Sailing to see Santa (almost) —- Jewel of the Seas Arctic Circle voyage - June 17, 2023

[Ashland]

7 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

Thanks to all that are following along and the well wishes!

 

So, after a slightly hectic day, we did get our new seat assignments for our flights today. Having the original flight cancelled the day before departure makes it a bit more challenging. A2S was helpful every time I called although given it was so close to flight day, I had to wait until check-in to get the seat assignments on the most important leg —— Newark to Zurich. So at 23 hrs before departure I hopped on the Swiss web site and completed the checkin. 
 

Just to make things a bit easier, earlier in the day I downloaded yet another airline app🙄 , and created an online account. Took about 10 minutes to complete and get acceptable seats. Looks like business class had only three open seats left. .
 

We checked in as soon as possible on-line and have printed boarding passes in hand —- for this trip I need to feel the paper!!

 

Our home in Amsterdam will be the Hotel Jakarta. It is a tad father from the city center that we would have wanted but the prices were CRAZY everywhere. It’s not too far from the pier though, not quite as close as the Movenpick as @RobInMN stated. 
 

We previously stayed at the Doubletree Central Station which is a very good location —- near port and near city center. However, the price was more than 3X what we paid in 2018. 
 

For our transportation from the airport, we booked a car with VIP Travel Services. I had read a good experience from @Love2Crews. Although they were a bit more than others, we will have four people, 8 bags and a folding wheelchair. Anything I can do to hopefully make it a bit easier to traverse the airport, which is pretty big, is worth it. 
 

At the end of the trip we booked transfers with Royal. Our flight is not until 2:10pm so time should not be an issue🤞. 
 

More on our shore excursions later ……

 

 

mac_tlc

 

So happy for you that everything worked out. Just a suggestion....RCI transfers aren't necessary at all. So many taxi's will be lined up and waiting and the cost will be much less than the transfers.

[mac_tlc]

2 hours ago, Ashland said:

So happy for you that everything worked out. Just a suggestion....RCI transfers aren't necessary at all. So many taxi's will be lined up and waiting and the cost will be much less than the transfers.

Thanks! 
Sitting here in Newark Airport waiting to head to the business class lounge in a bit.

 

We booked the RCL transfers so that we had something. It’s a bit of a challenge —- we have four people, eight checked bags, three backpacks and a folding wheelchair. And the real possibility of another bag heading home filled with trinkets of Norway!!!! Maneuvering all that stuff is an adventure. We may change our mind once we get there. 
 

mac_tlc

[sandebeach]

Have a safe flight! Have a great cruise!

[#55worktoplay]

Have a great cruise. The itinerary looks pretty amazing. 

[Cherful59]

19 hours ago, RobInMN said:

Can't get any closer than the Movenpick City Center. Here is a picture of Jewel arriving from the window at the end of the hall, and then a picture out our room window 🤣

While not literally in the city center, it's an easy walk. and something like 100 yards from the lobby to the port check in.

 

Not to hijack the thread, but here's some suggestions and tips.

Get your Anne Frank Museum tickets ahead of time. They go on sale on specific dates for the next month. We did the extra presentation at the beginning, well worth the added price.

 

Also, if you have time, catch the train to the Hauge and do the tasting at Van Kleef.

https://www.vankleefwinkel.eu/en_GB/

 

In Honningvag, the Blue Puffin North Cape tour is highly recommended, and we were not disappointed.

I found it amusing that the ship was over twice as long as the pier itself

 

My favorite picture of the ship was in Flam:

Thank you so much for your response and recommendations, I appreciate them very much.  Your pictures are beautiful.  I love this one in Flam!  Patti

Edited June 14, 2023 by Cherful59

[Cherful59]

12 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

Thanks to all that are following along and the well wishes

 

We checked in as soon as possible on-line and have printed boarding passes in hand —- for this trip I need to feel the paper!!

 

Our home in Amsterdam will be the Hotel Jakarta. It is a tad father from the city center that we would have wanted but the prices were CRAZY everywhere. It’s not too far from the pier though, not quite as close as the Movenpick as @RobInMN stated. 
 

We previously stayed at the Doubletree Central Station which is a very good location —- near port and near city center. However, the price was more than 3X what we paid in 2018. 
 

For our transportation from the airport, we booked a car with VIP Travel Services. I had read a good experience from @Love2Crews. Although they were a bit more than others, we will have four people, 8 bags and a folding wheelchair. Anything I can do to hopefully make it a bit easier to traverse the airport, which is pretty big, is worth it. 
 

At the end of the trip we booked transfers with Royal. Our flight is not until 2:10pm so time should not be an issue🤞. 
 

More on our shore excursions later ……

 

 

mac_tlc

 

Thank you for the info regarding hotels and transportation.  I will be printing paper boarding passes as well.  So glad A2S was helpful to you as they should be.  They have assisted me in the past as well.  I do not use them for every cruise, but some times I feel it is the better option.  Enjoy!

[mac_tlc]

Welcome to Amsterdam! Here is a picture of the cruise terminal from our balcony . Can’t wait until Saturday when Jewel of the Seas will be parked there!

 

 

 

Our flight on SWISS was very good. Everything was on time. Here are a few pictures of the business class section. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We departed at 9:50pm and they immediately started dinner. I felt obligated to partake.

 

 

 

Edited June 15, 2023 by mac_tlc

[neverbeenhere]

A side note about Santa and the Easter Bunny, they are ***** ********** **** ******.

 

Our 6 year old niece walked into the room.

[mac_tlc]

When you get settled on the plane, you are given the dinner menu and also asked to fill out the breakfast menu:

 

 

 

Breakfast 

 

 

 

The flight went well, actually slept a few hours. Our arrival in Zurich was at 11:30 local time, 5:30 body time. 
 

We had a connection in Zurich to Amsterdam and were somewhat concerned in having only 55 minutes—- especially having to wait for our wheelchair to be brought up the jetway since we gate check it. After about a 10 minute wait, a SWISS employee calls my name and tells me she will escort our group of 4 to a shuttle to get from a terminal E to terminal B, and get us through passport control 🛂.  She was assisted by another gentleman and they were life savers. It was a long distance, with multiple elevators, a shuttle ride, cutting through passport control, and finally to Gate B5. Bravo to SWISS! 
 

And then of course our flight to Amsterdam was delayed 15 minutes, then we boarded, then another 15, then another, and another…. Finally took off about 65 minutes late—- they had an issue with some cargo that was loaded on the wrong plane..🙄🙄. 
 

Anyway we arrived in Amsterdam an hour or do late, finally got all 8 pieces of checked luggage and made our way to the arrivals area. Our driver from VIP Travel Services had called me to say he was about 15 minutes away as he was in heavy traffic. We met up, made our way to the van and we’re on our way. 
 

Amsterdam traffic was really heavy, especially around the center of the city where they began an “experiment “ this week by blocking off several streets. Now everyone has to divert around it. Sounded like it would last 6 weeks. Those heading here in that time period should be warned that the travel time may be longer to/from AMS. 
 

Finally reached out hotel about 5;00pm.

Our room for the next two nights: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Im tired… but a big touring day tomorrow !

 

 

mac_tlc

Edited June 15, 2023 by mac_tlc

[Giantfan13]

If you are sailing into the Artic circle, prepare to get your nos painted blue.  

 

Tradition

 

Crossing the Arctic Circle; The Blue Nose Ceremony! – ThatTravelLadyInHerShoes (thecadyluckleedy.com)

 

We did an Artic TA last  September on the Voyager and this was a big part of your celebration of crossing into the Arctic Circle. Several crew members did do a 'dunk' into the frigid waters while everyone cheered them on. 

 

And don't forget to get out when the skies are completely dark and try to see the Northern Lights. We had the great fortune of seeing them 4 times.

 

Cheers

Len

[Another_Critic]

37 minutes ago, Giantfan13 said:

If you are sailing into the Artic circle, prepare to get your nos painted blue.  

 

Tradition

 

Crossing the Arctic Circle; The Blue Nose Ceremony! – ThatTravelLadyInHerShoes (thecadyluckleedy.com)

 

We did an Artic TA last  September on the Voyager and this was a big part of your celebration of crossing into the Arctic Circle. Several crew members did do a 'dunk' into the frigid waters while everyone cheered them on. 

 

And don't forget to get out when the skies are completely dark and try to see the Northern Lights. We had the great fortune of seeing them 4 times.

 

Cheers

Len

[mac_tlc]

A couple shots of the hotel this morning as we make our way to Pancakes Amsterdam near Central station. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 16, 2023 by mac_tlc

[Lady Hudson]

Have a great day!  

[Cherful59]

Hope you enjoyed your day in Amsterdam.  It looks lovely.

[Sea Dog]

Have a great time in Amsterdam. I love that city.

[cruiselvr04]

We loved parts of the city.  The flowers, canals, boats.  The pancakes are so good!

[mac_tlc]

Had a great day In Amsterdam today! After our start at Pancakes Amsterdam, we got on the hop-on hop-off canal boat which we picked up near Centraal Station. It’s a grest way to see the city. I was a bit concerned about our golfing wheelchair, but it was doable with it—- not easy but doable. The steps onto the boat are very steep and not too big. Lugging it up and down was a challenge. Here are a few pix:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got off at Vondelpark for a nice walk through the park. When we got off at the end, we wandered around the city center for a bit and ended up at Molly Malone’s for dinner and few beverages:

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing like a beverage and a platter of snacks in an Irish pub in the Netherlands!

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow is embarkation day ! Can’t wait to wake up and see the Jewel of the Seas from our balcony! I may snap a picture or two.

 

mac_tlc

Edited June 16, 2023 by mac_tlc

[shirazcruiser]

Love the Molly Malone's photos as we love a good Irish pub with a delicious Irish beer! We'll check it out next May when we take the Artic Circle on the Jewel.  Following along for information...have a great cruise!  

[sandebeach]

22 hours ago, Giantfan13 said:

If you are sailing into the Artic circle, prepare to get your nos painted blue.  

 

Tradition

 

Crossing the Arctic Circle; The Blue Nose Ceremony! – ThatTravelLadyInHerShoes (thecadyluckleedy.com)

 

We did an Artic TA last  September on the Voyager and this was a big part of your celebration of crossing into the Arctic Circle. Several crew members did do a 'dunk' into the frigid waters while everyone cheered them on. 

 

And don't forget to get out when the skies are completely dark and try to see the Northern Lights. We had the great fortune of seeing them 4 times.

 

Cheers

Len

Yes, Blue Nose Ceremony last September on Voyager!

[patattack]

6 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Have a great time in Amsterdam. I love that city.

I do as well.

 

Pat

[perfect match]

Amsterdam looks beautiful! 

[Another_Critic]

6 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

Tomorrow is embarkation day ! Can’t wait to wake up and see the Jewel of the Seas from our balcony! I may snap a picture or two.

 

There she is ...

 

[mac_tlc]

And she is not alone:

 

 

 

 

Looks like another beautiful day!

 

 

mac_tlc

Edited June 17, 2023 by mac_tlc

[westwood65]

39 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

And she is not alone:

 

 

 

 

Looks like another beautiful day!

 

 

mac_tlc

There she awaits, let the adventure begin!

[mac_tlc]

5 hours ago, westwood65 said:

There she awaits, let the adventure begin!

And so it has…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hotel was an easy 10 minute walk so my son and I brought five of the bags over at about 10:30 and gave them to the porter. We then went back  to the hotel to get the remaining bags and remaining people 😜, and the wheelchair. We made a stop at the hotel bakery, which is wonderful, for a snack, then made our way back to the terminal. 
 

Check in was very quick, and by about 12:30 we were on board. We went up to the Wild Wild West Windjammer and circled it a few times before we could find a seat. I  not a fan of the Windjammer, as I find the crowds and usual lack of seats “un-relaxing”. 
 

We haven’t been on a Radiance class ship since 2018 when we did the Brilliance TA, also from

Amsterdam. Our last cruise was on the Celebrity Beyond, so the difference is great. But this trip is about the itinerary and we find the size of the Radiance class more manageable than Oasis class, and so far it appears to have only a few kids. 
 

Excursion, room and dining up next…..

 

 

mac_tlc

Edited June 17, 2023 by mac_tlc