Price, dates and our guarantee
€179 per adult · €119 per child
Back on board on time, or we get you to the next port. Ship does not dock? Your money back, or another date. How the guarantees work
Next departures, pick your ship
The windmills of Kinderdijk, the whole way by boat
Timings are flexible: the day is built around your ship's actual docking and departure times, not a fixed clock.
Kinderdijk's 19 windmills are the best-known view in the Netherlands, and this excursion gets you there the way the Dutch always went: over water. A private boat picks you up next to the cruise terminal and sails about 30 minutes up the river to the mills. Your guide walks you along the windmills, you take the canal boat past them, go inside an 18th-century museum windmill and see how the Wisboomgemaal pumping station kept the polder dry, with free time to look around. Then the boat brings you straight back to the terminal, with no road traffic between you and your ship. At about four hours, it suits short port calls too.
What's included
Included
- Private boat from the cruise terminal to Kinderdijk and back (about 30 minutes each way)
- Guided walk along the UNESCO windmills of Kinderdijk
- Boat ride on the canals past the windmills
- Visit inside an 18th-century museum windmill
- Entry to the Wisboomgemaal pumping station
- Free time at Kinderdijk and the visitor centre
- English-speaking guide
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities (optional)
What you'll see on this excursion
What our guests say
Real reviews left by our guests on Google, Tripadvisor, GetYourGuide and Viator.
“I booked this tour just two days in advance while sailing on the MSC Poesia, as I wanted to see more of the Netherlands during our 1 day in port, without joining a big coach tour. So this was exactly what I was looking for. The group ended up being only five people, which made the tour feel very personal. Everything was well organised from start to finish. I especially enjoyed Delft. Thank you for organising such a memorable day!”
“Thanks for this fun day tour! My husband and I booked this tour a few days before we docked in Rotterdam and it was actually the first time we booked an excursion on our own so we were a bit nervous about getting back to the ship on time. In the end we had plenty of time and saw places that we would've otherwise missed. Didn't expect holland to be one of the most memorable stops on our cruise actually. Would recommend.”
“What a great excursion. Delft is a beautiful medieval city that were enjoyed exploring. The factory was impressive and we especially loved the windmills. A full fun packed day. Our guide Rose was outstanding. We would highly recommend this tour. Corey”
GetYourGuide · October 2026What to expect
Meet your guide at Rotterdam Cruise Port
Meet your guide at the cruise terminal. We keep an eye on your ship's arrival time and adjust the schedule where we can.
Where exactly we meet
- You come out here.
- Your guide waits here with a white Holland City Tours sign.
- Your minibus, bus or car waits around here.
When it is busy, barriers lead you to the right first. Follow them out and walk over to the sign.
Cruise Port Rotterdam, Wilhelminakade 699. Your guide waits under the roof at the terminal exit with a white sign.
By private boat to Kinderdijk
A short walk to the boat stop next to the terminal, then about 30 minutes on the river, past the port and the skyline of Rotterdam, to the windmills of Kinderdijk.
Guided walk along the windmills
Your guide tells the story of the mills, the water and the people who kept the polder dry, on an easy walk along the canal.
Canal boat, museum windmill and pumping station
Take the canal boat past the row of windmills, climb inside an 18th-century museum windmill and see the Wisboomgemaal pumping station.
Free time at Kinderdijk
Time to take photos, walk a little further along the mills or have a coffee at the visitor centre.
By private boat back to the ship
The boat takes you straight back to the cruise terminal in about 30 minutes, timed to fit your ship’s departure.
Why guests book this excursion
The UNESCO windmills of Kinderdijk, the most famous view in the Netherlands
There and back by private boat: no coach and no road traffic on the way to your ship
Small groups of up to 11 guests
Go inside a real 18th-century windmill, not just look at it from outside
About four hours, so it fits short port calls too
Two guarantees, in writing
A shore excursion is not an ordinary day out. Your ship leaves without you if the day goes wrong, so we carry that risk rather than asking you to.
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Back on board on time, or we get you to the next port
If a delay on our side means you miss your ship, we refund your excursion in full and we arrange your transport to the ship’s next port of call. Every route is planned backwards from your all aboard time with a safety margin nothing is scheduled into.
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Ship does not dock? Your money back, or another date
Weather, a port skipped, a changed itinerary: if your ship does not call at Rotterdam, you choose between a full refund, including any pickup supplement, and moving your booking to another date at no cost, subject to availability. Show us the notice from your cruise line or the ship’s tracked position and that is all we need.
Both guarantees are part of our general terms and conditions, article 15.
Not sure a tour fits your hours ashore?
Put in the times your ship is alongside and see which tours fit, transfers, traffic and safety margin already taken off.
Frequently asked questions
Is this tour suitable for cruise passengers?
Yes. This excursion is designed for cruise guests docking at the Rotterdam Cruise Port. It starts and ends at the cruise terminal and is timed to fit your port stay. If you are not on a cruise ship you can still join, just meet us at the cruise terminal.
What happens if my ship arrives late or leaves earlier?
We monitor cruise arrival times. If your ship arrives late, we adjust the schedule where possible. If the tour cannot operate due to a significant delay, you will receive a full refund.
Is return to the ship guaranteed?
Yes, and it is in writing. If a delay on our side means you miss your ship, we refund the excursion in full and we arrange your transport to the ship’s next port of call, up to €100 per person. Every route is planned backwards from your all aboard time with a safety margin nothing is scheduled into, and we work from your ship’s actual times rather than the published ones. See article 15 of our general terms and conditions.
How do we get to Kinderdijk?
By private boat. You board next to the cruise terminal, and the ride up the river to the windmills takes about 30 minutes each way. There is no coach or minibus on this excursion, so there is no road traffic on the way back to your ship.
What if the boat cannot sail?
In a storm or at very high water the boat may not be allowed to sail. In that case we take you to Kinderdijk and back by minibus or by the public WaterShuttle boat instead, with the same programme at the windmills.
Is this a private tour?
No, it is a small-group shore excursion with a maximum of 11 guests. If you would like a trip just for your own group, have a look at our private and custom shore excursion.
How much walking is involved?
About 1.5 to 2 kilometers (around 1 mile) on flat paths at Kinderdijk, at a relaxed pace with plenty of stops. The museum windmill has steep, ladder-like stairs; you can skip those and wait downstairs if you prefer.
Is the tour suitable for seniors?
Yes. The pace is unhurried, the paths at Kinderdijk are flat, and there are benches and a cafe at the visitor centre. Getting on and off the boat involves a step or two, and the crew is happy to help.
Can I join the tour with children?
Yes. Children usually love the windmills and the boat rides. Reduced prices apply for children under 18. Very young children need to be held or watched closely near the water and on the windmill stairs.
Is lunch included?
No. Food and drinks are not included. The Kinderdijk visitor centre has a cafe where you can get coffee and a snack during your free time.
Will we go inside buildings, or is everything outside?
Both. You go inside an 18th-century museum windmill and the Wisboomgemaal pumping station, and you have time at the visitor centre. The walk along the mills and the boat rides are outdoors, so bring a jacket.
In which language is the tour guided?
This shore excursion is guided in English. If you book a private tour, it is also possible to get a guide that speaks Dutch, German, French, Spanish or Italian.
What is the minimum number of participants?
The tour requires a minimum of 4 guests to operate. If the minimum is not met, you will be offered a full refund.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.
What if my ship never docks in Rotterdam?
Weather, a skipped port or a changed itinerary: if your ship does not call at Rotterdam, you choose between a full refund, including any pickup supplement, and moving your booking to another date at no cost, subject to availability. A notice from your cruise line, or the ship’s tracked position, is all the proof we need. See article 15 of our general terms and conditions.
How do I know a tour fits the hours I have ashore?
Use our back to the ship calculator. Put in the times your ship is alongside and it shows which tours fit once the queue to disembark, the transfer each way, rush hour on your actual date and a safety margin have been taken off. You will find it in the menu under Shore excursions.
Are there toilets during the excursion?
Yes, at the Kinderdijk visitor centre. The boat ride is about 30 minutes each way, so it is worth using the toilets on the ship or at the visitor centre before you board.
Can I bring a wheelchair or mobility scooter?
Unfortunately this excursion does not work well with a wheelchair or mobility scooter: boarding the boat involves steps and the museum windmill has steep stairs. Tell us about any mobility needs before you book, so we can suggest an option that works.
Do I need euros, and should I tip?
Cards and phones work almost everywhere, but dollars are not accepted, so a few euros in cash can help for small purchases. Tipping is never expected; if you enjoyed the day, guests usually give around 5 to 10% of the price.
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