Amsterdam Museum Boot or Canal Bus

[daju22]

Hi again,

 

Has anyone done the Amsterdam Museum Boot or the Canal Bus? We have a small mobility scooter and wonder if they will allow it to be brought onboard. My husband can do the steps as long as there is a railing.

 

I've sent them an email, but sometime information is lost in translation.:)

 

Any experiences?

 

Thanks,

[amstelveenscooter]

Has anyone done the Amsterdam Museum Boot or the Canal Bus? We have a small mobility scooter and wonder if they will allow it to be brought onboard. My husband can do the steps as long as there is a railing

 

My wife uses a scooter full-time (US expats living in Amstelveen), so we've gotten lots of NL experience.

 

The only cruise boat that is accessible is Reiderij Noord-South (North-South Lines), which leaves from Leidseplein next to the Holland Casino. They have several boats with porch lifts, so non-ambulatory wheelchair users can ride. It's a fine experience for 90 minutes & €19 per person, but the one toilet aboard isn't wheelchair accessible (visit the Casino or Hard Rock Cafe before boarding). No reservation needed.

 

There are 2 types of trams in use in Amsterdam: The new "Combino" type has a built-in ramp at the rear access door, but the operator or conductor needs to operate it. If there's a rear ticket booth, the conductor will usually be helpful; however, if there's only a driver, good luck! The older style have a flat section at the middle door, but there's no ramp. Most Dutch folks will try to help, except during rush hours.

 

As the Dutch say, "Succes"!

[daju22]

Hello Amstelveenscooter!

 

Wow! I never thought I'd get an answer to my question anywhere! Thanks so much for that information.

 

Now, I'll have to check my maps to see where Leidseplein is located. Is it near the train station where cruise ships drop off passengers?

 

On the older style tram with no ramp, do you just lift the scooter up onto the tram?

 

I'm so excited to have this info. Thanks again and again.:D :D :D

 

 

Where is Amstelveen?

[amstelveenscooter]

The harbor is closest to the Centraal Station stop, which is the end of most tram lines. Leidseplein is on the 1, 2, & 5 trams from Centraal Station.

 

We have a small DECPAC folding fiberglass ramp that we carry, that bridges the gap upward from the stop to the older trams.

 

Amstelveen is a southern suburb of Amsterdam, between Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport. It's a bedroom community, fairly popular with foreign expats.

[daju22]

Thanks again!

 

Two more questions:

 

Can you tell me where you got your ramp?

 

How many inches would you have to lift the scooter onto the tram?

 

My husband can walk a little and I can lift the front then the rear of the scooter.

 

I'm so happy to be able to use the trams! :D

[amstelveenscooter]

Sorry it took so long to reply; we've just returned from our 2 week cruise of the Mediterranean (Brilliance of the Seas - wonderful!).

 

Can you tell me where you got your ramp?

We obtained ours in Australia in 1999 when we were living there. However, there are several web sites in the US that are listing DECPAC ramps; Google to locate them or check this thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=276404. If not, then the NL distributor is Klijnhout BV (http://www.klijnhout.com).

 

How many inches would you have to lift the scooter onto the tram?

Only a couple of inches. In most cases, the only lifting is to clear a gap between the tram stop platform and the tram floor; however, a few stops (e.g., Dam Square) are lower than the actual tram floor.

[daju22]

Amstelveenscooter,

 

Welcome back!! Glad you had a great cruise on BOTS. Would like to cruise the Med on Brilliance next year or so.

 

Sounds like we will be able to use the tram to get around.

 

Thank you so much for your answers!

Judy