Avalon Amsterdam to Basel Departure Time

[peterdkiwi]

Hi
Trying to plan our travel for next year, need to know approx departure and boarding time for Avalon Amsterdam to Basel sailings, have not had any reply from Avalon NZ re times for next year, what time have they been leaving.
Thanks
Kiwipete

[YoungDubFan]

I would try posting on their Facebook page. Also - here is a link to their contact page for US travelers, maybe you can get a response this way.
http://www.avalonwaterways.com/Avalo...on/Email-Form/

[Paulinda]

We did the Avalon Felicity, Amsterdam to Basel tour 2 years ago. We boarded the ship on Sunday at 3:30PM after a pre-cruise orientation at a local hotel (NH-Central). The ship will most likely be docked behind Amsterdam's Central Station.

We stayed in port overnight and after Monday's breakfast, Avalon offered the included morning canal cruise. By 10:30 AM we were back on board and at 1:30PM the ship began our cruise to Basel.

We had a wonderful time on this cruise, met lots of people from all over the English speaking world and felt we were treated like royalty. We know that you will enjoy your cruise too. Have fun!

[peterdkiwi]

Thanks Paulinda
Can you remember what time orientation started, we are trying to see how much we can fit in on the Sunday morning
Kiwipete

[Paulinda]

Kiwipete - we don't remember the exact time the orientation started but I believe it lasted maybe an hour. They actually had 2 brief talks- one earlier, then they released us for a little better than 2 hours and then asked that we return to the conference center to complete the talk and board the buses for the ship.

That Sunday morning they did offer an optional tour of a historic replicated old Dutch village with windmills and wooden shoe makers (can't remeber the name of the attraction). We opted out and went to the Rijksmuseum instead. The museum was within walking distance of the hotel (maybe 4 or 5 blocks away) and something we wanted to see. We got our fill of museums on that one outing.

Hope that helps a bit. Keep asking questions on Cruise Critic. I'm sure you will find lots of information here.

[QueenofEverything]

Originally Posted by peterdkiwi

Thanks Paulinda
Can you remember what time orientation started, we are trying to see how much we can fit in on the Sunday morning
Kiwipete

We did not even go to the hotel for the orientation and don't think we missed much. We put our suitcases in a locker in the train station and did our own trip to Zaanse Schans. We saw the excursion group there and they seemed very rushed. We had plenty of time on our own (easy 10 minute train ride). When we returned, we picked up our luggage and walked to the ship which was docked right behind the train station. I don't think you had to be onboard until 6 or so for the emergency drill since the ship does not sail until the next day.

[tassietravellers]

Originally Posted by peterdkiwi

Hi
Trying to plan our travel for next year, need to know approx departure and boarding time for Avalon Amsterdam to Basel sailings, have not had any reply from Avalon NZ re times for next year, what time have they been leaving.
Thanks
Kiwipete

We did the Avalon Budapest to Amsterdam in August...alot of people met at the hotel prior to boarding the ship but there wasnt any orientation, this was all done on the ship. There was tea/coffee provided in a room at the hotel for most of the day and there was a luggage hold area, the coaches arrived at about 4 at the hotel , our luggage was put on it for us and we were all taken to the ship, it was only about a 5 minute ride.
The last morning in Amsterdam people left at different times depending on their transport details, flights, trains etc..everyone would have been gone by 10am, there wasnt an option to stay any longer on the ship.

[fb0075]

Is there much to see and do in Basel?
Our plane leaves from ZUR at 9:35 am--we could opt to stay a day and see Basel and go out the next if there is !
FRANK

[jazzbeau]

[Reply was about AMA. Just reread OP. Sorry]

[caviargal]

Originally Posted by fb0075

Is there much to see and do in Basel?
Our plane leaves from ZUR at 9:35 am--we could opt to stay a day and see Basel and go out the next if there is !
FRANK

We opted to spend the night in Basel in December as we have never been and it looks lovely. We will likely day trip to Luzern and then explore Basel in the late afternoon and evening.