How convenient is the port in Amsterdam?

[mushroom]

We're on the Prinsendam next July and plan to spend a day or two before the cruise in Amsterdam. How accessable is the port relatiave to Central Station? Also, I'd love to hear your comments on hotel "finds" for Amsterdam. Thanks!!!

[Globaliser]

Most of the threads that have the answers to your questions are on the British Isles/Western Europe forum. I'd suggest having a look there.

 

FWIW, you could easily walk to the cruise ship terminal from Amsterdam Centraal Station.

[dakrewser]

We're on the Prinsendam next July and plan to spend a day or two before the cruise in Amsterdam. How accessable is the port relatiave to Central Station? Also, I'd love to hear your comments on hotel "finds" for Amsterdam. Thanks!!!

 

You can walk from Central Station to the pier, although it's perhaps 8 or 9 blocks.

 

There's lots of info here: http://www.amsterdamcruise.com/CruiseTerminals/PTA.aspx

 

and here:

http://www.ptamsterdam.nl/site/eng-index.php

 

There's pictures of our Baltic cruise on the Prinsendam from this summer here: http://dkearns.googlepages.com/

[Ine]

We're on the Prinsendam next July and plan to spend a day or two before the cruise in Amsterdam. How accessable is the port relatiave to Central Station? Also, I'd love to hear your comments on hotel "finds" for Amsterdam. Thanks!!!

 

The port is almost walking distance from Central Station (abt. 15 minutes but not very convenient with luggage).

Next to the cruiseterminal is a new hotel now (Movenpick).

There is a tramconnection in front of the terminal to city center.

In Amsterdam there is a wide choice of hotels.

[mushroom]

Thanks SO much! I think I'll research the Movenpick.

[Ine]

This is a list I made of other Amsterdam hotels with various rates :

Banks Mansion: http://banksmansion.carlton.nl/default.asp?tc=UK&action=page&paginaID=5401

Hotel Brouwer: http://www.hotelbrouwer.nl/index.html

Ambassade Hotel: http://www.hoteliers.nl/amsterdam/ambassade-hotel/

Hotel Barbizon Palace:http://www.nh-hotels.com/listapaises/nl/europe/nederland/amsterdam/nh_barbizon_palace.html

Movenpick Hotel at the cruise-terminal: http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com/hotels/HKAMSHH/hotelWelcome.htm

Hotel Pulitzer: http://www.pulitzer.nl/templates/mercury.asp?page_id=4607

Hotel Le coin: http://www.lecoin.nl/indexEN.html

Hotel Estherea: http://www.estherea.nl/estherea_content.html

 

Hotel Aalders:

http://www.amsterdam-info.com/Hotel_..._Amsterdam.htm

 

Hotel Piet Hein: http://www.hotelpiethein.nl/engels.html

Hotel Jan Luyken: http://www.janluyken.nl/janluyken/

Lloyd Hotel: http://www.lloydhotel.com/

Also NH hotels (a.o. Krasnapolsky,NH Hotels,), Golden Tulip, Ramada, Ibis, have hotels at a moderate rate.

B & B :http://www.flynt.nl/

More budget:Hotel Kap www.kaphotel.nl/

Hotel de Munck www.hoteldemunck.com/

 

 

[dakrewser]

Thanks SO much! I think I'll research the Movenpick.

 

While it's right at the passenger terminal, it's not terribly convenient to anything else. So it would be OK for one night either just bfore or after your cruise, I'd think.

 

We stayed at the Estherea this summer for a week and found it very convenient. Two blocks from the 1,2 an 5 tram lines, walking distance to Dam square, the flower market, etc. and a lovely setting overlooking the Singel canal. A lovely hotel with excellent service.

[Ine]

<<<While it's right at the passenger terminal, it's not terribly convenient to anything else. So it would be OK for one night either just bfore or after your cruise, I'd think.>>>

 

Since tram nr. 25 now stops in front of the cruiseterminal (and the Movenpickhotel) there is an excellent connection from/to city centre.

Of course a hotel along one of the canals gives a different feeling.

[dakrewser]

<<<While it's right at the passenger terminal, it's not terribly convenient to anything else. So it would be OK for one night either just bfore or after your cruise, I'd think.>>>

 

Since tram nr. 25 now stops in front of the cruiseterminal (and the Movenpickhotel) there is an excellent connection from/to city centre.

Of course a hotel along one of the canals gives a different feeling.

 

While I hesitate to differ with a knowledgable native such as yourself, the 25 - while terminating right at the PTA - really doesn't go very many places (except Central Station) that a tourist might be interested in, does it? So you'd always need to get on the tram, go to the pickpocket-infested (if aqny place in Amsterdan can be said to be) central station area and find another tram in order to get anywhere "interesting".

 

Still, it is very convenient for those who wish to be close to the pier for embarkation/disembarkation.....

[Ine]

While I hesitate to differ with a knowledgable native such as yourself, the 25 - while terminating right at the PTA - really doesn't go very many places (except Central Station) that a tourist might be interested in, does it? So you'd always need to get on the tram, go to the pickpocket-infested (if aqny place in Amsterdan can be said to be) central station area and find another tram in order to get anywhere "interesting".

Still, it is very convenient for those who wish to be close to the pier for embarkation/disembarkation.....

 

On this map: http://www.gvb.nl/reizigers/plattegronden/attractieskaart.html

you can see tramnr 25 goes right through the city. Of course no tram covers all touristic sites, but gives excellent opportunities with transfer to other trams or/buses.

 

Re pickpockers: In all my life I have been robbed once ...in Istanbul!

Read the many reviews about robberies in cities like Rome, barcelona etc. It can be found anywere.(unfortunately)

Just be careful what you do and carry.

Carry money and creditcards etc underneath your clothes, never in a pocket. Keep an eye on your belongings and of those who travel with you.

Places where streetartists are performing is a wellknown risky area.

[jcrandle]

We found the 25 to be very convenient. We were staying at the Rennaisance Amsterdam, on Kattengat. That said, there is some construction on the North/South streets near the central station that has caused some of the trams to be re-routed east or west. Not a big problem if your are getting off the tram there, but if you are trying to catch a tram, it is important to understand that they don't stop where the maps may indicate. I'd reccomend discussing the tram routes with someone at tourist info to get the latest updates.

[jcrandle]

We found the 25 to be very convenient. We were staying at the Rennaisance Amsterdam, on Kattengat. That said, there is some construction on the North/South streets near the central station that has caused some of the trams to be re-routed east or west. Not a big problem if your are getting off the tram there, but if you are trying to catch a tram, it is important to understand that they don't stop where the maps may indicate. I'd reccomend discussing the tram routes with someone at tourist info to get the latest updates.

[suemecham]

It looks like about a half a mile to the east of Centraal station. How easy is it to get on the trams with a large suitcase? If you are in Amsterdam pre-cruise, you might already have a transportation pass so the tram wouldn't cost anything extra... We will be on the MV Konigstein the 3rd week of April.

 

suemecham

[Ine]

It looks like about a half a mile to the east of Centraal station. How easy is it to get on the trams with a large suitcase? If you are in Amsterdam pre-cruise, you might already have a transportation pass so the tram wouldn't cost anything extra... We will be on the MV Konigstein the 3rd week of April.

 

suemecham

 

Since the cruiseterminal is the last stop on tramnr 25 from Central Station, it will probably work. But keep an eye on it and on your handluggage.

You can either buy a seperate ticket inside the tram or a pass in the white wooden building opposite central station.

[GACRUISER456]

I just received a message from Celebrity that our pier in Amsterdam is moving from Rotterdam to Amsterdam which they say is closer to the airport. Do you know if the Amsterdam pier is the main one you all have been discussing and maybe near the Movenpick hotel?

[Globaliser]

... our pier in Amsterdam is moving from Rotterdam to Amsterdam which they say is closer to the airport.

:D Someone has either lost track of their geography or they're deliberately trying to cover up the fact that the ship is moving cities altogether.

 

One thing's for sure. Moving from Rotterdam to Amsterdam is moving further away from Rotterdam airport.

[Guest LetMeGo]

One thing's for sure. Moving from Rotterdam to Amsterdam is moving further away from Rotterdam airport.

 

You must be forgetting that Schipol is the only airport in the Netherlands, just like there are only two airports in the UK. ;)

[jcrandle]

:D Someone has either lost track of their geography or they're deliberately trying to cover up the fact that the ship is moving cities altogether.

 

One thing's for sure. Moving from Rotterdam to Amsterdam is moving further away from Rotterdam airport.

That is true, however HAL, and possibly other cruise lines tend to book flights for inclusive air from Schipol and bus these pax there for Rotterdam embarkation. So, for cruiseline booked itineraries, this statement MAY be true. If you've made your own land and air arrangements, you might be looking at changes.

 

It's exciting to live in interesting times.

[Globaliser]

You must be forgetting that Schipol is the only airport in the Netherlands, just like there are only two airports in the UK. ;)

Yes, just like "London" reaches the entire south and east coasts of the country, even as far as the cities of Southampton and Harwich! :D

 

I wonder what the biggest shipping port in Europe would think of being described as "the pier in Amsterdam". :D

 

Oh, it makes me laugh so much.

[Ine]

You must be forgetting that Schipol is the only airport in the Netherlands, just like there are only two airports in the UK. ;)

 

Rotterdam has got a very nice (small) airport, which is north of the city, called Zestienhoven.

No big intercontinental flights from there, but it gives connections to London, Paris etc.

But for most tourists Schiphol Amsterdam airport is the place to arrive and leave.

Celebrity moved back to Amsterdam in the 2007 planning I heard. Some HAL ships and some other lines will continue to cruise to Rotterdam.

[Guest LetMeGo]

Rotterdam has got a very nice (small) airport, which is north of the city, called Zestienhoven.

No big intercontinental flights from there, but it gives connections to London, Paris etc.

But for most tourists Schiphol Amsterdam airport is the place to arrive and leave.

Celebrity moved back to Amsterdam in the 2007 planning I heard. Some HAL ships and some other lines will continue to cruise to Rotterdam.

 

Smaller airports do have their advantages... I can remember from last year when my flight to Schipol taxied for fifteen minutes after landing, and crossed at least three roads on the way. Add to that the walking at the terminal, and I could probably have taken the same train to Amsterdam Centraal at Rotterdam. :p

[Globaliser]

I can remember from last year when my flight to Schipol taxied for fifteen minutes after landing, and crossed at least three roads on the way.

Sounds like the Polderbaan. Are you sure you didn't cross three countries on the way back to the terminal? :D

[dakrewser]

Smaller airports do have their advantages... I can remember from last year when my flight to Schipol taxied for fifteen minutes after landing, and crossed at least three roads on the way. Add to that the walking at the terminal, and I could probably have taken the same train to Amsterdam Centraal at Rotterdam. :p

What always strikes me is the number of cows in the field you taxi by - in search of a place to dock the plane!:rolleyes:

[Ine]

Smaller airports do have their advantages... I can remember from last year when my flight to Schipol taxied for fifteen minutes after landing, and crossed at least three roads on the way. Add to that the walking at the terminal, and I could probably have taken the same train to Amsterdam Centraal at Rotterdam. :p

 

Sometimes it feels it takes longer to taxi then the actual flight.....

For discount-airlines like Easyjet a.o. now a special section has opened in the terminal so they need less time make their turn-around. Hardly any facilities there, but those airlines complained about the loss in time with taxiing. That indeed is the new "polderbaan".