Your day, your destinations
Timings are flexible: the day is built around your ship's actual docking and departure times, not a fixed clock.
This is our most flexible shore excursion: a private guide and minibus for your group only, with an itinerary built around what you want to see. Popular combinations include Delft and Kinderdijk, Gouda and Utrecht, or a day trip to Amsterdam, but the day is entirely yours to shape. Just like our small-group excursions, we keep an eye on your ship's arrival and departure times.
What's included
Included
- Private, full-day guide and minibus for your group only
- Round-trip transport from the Rotterdam Cruise Port
- A custom itinerary built around what you want to see
- A guide who can adapt language and pace to your group
Not included
- Museum, attraction and activity entrance fees (unless agreed in advance)
- Lunch and other personal expenses
- Gratuities (optional)
What you'll see on this excursion
Cruise Port Rotterdam
However you build your day, it starts and ends here. Your guide waits under the roof at the terminal exit with a white sign, and the minibus is parked a few steps away.
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.
Why guests book this excursion
You choose the destinations: Delft and Kinderdijk, Gouda and Utrecht, Amsterdam, or a mix
Private, full-day guide and minibus for your group only, not combined with other travelers
A guide who can speak Dutch, German, French, Spanish or Italian, in addition to English
Flexible pace, built around your ship’s schedule
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 specifically for cruise guests docking at the Rotterdam Cruise Port. Pick-up and drop-off are at the cruise terminal, and the itinerary is planned to fit within your port stay.
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 does the private/custom format work?
When you book a private shore excursion, you decide what you'll visit: Delft and Kinderdijk, Gouda and Utrecht, Amsterdam, or another destination. You'll have a full-day guide and minibus just for your group, up to 16 people.
In which language is the tour guided?
Because this is a private tour, it is possible to get a guide that speaks Dutch, German, French, Spanish or Italian, in addition to English.
Is the tour suitable for seniors or families with children?
Yes. Because the itinerary, pace, and content are fully customized to your group, this format works well for older travelers and for families with younger children, where a fixed small-group tour might move too fast.
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.
Can we do a tour on disembarkation day and end at Schiphol or our hotel?
Yes. On disembarkation day your luggage travels in the vehicle, and after the tour we drop you at Schiphol Airport or your hotel, for a supplement. Choose a flight that leaves well after the tour ends, and tell us your flight time when you book.
Do I need euros, and should I tip?
Cards and phones work almost everywhere, including contactless on trams and trains, but dollars are not accepted, so a few euros in cash help for toilets and 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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