A new cruise terminal is being built in IJmondhaven in IJmuiden. The opening is planned for May 4 when MSC Opera calls the Dutch port for the first time.
The entrance to the IJmondhaven was dredged in spring 2011 which means that vessels up to 295m can be accommodated. The port is now investigating the possibility of extending this to 320m.
The address of the new cruise terminal will be Cruiseboulevard no10. The building will be situated at the back of the harbour basin and will cater for the two available berths.
The primary cruise berth is the Monnickendam quay where vessels up to 295m will be able to dock. The secondary quay, the Volendamkade, which was used until 2011 to cater for larger cruise vessels, will be able to dock vessels up to 260m.
The terminal will consist of two floors. The 1,000m2 ground floor will house the reception area, the check-in facilities and the luggage handling area. The 500m2 second floor opens up through a full glass wall to an outside loggia with view of the harbour basin.It houses the cloakroom facilities as well as a bar/restaurant and has an open balcony towards the reception and check-in area.
IJmuiden expects 45 cruise calls this year, 31 of which will be handled at the new facility.
