Tips for traveling to Holland and Belgium

I travelled to Holland and Belgium a few years ago and was recently asked for some tips. Below are the things I did to keep a 10 night trip (April)  to about $1700 CDN. including flights, trains and hotels.
1. Watched for sale prices on KLM.com (sign up for their offers) as they will offer the international flight to Amsterdam and a train to Brussels (instead of 2 flights), for a slightly lower price.
2. Stay in Belgium first as you will return out of Amsterdam.  I stayed at the Novotel hotel near the train station in Belgium as I knew I would be using the train station a lot. Also its only a 15 minute walk to the town center and a nice walk with lots to see.  The hotel was clean, let me check in early and had lots of places for breakfast including the food court in the station.
3. I learned from the Rick Steve's book on Amsterdam and Brussels & Bruges that it is cheaper to book station to station train tickets in both Belgium and Holland vs. a train pass and it was correct as it only cost $5 euro each way to Namur and Ghent.
4. Do day trips out of Brussels and Amsterdam.  I went to Namur by train (about an hour each way) and its a nice town with a castle you can walk up to (nice café at the top). It was market day which offered some great fruit/veggies and baked goods. The river and town are scenic and historic.
I also went to Ghent (again an hour each way) and it was my favourite. I visited the Bell tower - one of the easier towers to ascent as their is an elevator for part of the way up and great views from the top.  Did a river boat cruise and walked around visiting galleries, etc.
I went to Bruges and stayed two-nights at a B&B, that I booked on Booking.com.   I like Booking.com as the reviews are trust-worthy as you have to have stayed at the hotel in order to review it.  I only go with properties with an 8 out of 10 or higher as the few times I did a lower score, the reviewers were right and the properties weren't good.
Bruges offers an inexpensive museum pass that is worth it.  I visited all of the museums, Bell tower ( a tougher walk up to the top - you almost have to crawl the last steps on the way up/down as its tiny.  I also visited a Brewery for a tour.  I liked this town but not as much as Ghent.
5. Stay in Brussels for a few days - there is a lot to see (the Cathedral, museums, town square/center etc).  Chocolate and waffles are sold everywhere.  I enjoyed the food and especially the various beers.
6. Take the train back to Amsterdam  - its only over an hour but I did it from Bruges (had to change in Brussels) so it was closer to 2 hours.  I stayed at Hotel Fita near the museum square.  I am going back to Amsterdam this spring but they are fully booked.
7.  Top places to visit in Amsterdam - the Rijksmuseum, Jewish Museum - it includes the museum. synagogue and an old theatre where the Nazi's held jews during world war 2. I did the tulip gardens and walked around. Note Amsterdam is very expensive for lodging so a B&B is a must. 8. Take the local trains to see other towns including Delf, the Hague, Rotterdam (all museums are free entry on Wednesdays). 9. How long should you stay - that depends on what you want to see - I should have stayed 3 nights instead of two in Brussels, and 3 was enough for Amsterdam, (unless you are going to do several short trips to other towns. 10.  Keukenhof Gardens is a must in April/May. If you stay near museum square, take the tram back to the airport and you can buy the bus ticket and entry on the bus. Its crowded first thing in the morning but on the way back the buses and lines are pretty empty.
11.  Pre-book the tickets for the trains online as you will get deals by pre-booking.  The trains in both Holland and Belgium were efficient, on time and had room for luggage.  I found the train staff all spoke English and were very helpful.
12. If the museum you want to see is really popular, pre-book on line (i.e. the Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank house require timed tickets). I didn't do it for the museum as I saw there was no line one afternoon and just walked in.
13.  Going in April/early May is a bit off-season so I got better deals for flights, hotels and trains.  Also nothing was really crowded and the weather cooperated with 12 to 15 degrees celcius with sun and some showers.
I then took the flight back from Amsterdam.
Hope this helps
Marcia

Solo cabins on cruise ships - review of three cruiselines

I frequently travel on my own and am always looking out for a better deal for the solo traveller. This year I have found that my favourite cruise lines … Holland America, Princess, Norwegian and Royal Carribean seem to be charging more than double for a solo traveller especially on the last minute cruises.  Usually it's 50 to 100% more if you want the cabin to yourself. So when you find a deal where you are paying a similar price to what one of two going on a cruise its a deal.

Every once in a while I come across deals on NCL and just lately RCL for their solo cabins.  I must admit I didn't like the solo cabin on the NCL Breakaway as they used very junior cabin attendants (so cleanliness of the cabin was an issue), the cupboard door was broken and even though I reported it the first day and even with escalations they didn't repair it until the last night. There were also problems with awful smells in the corridors.   Also I don't like having the shower in the bedroom as water gets everywhere.  All the promises of socializing and a special rep to help solos were not real as the rep only showed up once and not at the time published.   Also lately, the solo cabins are so popular that you can get an inside cabin for yourself at a lower price. NCL says its due to supply and demand.  So I don't recommend NCL's solo cabins.

I was also in a solo ocean view cabin on Costa, but again don't recommend it as its a twin bed, in the lowest deck by the engine and near the crew area, so noise is an issue day and night.  It did have a full bathroom.   But if you want cheap it is a very good deal for one of these cabins - I paid $600 CDN for a 7-day cruise.

I am going to try RCL's solo virtual cabin on the Ovation of the Seas, as its the most reasonable priced option to go on a Hawaii cruise. It has a full size bathroom, virtual sea views and what appears to be a double bed.  The best was the price was similar to the double occupancy rate for one person out of the two going.  I also received $225 OBC ($50 from Expedia and $175 from RCL).
Hope this helps.

 

Websites catering to solo travellers

I came across this listing yesterday of websites catering to solo travellers. I personally find that many of these companies cater to solo travellers looking for companion travellers and/or cater to solos willing to spend a bit more for the help/assistance provided by these companies.  If this is your situation below is the list I got off of SmarterTravel.com.  Note sign up for the newsletter as they always have great info for those who love to travel.

Best Single Travel offers trips, cruises, and weekend getaways for solo travelers of all ages.

Intrepid Travel has dedicated solo trips as well as a roommate-matching program on the rest of its offerings, so you never have to pay a solo supplement if you don’t want to.

One Traveller is a U.K.-based company leading trips for the “mature single traveller” (aged 50+) to destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

Singles Travel International offers trips for solo travelers with an average age of 48 through 65. If the company can’t find you a roommate by the time you make your final payment, you can have a room to yourself for free.

Solos is a U.K.-based company offering a wide variety of solo-only trips around the globe.

Solo Traveler offers tips, resources, and destination guides for solo travelers.

Women Traveling Together is for solo female travelers who prefer to be with a group of like-minded women. The company offers tours, retreats, and other getaways, complete with roommate matching.
Hope this helps

Flight Deal to Rome or Naples for May, June September and October dates:  $579.00 with Air Italy:

Next Departure.

Tips for taking a cruise out of San Juan Puerto Rico

Thanks Steve for your questions re taking a cruise out of Puerto Rico.  Below are my suggestions and tips.
Tip 1. Direct Flights (Air Canada/West Jet) to Puerto Rico are expensive and usually leave only on weekends.  Use Flighthub.com or other compiler sites to keep track of  the flight costs and if you see a good deal book it right away (i.e. less than $500 CDN is a bargain).  Also they also leave at 10am or later so you cut it really close or will miss the cruise if it leaves at 4pm or 5pm so coming in a day or two ahead makes sense. Also note both airlines charge for luggage even if it is in the Caribbean.
Tip 2. Pre-book a shuttle to the ship or hotel, as their taxis are often on strike and or some other organization is.  The last time I was there they squeezed 3 different families into a SUV and it took us 2 hours to get into downtown and the cruise terminal.  I have used Go Puerto Rico and they were on time and reasonably priced..
Tip 3. Find out what cruise terminal you are at for departure - this is really important as there are two:
1. Pan America Pier is located to the south of Old San Juan. The modern San Juan cruise ship terminal building at Pan America Pier is in Isla Grande. It serves larger cruise vessels.
or 
2. San Juan Cruise terminal which is right  in Old San Juan. 
Often if the ships are home ported out of San Juan they are at the Pan American Pier, which is about a 10-minute drive from Old San Juan.  Check with RCL to see where you will embark and disembark. 
Tip 4.  I have stayed at a few hotels in San Juan... the Hilton Condado beach which I liked as there are restaurants to walk to etc. The beach is small at the hotel but the pool great.   I have stayed at the Marriot in Old San Juan and at the Condado beach (it was busier than Hilton and more expensive but right on the beach which I loved), etc.  I like the Condado one if you are docked at Pan America Pier as it is a 5-minute cab ride to the pier. If you are at the San Juan Cruise terminal stay in an hotel in old San Juan and then you can walk to the terminal. 
Tip 5. What to do with only 1-day - walk around/or take the free open air trolley around old San Juan.  The Fort Cristobal is worth a look.  Its a very hilly town so I often take the open air trolley to the top - get off a the fort and then work my way back down the hill....
Hope this helps.

What sites should you go to before booking a cruise or hotel for trusted reviews?

Thanks for the question on what sites I go to when checking reviews on cruises, hotels, and shore excursions.

For Hotels below are my go to's:

TripAdvisor.com - it consolidates reviews from the hotels (i.e. Hilton will forward over their reviews), as well as members of trip advisor.  This is a popular site for reviews and the property managers often respond to the reviews.

Booking.com - you must have stayed at the property for your review to be published. I have consistently found the reviews to be truthful and helpful.

Expedia.com/ca - again you must of been one of the guests at the hotel, or they will import the hotel property reviews.

For Cruises below are my go to's:

Cruise Critic.com - its members as well as professional review cruises, cruise line, shore excursions and ports. Sign up to their newsletter.

Cruiseline.com - Passengers who have booked thru them and cruises.com provide their feedback.


Tip 1:  Read as many reviews as possible and look for consistencies... i.e. all state its clean, comfortable, no noise etc.  Or most may state its noisy, breakfast is repetitive, or in one of the hotels I stayed at they said hot water was never available in morning. And guess what they were right even though I reached out to the hotel before hand re the water situation.  For cruises, I am looking for details on embarkation/disembarkation time length, cleanliness, facilities, ages and types of cruisers and things to do in port other than cruise line excursions.

Tip 2:  You should book hotels and or cruises that have average ratings of very good or excellent Even if its a 2 or 3 star hotels - if they are getting a 8 -10 out of 10, then people who stayed there had similar experiences and found good value for the price paid.  Remember 3 star hotels will not usually have pools,  etc but will be clean, comfortable and often are located in good areas.  I have found people willing to do a review are typically frequent reviewers and want to help others travelling. I find the few really low ratings often are from people who experienced major issues where the hotel or cruise line really didn't help them.  That is why you are looking for high average scores.
For cruises  ... you want 75% or more giving a good 4 or 5 score.  You also want most to state that the cruise ship is not worn - carpets unclean, needs paint etc and in need of refurbishment.  Food is to taste so be careful re these reviews.

Tip 3: Check thru the review for tips on location, transportation, check-in times (especially early check in capabilities or late checkouts).  I am always looking for how close the hotel is to public transportation, availability and cost of transportation to/from airports, free shuttles, shopping and restaurants, etc.  Look at the "traveller" pictures - they can really help.

Tip 4: Always check thru the reviews before booking - it doesn't help as much after you book and you can get caught in a bad hotel or cruise. 

Tip 5:  Provide reviews after you get back - help your fellow traveller.

Hope this helps

What to think of when booking a cabin on a cruise

Thanks Nicca for your question re motion sickness and picking a cabin to avoid the most of the movement. 
If you get motion sickness:
 Tip 1: Book a cabin on a lower deck in the middle of the ship as this is where you will have the least movement.  The higher the floor often the more feel of movement/wind.
Tip 2:  Get out on your balcony (if you book one) or get out on deck as much as possible as the fresh air helps with any sickness.  Also get your medication, ear patches or the sea sickness bands at home as its much cheaper than asking the doctor on board.
Overall tips on booking any cabin on a ship:
Tip 1:  To save money usually an inside cabin is the cheapest option or an inside "guaranteed" is usually a bit cheaper still. However the cruise line picks your cabin and I have found that often I will get the front or back of the ship.  Note however look at your cabin options as on the Oasis the Central Park Balcony was cheaper than the inside for a solo. I have also found that sometimes the guaranteed ocean view is cheaper than picking your own inside cabin.
Tip 2: If you are ok with a bit of ship movement I prefer the front of ship on a higher floor. This usually results in a bit of ship movement feel, but you don't hear the anchor dropping/being pulled up. The back of ship (on many but not all ships, has a back and forth swaying movement and you get the vibration of the engines). 
Tip 3:  Look what is above and below your cabin - avoid having the sun deck, casino and or restaurants or pubs below are above. The best is to have cabins below and above you to minimize noise.
Tip 4:  Do not book a cabin with adjoining cabins if they are not your friends or relatives as you can hear noise, tv etc thru the adjoining cabin door.
Tip 5:  Unless you have 3 or more in your cabin don't take a cabin meant for families as even though I am not tall its awkward to move around the cabin with the bunks on either wall.  You lose the side space for getting in and out of bed without hitting the bunk(s). I have been assigned these types of cabins thru a guaranteed cabin purchase.
Tip 6: Given you will have limited space - usually your empty luggage fits under the bed.
Tip 7:  What if the guaranteed cabin they give me is not what I want?  Ask your travel agent to call them - I have upgraded/changed my cabin for either a small amount or free.
Tip 8:  Cruise lines are all different on the timing for assigning guaranteed cabins.  NCL if they are sellling out on cabins often assign the cabin about 90 days before the trip but not always.  On Holland and Princess it can be just a few days before sailing.
Hope this helps