New member: Harlingen



Tuesday, January 31, 2017 - 14:14 by ce-press

Harlingen is one of the oldest seaports in The Netherlands dating back to 1300. The Dutch city of canals, warehouses and old inner harbours received its first call in 2014 (National Geographic Explorer) and is now gearing up for more.

Last year there were two calls: newcomer to the port 126-passenger National Geographic Orion and 122-passenger Corinthian. This year Ponant’s Le Soleal will call for the first time while, in 2018, sistership Le Laperouse will visit. Noble Caledonia’s Island Sky will also be a first-timer.

At present ships of up to 160m can call Harlingen, just walking distance from the old city centre. Larger vessels can anchor in the Wadden Sea. A 30-minute transfer by fast ferry can be provided to Harlingen from the tender pier which is 15nm from the Vlieree anchorage.

A new floating quay has been approved and is due to enter service in Willemshaven in January 2018, explained Kathe Kuperus, together with Janneke Nieuwhof the managing directors of Cruise Port Harlingen. It will be 180m in length, have a depth of 6m and bollards will be installed. On the same site is a 35m by 24m passenger terminal which has been refurbished to include a tourist information desk and toilets. WiFi is being expanded in the near future.

Pilot pickup is 24nm from Willemshaven. The use of tugs is compulsory with three being available 24 hours a day. Waste discharge facilities are available on request. Garbage removal is compulsory, freshwater facilities are available and are provided by the port authority. Bunkering is available by barge or truck. Due to the tides there is year-round dredging of the harbour and harbour entrance. Harlingen is 75 minutes drive from Amsterdam International Airport.

Passengers can enjoy a wide range of shore excursions from the natural to the historical. In the city itself, passengers can visit the Harlingen Earthenware and Tile Factory which still produces handmade earthenware and tiles using the same methods that were used in 1598. The 16th century merchant house, Hannemahuis, is now a museum telling the story of the city and includes a distillery which makes Dutch gin as it did 250 years ago. Franeker houses the oldest active planetarium in the world built by Eise Eisinga in 1774.

To discover more about the Dutch battle against the water, the 1920 Woudagemaal steam pumping station on the Unesco World Heritage List is just 30 minutes drive away. Horselovers may want to visit stud farm Het Swarte Paert where the culture, history, breeding and sports of the Frisian horse which has its roots in the area.

Last but by no means least the nearby 12,000km2 Wadden Area/nature reserve containing 43 islands and with wetlands stretching to Denmark was designated a Unesco world heritage site in 2009. Looking ahead Harlingen will once again be hosting the Tall Ships event in 2018.
New member: Harlingen
(c) Cruise Port Harlingen


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