After 60 years, Spido is adjusting its route to allow more time for Rotterdam

Koninklijke Spido is revamping its 75-minute harbour tour in response to changing trends in tourism in Rotterdam. This classic tour, which has been running for over 60 years, will feature a partially revised route. From the weekend of the World Port Days onwards, the boats will sail past the Willemsbrug and De Hef, giving guests a spectacular view of the skyline and the chance to see almost all of Rotterdam’s landmarks.

The 75-minute harbour cruise is Koninklijke Spido’s most popular cruise, but it is being renamed with immediate effect: Rotterdam Cruise. “Rotterdam Tour is a more fitting name,” explains Spido director Richard Blok. More and more tourists from home and abroad want to discover Rotterdam in a different way. Rotterdam has changed over the past few decades and has a great deal to offer in terms of architecture, culture and entertainment. Spido is responding to this demand.

During this period, there are 10 sailings a day. The revamped route takes just as long, but as well as the harbour, the focus is also on the city. By sailing further upstream along the river, guests can see almost all the highlights that tourists come to Rotterdam for from the water: the bridges, the buildings and the skyline.

At De Hef, the boats now make a spectacular 180-degree turn, giving passengers on board a wonderful view of the historic bridge. As the boat sails on from there, the striking Markthal and the Cube Houses can also be seen.

“Of course, we won’t be skipping the harbour area,” says Richard Blok. “After the breathtaking and photogenic views of all the famous landmarks we Rotterdamers are so proud of, we’ll sail to the Waalhaven. There, you can still see the hustle and bustle of cargo handling, ship repairs and other port activities. The ships then call at the Maashaven, where they sail right past the historic transatlantic liner, the ss Rotterdam.”

Day trip to Maasvlakte 2

As ships have grown in size, many port operations have been relocated over the years to the Botlek, Europoort, and the First and Second Maasvlakte. Enthusiasts of these areas will also find plenty to enjoy at Spido.

“The city and the harbour remain closely linked, and the same goes for Spido,” says Richard Blok. “For people who want to venture deeper into the harbour, we offer the ‘Extended Harbour Tour’, which lasts two and a half hours. If you want to go even further, to the impressive container terminals, I’d recommend our six-and-a-half-hour day trip to the Second Maasvlakte.”