Where Do Viking River Cruises Dock In Amsterdam

Culture & History In Amsterdam

Viking River Cruise: Day 1 in Amsterdam!

Fishing and trade have been at the core of Amsterdams history since the 13th century, when the city was, according to legend, founded by fishermen. By the 17th century, the golden age of Amsterdam had begun, ushering in a renaissance of trade for diamonds and other exports. Famous artists like Van Gogh, Vermeer, and Rembrandt are heavily featured throughout the city. During World War II, Amsterdam faced tragedy as Jewish citizens were deported and sent to occupation camps all over Europe, sparking the citys efforts to memorialize and honor those who were lost, which resulted in the founding of the the National Monument and the Anne Frank House. Today, Amsterdam is known as a cultural heart of Europe, home to a variety of art museums and cultural institutions. Amsterdam is a bicyclists haven and open-minded capital city where all are welcome. Each year in April, Amsterdam hosts its celebrated tulip festival.

Amsterdam Port Facilities & Location

Amsterdams cruise passengers will find a bustling yet smooth and efficient port. Ships embarking on cruises from Amsterdam are docked in one of two places: Felison Terminal, where smaller ships dock, or the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam , where a 10-minute walk will take you to a popular station. From there, you can travel by bus or trolley to Amsterdams historic center.

Cruising Down The Rhine River: Our Great Viking Longboat Experience

Cruising Down the Rhine River: Our Great Viking Longboat Experience

In 2015, we traveled 820 miles down the Rhine River on an eight-day Viking River Cruise from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland. It was one of the best trips weve ever takenand we dont say that lightly, having logged more than 2 million flight miles across the world! The experience was simply outstanding, from start to finish. We enjoyed delicious, exceedingly fresh food fine wines tailored itineraries breathtaking scenery excellent customer service and modern, clean rooms. Dr. Gary Raymond, a friend who took the identical Viking riverboat cruise weeks before, echoed his satisfaction with the trip, commenting that out of 18 cruises he has been on, this was one of the best! He noted, Everyone from the captain down was open to taking care of any problem you could come up with.

Viking is one of several major cruise lines, including AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Avalon Waterways, and Tauck, to run river cruises in a variety of countries. Taking a Viking cruise is a very different experience than being on one of the large cruise ships, however. Having only 190 passengers on board promoted a unique and relaxing atmosphere. There were a few teenagers, but most of the passengers were 50 or older. We did not see any children or loud, wild groups, as one would experience on the larger cruise ships, which carry thousands of passengers!

How To Get Into The City From The Airport

If you arrive the day of your cruise, Viking will meet you at the airport and bring you to the ship. However, if you arrive earlier you will need to make your own transportation arrangements.

Depending on your budget and travel style, we can recommend two ways to get from the Liszt Ferenc Airport to Budapest city center.

Private Airport Transfer more convenient

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Day Viking River Cruise From Antwerp To Amsterdam 2020

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Best Time To Visit And Cruise From Amsterdam

Where Do Viking River Cruises Dock In Budapest

Anytime is the best time to visit Amsterdam, put simply, because theres always something happening. The summer months allow for use of the citys public green spaces, live events, pleasant canal walks and so much more.

The winter months bring a chilly aspect to your day, but in the run up to Christmas theres always markets to enjoy, even the occasional ice rink proudly set up in random streets.

Start Of A Viking Cruise In Budapest

I journaled our entire 15-day cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. It was fun to record what a European river cruise is really like, the good, the bad and you know the rest. Youll find some travel tips along the way to make your own experience easier.

Check in day. This afternoon marked the start of our 15 day Grand European Tour from Budapest to Amsterdam. Our river cruise adventure would begin on the docks in Budapest.

While other passengers were stressing over flights and airport transfers, we were already in town. We arrived early for a number of reasons:

Flight delays happen. Few things could be worse than missing the boat. What a nightmare that would be!

We wanted to explore Budapest on our own. We took the opportunity to enjoy the citys famous thermal baths, as well as see all of Budapests top sights.

We could sleep late, have a late breakfast, and walk to the ship at our leisure.

We could get over any jet lag before the cruise.

Hotels Near Passenger Terminal Amsterdam

The most convenient hotel as mentioned is the Mövenpick hotel, which is literally nextdoor and well rated by travellers. Other good hotels in the area around Central Station include the art-deco Grand Amrath and the modern DoubleTree by Hilton.

This article was originally published in 2010 and has continuously been updated. Last update 21 October 2020.

Day Viking River Cruise From Amsterdam To Budapest 2019

Book A Cruise On Scenic

Viking River Cruise 2017 Amsterdam to Budapest

Typical starting price: $2,195 for 7 nights

Where do they sail: Danube, Main , Rhine, Moselle, Rhône, Douro , Seine, Bordeaux, Volga , Mekong , Irrawaddy

Duration: 7 to 21 nights

Specialty cruises: National Geographic, Christmas markets

Onboard amenities : Laundry, wellness area, gym, massage services, hair salon, Wi-Fi, e-bikes, L’Occitane products, pillow menu, shoeshine

Inclusive: Meals, butler service, gratuities, transfers, excursions, beverages , minibar fully restocked daily, chef-prepared picnics, 24-hour in-room dining, entertainment

Pros: Having a butler on call is a big perk. They will tend to your needs throughout the journey including nightly turndown service and laundry concierge. Scenic also has the Tailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system.

Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. For example, guests staying in suites enjoy exclusive dining, priority reservations, and a private Captain’s cocktail party, while those staying in standard rooms will lack many special perks.

Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. Standard suites are sparse, small and lack balconies. A good mid-tier option is the Royal Balcony suite, which comes with a great view and perks like daily fruit skewers, canapes, and petit fours. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge.

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Day : Cologne Germany

During the Holy Roman Empire, Cologne was the largest medieval town in Europe. Naturally, its Gothic cathedral is the hallmark draw!

The nice thing about this stop is the ship can dock right into town, so you can join the tour or explore on your own.

We explored the Kölner Doms interior and were suitably awed.

If you want a great view, Viking offers an optional tour that takes you all the way to the very top! I had already been to Cologne on a previous trip so instead, we opted for a palace excursion.

I *love* an over the top, beautifully decorated mansion and have a whole series dedicated to them here.

We visited Augustusburg Castle, one of two gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage site classified as Bruhl Palaces.

The castle was once home to the prince-archbishops of Cologne and is decked out in gold, marble and all-around extravagance. I particularly liked the massive entryway staircase which was gilded and made my mouth drop open when we turned the corner.

Highly recommend this day trip if you love castleshalf as much as I do!

The interiors were really unique and the guided tour was excellent.

After the main palace, we did a quick tour of the hunting lodge as well, which was just as stunning. This is one stop I definitely wished we had more time in!

Parking Nearby Passenger Terminal Amsterdam

Parking at Passenger Terminal Amsterdam is well organized,you can enjoy comfort and a cheap rate via the Valet Service or park your car in the nearby garages. Valet parking The most comfortable option is to use the Valet Service offered by Weparc in collaboration with Q-park. This is the only Valet Parking Service who is an official partner of PTA. How does it workYou can make a reservation via the link below. Then on arrival you hand over the key…

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Top Things To Do In Amsterdam

Experience a Brown Cafe

The brown cafe is an Amsterdam cultural experience you should check out for yourself during an Amsterdam cruise. These are traditional Dutch pubs where romantic candles burn down to the wick, beer spills in conversation over the wooden tables, and you can enjoy fried bar snacks galore. A few famous ones in Amsterdam include Cafe Hoppe and Cafe Chris.

See the Citys 8 Windmills

There are eight different historic windmills scattered in and around Amsterdam, so why not make a day of seeing each one? Grab your bike or rent a car and hop from windmill to windmill, stopping for lunch, coffee, or a local brew along the way. The Sloten Windmill is still in operation today and is open to visitors.

Go for a Spin Around the City

It wouldnt be Amsterdam without the influx of bicyclists spinning across town as they ride to work, to meet friends, and for pleasure. Its one of the best ways to feel the citys energy and get to know its windy grid system. Follow the rules of the road carefully while youre biking here.

Explore Trendy Jordaan

Jordaan is one of Amsterdams most popular districts, a neighborhood of boutiques and antiques, shops and cafes, and casual eateries set against the beautiful backdrop of Dutch-colonial architecture. Live like a local as you explore markets like Westerstraat and laid-back cafes like De Vergulde Gaper, where you can people-watch over a morning coffee.

Danube Cruise Day 1 In Budapest

Sailing from Amsterdam with the Viking Einar

I dont know who was more excited about our upcoming adventure, Dan or me. Either way, we both woke up early on the day of the cruise, even though Saturday is our weekly down day.

The official check-in time for a Viking River Cruise is 3:00 p.m., so we requested the latest hotel check out time possible. We took our sweet time that morning, savoring the hotels delicious breakfast buffet and scenic view for as long as we could.

Finally, we could delay it no longer.

Despite the official check-in time, Viking accommodates early arrivals, knowing flights arrive at all hours of the day. Having nowhere else to go with luggage in tow, we rolled our carry-ons down the sidewalk to the ship that would be our home for the next two weeks.

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First Evening On Our Viking Cruise

Before dinner, people gathered in the Lounge to introduce themselves and meet Dewi, Bragis delightful Program Director. She was there to give a Welcome Briefing. Shes Dutch and her name is pronounced Davey. Its the Indonesian version of the Hindu devi, meaning goddess. What a conversation starter!

TIP: Head to the lounge if you want to meet other passengers. The Sun Deck and the Aquavit Terrace are also good, but those are more weather dependent.

Dewi gave us an outline of what to expect on our cruise, and told us about optional tours we could take in the next few days. We also got a heads-up that Viking would ask for our feedback at the end of the cruise.

After the briefing, we met our Cabin Steward. Florin is a friendly Romanian chap. He asked us if we had everything we needed and requested that we please let him know if we needed anything else.

Taking advantage of his offer, I asked him for a couple of bathrobes. He offered to bring slippers as well. Well, slippers hadnt occurred to me but, Yes, that would be nice. And do you have any firmer pillows? The ones on our beds were way too soft, not to mention small.

If My Embarkation Pier Is Outside Of Town How Do I Get There What About Debarkation

Some river cruises, such as Tauck, Scenic, Emerald and Uniworld, include airport transfers in their fare. For others, such as Viking, Vantage and Grand Circle, free transfers are only offered to passengers who book a pre-cruise stay or buy their airfare through the company these lines all allow you to buy a transfer for a reasonable fee.

If you’ve bought your flights independently, you’ll want to check your cruise documents and see where the cruise pier is, then take a taxi or public transportation to the dock. Most European river cruise ships ask you to board sometime between noon and 4 p.m.

On the way home, you should arrange a transfer to the airport with the ship’s concierge, if you haven’t purchased it already, or arrange one independently.

If your river cruise includes a land tour portion — as you’ll find on more exotic itineraries such as the Yangtze in China, the Mekong in Vietnam, various rivers in Russia and the Nile in Egypt — you’ll probably meet up with the group at either the airport or the designated hotel.

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Things To Do In Amsterdam

The great thing about Amsterdam Cruise Port is that you only have to step off the cruise ship and you are right in the beating heart of the city centre. Consider renting a bicycle at Yellow Bike just a 20-minute walk from the passenger terminal to be prepared for an authentic Dutch day and night out. From the Yellow Bike rental, its an easy ride into the Red Light District, where you will find myriad attractions, including the neon-lit windows for which Amsterdam is so famous.

Shopping In A Budapest Grocery

Viking River Cruise Amsterdam

After settling the bill, we sauntered to a grocery store we had passed earlier.

We like to look around food stores because you get a good idea of what the locals prefer to eat and prices of their foods. Some of the produce and meats are different, too.

Yes, my friends, we consider that fun. And you know what? We discovered that Budapests food is super cheap!

The market was doing a brisk business as we entered.

Viking allows passengers to bring wine on board to enjoy, and we decided to pick up a bottle as wine is readily available in shops. Th is store had quite a nice wine department, but you should have seen us attempting to decipher the grapes and varieties!

Dan really enjoys recreating our favorite foreign dishes for our friends at home. So, while he was distracted with the wine options, I sneaked off to another aisle. I secretly wanted to pick up a packet or two of Hungarian paprika as a little surprise souvenir.

Outdoor Or Indoor Options

If you like to socialize and want a formal 3-course menu dinner, try the formal dining room on the main floor.

If you want more relaxed, casual food with perhaps a table for just 2, the Aquavit upstairs is a great alternative. We had lunch a couple times there and its quite nice to see the river views and sit outside.

Where Does Viking River Cruises Dock

We are taking a Viking River Cruise from Amsterdam. Can anyone tell me where the boat docks and how easy/difficult it will be to get from the boat to Central Station as we wish to explore on our own? Thanks in advance.

The river boat cruise terminal is very close to the Central Station see the following 2 pictures:It’s a 5 minutes walk to the main entrance of the station . Well, at the city side, it’s not much better, due to the construction of the new metro underground station.Enjoy your exploration of Amsterdam,PJ

Thank you Pieter! We have a few months before our trip so perhaps the construction will be done.

It won’t be 2012 in a few months, haha!It’s not as bad as it sounds .On the possitive side: there’s a free exhibition in the station about all the works and findings on the new metro line.PJ

If you can handle your luggage on wheels I would opt for the train.Both at Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Centraal Station there are elevators to the platforms .At Schiphol pick the right train .At Amsterdam Centraal wait a little till most people have left the platform and just go to the elevator. In the central tunnel underneath the platforms, go to the waterfront . Cross the street at the traffic lights and follow the walkway along the waterfront to the terminal.PJ

Thank you again. I will print this info and take it with me!!!! Happy Holidays

Have you discovered the Schiphol page here at VT?PJ

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Bike Tour Through Waterland

Amsterdam is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. Just north of Amsterdam is Waterland, a quaint region situated on the banks of Markermeer lake. If you are gearing up for a bike tour, going cycle seeing through Waterlands scenic bike trails could be a great adventure. This area is a haven for locals and tourists alike looking to stretch their legs and engage in a bit of adventure.

You can do the entire bike tour through Waterland in about a day, or you can opt for shorter outings of just a few hours. The entire route, depending on the one you choose, is between 30 kilometers and 55 kilometers.

The takes you to the former island of Zuiderzee in the Waterland region. You will pass through a couple of notable villages such as Zuiderwoude, Holysloot, and Ransdorp.

Waterland is dotted with quaint villages and breathtaking scenery. There is plenty of information out there if you want to check some more out-of-the-way villages and plan your own route.

Many of the old town districts of these villages have world-class cheese shops, cozy pubs, and enchanting shopping opportunities. Each village has its cultural flavor and fun things to explore.