NEW 2 CRUISIN Posted January 23, 2018 #1 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Does anyone know where Holland America docks in Curacao? :confused: We'll be on the Zuiderdam this Spring, and wanted to check.... From what we've seen when we visited Curacao on other lines, one ship usually docks out at the "Mega Pier", away from town, but sometimes we've seen others that pull right into the inlet and past the floating bridge to dock right along side the main shopping area! I'm hoping our ship parks inside the floating bridge! Nobody on our Roll Call could find the answer. THANK YOU! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr2Scents Posted January 23, 2018 #2 Share Posted January 23, 2018 We were on it last February and docked at the Mega Pier. It was only a 10 minute walk to town once outside the gate. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted January 23, 2018 #3 Share Posted January 23, 2018 As a general rule, ships will dock at the Mega Pier when there is room. But when there are 2 larger ships at the Mega Pier...a third smaller ship will usually dock at the older pier (close to town). The Zuiderdam would certainly be small enough to dock at the old dock....but it will not happen unless there is no room at the Mega Pier. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbear Posted January 23, 2018 #4 Share Posted January 23, 2018 When we were there in March on the Zuiderdam we docked inside right next to the floating bridge area but maybe that's because there was a big ship at the Mega pier. On the Koningsdam in December we were at the mega pier. It's not a long walk to the floating bridge-there is a nice walkway to the right to walk into town. Either spot it isn't to far to walk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Copper10-8 Posted January 23, 2018 #5 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Willemstad's original Mega Pier, constructed in 1999 west of the Rif Fort shopping area, can only hold one large cruise ship which Zuiderdam is considered to be. Recently, on 17 Nov 2017, a second Mega Pier, known as the Tula Pier (official opening in March this year) and located immediately behind the original Mega Pier, had her first 'mega ship', RCI's Allure of the Seas, come alongside. Bottom line, Willemstad now has two Mega Piers at its disposal west of Sint Anna Baai, whose canal goes by the colored Dutch-style houses and businesses the city is famous for. The "inside" berth, known as the Mathey Wharf, is the one located just behind the two little harbor ferries During January, February and March, Zuidy is assigned to the original Mega Pier five times and to the new Tula Pier one time. Looks like it'll be one of the Mega Piers for her and you on 04 APR 18. Enjoy always nice Willemstad, Curacao! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted January 23, 2018 #6 Share Posted January 23, 2018 99% of the time we have docked at the Mega pier. In 2016 while we were on the Westerdam, we did dock at the inside pier because there was a huge ship out at the Mega pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusieKay Posted January 23, 2018 #7 Share Posted January 23, 2018 When we were there last spring on the Koningsdam we docked near the Renaissance Resort and Casino. I think this would be called the mega pier. We thought this was a great location. The hotel grounds were lovely with a shaded upscale shopping area, plentiful bench seating,the casino and several restaurants and bars. The casino is large, well air conditioned, and unlike the one on the Koningsdam, smoke free!! As you exit this gated area a hot five minute walk will take you past a row of tourist stalls to the swinging bridge. Sent from my SM-T230NU using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semibeater Posted January 23, 2018 #8 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Today the Rotterdam is in Curacao and is inside near floating pier. Check it out on marine traffic dot com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homosassa Posted January 23, 2018 #9 Share Posted January 23, 2018 We were on the Zuiderdam on the 1/7/18 sailing. We were in the ship's channel in Willemstad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEW 2 CRUISIN Posted January 24, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted January 24, 2018 Thanks for the replies all! Now that I see the pictures above, I remember we saw them building the second "mega pier" while we were there last year! Looks like we'll just have to wait and see where we wind up docking! Appreciate the assist!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellieanne Posted January 24, 2018 #11 Share Posted January 24, 2018 When I asked about why sometimes we were at the Mega Pier and sometimes at the inside pier, a ship's official told me that PASSENGERS love the inside pier, but it's harder to maneuver into and out of than the Mega Pier. So while passengers all want to be inside, the ship's staff/pilots actually prefer the Mega Pier and if they are offered the choice, will always take the easier for the ship Mega Pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEW 2 CRUISIN Posted January 24, 2018 Author #12 Share Posted January 24, 2018 When I asked about why sometimes we were at the Mega Pier and sometimes at the inside pier, a ship's official told me that PASSENGERS love the inside pier, but it's harder to maneuver into and out of than the Mega Pier. So while passengers all want to be inside, the ship's staff/pilots actually prefer the Mega Pier and if they are offered the choice, will always take the easier for the ship Mega Pier. Thanks ELLIEANNE! That absolutely makes sense! My original question came about because we have only been at the Mega Pier, but then saw an online photo of the Zuiderdam at the inside pier and thought "how cool would that be???" Step right off the ship and into town....making even easier for folks with mobility issues. I suspect we'll be at one of the mega pier locations, so not getting our hopes up! :) Still out favorite port of the ABC islands!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retdon Posted January 24, 2018 #13 Share Posted January 24, 2018 Willemstad's original Mega Pier, constructed in 1999 west of the Rif Fort shopping area, can only hold one large cruise ship which Zuiderdam is considered to be. Recently, on 17 Nov 2017, a second Mega Pier, known as the Tula Pier (official opening in March this year) and located immediately behind the original Mega Pier, had her first 'mega ship', RCI's Allure of the Seas, come alongside. Bottom line, Willemstad now has two Mega Piers at its disposal west of Sint Anna Baai, whose canal goes by the colored Dutch-style houses and businesses the city is famous for. The "inside" berth, known as the Mathey Wharf, is the one located just behind the two little harbor ferries During January, February and March, Zuidy is assigned to the original Mega Pier five times and to the new Tula Pier one time. Looks like it'll be one of the Mega Piers for her and you on 04 APR 18. Enjoy always nice Willemstad, Curacao! :) Do you know where Z will be docked 3/15?? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Copper10-8 Posted January 24, 2018 #14 Share Posted January 24, 2018 Do you know where Z will be docked 3/15?? Thanks. Mega Pier 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ithaca gal Posted January 24, 2018 #15 Share Posted January 24, 2018 We are currently on the Zuiderdam. We docked at the Mega Pier. If you like walking, it is no big deal. If you don’t, it looks like a mile walk. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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