prish

I think timing also makes a difference. We were through in less than 40 minutes last month, some others from our cruise took 3-4 hours later that morning. 

2 hours ago, robin13 said:

I thought COVID tests weren't needed anymore in Amsterdam.  Am I missing something?

On 9/2/2022 at 8:46 PM, SUESEABE said:

I found out that we will definitely need Covid test pre cruise, sailing October 2nd and need test at least 3 days prior. We are staying at Prinsengracht 225T. I had previously looked at above links. The one test site that was right on Prinsengracht, is not listed any longer on the Spoedtest web site. The usembassy website is a 40 minute walk. It seems they have closed many testing sites. We are very near Anne Frank House. Anyone know of any testing still available around that location. I think that I better book a time and date soon. 

 

robin13, we needed a negative test result  to board our Apex cruise last month, Sueseabe also needs to get one prior his/her October 2 sailing and had asked for information about testing locations.

I flew into Schiphol mid April and was required to fill this form, but I understand it’s no longer required. Air France asked if I had it when I checked in,  though no one actually looked at on arrival. 

We were on the Apex a few weeks back and all four MDRs have vegetarian menus, you just need to ask your wait staff. They were also happy to get some Indian items from the OV café buffet, but you have to request this a day in advance. 

We also need a negative test result for our Apex cruise last month and booked a rapid antigen test online with Corona Snel Check, you can choose from several locations in Amsterdam. Took all of five minutes, results were emailed to us in within the hour. Cost around €28. 

http://coronasnelcheck.nl/

We were on the Apex two weeks back and I had made SD reservations at the different MDRs. Surprisingly there were long lines on Day 2, at both Tuscan and Normandie, people wanting reservations as well as those like us with reservations. But it was just that one evening, other days were just fine. 

On 8/20/2022 at 10:53 AM, mauimary said:

Curious as to what Schipol us like now for travel back to the US on Delta is currently like for someone that is traveling that does not have status with an airline that only has Comfort Plus. 

We were lucky and made it to the lounge in about 40 minutes Saturday morning. But an hour or two later several others from our cruise took 3-4 hours from kerb to gate. One couple stood in line for over an hour before they could even get into the terminal, they arrived at 11.30 for a 16.30 flight and got through security only at 15.30! 
 

We flew United, out of Terminal 3, which is said to be relatively less crowded. Our taxi driver told us Terminals 1&2 are much busier, with the longest lines. 

An update on Schiphol this morning. We self disembarked at 6.45 and got to the airport in a pre-booked taxi. Terminal 3 as we’re flying United, check-in was easy as we’re Premium 1K. We were through security and passport control and at the lounge by 8, the whole process took less than 40-45 minutes. 
 

The airport is quite crowded and busy, but lines not too long, definitely nothing like what I had feared. 

Thanks Ashland, yes, I saw your earlier post. I meant in the last few days. 
 

We’re flying United, so departures hall 3, which is supposed to be less crowded and busy than halls 1&2, which are for the European airlines. We’re also Premier 1K priority passengers, so am hoping that’ll help too. But as you and others say, it’s the luck of the draw and timing, as some parts of the day can be much less busy than others. 

Appears Apex should have docked at 23.00hrs yesterday. Below is what I found online. Will ask when we check-in for our cruise later this morning.

The current position of CELEBRITY APEX is at North Sea (coordinates 51.52452 N / 2.28018 E) reported 0 min ago by AIS. The vessel is en route to the port of Amsterdam, Netherlands, sailing at a speed of 19.2 knots and expected to arrive there on Aug 12, 23:00.

https://www.vesselfinder.com › vessels

CELEBRITY APEX, Passenger (Cruise) Ship - IMO 9838383 - Vessel Finder

Any recent updates of the situation at Schiphol departures? We sail on the Apex this afternoon and fly back home on August 20. 

Thanks orla and Ashland. Celebrity only informed us about the 3.30pm departure, nothing about when we get back to port. The last day of the cruise is a sea day, so I would guess the ship can speed up and return the previous night itself. Hopefully they’ll have some precise info for us when we check-in to board. 
 

My main concern is the crowds at Schiphol, I plan on asking for an earlier pickup if we arrive earlier in port.

 Thanks again! 😊

10 hours ago, MAVIP said:

If I myself could find it, I would publish it of course. Tried in vain yesterday. The last official communications I could trace mention blocks between 06:00 en 18:00. As I understand there are lesser blocks now. And the drought gets worse. I will check again and come back. 

Thanks again MAVIP, will ask Celebrity when we check-in to board on Saturday, maybe they’ll know.

Hope your granddaughter is having a wonderful birthday, wish her loads of fun and laughter today and in the years ahead!

23 hours ago, MAVIP said:

That's all caused by the reduced times of the locks at IJmuiden.  (It's quite something for all passengers and the companies to adapt to all weather, covid and war changes, but we will cope as we love cruising....). 

Thanks for the detailed explanation MAVIP. Any site where we can check about returning to port timings? If the canal is open in 12hr blocks this would necessarily mean ships need to come back by latest 3.30am, as most sail aways are scheduled for 3.30pm. I am sure there’s some site where this info is available, can anyone help? Thanks 😊 

Thanks for the input, appreciate your taking the time to reply. Any idea if getting back into Amsterdam port is affected, do you return earlier or later? Thanks again!

We’re flying United and are Premium 1K members, would we have access to a priority lane too? I know Sky Priority is for Air France/KLM, I have this status too, though I’ll be on United this time. Thanks 

Any updates on wines available on the Apex, any recent info will be appreciated. We’ll be on her on the 13th and plan on upgrading to premium. Wines apart we enjoy trying different martinis and mixed drinks, it’ll also be our first cruise in a couple of years. 

5 hours ago, Ine said:

It happens seldom. But this year due low levels of water in the rivers the lock in IJmuiden can only be used during some hours each day. It is the way to keep salt water from the ocean coming into North Sea Canal. Some companies even changed port of departure to Rotterdam or IJmuiden. Making your departure earlier is the easiest way I think.

Nobody can tell yet what might happen on your return. 

Thanks for the explanation Ine, I hadn’t heard of this previously.

Scottishclover, I replied your post about the long lines at Schiphol departure, thanks for the update. Maybe your sail away was the first to be brought forward, hence no advance notice. We received an email from our TA yesterday, more than 10 days ahead. 
 

Have booked a 7am private transfer to the airport, so hopefully we’ll make our flights. 

4 hours ago, Scottishclover said:

Just flew back from Schipol yesterday after our cruise. Took us 3 and a quarter hours to get through security. We arrived 4 hours before as advised     and would have struggled to catch our flight had it not had a small delay. The queue to check in baggage was also long. Although I had read about the chaos, it really has to be seen to be believed. Funny thing was when we arrived there were no queues anywhere and we got our luggage really quickly. Security guards control the line, there is no skipping and no fast tracking. No exceptions for anyone. Felt sorry for those with small children and the elderly. Lots of people missed flights including some from our cruise. 

One of our party will be in a wheelchair, will she be fast tracked as done in airports the world over? 
 

What time was your flight, how did you get to the airport? We have booked a private transfer, hopefully traffic will be smooth as it’s a Saturday morning. 

We’re on a Norway fjords cruise out of Amsterdam on August 13 and just received an email from our TA saying we will now sail out at 3.30 instead of 5.30pm due to increased salinity. 
 

Does this happen frequently, don’t remember it from previous itineraries out of Amsterdam, though those were from several years back. 
 

My concern is that we are delayed getting back, we have a flight out of Schiphol the same day and a later arrival would certainly impact our flight back home. Should we rebook for the next day?

Am hoping one of you seasoned cruisers will have some comments and suggestions, thanks in advance! 

2 minutes ago, zitsky said:

I’d really like to find a company that would do a tour for 4 or a group that has 4 spaces left.

I’d contact PK Travels and ask. 

Another vote for PK Travel, we did a land trip of Greece in May and did private tours to Delphi and the Acropolis with them, also airport transfers. Potoula was extremely efficient at setting everything up, her guides  were top class, especially Delphi. All at a very reasonable rate rice. I highly recommend PK Travels, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. 
 

https://www.pktravelgreece.com/

pktravel_greece@hotmail.com

1 hour ago, edgee said:

In 2016 we were on Solstice from Vancouver to Hawaii. RCCL ship also headed to Hawaii on same day had a couple of pieces of Solstice luggage mistakenly loaded on it. While both ships were headed to Hawaii embarking on same day, they had different itineraries once they reached Hawaii. We met two Solstice crew members on our Maui tender whose assignment for the day was to fly from Maui to the Big Island to pick up the luggage from RCCL ship and bring it to Solstice. Obviously the passengers had traveled most of their voyage without their luggage. 

In 2012 we were on the Eclipse Iceland and Norway sailing out of Southampton and my husband’s bag was loaded onto a Princess ship going to the Baltics. Don’t ask how! Anyway, DH was reunited with his bag when we got back to Southampton 15 days later when Princess also came back to port.
 

My husband just had his carry-on with one change of clothing, so Celebrity gave us daily laundry, also credit to buy tshirts, socks, etc, etc. Those were the days of formal nights, so they loaned him a tux, shoes, etc. 

19 hours ago, TeeRick said:

This is a really good question.  We did the same.  After we cancelled we got our refundable cash deposit back in a week or so.  But where is the FCC that we had applied?  Is it the same number(s) as before?

I think the applied FCC should be under the same number. I have some questions about this but don’t know who to ask, Celebrity, since they issued the FCC, or my bigbox  TA, since my cruise was transferred to them.  Maybe I’ll start with Celebrity, since they issued the FCC for the $300+ balance, then also ask about the applied part. Though we don’t want to cancel, we’re booked on a fjords RT out of Amsterdam and have planned about 10 days in Paris and Amsterdam pre-cruise, bought our tickets, etc. But I’m curious to know what would happen if we cancelled…

What if you’ve booked a cruise using FCCs and now want to cancel, does the FCC get reinstated? I have some $300+ leftover which was valid till May end, is it reinstated now?