In Transition

The AmaPrima in Amsterdam Harbor

Monday 11-7 is the transition day from our apartment to our cruise ship the AmaPrima. We decide that we will take our bags to the ship, meet our friends and head off to the national museum the Rijksmuseum.  A very smooth transition with a warm welcome at the Amaprima which is docked at the cruise terminal in Amsterdam. We relax with a coffee, meet Ed and Linda and we are off on a gray and drizzling morning.

The Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum was founded in The Hague in 1800s and moved to Amsterdam in 1808, the current main building was designed by Pierre Cuypers and first opened its doors in 1885. In April 2013, it reopened after a ten-year renovation which cost €375 million it is the most visited museum in the Netherlands. The museum has on display 8,000 objects of art and history, from their total collection of 1 million items from the years 1200–2000, among which are masterpieces by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Johannes Vermeer. It is amazing to contrast the artists at the Van Gogh museum with the older Dutch masters.

Rembrandt's "The Nightwatcher"

After we wear ourselves out we get lunch in the area and move to the officially check in and get our room on our ship.  Everything goes well and our stateroom is ready with our luggage.  The ship is the newest of the Amawaterways fleet, built in Netherlands.  It is 443 ft. long with 85 staterooms. The AmaPrima is somewhat unique in that the majority of staterooms feature double-balcony configurations, one side is a French verandah, with floor-to-ceiling doors that open wide, and the other is an actual balcony, with comfortable chairs.

Our stateroom

Balcony and French verandah, with floor-to-ceiling doors

We take it easy and have an orientation from the captain and crew then a greeting from the president of the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley the trade association of over 60 wineries and 150 grape growers in this area of Sonoma County.  It is our favorite area near our home.  We then taste wines from the Dry Creek region other than the 6 wineries hosting our cruise.  Its also a mixer to enjoy wine and meet other travelers and the owners of the host wineries.

The lounge on the AmaPrima

After the reception we have a wonderful dinner in the main dining hall.  After dinner we retire and plan for the next day.