IndyCapt

There are various card option in Amsterdam. The one you mention is incl. one or more museums. According their website there are pickupoints also on Damrak, which is easier to get to then the airport. Check here: https://hollandpass.com/shipping-collect

 

However accoring this website this more or less the same pass can be collected at Centraal Station, even more close to the cruiseterminal: https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/i-am/i-amsterdam-city-card/order-your-card

I know the Amsterdam tourist office often has a booth inside the cruise terminal, so maybe you can arrange it there too.

 

There also is a pass is for public transport only, and another one incl. some regions around AmsterdamZaanse Schans etc. , https://en.gvb.nl/ontdek-amsterdam

Thank you for these links! I think we're looking for public transport only, so that 3rd link is the way we'll go. Looks like you can pick up the tickets in one of their locations right across from the Central Station. Do you see any big advantage with buying tickets in advance online or is it just as easy to buy in person once we arrive?...thanks again!

Also, how far is the cruise terminal from Central Station?

On a somewhat related topic, regarding public transportation options while visiting Amsterdam, I found on Holland.com the tickets for unlimited use of metro, trams, ferries for 1,2,3 days etc. It talks about taking your confirmation email to Schipol airport plaza (?) when you arrive to redeem for your actual tickets...since we arrive via cruise ship, am I understanding correctly that this requires a trip out to the airport if we want to take advantage of these type tickets? Seems like there would be other locations to take care of this. Anyone familiar with this process? Ine?...thanks!

It will be around 15/20 minutes depending traffic.

thank you!

Approx. how long would it take via taxi or Uber from Crowne Plaza Amsterdam-South (on George Gershwinlaan?)to the airport on a Monday morning?

Downtown Boston is a relatively small walkable area. Everything is relatively close. Subway and water taxi can be used as well.

 

Freedom Trail - this is essentially a walking plan for historic Boston created for tourists so they can find the historic sites nestled among the more modern downtown buildings. http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/

 

I'm not keen on the Trail walking section between the North End and the Constitution. If you want to see the Constitution, I usually suggest folks consider taking the MBTA water taxi from Long Wharf (just East of the Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market area) - https://www.mbta.com/schedules/Boat-F4/line

 

 

It's a 15-20 minute walk from Yotel to Long Wharf and you can follow the Harborwalk along the waterfront.

Thank you for those links. That will be really helpful! As far as hotel prices, we had no idea October was "high season" in Boston. We were surprised at the rates. If I think of specific sightseeing questions I'll post back. Btw, I remember you from the Explorer roll call when it repositioned away from Bayonne in 2014. I think we spoke briefly onboard one day in the library.

So you have plenty of time to figure out what you want to see in Boston and post back for suggestions as to how you can achieve your sightseeing goals.

 

You can get totge JFK Museum on the Red Line subway to connect with a shuttle bus to the museum.

We'll have all day Saturday to take in as much as we can. Depending on how the weather is that day will determine how much walking we want to do but we'd like to see any of the historical sites that may be somewhat close since we won't be renting a car. We're up for the subway/bus options too. I guess if it's a rainy day we can just do the JFK Museum since that can probably take a while to see. Thanks!

Unfortunately the JFK Museum is in Dorchester and is not close by. What exact date and time would you arrive in Boston and what would you like to see? The Yotel has good access to the Harborwalk - http://www.bostonharbornow.org/what-we-do/explore/harborwalk/ It is also right at the SilverLine which will take you to South Station to transfer to the Red Line to go to Boston Common and the beginning of the Freedom Trail. Cab or Uber rides in the area can be very reasonable if it's not rush hour.

 

I forgot to mention that the SilverLine is very accessible with luggage - no worse than using a rental car shuttle at an airport. One step with luggage and totally accessible stations with escalators and elevators.

Thank you for the info. We won't book our airfare until next year when Southwest releases dates. We'll arrive Friday Oct 26th, staying two nights before boarding Serenade.

Oct is high season in Boston. Book the Yotel in the Seaport NOW for $239 plus tax. It's a new hotel in the Seaport District and it's the only hotel that is currently being offered that is anywhere near your target price range. You can take the Silver Line SL1 bus from the airport for FREE to the Courthouse stop. The port is an inexpensive cab ride away or you can take the Silver Line SL2 Bus to Black Falcon terminal for $2.75 pp.

Took your advice and booked the Yotel for next October before our Serenade repo cruise. We've never been to Boston. Can you advise if there is a lot to see near the Yotel that is walkable? JFK Museum/Library close by? Thanks!

Much depends in what location you want to watch the parade. Planning to stay along the road or in one of the grandstands?

There are excellent frequent train and bus connections between Amsterdam and Haarlem.From Haarlem there is a bus with destination Leiden, which goes for a large portion over the way road as the Parade.. Because of the parade however that day the route will be partly different.

This website gives details about public transportation. Give in your departure and where you want to go and you will see all deatails. https://9292.nl/en

Be along the route in any case at least 30 minutes or more at the place you want to watch it. The website gives options re traffic etc. when you book a grandstand.

Thank you again for your help. We have yet to decide if we want to stand along the parade route or get a reserved grandstand seat. I couldn't tell from the map what the distance is from city to city...for example, do you know how many miles/km it is from Sassenheim to Lisse?...just curious...thanks so much!

Indeed you can watch the parade along the route while it goes.from Noordwijk to Haarlem.

Check the website for much more information. In case you go and "do it yourself"be in time, many locals will do the same. I think it is a nice way for photos, since you can walk around a bit.

 

https://www.bloemencorso-bollenstreek.nl/en/

 

Weather end of April might be a pre to book a seat in the grandstands, it can be nice and sunny, but rainy and chilly is also very lilkely.

Floats will be on display the next day, Sunday in Haarlem close to centre too.

Thank you for the information and the link to their website. We've heard the traffic will be very heavy that day. Any idea on how much time we should plan on for the trip out to the parade route that day? I guess we would be taking the train (?) We're staying on the south side of Amsterdam...thanks!

I'm looking for info on best way/location to view the annual Flower Parade outside Amsterdam next April. I've seen the option to buy "reserved" grandstand seating along the route. I'm curious to know from anyone who has experienced this parade the best way to go about seeing the flowers as they go along. Is it just as easy to find a spot to stand along the route or would it be better to spend the money for a reserved seat?...any feedback is appreciated. (I've asked on my roll call but no response as of yet)

Thanks...

How dare they not tell you how your phone works!!!! It's an outrage!!!!!

 

 

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Mr. Howell, is that you?

Now, that is funny!....:')

Like the name says it is in the southern part of town. You need a tram or metro to get to the centre and back at all times. Maybe check the crown plaza in the centre?

ok, I thought maybe someone may know the area specifically as far as any restaurants nearby, etc. Would that location be between the city centre and airport?...we've never been to Amsterdam.

we have a reservation next April at the Crowne Plaza Amsterdam-South. Anyone familiar with that location or have any thoughts about staying there? Good? Bad?...thanks

We're there 3 nights following our TA. Hoping to see the sights...

That is correct. I actually tried to do that today and was told that I could not. I have an Anthem cruise this summer that I had booked while on board. I was going to cancel the cruise because of a conflict but decided to try to book a Celebrity cruise in 2018. I was told that was not possible. I was actually surprised because you can book either Celebrity or Royal while on the other ship. I will either have to decide which Royal cruise or just book the Celebrity cruise and lose the on board benefits.

Thanks for confirming that.

I was told by my TA that the booking I made onboard last year that I want to "reassign" cannot be moved over to Celebrity...she said while anyone can book a Celebrity or Azamara cruise while on a RC cruise, you can't later transfer a Royal booking to Celebrity...is that not correct?

Was that the Boston to Fll repo?

 

Do you know if the August TA is out?

 

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Yes, it's a 12 nt Boston-FLL repo Oct 28-Nov 9, 2018.

Just finished booking (via C&A) the Serenade repo in Oct '18. I was able to snag cabin 9256. Agent said this had just opened. I booked just before 2pm EST. Excited to get this corner aft for the 1st time!

We paid $255 for an over the water cabana at Nellie's for our day there in April 2018. We booked it a couple months ago. We paid that same price for an OTW cabana there last year too.

Just booked Brilliance TA April 5th-20th 2018 in a GS at the same price as a JS, would like to do the following cruise but doesn't seem to show anywhere. Next one showing is on 1st of May.

I just booked the same TA in a GS. Wasn't really looking for that itinerary but couldn't pass up that deal! There were only a couple GS left when I booked. $3,950 all in for 2 (with C&A discount).

the repo is only 6 nights however. :confused:

Which repo is only 6 nights? I'm waiting for the Oct 2018 Serenade repo to come out...

We were on Indy in November and docked at Crown Bay. You have to take a taxi if you want to go over to Havensight. Only one pier available that I know of in St Kitts.

Since when did RCI let you put a courtesy hold when calling in...I thought those could only be done occasionally online :confused:

When I called last week, the night they released the Symphony bookings, they allowed me to do a courtesy hold over the phone. I thought the same thing, that they didn't do those anymore.

Depends on location.

The location is cabin #9329.

We were in 8727 on Harmony last month which is 1 deck below 9329 and 1 further away aft. You will be able to see the Abyss (it's about 10-15 feet away from the balcony, but the view of the Water Shows and large screens should be great and you will still have a nice view of the ocean. :D

Thanks for the response! This is what I was looking for, someone with actual experience in or near the balcony we have. Thanks again!