What to do in Amsterdam

[gator82]

We are planning to take a Celebrity Cruise out of Amsterdam. We arrive by air in the early morning and don't know what we can do for 1/2 a day in Amsterdam. We have to keep in mind we have luggage and are not planning to get a hotel. Any one with suggestions about how to handle this sitiuation? Short of just sitting around the airport or cruise terminal until embarkation?

[HeinBloed]

We are planning to take a Celebrity Cruise out of Amsterdam. We arrive by air in the early morning and don't know what we can do for 1/2 a day in Amsterdam. We have to keep in mind we have luggage and are not planning to get a hotel. Any one with suggestions about how to handle this sitiuation? Short of just sitting around the airport or cruise terminal until embarkation?

 

No need...

 

take the train to Central Station and store your bags...

 

 

then take a canal cruise

 

 

or walk around the city:

 

 

Suggestions see here in my blog:

 

http://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2010/07/tagday-012-pre-cruise.html

 

http://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2010/07/tagday-013-pre-cruise.html

 

http://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2010/07/tagday-014-pre-cruise.html

 

http://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2010/07/tagday-021-pre-cruise.html

 

http://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2010/07/tagday-022-pre-cruise.html

 

and then come back to Central Station and collect your bag and take Tram 26 just to the cruise terminal:

 

 

and get off after one stop at Muziekgebouw and just walk over the street:

 

 

Have a good time - we are just back. It was terrific.

 

Regards

HeinBloed

[gator82]

Thanks HeinBloed, Seems like this solves our problem.

[mark15]

Notice that the tram ride referred to in Hein's superb advice takes less than five minutes (or 15 minutes including possible waiting time), so if you're allowed to embark the Constellation (if that's the ship) in the early afternoon, you may split the Amsterdam day and refresh and have lunch on board.

[HeinBloed]

(or 15 minutes including possible waiting time)

 

Tram 26 goes every 10 minutes (rush-hour every 7 1/2 minutes) Normally there is always one available to board immediately.

 

Only Tram 25 goes every 15 minutes but you need to walk outside of the main tram stop area...

 

Regards

HeinBloed

[soldham]

I am told biking is a great way to see the city and it is easy to rent them.

[Sauer-kraut]

Heineken Brewery Tour!! You get two drink tix included with the price of the tour and a souvineer (sp) glass too! It was quite fun and if you don't drink beer they have lemonade available too.

[Ine]

I am told biking is a great way to see the city and it is easy to rent them.

 

It is, but traffic (hundreds of other bikers, trams etc.) can sometimes make biking dangerous. Dutch bikers often ignre trafficlights etc.

Trams travel fast and always go first.

[famke]

I agree. Unless you are used to it biking is NOT the preferred mode for a tourist in amsterdam.

[Lair Bear]

We are planning to take a Celebrity Cruise out of Amsterdam. We arrive by air in the early morning and don't know what we can do for 1/2 a day in Amsterdam. We have to keep in mind we have luggage and are not planning to get a hotel. Any one with suggestions about how to handle this sitiuation? Short of just sitting around the airport or cruise terminal until embarkation?

 

I also agree with Heinbloed to store your luggage at the train station after you arrive there from Schiphol. The lockers are very roomy, big enough for standard suit cases. In addition, you can check them with a guarded station.

I don't know how you feel about walking, but there is a way to see parts of the old city area that does not take all day. I am referring to the following http://www.*****.com/amsterdam.html

 

Then if you are quite mobile, you can reclaim your luggage and walk to the cruise terminal. It is one kilometer along the waterfront and with luggage on wheels, very doable. We did this with bags that were pretty good size. Putting them on trains and trams was more difficult than walking them along the footpath. If you should decide to go this route, be sure to exit the train station at the rear entrance, the one towards the waterfront.

 

[jamrockgirl]

We shall be in Amsterdam for 2 days pre cruise staying at a hotel very close to the Central station . Thanks to these boards I have nailed down getting from Schipol to the hotel. My next project is getting from the hotel (Barbizon Palace) to the cruise terminal. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

[Ine]

Let the hotel get you a cab which will cost around E. 10.- which in general is the minimum fare.

Or walk back to Centraal Station and get tramnr. 26 direction Yburg. (Watch the right direction!)

It will be about 2 stops in front of the passenger terminal.

Let the hotel point it out to you, it even is walkable in about 15 minutes.

you will find it all in B5 on this map.

http://www.amsterdam.info/print/map/b5.php

[jamrockgirl]

Thanks for the info-much appreciated.

[Irish1978]

Dont miss the Anne Frank House museum...if you havent read her diary you should try and do so before you leave.

 

http://www.annefrank.org/