Amsterdam/Boarding the Jewel
After a great buffet breakfast at the Holiday Inn, we went across the side street to the Jumbo Foodmarkt.
“An extraordinary concept in an extraordinary location” definitely applies to Jumbo’s newly opened Foodmarkt in Amsterdam Noord. The store is located in Stork’s old ship engine factory on the River IJ. The building dates from 1920 and Jumbo has retained many of the original features, such as the winches and the cast iron windows. In this antique, characteristic building, the visitor encounters a brand new store concept. We talk to Herman Beldman, manager of Building and Shop development new concepts at Jumbo. He explains the store concept and the interior design created by Van Keulen Interieurbouw.
I believe that we went for Tom to get shoelaces but, of course, we looked around a bit.
As soon as we walked into the store, I spotted in on an endcap – Lime curd! – I haven’t been able to find this here in the states and lemon is ok but nowhere as good as lime.
Naturally, I veered the cart over to the display. I wanted to bring home more but Tom convinced me that 2 jars was a good number.
Product details
Traditional English-style Dickinson’s Curds are creamy delicacies made from real dairy butter, fresh eggs and pure cane sugar. Use this versatile indulgence as a refreshing spread to replace preserves…fold into whipped cream to create a frothy dip for fruit and ladyfingers…use as a glaze for fresh summer berries…or embellish tarts, cakes and cookies with elegant fillings and toppings.
We bought some other stuff, none of any importance, and went back to the hotel to finish packing. In an Uber and we were on our way to Cruise Port Amsterdam.
Cruise Port Amsterdam is your entry to the world class tourist destination and capital of the Netherlands: Amsterdam. Our unique terminal on the river IJ is just a stroll away from the historic Amsterdam City Center. Ideal for the independent traveler who can start exploring the city by foot. As well as strategically positioned to start an excursion to visit the famous Dutch highlights.
The Uber driver got us to the terminal and there was a T intersection. Different company cruise to the left, Royal to the right. Of course, he went left and couldn’t – or didn’t want to – understand why he should have gone right. Finally, we convinced him to make a Uturn and go the other way.
Check in was very easy and we were on the ship. Lots of people were wandering around the Centrum confused. I saw a guy sitting at a desk. Turned out he was the one who knew where we should go. We had The Key so it was off to the main dining room for a special lunch.
The Key Guests will enjoy the following exclusive benefits during their cruise vacation:
- Priority access during The Key designated arrival time (to be communicated via email). Other benefits may apply at specific ports.*
- Carry-on bag drop off with delivery to your stateroom. **
- Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring The Key signature menu.***
- Access to the fast lane at onboard activities (activities vary by ship)and private time at the Flowrider*. Didn’t use
- Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship-to-shore.Didn’t use – no tender ports
- Dedicated seating at shows in the Main Theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70.****Didn’t use, there was enough seating.
- VOOM® Surf & Stream 1 of Device high speed internet per person who purchases the package. This is why I get The Key if the price differential isn’t much more than regular internet
- On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive á la carte breakfast and choice departure. Didn’t go to breakfast but we had a special exit off the sip and avoided what looked like a massive line
When you receive your SeaPass card, it will have an icon confirming your purchase of The Key. If you don’t see it, ask your Stateroom Attendant or go to Guest Services to apply the icon.
After a nice, relaxing lunch, we headed to our cabin, then off to muster. Muster is getting easier and easier. I remember the old days when everyone would have to be at a specific location at the same time. You had to walk down the stairs – no elevators. Even before that, I remember lining up in rows in front of lifeboats. Someone would always be missing and we’d have to wait. He – almost always a he – would sho up late, drink in hand. Now you just have to watch a video or tell the crew that you watched it.
On this trip, I tried out yet another system for traveling with Omnitrope Growth Hormone. I actually tried the one I talked about in this post and it worked! As it turned out, I never actually used the electrical connection – more on that later. I filled out the RCL Special Needs form and they had a small cooler with massive charging cable. Eventually, I moved this refrigerator to the floor of the closet. Somehow, the cable had a light on it that would come on at inconvenient times.
This refrigerator also took up a much-needed outlet. The Jewel is an older ship and had only 2 US outlets. Luckily, we had a European to US adaptor, so we used that, too 🙂
We left port at 4:30, came back for a medical emergency, headed out again and another emergency so was 7:30 pm in Amsterdam and we were back where we started!
I wasn’t quite sure if this was a club or what.
I’m not sure why they brought chocolate-covered strawberries – or so many. Unfortunately, I’m alergic to strawberries. Tom gave it his best shot but we eventually threw too many away 🙁
Checking out the very small library on the side of the Schooner Bar. There were two bookcases like this. Few of the books were in English. Even though small, it was still way better than the Wonder where all the books were behind glass and no easy way to look at them.
And, we sailed on…
We went to the Boulevards show (oldies from London – fantastic group) the first night.
Introducing The Boulevards! A brand new 1950’s Rock ‘n’ Roll band performing the greatest hits from the golden era of music. The Boulevards are a 5-piece line up – Lead vocal and rhythm guitar, Lead guitar, bass guitar, piano and drums.
The rock ‘n’ roll band features a lineup of some of the UK’s finest musicians, comprising a wealth of television and west-end theatre performance experience. The Boulevards have been seen in productions and shows such as Dreamboats & Petticoats, The Buddy Holly Story, Sister Act, X Factor and All Together Now. The band members have all performed extensively within the wedding and party circuit and are experts in 1950’s Rock and Roll.
The Boulevards play all the classic rock ‘n’ roll hits from the 1950’s – from Elvis Presley to Chuck Berry; Cliff Richard to Little Richard; Jerry Lee Lewis to The Everly Brothers and Eddie Cochran to Buddy Holly. They deliver an authentic, uncompromised and electric performance of the greatest feel-good music of all time. Their barnstorming set is guaranteed to thrill everyone, leaving you rocking and rolling all the way home!
The Boulevards have a tremendous repertoire of rock ‘n’ roll music. They are experts at tailoring set lists to each event they perform in order to help create the perfect party atmosphere. Whilst taking guests on an exciting and exhilarating journey through the magic of 1950’s Rock ‘n’ Roll. Not only do The Boulevards play with such panache and energy, they are also styled authentically from the 1950’s era not simply just to compliment the music, but also to bring to life a truly remarkable entertainment experience for everyone.
It is their authenticity and attention to detail that sets The Boulevards apart from other bands. They choose to play rock and roll how it was intended – with a raw intensity, energy and passion that is wholeheartedly honest. They want people to relive the magic of the golden era of music in a refreshing and energetic way that inspires everyone to get up, dance and party the night away.
Each member of The Boulevards is proud to play such great music and they all take huge pleasure in entertaining people with it. Ladies- I’ve been buying this Too Faced brand mascara or Younique’s brand. They’re very expensive so I buy a cheap mascara just to wear everyday.
We learned that Daniel Gilham was the cruise director. Turns out he was in Jersey Boys so we may have seen him in that.
Throughout the cruise he wore a different tux every night except the night of the Arctic Circle when he wore a a Viking outfit,
Off to bed and looking forward to a sea day on our way to Geiranger, Norway
Scotland Travel Day: Days 0 and 1, July 31-August 1, 2022
Sunday, July 31, 2022 was an early day since I was playing with my Recorder Consort at church. Since it’s the summer, we hadn’t practiced for quite a while, so we got together quite early to decide what to play and to put it all together. In the end, we played offertory, final hymn and postlude.
After church, we came home and I took a nap while Tom packed. Finally, I decided I should pack – something warm and waterproof.
My mom noticed a flurry of activity and asked what we were doing. She claimed she didn’t know we were going to Scotland. I guess at almost-99, she can claim a bit of memory loss. I reassured her that we had someone checking on her and bringing in the mail, that there was enough food, jigsaw puzzles and Tivo shows to carry her through the week.
Finally, all the sweatshirts, fleece-lined jeans and such were packed and the Uber called. Dulles Airport wasn’t too crowded, at least the Icelandair area so we were on our way fairly easily.
I had gone back and forth about taking my growth hormone with me – it’s always an issue with travel. This time I had bought a new thing that had a USB-cable to keep the HGH cold. I actually used it with an external powerpack when our power went out last month and it worked well.
- ✔️ [Innovative Medical cooler] –>This new 4ALLFAMILY medical cooler is masterfully designed to keep your expensive supplies SAFE. The new USB lid can deliver an outstanding maximum temperature drop of 50 Fahrenheit compared with outside temperature.
- ✔️[ANTI FREEZE SECURITY]–>You CANNOT RISK FREEZING YOUR MEDICATION. The 4ALLFAMILY Cooler is built with some high tech features that allow it to safely detect temperature fluctuations, and thanks to the auto shut off / on option, it automatically adjust the power so internal temperature stays in 36-45F range all the time.
- ✔️[TEMPERATURE DISPLAY]–>Not only does the cooler works in silence to maintain the safe range, but also it is equipped with a display that shows the inner temperature in real time.
- ✔️[ High Capacity]–>Performance is not the only aspect this cooler shines. The inner tube has a large refrigerated space that has enough capacity to fit 7 insulin pens and other medications as well.
- ✔️[ Ensures a safe experience transporting medications]–>4ALLFAMILY COOLER is so practical and easy to use for long trips. It`s usb feature can be used in cars, planes, trains, car lighters, and powerbanks.
In the end, I decided not to take the HGH/cooler because I’ve had issues with security before and I wasn’t sure that there would be a USB port on the planes This turned out to be a good idea (see later).
After gathering all our stuff post-security, we found our gate. They started boarding the plane from the back (except, of course, for the small children and the people who had paid extra for “Saga class” aka business class). I had paid extra for more legroom, which was between steerage and the Saga people so we were almost last boarding. We were across from the restroom so there was a lot of activity nearby.
It turned out that these seats have the tv and tray built into the armrest and they were very hard to access. Tom tried the tv but couldn’t get it to be stable so he gave up – I didn’t even bother. I had also paid extra for 3-course hot meals. When they came, I found that my tray table, which folded in half, didn’t stay open so I was balancing it on my knee, not unlike a banjo. The meal wasn’t bad – lasagna, some kind of thing with cheese balls and fish(?) and tiramisu.
I was very cold and used 2 blankets – I had bought an interesting thing from amazon but, of course, it was in the suitcase above my head and too hard to get out.
Eventually, we got to Iceland and immediately got in line for the next flight. It turned out the line was actually for a bus to the next flight. We had to climb quite a few stairs, hauling our carry on luggage. I found our row and, of course, there was a woman sitting in the aisle seat. She asked me if I wanted her to move.
We got in our seats and actually had tvs and tray tables that worked. But no meal.
Leaving Reykjavik, Iceland:
Arriving in Glasgow, Scotland:
At Glasgow airport we found our luggage fairly easily and off to find the car rental place. Even though the website said it was “in the airport terminal”, that was kind of sketchy.
I had assumed being in the airport terminal meant it was inside the building but no! We walked outside (with our luggage, of course), then under a covered walkway to another building that housed some car rental places. Of course, ours was closed that day. So we walked further to a little outside shack-type structure where there was a person who held the key to our car. YAY
Because this is Scotland, the car was quite small – we got my medium size suitcase in the boot (trunk) and the rest in the back seat. A tight fit but we made it work.
Because this is Scotland, the car was a 5-speed manual transmission – and you drive on the left side. The roundabouts go around to the left. After a few false starts, we were out of the airport and on our way.
Our hotel had given us directions which read “Join M8 motorway heading east following signs for Edinburgh. On the outskirts of Edinburgh follow signs for Leith and Ocean Terminal. Hotel is situated opposite Ocean Terminal.”
That was a little bit optimistic. See the little circles on the map? Those are roundabouts where it was possible to take the wrong exit (while going the wrong way).
When we got to the roundabout in front of our hotel, the road was torn up for construction. We finally pulled into the Holiday Inn Express Waterfront. Hooray!
ASIDE: I am surprised that I didn’t write about this before but I guess that I was so angry that I couldn’t put it into words. Last time we were in Scotland we had arrived tired/exhausted/in a rental car driving on the left to an Edinburgh Airbnb only to find it locked with no one to let us in. We called the owner and he said “sorry, I changed my mind” or something to that effect. We found a nearby restaurant (with a bathroom!) and got something to eat – and started making calls to Airbnb. They couldn’t/wouldn’t help us. Not their problem. No refunds. The restaurant people told us there was a nearby hotel that might have openings. And they did. Because it was August – Tattoo and Fringe Festival month, the offerings were very limited but the Holiday Inn Express Waterfront gave us a place to stay for the night and I’ve been grateful ever since, which is why I chose them again. That, and they actually had parking. In 2015 we had been at a hotel with mostly on-street parking – and expensive parking tickets.
Back to the story: We got checked in and hauled our luggage up to the room only to find that there were no drawers or bureaus. Weird. Luckily, I pack in packing cubes so I was able to keep those intact on a shelf. When we had been here before there was no room for our luggage at all and it had to go to a luggage room. There had also been one door which closed either the bathroom OR the closet, which was weird. But we had a closet. Trade Offs! I was much happier with this year’s room, even if they had started charging for parking. The whole week’s parking was still cheaper than the ticket we got in 2015.
After a much needed nap, we had dinner at the hotel. When we left, we found that the lights go off automatically if there’s no key in a slot by the door – just like a cruise ship, but you couldn’t use any old key-shaped card. It had to be a room key. So, my growth hormone container would have stopped cooling every time we left the room – a good thing I didn’t bring it after all.
The hotel has a small range of dinner options. I had the bacon cheeseburger without the bacon or cheese. Tom had the cottage pie with “mixed green vegetables” which turned out to be peas. I guess they were mixed when put on the plate.
After dinner, I was flipping through the channels when we came across a show called Naked Attraction. This being a non-US show, it involved really naked people. Really. REALLY.
From that fount of all knowledge, Wikipedia: “Naked Attraction is a British television dating game show, broadcast on Channel 4. A clothed person is faced with six naked people who are initially hidden in booths. Their bodies and faces are gradually revealed through successive rounds, from the feet up. At each round, the chooser eliminates one naked person until only two are left, when the chooser also takes off their clothes to make the final choice. The chooser then decides which person they wish to go out with, and the two (or, occasionally, three) then go for a fully clothed date. The programme then presents their feedback after the date. It premiered on 25 July 2016 and is presented by Anna Richardson.
Numerous complaints about the programme were made by viewers to the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom due to the full-frontal nudity that is featured in the programme. Ofcom chose not to investigate as there was nothing that breached their rules: the show was purely a dating show and did not contain any sexual activity, and was shown after the watershed.”
Scrolling through tv and seeing 4 naked men (we got to the show late) was quite an eye opener. When the ones weren’t chosen walked away, the cameras focused on the <ahem> rear view.
Youtube has some samples which have been carefully edited to meet Google standards.
And so ended Day 1.
