All Aboard!

Monday morning, I left Amsterdam – and the drizzle and greyness – and took a train to Rotterdam.  I need to make note of another learning:  I thought I had purchased a direct train but I had to change trains in Leiden.  With luggage, it is important to buy direct train journeys whenever possible.  In spite of having just 4 minutes to change trains, it was actually pretty easy as we arrived on a platform which was just across from the one where the other train would depart.  As we headed south to the departure city for the Holland America cruise, we passed canals, windmills, boathouses, and tulip fields which, in spite of the weather, were vibrant in their colours of red, yellow and bright pink.  It was all the things you conjure up when you think of Dutch stereotypes.

Arriving at the Rotterdam Centraal station, I thought a cab would be the easiest way to get to the cruise ship terminal but checked to confirm that with the TI office.  While I was doing that, I started chatting with an Australia  couple who were also going on the cruise.  We we decided to share a ride.  It only cost €19 and it was sure easier than taking trams and walking.

The check-in for the cruise went pretty smoothly and not long afterwards, I found myself in a stateroom that was about twice the size of my hotel room in Amsterdam!  It was lovely as was the bottle of bubbly provided by my agent’s company.  I was off to a good start.  I was thrilled.

This cruise is going to take me to places I have never seen before:  Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde in Northern Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki in Sweden; and Sweden’s capital, Stockholm.  Then, it will finish back in Rotterdam.

We started by sailing down the Meuse River to the North Sea.  Along the way, we passed lots of industrial areas but also saw some amazing architecture.  The quality of the photos isn’t great as I took them through a window but they will give you some idea.

A Dutch Choir giving us a Musical Send-off

 For dinner, I went to the dining room and was seated with some other "solos" from Florida.  I guess this is actually a repositioning cruise which started in Tampa. On the way back to my stateroom, I bumped into some people I know from Victoria.  What a small world and I am seeing them for drinks and dinner on Tuesday, which is going to be an "at sea" day.  Of course, there will still be lots to do on the ship.  So, I'm off and things are looking great!