Cruise Terminal Het Steen Antwerp-Cruise Ships in Antwerp

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Cruise Terminal Het Steen (ships up to 265 metres)

Technische data:

The location of the cruise terminal in Antwerp is unique. The cruise ships dock in the heart of the city, at a stone's throw from the historic city centre. This makes it possible for passengers to explore the city at any time, without the need for a shuttle bus. After a few minutes' walk you are at the Grote Markt with its beautiful town hall and guild houses or at the Cathedral of Our Lady. The cruise terminal itself is located in the medieval fortress 'Het Steen' at the Steenplein. From the Noorderterras, one of the two classified promenades along the river Scheldt, the ships can be observed from a few metres distance. Almost no other ports have this feature. Because the ships are so centrally located in the city, the cruise terminal is also easily accessible by public transport.

The cruise terminal is located at the Jordaenskaai, near the Steenplein, and can be found in the medieval fortress Het Steen. The fortress was built between the years 1200 and 1225 and is the oldest building in the city. It was recently completely restored and renovated to serve as a tourist centre and cruise terminal. The cruise terminal part of Het Steen is a fusion of a new building with historical elements. In the terminal, there is a large waiting room which can host up to 400 passengers and has sanitary facilities. There is also an information desk where passengers can get the lastest information on the sights in the city. Those who have booked an excursion and need to travel by bus can find the buses a few metres from the terminal building. The cruise ships dock at a specially designed cruise pontoon that is 360 metres long and 9 metres wide. The pontoon is connected to the quay wall by two long walkways. To allow passengers to disembark, the cruise ships use their own gangway. The cruise pontoon is located in front of the Noorderterras. This is an elevated, classified, promenade along the Scheldt quays from where you have a good view over the Scheldt. There is also a restaurant at the end of the terrace.

The cruise terminal at the Noorderterras can receive ships with a length up to 265 metres. Longer cruise ships cannot dock at the Scheldt quays because the bend at Sint-Annastrand is too sharp. Therefore, they are diverted to the docks in the port of Antwerp. However, the chance of this happening is very small. Should a cruise ship nevertheless berth in the docks, it will be specifically indicated on the website. All other ships will dock at the cruise terminal as usual.

Port of Antwerp (ships above 265 metres)

Accessibility

Photo opportunities

Antwerp is the perfect port for taking pictures of the cruise ships. It is possible to view the ships from all sides. From the walking terrace 'Het Noorderterras' on the right bank (city side), the cruise ships can be viewed from a few metres distance. The cruise pontoon is not open to the public but from the watchtower of Het Steen, however, you get a great view of the Scheldt and the moored ships. The tower can be visited for free almost every day of the year between 10:00 and 18:00, with a few exceptions. From Linkeroever, the left river bank, the ships can also be admired in front of the skyline. From the Steenplein you can take the free ferry which will take you to the other side of the river Scheldt in a few minutes. Through the classified pedestrian tunnel (Sint-Annatunnel) with its wooden escalators, which is a 10-minute walk from the Noorderterras, you can also get to the left bank after a walk of about 15 minutes under the Scheldt. In the afternoon and evening, when the weather is good, the ships are beautifully illuminated by the sun. During departures and arrivals, the ships in the city can be easily seen from both banks of the Scheldt. Please note that major works are currently being carried out on the Scheldt quays on the right bank (City side), which means that certain parts of the quays are not accessible.

Berth: Pontoon length: Max. Ship length: Max. Ship beam: Max. Ship draft:

Cruise Pontoon - Quay 22/23 360 metres 265 metres 35 metres 8 metres

Map Cruise Terminal Het Steen Jordaenskaai, 2000 Antwerpen

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