Amsterdam Port

[wombat_5606]

I know I'm very, very biased, but this is an opportunity you may never have again. Go as many days early as you can, or stay extra days at the end. Holland is enchanting, historic, wonderful people everywhere, and a treasure trove of so many things to see, do, and eat. Pancakes are an art form there (trust me on this one). Take the high speed train to Brussels for the day and stand in what is absolutely the most stunning city center in Europe.

I'm adding the bold to my list for next time.

I so agree!! Everyone should add as much time as they possibly can to their pre or post cruise visit.

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute in Holland. We were not ready to leave and we did not get to do everything we had on our list.

The big problem is that there are so many places to explore in this world, that's it's hard to spend all of your time and money in one place. My opinion is that this a very special place. It is one of the few that I've loved so much that I want to go back and stay longer.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Like I said, we rode in Amsterdam, and then through the country to Rotterdam, Leiden, Delft and various sites. Even in the city, cycling is very pleasant and safe.

 

[harriet2]

I'm in awe. No way I'd get on a bicycle in Amsterdam.

There are millions of bicycles in Amsterdam. Google their parking garages. They also have the right of way, over cars and pedestrians. It's insane.

I might ride in a park, but I wouldn't get on the street there.

Haha, that's one of the major problems I have in Amsterdam, tourists on bicycles who don't understand the rules Bicycles do not have right of way, they have their own lanes and they do have to give right of way to pedestrians on zebra's and car's if they have haaientanden (shark's theet, not sure if they're used elsewhere) or are coming from the left, but like Karin explained, if a car hit's a bicycle, it's always the cars responsibility (insurance wise), even if the car had right of way, that's why a lot of bicycles act like they always have right of way, especially in Amsterdam, where they are a bit fed up with tourists. Can't blame them, I used to live in Delft and on my daily route there was a really narrow bike track, from the central station to the city center. During the summer you'd always find it full of tourists walking with suitcases over the entire width of the path. But in the Netherlands, pedestrians aren't allowed on bike paths, so they shouldn't even have been there, nut they wouldn't even walk behind each other if you indicated you were there... The people who live in Amsterdam have this every single day, not just during the summer.

 

[harriet2]

Ha Ha, good to know. That was one of our concerns -- being able to read the road signs.

This is what our signs look like on the high way, if you know which city's you'll have to pass, you can't go wrong.

But as for other road signs, yes, we were very surprised all the American road signs had words on them, ours don't they're just images. Triangle (with the point to the top) means what's out (for whatever is pictures inside), triangle with the point down means you have to give right of way. Round means something is forbidden when there is a red band (what ever is shown inside) or mandatory, when it's blue. Diamond means you have right of way. Rectangles are only in city's and mostly to indicate parking and such, they are for information.

 

[wombat_5606]

Haha, that's one of the major problems I have in Amsterdam, tourists on bicycles who don't understand the rules Bicycles do not have right of way, they have their own lanes and they do have to give right of way to pedestrians on zebra's and car's if they have haaientanden (shark's theet, not sure if they're used elsewhere) or are coming from the left, but like Karin explained, if a car hit's a bicycle, it's always the cars responsibility (insurance wise), even if the car had right of way, that's why a lot of bicycles act like they always have right of way, especially in Amsterdam, where they are a bit fed up with tourists. Can't blame them, I used to live in Delft and on my daily route there was a really narrow bike track, from the central station to the city center. During the summer you'd always find it full of tourists walking with suitcases over the entire width of the path. But in the Netherlands, pedestrians aren't allowed on bike paths, so they shouldn't even have been there, nut they wouldn't even walk behind each other if you indicated you were there... The people who live in Amsterdam have this every single day, not just during the summer.

Wow. Yep, all of this is why I'm not getting on a bicycle in Amsterdam.

 

[RedSox68]

I know I'm very, very biased, but this is an opportunity you may never have again. Go as many days early as you can, or stay extra days at the end. Holland is enchanting, historic, wonderful people everywhere, and a treasure trove of so many things to see, do, and eat. Pancakes are an art form there (trust me on this one). Take the high speed train to Brussels for the day and stand in what is absolutely the most stunning city center in Europe.

Trust me, with all this stunning information and suggestions, we are already considering spending a week instead of 4 days. As for pancakes, one of my very favorite foods, so can't wait to try those!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Don't forget to try a stroopwafel or two.

 

[AquaDame]

Thanks!

Anyone, do you need to book the Anne Frank museum ahead of time, and is it within walking distance of the port?

Has anyone heard of the Movenpick Hotel?

I know other people said yes, get tickets for the Anne Frank museum ahead of time but I'd also encourage you to do this as soon as you are able. When we went it was insane the number of frustrated people outside without tickets and they sell out quickly. 80% are sold online exactly two months out, the other 20% are sold online the day of. Even if you have a museum card you must have a reserved time booked for entry - they only allow so many people in at a time.

 

[NancyIL]

We were supposed to depart today on a Royal Caribbean Transatlantic cruise from Tampa to Amsterdam. We planned to spend 3 days in Amsterdam post cruise, staying at the DoubleTree Amsterdam Centraal Station using Hilton points, before taking the train to Bruges, Belgium.

I spent a couple of days in Amsterdam in 2012 before another cruise, and stayed at the NH Barbizon Palace - also near the Centraal Station. I enjoyed my tour of the Anne Frank House, as well as a 3-hour free walking tour of Amsterdam. But watch out: if you step into the bike lane, you WILL get run over!

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

Amsterdam
Day at sea
Bergen, Norway
...
South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland
Day at Sea
Amsterdam

A very cool itinerary. Unfortunately, it is too late in the season for me. Schools start back up early August here.

 

[RedSox68]

I know other people said yes, get tickets for the Anne Frank museum ahead of time but I'd also encourage you to do this as soon as you are able. When we went it was insane the number of frustrated people outside without tickets and they sell out quickly. 80% are sold online exactly two months out, the other 20% are sold online the day of. Even if you have a museum card you must have a reserved time booked for entry - they only allow so many people in at a time.

We will be there end of August. I was thinking of getting tickets in May 2021. Hopefully that will be enough time. I'm afraid to get them too far ahead in case we can't go again -- unless they are refundable.

 

[Karin1984]

Yesterday The Anne Frank huis reported money problems due to Covid, no tourists, no money.

Now, i dont think with the meaning and the important part they play in our history they will go bankrupt, I am sure they will get help from someone. But it is something to keep your eye on.

Normally tickets are released 2 months in advance. From the website:
80% of tickets are released exactly two months in advance at noon (Amsterdam time), 20% on the day itself. Every day at 9:00 am, the tickets for the day are made available on this site. Tickets are not sold at the door.

 

[aggiedog]

We went to the Anne Frank museum 2 years ago. FWIW, the museum is a walk through a mostly empty house, some pictures on the walls, and an audio guide cued to sensors in each room. At the time, it was very crowded, even with controlled entry times, and is like a continuous conveyor belt of people. There is a more traditional "museum" display at the end. I think what made it more meaningful for us was to the pay the little extra for the "guided" tour which is really just a lecture at the beginning of the tour. While I'd read her diary so long ago, the short lecture gave a more personal, detailed, and contextualized explanation for the events leading up to and including the time frame of her diary. I think the tickets for this are available later than the standard tickets though, but conversely don't sell out quite so quickly from what I was told on the TripAdvisor forum. That was then. This is now. Who knows what the new reality will be.

 

[pjacobi]

The best reason to visit Arnhem is the Openluchtmuseum or Open Air Museum:

https://www.openluchtmuseum.nl/?taal=en
The museum is easily accessed by train from Amsterdam. Be "European" and use the extensive train network as much as possible. Only use a car for places not easily reached by train.


-Paul

 

[jdb in AZ]

The Keukenhof has up videos of the gardens. We were there on our honeymoon.

The Keukenhof gardens were the highlight of our stay in the Netherlands. Don't know if they've released the dates for 2021, but they are generally open past the tulip festival, but not into the summer.

 

[Rudisdey]

The Keukenhof gardens were the highlight of our stay in the Netherlands. Don't know if they've released the dates for 2021, but they are generally open past the tulip festival, but not into the summer.

Sadly the Keukenhof won't open this year due to the Corona virus. If you want to see flowers you can visit the flowerauction: https://www.royalfloraholland.com/en/about-floraholland/visit-the-flower-auction

 

[Karin1984]

Best time to see the flowers in the Netherlands is late March - May.
If I remember correctly, when you take the train from Amsterdam to Leiden, sit on the right side of the train, and you can see the fields from there as well.

 

[kaseyC]

Amsterdam
Day at sea
Bergen, Norway
Molde, Norway
Day at sea
Akureyri, Iceland
and cruise Eyjafjordur
Isafjordur, Iceland
and cruise Isafjordurjur
Reykjavik overnight
Day at Sea
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, UK
Invergordon (Inverness), Scotland
South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland
Day at Sea
Amsterdam

Love that itinerary.

 

[RedSox68]

Okay, question for those in the know. I just found another itinerary HAL has -- still leaving from Amsterdam, but includes Alesund, Norway instead of Molde. Any suggestions on which of these ports we should not miss.

Also, has anyone ever gone to Arnhem and crossed over into Germany? Is it complicated to do?

And finally, IF we rent a car to do countryside things, do they have automatic? Thanks much

 

[AquaDame]

Okay, question for those in the know. I just found another itinerary HAL has -- still leaving from Amsterdam, but includes Alesund, Norway instead of Molde. Any suggestions on which of these ports we should not miss. Thanks.

We visited Alesund on our cruise - we chose to drive the Trollstigen (Troll Road) but you could do that from either stop. My understanding is Alesund is an art deco city so if you're into architecture that might be neat. Molde is smaller - pretty views, but I'm not sure what all there is to do there to be honest. Not as many cruises stop there I think.