mac_tlc

2 hours ago, maggieq said:

@mac_tlc we are on the next cruise and I remember your amazing live last year.  Forgetting if you posted your experience with departing Schiphol   If not, can you advise any tips on navigating process?  Thanks!

It truly was a trip of a lifetime. We all talk about it often and would love to go back. 

We had a 2:10PM flight from Amsterdam to Reykjavik, then on to Newark. We used Royal transfers from the cruise terminal. Normally we would use a third party, but with four of us + 6 bags plus two backpacks + a wheelchair, we wanted to play it safe. Left terminal around 8:30 and actually got to the airport about 10 or so --- too early to check our bags, which is three hours before departure. Checked in at 11:10 and Security was no problem and we were at the gate with about 90 minutes to spare.  

Schiphol is huge with a lot of shops etc before security. I would plan on arriving early so there is no stress. We actually had time to go to one of the grocery stores in the airport -- had to get some Dutch Gouda for home !!!  You never know about crowds, traffic, security, etc. I am not one to try to get the earliest possible flight, I'd rather get a slightly later flight and lower the stress level.

Have a wonderful time -- I hope the weather cooperates !!!
 

mac_tlc  

11 minutes ago, Stem to Stern said:

Hmmm.  Maybe @GenerationX will join us on Silhouette in 2026???  That would be gleeful!!  Tim and I had the pleasure of sailing with the delightful Mrs Tiki on our last cruise.  I am all caught up on your previous live threads now.  Thank you!! 🙏 👍

That would be great!

The 4/9/2023 Beyond had us, @GenerationX. @Mrs_Tiki. @Silkroad, @KKB, and @Irishredhead21. Let's get the group together in 2026!!!

mac_tlc

26 minutes ago, AbbyCruiser45 said:

That’ll be a great one! I’ll actually be in Amsterdam next month (no cruise though) so if you have any recommendations feel free to share! Safe travels and enjoy! 

I have only two words:

Pancakes Amsterdam 

@Stem2stern,

On my 4/9/2023 Beyond cruise, I chimed in on a thread started by @GenerationX. That one was fun…..

Two other Edge cruises were in 2021 and affected by Covid protocols, although sailing on a 1/3 full ship was glorious.

mac_tlc

Here is the Apex from way back in January 2022:

mac_tlc

Here is the Beyond January 29, 2023 sailing:

mac_tlc

28 minutes ago, Stem to Stern said:

Sorry to bump this, but I refound it while exercising my search agility.

I am rereading through a few Beyond reviews in preparation for our first sailing on her.

Would it be possible for you to share the link(s) to your previous Edge-class reviews.

Thank you kindly.

PS:  Looking forward (Less than 23 months!!  He he he.) to meeting you and Mrs. C on our upcoming sailing together.

I can do that…

This is for the 1/21/2024 Ascent sailing:

mac_tlc

20 minutes ago, Tiki_Man said:

Thanks for the info and also for checking up on my knee.  Quick update, 1st surgery was this past Feb and the full replacement is scheduled for this Oct (right after we get back from Europe - priorities haha)

Cheers

Hope all goes well!!! Godspeed. 

mac_tlc

Great itinerary. We did the Jewel out of Amsterdam to the fjords last year. A very memorable experience. Had an aft balcony. Wonderful views. Hope your fjord weather is like ours—- it was 84 degrees in Flam. 
 

mac_tlc

Agree with all the previous posters. Ours have always been refunded to the original form of payment.

mac_tlc

P.S Tiki_man --- hope all went well with your knee!!!!!!!!

1 hour ago, Charles4515 said:

I think a lot of people don't realize that the attendants put out clean towels and that is why they are on the chairs early. If there are no personal items on the chairs they are not reserved. 

It's not the rolled up towels on each chair that I was concerned with on our cruise. It's the towels draped over the entire lounger, almost always held on by two or three clips so they won't blow away.....not the work of the attendants. And often with no other items on the lounger. 

mac_tlc

On our February Beyond cruise, this is what I saw —- every sea day, in the same area, by 7am. 
 

Chair hoggery was at an all-time high on that voyage.

mac_tlc

That is indeed an odd change, especially given that it has had a minimum occupancy of 8 to book it. We had it on Harmony for a group of 8 and it was wonderful. Wanted to book it on Symphony for summer 2025 but the $39K price tag was a bit too extreme. Others must feel the same as it is still available for several dates —- it’s usually a cabin that is gone on release day. 
 

mac_tlc

I have done 9 E class cruises and have never used the Magic Carpet for tendering or boarding. 
 

At a dock , exited through Gateway area, at tender ports, local tenders were used. 
 

mac_tlc
 

Thank you for your comparison! In 2025 we will be doing our first HAL and O cruises. Trying to find a time slot for Silversea and Viking, but recent price increases have lessened the urgency. 
 

mac_tlc

Glad you made it home and can get some much needed rest. 

My wife has a wheelchair most times we leave the cabin and I can relate to the hallway obstacles. It is one of the reasons we get a cabin as close to the elevators as possible. Besides the attendant carts and the hanging laundry bags, the room service trays are another nuisance. At least there are no trays on debarkation morning. 

mac_tlc 

Glad you are enjoying Beyond. We just switched out 12/1 Ascent cruise to the 11/25 Beyond sailing.

Not a fan of the a la carte LeGrand Bistro. It was a great lunch spot. For what used to be $20, then $30, will now be more. 
 

mac_tlc

15 hours ago, kk20 said:

Your pictures are stunning!!! We have our fingers and toes crossed that we get a clear day as well 🤞

Thanks! I was like a kid in a candy store snapping all those pictures. I must have over 100 from the top of the mountain. 
 

mac_tlc

Following along. Our trip to the fjords last year was a lasting memorable experience. I hope the weather cooperates in Olden, the sky lift was unforgettable:

Thank you @chengkp75 for your input. Whenever there is mention of a ship “episode”, I await your response, which has the advantage of being based on years and years of maritime experience. 
 

It must be tiring trying to combat all of those that lack your experience but nevertheless appear to have the answers🤔. 
 

Thanks again.

mac_tlc

Always fun to follow along with @Norwaylady! Have a safe flight and a wonderful cruise with the Queen !

mac_tlc

We have done Sky Suites on all the E-class ships and enjoy the extra cabin space as much as anything. We spent a decent amount of time there.
 

We did the Norwegian fjords last year on the Jewel of the Seas. We had an aft balcony. I would highly recommend one. If you can get an aft Sky Suite that would be wonderful— except for the walk to the elevators. My wife has limited walking ability and we used a wheelchair all the time she was out of the cabin. 

Geiranger, Flam, Alesund, Honninsvag —It was a trip of a lifetime.

Just a couple pictures from our aft sailing to Geiranger. Words do not do it justice…

I hope you also have the trip of a lifetime ! 

Safe travels….look forward to following along.
 

Would like to do a TP from Japan to North America… it’s a good way to get to see Tokyo Disneyland 😜😜. 

mac_tlc

Thank you for sharing your experience. Maybe we will meet you on the Silhouette….we are on the 4/4/26 sailing! 
 

mac_tlc

So glad you had a wonderful time. We do enjoy the Beyond and Ascent !! 

Thanks for taking us along~

mac_tlc