Change in itinerary to Amsterdam for Resilient Lady

[little britain]

Ahoy, Sailor,

We wanted to let you know that, due to anticipated local disruptions in Amsterdam, we are making a slight adjustment to our docking location. Instead of docking in Amsterdam proper, we will be arriving in the coastal suburb of IJmuiden, just outside the city. This change allows us to minimize any disruptions to your voyage and your plans ashore.

We’re pleased to announce that we will be arriving early in IJmuiden- 1 PM ship time (2 PM local time), providing you with an additional six hours in port. Our departure on September 1, will now be at 7 PM ship time (8 PM local time). 

To ensure you have a fantastic experience in Amsterdam, we’ve arranged complimentary shuttles to and from the city. Additionally, we have confirmed with our tour operators that all booked Shore Things will proceed as planned. Please keep an eye on your app for any updates regarding timing.

We appreciate your understanding and are committed to making your journey as enjoyable as possible. Thank you for choosing Virgin Voyages, and we wish you an excellent time on your voyage!

Can't wait to sea you on board.

 

 

Itinerary leaving Portsmouth 30/8 for 4n sailing 

[Jonem2001]

I wonder if this is in response to the protests on the 23rd August sailing - we were held up in the locks at IJmuiden for around three hours as Extinction Rebellion protestors chained themselves to the lock exit gate. They were eventually removed by police, but we were late into Amsterdam as a result.

 

Docking prior to the locks would remove the risk, but it won’t be popular - the cruise up the river and central walkable pier in Amsterdam are highlights, and IJmuiden isn’t exactly scenic.

 

I can’t think what other ‘local disruptions’ would account for the change…

[little britain]

1 hour ago, Jonem2001 said:

I wonder if this is in response to the protests on the 23rd August sailing - we were held up in the locks at IJmuiden for around three hours as Extinction Rebellion protestors chained themselves to the lock exit gate. They were eventually removed by police, but we were late into Amsterdam as a result.

 

Docking prior to the locks would remove the risk, but it won’t be popular - the cruise up the river and central walkable pier in Amsterdam are highlights, and IJmuiden isn’t exactly scenic.

 

I can’t think what other ‘local disruptions’ would account for the change…

Yes it is. The ER idiots are planning a big day of protests on Saturday 31st. 
 

The irony of stopping cruise ships slowly gliding up the canal into Amsterdam and this being replaced with dozens of courtesy shuttle busses 🚌 continuously running backwards and forwards to get the guests into the city centre has obviously passed them by 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️!!! 

[beardedladies]

ER aren't exactly the brghtest of protestors, but they sure are annoying!

 

We're doing this itinerary on 19th September, so fingers crossed they will have got bored by then and we can get through.

[little britain]

On 8/30/2024 at 7:37 PM, beardedladies said:

ER aren't exactly the brghtest of protestors, but they sure are annoying!

 

We're doing this itinerary on 19th September, so fingers crossed they will have got bored by then and we can get through.

10 protesters at IJmuiden hurling abuse and mooning at the ship!! 
 

Apparently no one on the locks and Azamara got into Amsterdam as scheduled yesterday 

[cluedweasel]

We're heading back to Portsmouth on this cruise. Having to dock outside the city was a disappointment. Waking up to views of chemical factories wasn't ideal.

 

The shuttle service worked well enough but the VV staff telling people it was a 20 minute trip was disengenous. The fastest we did it was 30 minutes and that driver seemed to be colourblind as he bowled through every traffic light regardless of it's hue. Average was around 40 minutes and the slowest just under an hour.

 

We were met by protesters at the docking port anyway. They managed to hold things up a little. We didn't see any signs of protests in Amsterdam itself or at the Amsterdam cruise port which is where the shuttle buses dropped us.

 

A couple of observations without trying to sound too whiny. We picked this cruise for the proximity of the ship to Amsterdam. I have a couple of medical issues that mean I need access to refrigerated med on an ad hoc basis. Having it a 40 minute bus ride away doesn't help.

 

The fact that VV only informed people at 9pm the day before a 7pm departure didn't help. At least with 48 hours notice we would have been in the change window.

 

As a side note, I see Norwegian Dawn is happily tied up at the Amsterdam cruise terminal this morning.

 

Finally, for anyone who hasn't visited Amsterdam, do. It was wonderful once you get past the red light/grand station area. It was well worth a little nausea.

[CruisingWalter]

1 hour ago, cluedweasel said:

The fact that VV only informed people at 9pm the day before a 7pm departure didn't help. At least with 48 hours notice we would have been in the change windo

 

That's probably when the decision was made. The cruise line will do everything they can to get into the port they are supposed to arrive in. Sometimes last minute decisions have to be made. We've woken up in the morning to find our scheduled changed with no advance notice. 

[little britain]

Today they are scheduled for IJmuiden again today but looks like that was a cunning trick as she’s now heading up into Amsterdam! Having Branson on board pulls strings? !

Edited September 4 by little britain

[jon81uk]

9 hours ago, little britain said:

Today they are scheduled for IJmuiden again today but looks like that was a cunning trick as she’s now heading up into Amsterdam! Having Branson on board pulls strings? !

or just no planned action by Extinction Rebellion on a Wednesday compared to a Saturday.