL. ENTRANCE TICKET]

The last but certainly not least package isn’t so much a thrill but yet a fun combination package for friends, families or group tours. It offers an 75 minutes laid-back sightseeing tour across Rotterdam landmarks on the popular Spido boat as well entrance to the Euromast and Euroscoop. There’s no minimum age requirement to go aboard the Spido, as well there’s no reservation required. Tickets can be booked at the ticket office at the desk of the Euromast.

How to reach
Public transport from Rotterdam Central Station, Tramline 8 (Spangen) stop Euromast.
Private or rental car follow signs “Centrum” / “Maastunnel” from highway and thereafter “Euromast” within city center. There are paid parking spots in front of the Euromast.
Taxi any driver should know the Euromast within city center, the total costs on the meter shouldn’t exceed €20,00.

Contact & opening hours

Opening Hours April till September (Mon – Sun) 9.30 am – 23 pm
Opening Hours October till March (Mon – Sun) 10 am – 23 pm

Parkhaven 20
3016 GM Rotterdam
+31 010 4364811
www.euromast.nl

Please also have a look at Netherlands things to do

Dave from Globenavigation.com at the Euromast

An Globenavigation.com exclusive written and published by Dave Geerts on the 5th of June 2010.

Although the Oude Haven is officially a nightlife area you must take in account it’s different than your typical Rotterdam nightlife area. It’s an alternative scenery without buzzing dance clubs or discotheques. The area offers many different style of nightlife establishment from old fashioned cafe’s to modern and luxury lounge bars where you can relax, drink and enjoy the laid back ambiance. There’s no loud music, packed dance floors or long lines at the toilets. The average price for a glass of beer comes down to €2,40 as of January 2010.

It’s one of the few nightlife areas which is also active during daytime when lunch and dinners are served on the outside terraces which offer spectacular views on the old harbor and the Willemsbrug. Local and international cuisine are present at almost any of the bars. During the summer months, festivals are being held such as the Harbor Jazz Seasons when travelers as well local citizens enjoy a drink hearing live jazz music played by international artists.

In the Oude Haven area are the following nightlife establishments; Popocatepetl, Cafe ‘t Bolwerk, Villa Kakelbont, Stockholm, MOOII, Kade 4, Pardoen, RIVA and Weimar. Each establishment has their own opening times, most of them are opened 7 days a week. Latest reported opening times during regular week days is 3:30 AM while during weekends its 4:30 AM.

Oude Haven
Spaanse Kade
3011 ML Rotterdam

http://www.oudehaven.nl/

Please also have a look at Vacations in Rotterdam

When arriving at Cafe Rotterdam you shall be impressed by it’s size, with a total of three stories and the fact that the building has several entrances, a main one located in the middle and and multiple on the sides. The area where most parties are being held is located on the right side, with a marvelous view on the Erasmusbrug and a restaurant on the terrace area with local and international cuisine. Once you enter the building there’s a place to store your jackets free of charge. Here’s a total of two floors is to your availability.

The inside view is trendy, the lights are pointed to the top which is easy on the eyes, the music pretty loud yet when there’s a lot of people it still gives a good atmosphere. The DJ is visible for everyone located directly on the stairs between the ground and first floor, the design bar is spread out in the back, which is big enough to process the many people ordering. As well the fact that Cafe Rotterdam has enough crew members walking around to serve and clean up empty glasses. On the first floor there’s another spacious restaurant, as well toilets which were quite large and clean. A little side note, which was noticed while there was that the club can get quite hot.

Cruise Terminal Rotterdam
Wilhelminakade 699
3072 AP ROTTERDAM
Telefoon (010) 290 84 40
Fax (010) 297 42 51

http://www.cruiseterminalrotterdam.nl

At night the Erasmusbrug shines in its glory, with each individual light pointed at the top it’s magically visible from both sides of the far stretched banks of the Nieuwe Maas river, with as special places the Golden Tulip Cafe & Hotel and Cafe Rotterdam. Around the area of the Erasmusbrug, which is situated at the Kop van Zuid there’s several popular sightseeing destination including the Speedo, Rotterdam Port Experience, Nieuwe Luxor Theater, Euromast, Strand aan de maas and the Tropicana. Further more several mainstream buildings are located near the bridge like the Rotterdam court house and the KPN office.

Twenty four hours a day buzzing traffic goes over the bridge, including cars, trams, bicycles and anything that moves yet no ones stops for a moment to enjoy its views. The bridge has been integrated in the Rotterdam city life that locals barely recognize it’s beauty anymore. Yet, in my experience simply walking the bridge at night, viewing the lights as far the eye can reach on the river banks, in combination with the thrills of trams and car traffic passing by, the wind in your hair and the smell of the Nieuwe Maas water in combination with marvelous views make it a unique and relaxing experience.

That the bridge is internationally recognized can be simply proofed by it’s presence of international films such as the Jackie Chan film Who Am I? and the repeated shows of Red Bull Air Race and Bavaria City Racing.

Please also look at Rotterdam Vacations

Upon entrance you find yourself in a nice yet loud ambiance, keeping it’s balance with a relaxed background music. The lounge couches in the back, and a broken mirror make the place seem more spacious than it actually is. The lights are a plus also, there’s no disco lighting yet a very clear, bright constant light which doesn’t shine or hurt the eyes. The bar curves nicely around the drinking area and has a good display of its liqueur selection although as of January 2010 no prices or menus could be located. The price for one glass of beer is €2,40. They seem to have plenty of crew walking around, customers get their drinks in efficiency and the bar seems very clean.

Cafe de Witte Aap comes with several free facilities which can be used by customers, first of all it has Free WIFI to connect your blackberry or iPhone, there’s a ATM machine downstairs opposite of the toilets, of which are two total. On the left side of the bar you can hang your coat or jacket yet there’s no security overseeing them. Cafe de Witte Aap can be visited at the following address and is open from 13.00 till 05.00, 7 days a week.

De Witte Aap
Witte de Withstraat 78
3012 BE Rotterdam
010 – 4149565

http://www.dewitteaap.nl/

These pictures date Friday 23th of January 2010 Cafe de Witte Aap, Rotterdam.

The Zuiderpark is easy reachable from almost anywhere within Rotterdam south, it’s located nearby the biggest mall in the region Zuidplein, as well as the main bus stations and two metro stations Zuidplein and Slinge. Mainly the park is used for Sunday walks, biking and walking and during summers a barbecue with the family. It also households a few Rotterdam football and volleyball associations including: S.C Zuiderpark and Sportclub Zuiderpark.

The park also households several allotments garden complexes including VTV de Zandweg and VTV de Zuiderhof, which truly give you the feeling you’re in the middle of a nature park, and not just three minutes of the busy city center of South Holland. Most of the complexes in Zuiderpark are over 50 years old, it wasn’t until a few years ago that the municipality Charlois removed a part of a garden complex in order to enlarge the park it’s waterways for summer swimming and canoeing throughout the lake.

Throughout the park there’s several benches placed near the waterside, overall the park is kept pretty clean. The side of walking paths are covered with threes and green. When evening falls the park light system automatically turns on, all though it’s not covered all to well. It isn’t recommended to stay in the park after sun set if you have no business there.

On the north side of Zuidpark lies Ahoy Rotterdam’s biggest international entertainment center, used for pop concerts and  for instance pop concerts and sport events. There’s also an old church on the side of the park with a little deer camp. It’s allowed to feed the deers, most of the locals go there to feed them old bread with their children

Travelers to the Netherlands need a valid passport and visa. American citizens are allowed a stay up to 90 days without the use of a visa. Rotterdam is a city of size but it’s easy to get round, for a visit to Zuiderpark you can make use of a taxi from city center (about $30.00 US) or use the public transport subway (about $5.00 US). The most convenient time to enter the park is during daytime summer, from June till August.

These pictures date Saturday 31th of October 2009 Zuiderpark, Rotterdam

The shopping mall Zuidplein includes a little over 160 stores in all sorts of formats, a couple facilities such as a nearby bowling ally and a gym inside the mall. In the main center of mall is an information point for any questions regarding Zuidplein, they can speak Dutch and English. Visitors can either park their car at one of the 1400 parking lots in the connected garage or simply access the mall by foot, bus or metro station Zuidplein.

Of course with more than 160 stores available you can fill up your day and wishes alone, but there’s more to it. In between the shops there’s several smaller restaurants in the middle of the main centers where you can order Dutch foods like “Pannenkoeken” or sandwiches with fries. One of the larger restaurants is Van Dijk with a view over Ahoy an on walking distance large international entertainment center for concerts and parties.

The shopping mall Zuidplein is connected to Rotterdam’s city most important public transportation owned by RET. The metro station Zuidplein is connected to the center of Rotterdam and Spijkenisse. It’s also an important connection point for buses to transport anywhere in the region of Rotterdam till Den Haag.

Zuidplein is opened everyday from 9:30 AM till 5:30 PM besides on Mondays the malls opens on 1:00 PM. Fridays are shopping nights till 9:00 PM. Sunday the stores are opened from 12:00 PM till 5:00 PM. On most Dutch national holidays Zuidplein is closed. Specialized and/or large stores may have different closing times, for example Saturn a department store for electronic devices is opened every working day till 9:00 PM.

Please also have a look at Rotterdam Vacations

These pictures date Sunday 25th of October 2009 Zuidplein, Rotterdam.