Amsterdam being replaced by Rotterdam - P&O approach?

[jeanlyon]

We called at Dubrovnik on Oriana.  There were 4 other megaliths in, each having about 3 thousand passengers.  You could not move in the streets.  It was awful.  So we went back to the ship, waited until the other ships had left (we were there for an overnight) and then went ashore at 5.30.  Sat in the square listening to a guy playing the piano, had a glass of wine and it was wonderful.

[john watson]

Rotterdam came to our rescue before Christmas last year.  It is a nice place and worth visiting and it made a change for us.  The alternative was a sea day.

 

Regards John

[Harry Peterson]

15 minutes ago, john watson said:

Rotterdam came to our rescue before Christmas last year.  It is a nice place and worth visiting and it made a change for us.  The alternative was a sea day.

 

Regards John

Certainly it’s a nice city, and certainly it’s infinitely better than a sea day. But there is no other city in the Netherlands, arguably the whole of Europe, that can come remotely near to matching Amsterdam for its sheer charm and range of attractions. It’s no Venice, but the canals do add something that’s very difficult to replicate.

[fishnchips]

So it seems Rotterdam will take the ship's that do not go to Amsterdam .

And Rotterdam will benefit from extra mooring fees extra tourism .

Also Amsterdam will receive tourists from the ship coach excursions from Rotterdam .(that won't be paying €8)

So Amsterdam will lose the tourist tax ,mooring fees, tourism.

Doesn't seem like a good  decision to me. 

[CCFC]

Princess seem to be moving away from Amsterdam and going to Rotterdam too.

[P&O SUE]

I've noticed P&O are actually using Rotterdam in future cruises (as well as Amsterdam) I thought it was because of the difficulties getting in and out! We left Amsterdam at midday and it was lovely watching our transit out through the lock.

Edited December 28, 2018 by P&O SUE

[Harry Peterson]

7 hours ago, P&O SUE said:

I've noticed P&O are actually using Rotterdam in future cruises (as well as Amsterdam) I thought it was because of the difficulties getting in and out! We left Amsterdam at midday and it was lovely watching our transit out through the lock.

So they are - hadn't noticed that.  Very much looking forward to an overnight in Amsterdam, though - Rotterdam just wouldn't cut it.

[CCFC]

Having never been to Rotterdam what is it that doesn't cut it?

[Eglesbrech]

5 minutes ago, CCFC said:

Having never been to Rotterdam what is it that doesn't cut it?

They are both nice ports to visit but Amsterdam has so much more to see and do including world class art and attractions to see.

 

Just google the top 10 things to do in both cities and you will immediately see the difference.

[CCFC]

I've been to Amsterdam before, just wondering if I should get excited about Rotterdam as somewhere new. I googled Rotterdam and it say its a big container port with little to see.

[Eglesbrech]

On 12/22/2018 at 6:28 PM, docco said:

Would you have to pay it if you weren’t on a cruise ship? Well actually, yes you would, as an addition to your hotel costs.

 

They’re bringing this in to enable the tax to be charged on cruise passengers, who stay of course on the ship and don’t pay hotel charges.

 

In reality, cruise passengers spend far less than tourists who actually stay in the city, so it makes financial sense - as do most things they do in the Netherlands. Unlike here.

 

While cruise ship passengers may spend less on average than resident tourists how many find a place they like and go back, becoming those resident tourists. We certainly do.

 

There are several ports we have visited that we enjoyed so much that we then booked a long weekend, week or fortnight to explore the area more. 

[Eglesbrech]

2 minutes ago, CCFC said:

I've been to Amsterdam before, just wondering if I should get excited about Rotterdam as somewhere new. I googled Rotterdam and it say its a big container port with little to see.

 

Rotterdam port is just that, a container port but the town has some interesting architecture, some good restaurants and cafes to sit and people watch. I would personally not use the word “excited” in reference to it but it’s still somewhere new I’d you haven’t been.

[Harry Peterson]

13 minutes ago, CCFC said:

I've been to Amsterdam before, just wondering if I should get excited about Rotterdam as somewhere new. I googled Rotterdam and it say its a big container port with little to see.

I've spent a lot of time over the years in the Netherlands, and I know both cities reasonably well. 

 

Rotterdam is a lot more than just a container port - there's a lot to see and do - but I could never get excited about a trip to Rotterdam in the way I can about Amsterdam, though that's a personal opinion of course, shared by the wife.

 

The big difference is that most of Rotterdam was destroyed by the Luftwaffe in 1940, while most of central Amsterdam still retains its old buildings - many of which go back to the 17th century and earlier.  Unique is a strong word to use, but, as with Venice, it's reasonably appropriate to Amsterdam. 

[grapau27]

43 minutes ago, CCFC said:

Having never been to Rotterdam what is it that doesn't cut it?

We have been to Rotterdam a couple of times unfortunately.

The second time was by default when our RCCL ship could not dock at Le Havre and went to Rotterdam instead.

The centre is unspectacular and we couldn't wait to get the shuttle back to the ship.

[fishnchips]

I see Venice has decided to tax tourists more now as "Cruise passengers are easily identified "

Between €2.50-10 depending on time of season .

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46721456

[sogne]

On ‎12‎/‎28‎/‎2018 at 7:17 PM, CCFC said:

I've been to Amsterdam before, just wondering if I should get excited about Rotterdam as somewhere new. I googled Rotterdam and it say its a big container port with little to see.

the main container port is at Europort opposite the Hook of Holland at the entrance to the Maas starboard side in  Rotterdam is several miles upstream by the old HAL terminal   train 2 Amsterdam is quick and cheap

[showingdiva]

Absolutely love Rotterdam.   The cruise terminal is right beside the Erasmus Bridge.  Tours, from a P&O point of view were very similar if the ship had been in Amsterdam.  To go it alone, transport to Amsterdam is easy, there are several places to see (museums etc) and eat in Rotterdam and the shopping (if that's your thing) is brilliant.  Metro, local bus and river taxis are cheap.

 

The journey to the terminal for the ship takes a few hours from picking up the pilot.  Last twice on Arcadia and Aurora, on the way back out, the ship has had to go backwards until a suitable turning place was found.  The traffic on the river is endless.   

 

Most importantly to cruise ships - no locks, so all the missed / aborted calls into Amsterdam would be eliminated.

 

 

Edited January 1, 2019 by showingdiva