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FreestyleNovice

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  1. Schiphol: 6am curbside or wheels down? We’ve always taken morning flights from AMS to BCN departing 9am’ish, arriving approximately 10:30am on embarkation days, taxi, Aerobus or private car to the port et voila.
  2. Sounds perfectly reasonable. I guess you will be having dinner somewhere along that route, I would suggest an easy outdoor dinner on one of the terraces at the Oude Haven (next to the Cube houses): https://www.cityrotterdam.com/en/visit/areas-rotterdam/oude-haven/. There's a pedestrian bridge between Hotel New York and the Fenix hall. I am sure you can drop bags and roam around before coming back. Rotterdam centre is relative safe at night, just like any other big city. You will be fine at 10pm in the centre with maintaining normal to high tourist caution. The city centre's clubs and bars, student associations form the nightlife crowds, also the Centraal Station generates some foot traffic for the night trains to Amsterdam etc., don't worry about them. General rule of thumb but you seem seasoned: After dark keep on the main streets, don't flash anything of value, don't be to obvious a tourist, keep walking, don't interact or respond to potential troublemakers, etc. all the common sense. Enjoy Rotterdam!
  3. Your post is so full of positive energy and good spirit, it's heartwarming to read your post(s) and with your mindset I am sure you will have an unforgettable time! Hats off to you for that, and on a respectable age! Also note how other frequent posters liked your post too, so it's not just me who's touched by it! Norway can be chilly but with spring in the air and some warm and layered clothing you will be good to enjoy the shoulder season. The Keukenhof will be in it's last week of the 2024 season but the gardeners plant the bulbs in layers so there are flowers blooming at any time during the season. On a side note: May 4th is a special day Remembrance of the Dead (in Dutch: Dodenherdenking) is held annually on May 4 in the Netherlands. It commemorates all civilians and members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who have died in wars or peacekeeping missions since the beginning of the Second World War, at 8pm two minutes of silence is observed throughout the Netherlands. Public transport is stopped as well as all other traffic. Nationwide flags will be half staff that day. On May 5th we celebrate our freedom with a national holiday. Your ship departure is 3pm so besides the flags you might notice no impact on your travels. My email alias is in my signature, please reach out if I can assist you with anything before or during your stay in The Netherlands, I'll personally race you to the ship if you run late or something unforeseen might happen!
  4. Yep, you can cross to the path directly when exiting the Centraal Station on the IJ side (names after the IJ waterway, IJzijde), just be aware of bicycles! When facing the water, go right and you will eventually see the Movenpick logo in the far distance on the top of the hotel. Keep following the red bike path on the footpath on a safe distance from the bicycles, it goes a bit uphill across a bridge and you will pass the Muziekgebouw and ramp on your left, keep walking and make a u-turn after the water and head in the opposite direction to the Movenpick.
  5. To get to the PTA/Movenpick you will have to walk around the small water. The ramp to the Muziekgebouw also has a sign (re)directing cruise passengers and hotel guests. The ramp is also a bit steep, if you have to go back it might be a bit tricky with rolling luggage. Here's a older (but clear) Streetview image of the ramp and sign:
  6. You will be able to manage it with a credit card, perhaps you might need to do a cash withdraw once for one or two occasions. Just be aware (and prepared) that you might not be able to use your credit card everywhere. Just inform before ordering/getting to the register. Most of the Dutch are really friendly and helpful! We always get some cash on hand when traveling, always come in handy, for tips, etc. The fees or currency surcharge is something that we just accept I guess. Anything that is left over goes back home, good reason to plan another trip!
  7. The posted link is a pretend to be official website, it does has a somewhat official look and feel style for the purpose of traffic/clicks/cookies and ads I guess. Easily to mistake that being from abroad, I can understand! The official Schiphol website for getting to Schiphol is: https://www.schiphol.nl/en/page/transport-yourself-to-schiphol/
  8. Competitor Jumbo has an higher credit card acceptance rate but be sure to confirm (window sticker or at the check out) before shopping for groceries. Restaurants that accept credit cards are far far more common. Most Dutch pay by Maestro or V PAY card and some already by the newer Debit Mastercard or Visa Debit cards which are new but less known although those will be the new standard in the future. Free WiFi is nearly everywhere. Enjoy the Netherlands OP!
  9. MSC is headquartered in Swiss nowadays but it sure has Italian roots, Italian offficers, Italian made ships etc. MSC Crociere/Cruises is a sub company from Mediterranean Shipping Company.
  10. Odd by the way: Norwegian Star is listed on both websites for May 4th 2024. IJmuiden: Amsterdam: Glitch or because of the IJmuiden locks?
  11. Just for the record or anyone's future reference: The border is a non-problem, both Belgium and The Netherlands are Schengen countries and have free passage between them. There is no border, but border police might be present onboard the international trains.
  12. Yup, just the opposite way. All indoors. The Baggage Reclaim (Arrivals) halls all connect to the central Plaza area (with underneath it the Schiphol railway station). Near the Plaza exits is an elevated and covered/indoor walkway across the street to the Sheraton and parking garages and Hilton hotels. Maps: https://www.schiphol.nl/en/airport-maps Also see this Sheraton clip below which starts at exiting Arrivals Hall 3 after Customs, directly into the Plaza (shops and food), across the open area of Plaza and up the walkway to the covered walkway. When departing it's vice versa, you will need to go up one floor after Plaza to the Departures 1, 2 or 3 which are on the floor above the corresponding Arrivals/Baggage Reclaim halls. The Plaza is also good for a snack, some groceries or gifts. The Sheraton has a restaurant.
  13. The Sheraton isn’t any less or more by foot than your average large international airport walking distances. Schiphol has plenty of free airport style luggage carts, you can take one all the way from outside the hotel to the check in counter. Stack your luggage, push down the handle bar and “pardon! Dank u!” as you go. Please forget about the paid porter service, besides over sized luggage or sports teams I have never ever seen anybody using it. There is a paid meet and greet service which expedites some check points but it’s the same price range. Schiphol is very easy to navigate!
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