If we book a private car instead of the ship's excursion, what happens if we're late back?
The ship won't wait for an independent tour: cruise lines hold departure only for their own excursions, and Fred. Olsen, for one, says plainly that the ship cannot wait for independent tours or transport, so check your line's terms. That's why a private day is planned backward, aiming to have you at the terminal 60 minutes before all-aboard; in the Netherlands the realistic risks are highway jams around Amsterdam and Rotterdam, not distance. If your port day is short, starts late, or the destination is more than an hour away, the ship's excursion is the safer pick.
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With a chauffeur by the hour: prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €65 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €100 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
By the hour: minimum 2 hours, 40 km included per hour, starting and ending in the same city. The chauffeur waits between stops. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
What is included in the price
- A fixed price confirmed at booking, with VAT included: no meter and no surge
- The chauffeur’s name, car and phone number before pickup, plus e-mail reminders 24 hours and 2 hours ahead
- Water and phone chargers (iOS and Android) in the car
- Status updates to the person who booked, if that is not the passenger: confirmed, chauffeur en route, guest in the car, arrived
How the day is protected
| Risk | What we do |
|---|---|
| Rush-hour traffic | No return drives through the A10 or A20 at peak if avoidable |
| A late start ashore | Hours count from when you're off the ship, not from the scheduled time |
| A stop running long | The chauffeur calls time at the agreed moment |
| Roadworks or closures | Dispatch checks the route the evening before |
When the ship's tour wins
- Port time under five hours with a destination over an hour away.
- Tender ports or terminals with unpredictable lock times.
- Anyone who'd rather not carry the responsibility.
Related questions
Do you watch the ship's schedule?
Send us the all-aboard time; the chauffeur plans from it.
Is a private car cheaper than the excursion?
Often for three or more people: the price is per car.
What if traffic is the problem?
The buffer is there for that; it's why we keep it.
Sources
- Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines: can I go ashore independently? (checked October 31, 2026)
- Cruise Critic: private guide from Rotterdam cruise terminal (checked October 31, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.