Rhine Getaway Viking River Cruise
Day 4: Wednesday, November 03, 2021 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The day's statistics:
- Weather: low 50s, cloudy
- Steps: 8,909 Linda; 10,632 Steve
- Miles traveled (approximately): 15
For breakfast, it was buffet time again.
After eating, we headed to our room to pack as official check-out was going to occur while we were out. Viking asked that our
luggage be outside our room by 10:00 for the porter to pick up. We had our four bags outside the room and headed to the lobby
to get ready to head out. We weren't too thrilled with this particular process, but obliged because this is similar to what
happens on the ship too, when getting ready to depart. One big difference is that everyone on the ship are fellow Viking
travelers, but who knows who is staying with us in the hotel (though yes, there were Viking travelers with us in the hotel).
When we arrived in the lobby, we noticed other Viking travelers brought their luggage to the lobby with them and had it in
the corner near the Viking host. We thought that was a GREAT idea, and ran back upstairs to get ours to leave there too.
After getting the luggage all set, we headed out for our last jaunt in the city.
We heeded Mike's advice and headed for... the Royal Palace.
Here is an approximation of our journey (starting in the lower right on the map):
- Dark green line is the walk from the hotel to end tram stop.
- Dark blue line (1st one) is the tram ride to near the Rijk Museum.
- Medium greem line is the transfer walk to the other tram.
- Dark blue line (again) is the tram ride to the Palace.
- Pink line is the walk to the Palace (not exactly shown on the map).
- Orange line is the walk after the Palace, including a stop at the mall (not exactly shown on the map).
- Medium blue line is the tram ride to the east, to near the hotel.
- Light green line is the final walk from the tram back to the hotel.
On the way to the tram, we came across this bike. It simply demonstrates one method for how parents transport - mostly -
kids on their bikes. There was a shot on Day 2 that showed a women with two kids in a similarly configured bike. The
large basket - here with a cover for storage - can hold two or maybe three kids, a large pet, or even groceries.
The tram stop was at the end of the block the hotel was on. And there is a subway stop there too (the one we used with
Mike yesterday). And right around the corner is this "parking lot". The picture may not really do it justice, but trust
me, there are a LOT of bikes. And this group is a different group than the group from Monday.
Remember that we started our 24-hour transportation ticket a little before noon on Day 3, so we were still able to board
with no issue. We figured that we would be OK going to the Palace, but probably not for the return trip. Bummer.
There really wasn't much to see on the way to the Palace that wasn't already covered somewhere.
But we got to the Palace, paid our ticket fee, and received a complimentary audio device for the tour.
We arrived at the main center hall, called Citizen's Hall. In the floor, at probably thirty feet in diameter, were three
maps representing Earth's two halves (Eastern and Western hemispheres), and the stars.
For some reason, I think because there were people milling about, I didn't get a shot of the grandure of the entirety of the hall.
But keep in mind the three floor maps, with spacing between each and on the ends and sides, makes up the whole floor. And this room,
used fairly regularly for dignitary visits and other major events, is large enough to accommdate 1,000 people, including dancing.
Above the maps is... the ceiling.
Above the doorways, and in the corners were some detailed sculptures, including another Atlas.
In the four main corners of the entire room were scuptures representing the seven planets and the Sun.
Mars and Venus, in the rightmost image, were the only two that were looking at each other.
Above the archways between the main hall and the side halls, and in the corners, was some artwork.
The rooms off the side hallways were former offices and meeting rooms at one time, but were converted to
bedrooms and dining rooms. Some artwork, and room layouts. And those are bees in the pattern on the sofa.
The balcony where the royal family addressed the city residents that gathered in the plaza.
The last room we entered was the Tribunal.
In the past, this is where judicial verdicts were read so residents could hear. Opposite this wall, to my back,
were windows that were opened so the verdicts could be heard.
Some of what the statues represent are Justice, both her hands tied and being "blind". The doorway arches included
snakes.
We stepped out of the Palace and into the sunlight. SUNLIGHT! It was still a little brisk, but the rain had finally
passed us by.
In front of the Palace was a square with hotels, a church with a sundial at the top, and shops around it.
Perhaps you recognize some of the buildings from other photos. For example, the right most picture above is the shopping
mall that I have the night shot from last night, which was right near where we had the Ginever. And where our tram stop
is. But before we got on the tram, we walked into the mall. A number of stores were closed as a result of the pandemic.
We picked up a couple souvenirs: a Christmas present, postcards, and our usual shot glass.
After exiting the mall, we had two tram options (that we were familiar with) for getting back to our hotel: the #2 (or #12) to
the #1 (which stopped right down the road from the hotel), or the #14 with a little walking afterward. With all the walking
we've been doing, which do you think we took?
Somewhere on this day, though we are fairly certain it was near or around this spot, we got a selfie.
As our 24-hour metro card started before noon yesterday, and it was now after noon today, we expectedly had to get a couple
1-hour cards for our final trip back to the hotel.
We got off one tram and boarded the next. The tiny map we were using, and the placement of the tram stops didn't exactly
align. Looking at the stop board, it dawned on us that maybe, just maybe, we weren't on the right tram. I asked the
conductor and he said we needed the tram on the other side of the square. We WOULD have been heading west / north if we
stayed on this one rather than getting on the one going east. We disembarked and walked across the square to the other
stop. Looking at a map afterward, I can now see where we were, and how close we unknowingly were to the Rijk. Again.
While making our way to the right tram, we passed the International Theater.
One last canal photo.
Our next scheduled meal was dinner on the ship at 7:00 PM. Though we had a decent breakfast, we picked up a sandwich at
the supermarket across the street. We shared it in the lounge, and played a couple games of pool when we were done too.
Our tours were done, we were already all packed up, and now just waiting for the shuttle to take us to the ship.
While sitting in the lobby, I grabbed this picture of a rack of bikes across the street. While there are other pics of
seas of bikes, I wanted to comment on this one for a particular reason.
There are a half-dozen or so bikes with blue front tires. These are actually leased bikes. I previously mentioned that
there are 25,000 bikes retreived from the canals each year. Some of the reasons we were told they are discarded is because
chains break or some other operating failure. These leased bikes actually help with that problem because if a rider has any
problem with their bike, they contact the leasing company and the bike is replaced usually within a half hour. So the rider
is less likely to get rid of the bike. Get rid of it into the canal, that is.
There were three shuttles and a car for the Viking passengers. Partially because there weren't that many of us, but more so
because of the social distancing restrictions. One small group received exclusive transportation (because they paid for
the top of the line "Explorer's Suite" on the ship and that was included); another group was traveling together, so they
tried to keep them together; another set of travelers; and then Linda and I.
Our shuttle arrived and we bid Dominique and the hotel a fond farewell, and were underway to the ship.
On our way to the ship. OK, THIS is the last canal picture, promise.
This is more of a picture of the windmill, rather than the canal. If you think otherwise, then fine, THIS is the final
canal picture, and not the other one above.
In transit, our shuttle driver confirmed what ship we were on. We said the Sigrun. He asked if we were sure because he
just came from the dock and the only ship there was the Einor. We said yes. He called someone. He told us they changed
our ship. (We eventually found an e-mail from Viking stating such, but it was sent on Monday, we were already in
Amsterdam, and I didn't check our personal e-mail for a couple days. Hey, I was on vacation!)
Our ship is called a longship - ~400 feet of it - with a passenger capacity of 190, and a staff of 47.
Our ship, docked in Kinderdijk on Day 5, and in Mannheim on Day 8.
A quick comment about the wheelhouse in case you are unfamiliar. In the left image above, you can see the wheelhouse raised.
Here is a close-up of just the wheelhouse (not from the image above).
There is space underneath the wheelhouse so the wheelhouse can be lowered.
But why would the wheelhouse ever need to be lowered? Sometimes if the water level is high, and a bridge is low, then it
would need to be lowered. More importantly, like the last cruise, it may need to be lowered when going through a lock.
Further, not only does the wheelhouse lower, the canapies over the tables and chairs lower too.
Also on the sundeck is a small putting green, and an herb garden.
We were finally onboard at 3:45. Our room for this cruise was one room down from the location of our room on the
cruise two years prior (though a different ship, the layouts were very similar), but, admittedly, WAS slightly
smaller. Frankly, the lack of space really didn't have that much of an impact becuase we really didn't spend
that much awake time in the cabin. Also, we were in the very last cabin on our deck.
The bathroom floor was heated, and the left side of the closet was for hanging clothes, and the right side had a
number of shelves and a safe.
In what is essentially the center of the ship, on the second of three decks (not including the sun deck) is the
reception desk. There are doors on either side of the ship at this spot for disembarking and embarking at the
various ports. There is a skylight at this spot too.
Just to cover a little more about the ship, in case you don't know anything about them.
One of the minor drawbacks of traveling this time of year - mid to late fall / autumn - is that the temperatures
are a little lower. The ships have a sun deck, a walking track, and limited open air dining. More of these features
get used when the temperatures are more favorable, but in order to help combat the lower temps, the ship is equipped
with these heaters at the front near the open seating.
We sat in the lounge most of the time when we were on the third deck.
In front of the lounge is the Aquavit terrace - there are tables and food service available here. There were
also large glass doors that could be opened when the weather is warmer.
And in front of the Aquavit terrace was some general seating.
Even though it was comparably early, the sun was setting already. Here is a wide panaramic of the city skyline.
Barely visible in the skyline picture is this statue. He is supposed to be at the waterway entrance to the city.
The first major order of business - after unpacking and getting settled into the room - was the introduction of the staff
managers. The staff included: Sharon, British program director; Daniel, Italian musician; Francisco, hotel manager;
Vim, Dutch captain; Vitor, maitre d'; and Russ, Philippine chef.
The boat can accommodate 190 passengers. Either due to the time of year and or COVID restrictions / concerns, our voyage
only had 61 passengers.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to a smaller group. While on our last trip we met new people almost every meal,
on this trip, we ate alone for all but one or two meals. Also, last trip, after the port talk, everyone was in a little
bit of a rush (though not a mad stampede) to get to the dining room to get "their seat". This time, only about 2/3 of the
dining room was even set up, and most pairs traveling together (I don't want to say "couples" because there were at least
two sets of mother-daughters, and one pair of friends traveling together) ate alone, and the groups traveling together
also sat together at a table for 4 (one group we saw) or 6 (two groups we saw; and one of them looked like two parents
traveling with their kids and said kids' spouses).
The emptiness of the lounge will give you an idea of the attendance. (These talks are NOT required so not everyone was
present at any time).
At 3:30, in the Aquavit Terrace (open air eating area [though the doors were closed due to the colder weather]), we had
a wine and cheese tasting.
Our first meal on the ship, dinner.
We arrived at a table that we essentially turned into "our table", though there were a few meals where squatters took
our places - so we just sat at the table behind it.
For those that don't know, each lunch and dinner is a three course gastromic adventure. For dinner, there are two
parts to the menu. The left side is the "always available" selection. (You won't see this menu page again.)
For the entire cruise, from the "always available" section, Linda had a Cesaer salad and the ice cream of the day once, and
I had creme brule twice. That was it.
The right side of the menu is what changes everyday. These right side starts with the "regional suggestion" at the
top, followed by other regional options. Here are today's selections.
Artisian bread(s) and butter were usually served with dinner too.
This day, Linda had the Cesaer salad, sea bass with eggplant puree, and NY cheesecake for dessert.
Steve had the bitterbollen, roasted veal sirloin with seasoned veggies and parmesian crusted palenta, and tompoes for
dessert.
Our primary server was Sam, and Nicholay and Job assisted at times too. We have a picture of Sam from the last night
on the cruise, but, sadly, Nicholay had a family emergency and wasn't present on the last night. (I have no idea
what the camera was focusing on...)
Like our last trip, as long as there was food in front of us, there was wine in the glass. Also, a couple times, we
were easily able to talk Sam into topping off our glass for "movie night".
This is the wine we had for our cruise.
The servers always wore masks. All the time (except for the occasional picture, that is).
I counted about 46 travelers at dinner. I didn't count every meal, but I was just curious how many there were. Also, the Aquavit
Terrace (off the lounge at the front of the ship) was avaiable for service too, so not everyone ate in the dining room.
During each dinner, the chef would stop by the table and see how we were doing, and how dinner was.
Our first day that included part of the actual cruise had come to an end. We took our full glasses of wine and returned to our room. Off to sleep in preparation for our first full day on the ship. While we will sleep, we will travel from Amsterdam to awake in Kinderdijk, The Netherlands.